October 3, 2010
When the prophet Habakkuk exclaims "How long, O Lord? I cry for help but you do not listen," he sounds something like the disciples in the Gospel when they tell Jesus to increase their faith. Habakkuk is surveying the problems of his day and he realizes that divine intervention is needed to remedy many of these problems. On his own, the prophet is powerless to effect any lasting or significant change. The disciples confront their own powerlessness and they want the type of deep faith that Jesus possesses. The problems of their day are monumental. Their actions are inconsequential when pitted against the pervasive sin present in the social systems that reek with injustice and violence. They realize that only something much bigger that they can effect the needed change.
Though Habakkuk wants God's decisive intervention, he is told to write down the vision of God's lasting peace and justice on tablets so that others can read about it. Then he is to wait. He is to place his hope in the God who listens. The disciples are told that if they had faith as tiny as the mustard seed, they would be able to push even that which seems to be unmovable. Even a little faith is that powerful. Paul tells Timothy that God provides believers with the spirit of power, love, and self-control and that they are to stir this gift into flame because it will diminish any fear and cowardice. This kind of waiting is an active process in which one's persevering trust in God will provide amazing results. Habakkuk and the disciples are told that their persistence service to the Gospel will be the transformative agent needed to "move mountains." Like Habakkuk, we are to proclaim God's vision for others to behold; like the disciples, we are bring about knowledge of God's reign by tiny, seemingly inconsequential steps. Therefore, we have all the faith we need.
We too want a satisfying answer to the ways we can increase our trust in God's vision in light of the terrifyingly immense systemic injustice of our time. Like the disciples, we may question whether our faith is sufficient and we know that we may need to place more trust in God's power. It is not easy for us to respect God's vision for the world because we are often capable people who think we ought to do more than we are already doing. We think, "if I do something more, greater good will come about," or "I am not doing something right, therefore I must try harder and good things will happen." Why don't we try the solution Jesus told the disciples? This means that we are to proclaim God's reign and to conform our actions to it in a way that honors God's autonomy, but let's speak about it in realistic ways that express our faith, rather than with piously optimistic phrases that end discussions and fail to satisfy any arguments. Let us stir the gift of strength, love, and self-control into flames because as believers we deserve to testify to God's gospel through our actions without any fear or hesitation.
Quote for the Week
From Blessed John Henry Newman
O Lord, support us all the day long till the shades lengthen and the evening comes and the busy world is hushed and the fever of life is over and our work is done. Then, in your mercy, may you grant us a safe lodging and a holy rest and peace at the last. Amen.
Themes for this Week’s Masses
First Reading: In Paul's Letter to the Galatians, he chastises the believers for turning so quickly from the gospel that was handed onto them and perverting it to become a more acceptable one. Paul tells them the incredulous story of his own call thereby explaining the reasons he has become a slave of Christ. Because of Paul's call, the people glorified God for this miracle. He tells how he consulted with Cephas, James, and Barnabas and while in Jerusalem, he receives a revelation that he is chosen to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles. The leaders of the disciples ratified Paul and Barnabas's ministry. Paul appeals to them to honor the intervention of the Spirit who informs their faith. Those who have faith are the children on Abraham. Faith now trumps the Law of Moses. Faith frees us from bondage to the Law and we are exalted as God's adopted children.
Gospel: Jesus answers the legal scholars by telling them that the one who is in need in our neighbor and that our neighbors are to be treated with mercy. Jesus visits Mary and Martha and announces to Martha that Mary's version of hospitality is what is currently needed for him. He then teaches his disciples to pray by giving them the Jewish Lord's Prayer. He reveals the generosity of the Father who desires to give to anyone who asks, unlike the friend who is compelled by his neighbor to provide bread for a visitor late at night. When the authority of Jesus is questioned, he explains that since he is doing the Father's work, the good spirits are united because an evil spirit would be trying to tear down the work he is doing. Jesus affirms those who hear the word of God and respond to it. Blessed are those who hear and act upon it.
Saints of the Week
Monday: Francis of Assisi, religious, founded a group of men in 1210 who were to build up the church by preaching repentance. Within 10 years, the order grew to 5,000 men. Before his religious call, Francis served his state as a soldier and became a prisoner of war. His father renounced him when he decided to serve the church by repairing it. Francis became a lifelong deacon.
