Pandemic World Sacraments

As we enter into autumn 2020 I'd be lying if I didn't say I feel like spring/summer was stolen from us. Living in NYC during a pandemic didn't allow for all the wonderful spring and summer activities we normally get to participate in. Having to be super cautious about where we went, how we interacted with people, meant not a lot of vacation time. Honestly, it has been mentally and emotionally exhausting. I think I'm stating what we all have felt one way or another. 

I'm extremely grateful therefore to say that these past two weekends at St Francis, we had the joy of celebrating sacraments with our young people. Last week was First Communion and this past Saturday was Confirmation.

This year's confirmation was unique in quite a few ways. Of course, first there was the whole pandemic reality that we needed to factor into how we would celebrate.

Then there was the preparation that this particular class went through in order to come to this day. This class was chosen to enter more fully into their process with guided service activities, prayer and work with some of our neighboring parishes and the chance to create relationships with some young adult sponsors in our parish. 

Finally, on a very personal note, this group of young people are the first group I began working with when I began in the parish seven years ago. Some of them, I've known since they were three years old! (that's another story) What an absolute joy and privilege it has been to work with them and see them grow into such fine young adults. Both Fr Kelly and I were a bit emotional about their Confirmation. We weren't the only ones...I saw quite a few parents quietly wiping away tears.

So, it is with great joy that we welcome these eleven young adults into our community as fully initiated Catholics. We are so proud of you, of who you are, and who you are growing to be as thoughtful caring adults. We know this world you are inheriting is not at all easy to navigate, and we promise to be here to support you. We love you and wish you all God's blessings. Thank you for your example to us. 

In the words of our patron, St Francis de Sales: "Be who you are, and be that perfectly well!" 

Smiling Eyes

Hospitality is a charism we are proud to value as much as we do at our parish of St Francis de Sales. In the past 6 years I have seen this community grow in amazing ways as we continue to look for ways to welcome new folks into our midst.

As we prepare to come back home to in person Sunday Mass this weekend, I find myself a bit nervous. Teasing apart the many reasons why anyone could be hesitant about coming into a building for a large group gathering I am surprised to find it's not the many health related cautions that are my concern, but rather, how to exhibit and share a warm welcome with others as they enter our church with our current restrictions. As you enter with your mask securely in place, and my mask on my face, we won't be able to see each others smiles. We won't be able to shake hands or hug.

In Sunday's Gospel Jesus speaks about how we are to receive one another as if we were receiving God's very self. "Whoever receives you, receives me and the one who sent me".

Maybe this is where we find our clue for how we are to receive one another this weekend.

When you come into the doors of the church tomorrow, I can look in your eyes and know we are gathered together once again as sisters and brothers in God's own heart and home. I suspect for all of us, the joy and anticipation we have about coming together as 'church' once again, will be bubbling over in our eyes and our hearts. Masks will not be able to conceal our happiness.

So, I have, we have, nothing to worry about. In fact, I think our disposition towards hospitality will find many new, creative ways to exhibit itself tomorrow and in the days to come.

As we reflect back over the past few months, we can take time to recognize and grieve for what has been lost. People we love, the ease of travel and access to people and places-how we think about all of this is different now. I encourage us too, to acknowledge and celebrate the many blessings we have discovered as a result of our months of solitude and prayer. We have learned to value the people around us in whole new ways... (or old, like when we were young, family dinners and games  again.) Let us bring both our sorrow and our joy with us as we gather together, both in person and virtually for Sunday Mass tomorrow. There may have been loss, but thankfully there have been blessings too.

I can't wait to see you tomorrow, especially your smiling eyes over your masks!

What Is Your Favorite Type of Bread?

This reflection might be difficult for some of you carb lovers who try so hard to be mindful of where ‘bread’ fits into your daily life;  Le Pain Quotidien as it were…

(A quick aside: we did all know that means ‘our daily bread’ right? Have to admit, that’s a clever name for a bakery!  And you know Corpus Christi means Body of Christ right? Not just the city in Texas...OK, moving on...)