Wednesday: Bruno, priest, founded the Carthusian Order in 1084. He was ordained in 1055 and taught theology in Rheims, France and eventually became chancellor of the diocese, even though he felt called to renounce his riches and live an austere life. With six friends, he founded a hermitage in the Chartreuse Mountains.
Marie-Rose Durocher, from Quebec, wanted to enter a convent but illness kept her away. Instead, she helped her brother, a pastor, with his parish ministry and soon founded the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary in 1843 to further religious education.
Thursday: Devotion to Our Lady of the Rosary began in the late 16th century to commemorate the victory of the Christian navy over the Turks at the Battle of Lepanto near Corinth in 1571. At its time, it was the most significant naval battle fought since the Battle of Actium in 31 BC. The Ottoman Empire's Muslim forces lost 200 ships and the morale of the Islamic world was lowered while Christian morale was significantly raised. Tradition holds that the Christian faithful prayed the Rosary asking Mary to intercede on behalf of the military.
Saturday: Denis, bishop, and companions, martyrs, were killed in a third century persecution in France. Denis, as a missionary, was preaching in Paris. He became the first bishop of Paris and a chapel was built on the site of his tomb. Ignatius and his original band of friends pronounced first vows at the Mont Martre (Mount of the Martyrs) outside of France on the Feast of the Assumption.
John Leonardi, priest, was born at the time of the Reformation in Lucca, Italy. After ordination, he taught catechism and worked with the sick, including the plague-stricken. He devised the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) in 1579, which remained in use until the 19th century. It provided a summary of Christian beliefs. He also founded a religious congregation called the Clerks Regular of the Moth of God.
This Week in Jesuit History
• Oct 3, 1901. In France, religious persecution broke out afresh with the passing of Waldeck Rousseau's "Loi d'Association."
• Oct 4, 1820. In Rome, great troubles arose before and during the Twentieth General Congregation, caused by Fr. Petrucci's intrigues. He sought to wreck the Society and was deposed from his office as Vicar General, though supported by Cardinal della Genga (afterwards Leo XII).
• Oct 5, 1981. In a letter to Father General Arrupe, Pope John Paul II appointed Paolo Dezza as his personal delegate to govern the Society of Jesus, with Fr. Pittau as coadjutor.
• Oct 6, 1773. In London, Dr James Talbot, the Vicar Apostolic, promulgated the Brief of Suppression and sent copies to Maryland and Pennsylvania.
• Oct 7, 1819. The death of Charles Emmanuel IV. He had been King of Sardinia and Piedmont. He abdicated in 1802 and entered the Jesuits as a brother in 1815. He is buried in San Andrea Quirinale in Rome.
• Oct 8, 1871. The Great Chicago Fire. Most of the city was destroyed, but it missed Holy Family, the Jesuit parish, as the fire turned north thanks to the prayers of Fr. Arnold Damen. The fire lasted three days; 250 were killed.
• Oct 9, 1627. Jansenius left Louvain for Salamanca to foment antipathy against the Jesuits and thus prevent Philip IV from giving the Society a large college in Madrid. The theological faculty at Salamanca were hostile to the Society.
Blessing of the Animals
Many parishes will hold a special service during the weekend to bless the family pets. It is chosen to be held at this time in honor of St. Francis who is known for revering creation and all living things. Below is a blessing that you may want to extend to your pets at home:
“Blessed are you, Lord God, creator of all living creatures. You called forth fish in the sea, birds in the air and animals on the land. You inspired St. Francis to call all of them his brothers and sisters. We ask you to bless this pet.(Please name your pet.) By the power of your love, enable it to live in good health and with good care. May we always praise you for all your beauty in creation. Blessed are you, Lord our God, in all your creatures! Amen.”
Prayers for a Peace Treaty between Israel and Palestine
Not much media attention has been given to the peace process that is underway in hopes of a permanent peace treaty between the nations of Israel and Palestine. The scant media attention may be done out of respect for the difficulties in discussing that which is needed for a delicate breakthrough. The efforts are extremely significant and the relationship is much too fragile. Failure to agree may lead to an outbreak of hostilities and an increase of Israeli construction on the West Bank Palestinian territories. Please pray this week that a much needed breakthrough can occur and that the world may have a peace that we all can celebrate.
Prayers for the Trapped Chilean Miners
Let us continue to pray for the Chilean miners who remain trapped underground. Though they are provided with food, water, and entertainment, they are not yet safe. Rescue efforts expect an early November release from their earth-bound captivity. Let us pray also for the family members who are in pain because they are separated from their loved ones.
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