It is no accident that Jesus choose bread as the sign and symbol that would unite and unify his followers. Think about what a universal symbol bread is. Every culture, every ethnic group has its own version of ...bread...white bread, italian bread, french bread, tortillas, matzoh, mantou (China), Naan, pita, puri….and on and on….! Jesus claims he is our living bread!
These days as Catholics who have been forced to stay away from our Sunday celebrations of the Eucharist, many of us have been thinking about how much we miss Communion, both the Eucharist and the time we have with each other at Mass. We have been called to think about ways in which we may be called to BE communion, to be the presence of God to one another, while we are both away physically from one another and at the same time, united in some most profound spiritual ways. We have been in awe and wonder as we realize that God has been present to us in the most amazing moments, if we have the eyes to see. In a very real way we are learning that all of life is sacrament and sacred. Where have you discovered the mystery of God in your life this week? 
Once you see the wonder of God around you, how do you let that change you? If we aren’t changed by our encounter with the Divine, what’s wrong with us? Shouldn’t we be changed in our very heart of hearts, if we truly are seeking God? And if we are changed, then our actions will reflect our change of heart, right? 

I had the privilege Tuesday evening of attending a gathering (virtually, of course) of churches united in their desire to work for the end of the sin of racism in our institutional church. These churches, from different areas of Manhattan, have met over the last few years to educate themselves and their parishioners, on the topic of ANTI racism. I am proud to say that St Francis de Sales has been a part of this endeavor as well. If you’re not sure of how we have been involved, I’d invite you to check out our video offerings on our website to see what so much of the focus of our Pop Up Theology has been. 
The conversation among the wisdom figures in this group quietly spoke to the level of exhaustion that folks are feeling at this moment in time. One person reflected on the image of a race, and said that this work may not be a marathon, but, in reality, more of a relay...with the idea that we need to learn how to pass the baton…
What do we need in order to take care of ourselves when we are exhausted? We need nourishment! In this instance, the food we need, so clearly, is the Living Word of God in our midst, shared with one another. We need to fill ourselves with the truth that we are sisters and brothers, children of one God, who loves all of us, indiscriminately. We are called to be that living bread for one another. We are bread for the world. We are called to stand shoulder to shoulder, arm in arm, (OK, ideologically, if not physically because of social distancing!) and witness to our unity in Christ Jesus.

There are lots of ways to do this, not everyone is called to or feels comfortable just now, in joining a march. That’s perfectly understandable given the last three months of Covad restrictions. Be at peace! 
There are other options available to us; ways to reach out to the lonely, the elderly, the sick, and let them know they are not forgotten. These are days we may choose to make peace with someone we have been estranged from.  We can share what we have with the hungry. We can’t all do everything, but we can all do something!

May Jesus inspire us to be food for one another today. May we be changed by our encounter with our very own Living Bread! May we, in Jesus' name, look for ways to build up and nourish each other, and stand united as witness to all that is good in our world.

The Mystery of Relationships

This coming Sunday we celebrate the feast of the Trinity. Sister Joseph Anita, CSJ was right...it is a mystery. But lots of things are mysteries to me (math for one....) so I'm comfortable with not understanding all of the finer points of this doctrine. What I heard yesterday in a reflection on this topic sticks with me right now: Trinity is about relationship. The loving relationship between the Creator, the Son and the Spirit.

Relationships are vital to our lives as human beings. We grow in community with one another. We thrive in the light of the love we share, the friendships that feed our souls.

Our world is hurting today. Could it finally be that we have reached a breaking point? Are we at last ready to admit that we have failed to care for each other as sisters and brothers in Christ's love?

Racism is a sin that destroys, crushes, kills.

We are called, as followers of Jesus Christ, to live in the light, to speak truth, to love one another.

Any time, in any circumstance, when we treat others as less than ourselves, because they are different from us, we are guilty of the sin of racism. (Or whatever -ism applies in that circumstance)

Really, it's that simple, isn't it?

We've all learned the 'golden rule' treat others as you want to be treated...love one another...
We have found a million ways in our world not to do this.

Oh, consciously we may try, or think we're trying to treat others equally, fairly. Many times, the truth is we are not aware that unconsciously we have all sorts of unknown biases that live in our hearts.

Here is a really small example that was pointed out to me this week: why are 'flesh colored' band aids the color of my particular skin tone? Really small example, huge repercussions.

I am challenging myself this week and moving forward to pay attention to all the many ways the choices I make may break/harm my relationships with my brothers and sisters in my world. I want to be a better Christian Catholic. I want to honor my God by honoring those in our world who have had to fight for fair and just treatment by the majority for the last 400 years.

I invite you to think about your relationships, on this Trinity Sunday, and think about what you want them to be.  May we all strive to make our relationships with one another holy and whole in the light of our Savior.

Can We Talk? No, Really...Can We Have A Graced Conversation?

Easter Season has come and gone, we are ready to celebrate Pentecost, we are in our third month of living in pandemic times, with perhaps a slow opening promised somewhere on a near horizon…

We are forced to confront our human realities still in ordinary time. 

Our country is in turmoil yet again, over another example of brutality over the death of our brother George Floyd. Jesus’ words to the leaders of his day seem particularly poignant to me: “Are you not mislead because you do not know scripture or the power of God?” (Wed. 6/3 readings for daily Mass)

If we take a moment to be honest with ourselves, let those words sink in, isn’t this the root of all our human suffering still today? We don’t know who God is, or trust God’s ability to lead us to life and wholeness. 

We are indeed misled, heck, we’re lost, if we are not rooted in God’s word.

We can get sucked into all sorts of nonsensical arguments like “whose wife will she be in paradise” or if wearing a face covering infringes on my civil rights, or  how oppressed people react when pushed too far…

Should we not rather be concentrating on the truth-

If we believe that the Holy Spirit brings gifts of truth and wisdom and courage … and we hear St Paul’s words that we must let the grace of God burn like a flame in our hearts …

Why are we, at times,  ashamed of this grace, and of this faith that we have been given…

As people of faith, what are we called to do in this moment of unrest? How are we called to stand with our brothers and sisters who are beaten down, having the very breath of life choked out of them, because of the color of their skin?

Honestly, I don’t know the answer for me, let alone, for anyone else. What I do know, is that I can’t be afraid to enter into the conversation. 

I have to ask questions and listen to other points of view. I have to be willing to learn from others who have a different experience and perspective from my own. I have to be open to where the challenge may come from, be it a conversation in a faith sharing group, my young niece, or a comment on facebook that makes me uncomfortable. 

I’m starting to understand that the things that make me uncomfortable are the clues God gives me to see where I need to grow a bit more. Can you acknowledge what part of these horrible stories make you uneasy? 

The disciples and friends of Jesus spent 50 days secluded pretty much in that upper room…doing who knows what…waiting for the courage to go out and begin to share the story of who Jesus was and how he changed their lives. When the re entered their society, their words and actions changed the world!

We have spent something like 90 days in our homes…and as we begin to open our doors and enter into society again…something as terrible as the murder of Mr Floyd occurs. What is wrong with us?  And, honestly my sisters and brothers, what is wrong with us if we are not heartbroken by this tragedy? After 90 days of solitude, time we could have used for growth and prayer…are we ready to change our world? Don't we want our world to be better? 

I know we are not all given to public displays, or civil action, but still…?

If we are not all somehow saddened by the death of our brother, than I do think our hearts are hardened. We are indeed misled, we do not know a thing about our God, who weeps at the death of another one of his children. 

So, maybe the thing is, we need to be honest with ourselves. In our heart of hearts, where is God in the midst of all of this, and where are we? Do we believe that all persons are loved by God regardless of the color of their skin? If we say we believe that, than what, really, in God’s name, are we doing? 

All I know for sure, is that we need to keep talking to one another, asking the Holy Spirit to guide our minds and hearts to ways of peace and understanding. Eternal rest grant George Floyd and our  hearts and prayers for his family.

As Spring Deepens

In a few weeks we will mark the Feast of Pentecost; the coming of the Holy Spirit. Our readings this weekend are preparing us for this great celebration, often called the birthday of the church. I must admit, I often feel like the Holy Spirit gets short shrift when I am praying. Ironically enough, I do believe it is because of the Spirit that I am able to pray at all. Perhaps I just take the presence of the Spirit of God in my life for granted, and for that I am both sorry and humbled.

In John's Gospel this Sunday Jesus introduces the idea that he will send his Spirit to remain with us, as a permanent connection to him and the Father. Very often I find myself confused by the Gospel of John and this passage is one that trips me up every time. "I'm in him, he's in me, we're in you..."leaves me shaking my head and trying to get oriented to who is the object of what sentence!

Praying with folks this week, (NAFSCC: North American Forum on Small Christian Communities) I heard something from our colleague Diane in Florida that helped me understand this gospel a bit more. The idea that in my very bones, in my DNA...I'm a person of faith, in this case, Catholic...that underneath everything, deeper than I know, is my connection to the God who called me before I was born. Maybe this was something like what Jesus was trying to explain, that the connection between him, the Father and the Spirit, is in his very DNA...and he was trying to share that with his friends, as a way of giving them the comfort of knowing that they would not be alone. I can wrap my brain around that idea. Thanks Diane.

I find hope and a challenge in a line from Peter in the second reading: "Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope"...many times I find myself tongue tied when someone asks me about my faith. Or worse, I find myself embarrassed to admit I strive to live a life of faith. Why would I be shy about acknowledging that I strive to live with Christ as the center of my life? Even as an adult I can still succumb to unspoken peer pressure. That's a tough thing to admit, which is why the challenge of this passage will stay with me for awhile I hope.

How do these readings touch you this year, as we enter into week 8 or 9 of living through this Pandemic season? What are you praying with or thinking about as spring deepens and we still try to follow remain at home instructions? Are you blossoming in the light the Easter Gospels and finding time for quiet and prayer? Are you being nourished by new ways to connect with loved ones? How will you ask the Holy Spirit to guide and strengthen you when we arrive at Pentecost in two weeks?

I hope for each of us, that this strange season of being homebound is fertile ground for the Spirit of God to nurture new growth in us, that will sustain us in ways we can't yet imagine, when we are able to move out into our cities and world once more. May we learn to hold on to the things we value most when we are free to move about again. I pray one of those truths may be, that we know we are connected to God in the most intimate way possible, through the very breath of His Spirit in us.

What's Going On In Your Home?

"Let yourselves be built into a spiritual home" We hear these words in 1Peter Ch 2 this weekend, as the intro to our second reading. I've been reading and talking a lot with folks about the virtues and drawbacks of our present virtual, digital Mass reality these days of pandemic. As part of my parish responsibilities include religious education, especially for our families, I am thinking about our youngsters and how they might be understanding their participation in church today.

On the one hand, I am hearing, how very convenient it is to roll out of (or over in) bed and into digital Mass or confirmation class, while still in comfy clothes and 'bedhead'. I agree, not having to commute to church to be present at Mass IS indeed so much easier, on some level.

On the other hand, we say we are really missing that human connection, greeting one another in real time, seeing each others faces and smiles, or sleepy faces and knowing we have made an effort to be physically together, because we get something out of being community around our family eucharistic table once more.

From what we're hearing from the experts it looks like the safest way to think about our future church may indeed be a situation of both/and. We may be able to be present to one another in smaller groups for worship, we may also need to learn how to share our faith in a very conscientious way in our homes.

Parents, you are already performing a herculean task of being parent, teacher, wage earner, chef and everything else that goes into keeping your children happy, healthy, and safe at home. It is with a cautious breath that we ask you to remember those words you heard at your child's baptism, that it is in the family where our children first learn building blocks of our faith. That parents are indeed the first teachers of the faith for their little ones. We speak of a 'Domestic Church' in our tradition, and today these words are more real, more important that ever before.

Given our present reality, for the time being, and the foreseeable future, your home is the church your family will know best. How are you sharing faith with your children? How are you making Sundays different from the other 6 days of the homebound weeks? How are you and your family accepting the invitation to be built into a spiritual home? How can we at church help you do this more successfully?

These past few months, my admiration for all parents at home has exploded as I see the innumerable things you do every darn day. I know you are women and men of deep seated faith, you don't even know how good you are. I'm here to tell you that you are amazing, loving and kind and you got this!

Come what may, as we move into our new normal, together we can help build our domestic home churches and help one another share our faith, that gift we hold most dear, with our children. They will learn that our homes are a place where we learn about how much God loves us by the care we share with one another. They will also learn that our parish church is the place where we gather together with our larger family to celebrate and support one another, to break bread and share in the very Body and Blood of Jesus.

One last thing, maybe if you're at a loss as to how or where to step deliberately into the idea of being domestic church. Ask each other one simple question around the dinner table tonight, and each night going forward, at dinnertime, or at bedtime: Where/How did you find God in your life today? I promise you, once you get the hang of it, your kids may amaze you.