Christmas Eve
A few weeks ago Marlene & I went on a trip to England & Ireland, the highlight of which was a pilgrimage to the “Knock Shrine” – Full title being “The Shine of Our Lady of Knock, The Queen of Ireland”
Marlene had, for sometime, felt drawn to visit this Marian Apparition site but wasn’t sure why, however, the pull was irresistible and so we went. It would be fair to say that “Our Lady of Knock” is a lesser known Apparition relative to Lourdes, Fatima, Guadalupe (see later ) but nonetheless of very great significant, especially to the people of Ireland.
A brief history of the Apparition at Knock Co. Mayo, Ireland
On the evening of Thursday August 21, 1879, at around 8.00pm,( it was raining heavily – imagine that in Ireland !!), when Mary Byrne and Mary MCloughlin, who were walking home came upon an amazing sight, it stopped them in their tracks. Mary Byrne ran home to tell others who also gathered to view the miraculous site on the gable end of the parish church. It was the Apparition of Our Lady together with St. Joseph and St John the Evangelist and a Lamb on an altar suspended by angels behind which was a large cross.
Various accounts, 15 individuals in total, were recorded by a Commission of Enquiry which concluded that the testimonies were valid. It is recorded that this small group of people knelt in prayer, in the pouring rain for two hours.
They individually told the commission that Mary, who stood a few feet above the ground as with the whole apparition, was wearing a white cloak fastened to the neck and a brightly lit crown with a single rose.
More details are available but suffice to say that all witnesses noted in spite of the weather, the area of the apparition remained completely dry.and bathed in golden light.
A few interesting facts about this apparition
Why ???
The reason seems obvious – she wanted to encourage the people of Ireland, predominantly Catholic, in their struggles. At this time Ireland was part of Great Britain and much of the country was owned by absentee “British” landowners. Most cared little for their Irish tenants, only that they paid the rent in a timely fashion, regardless of the impact of the seasons on their crops. This led to the truly miserable conditions eloquently described by Tom Neary in Chapters 1 & 2 of his book “I Saw Our Lady”.
Some forty years later Ireland would be divided into Catholic South and Protestant North and I would suggest that the Mary’s Apparition gave the Irish Catholics the impetus to separate from mainland Britain, and although this is my personal view – t it seems consistent with facts and circumstances of the events in Knock, Co Mayo, Ireland some 140 years ago.
The opening lines of the “Prayer of our Lady of Knock” are:
Our Lady of Knock, Queen of Ireland,
you gave hope to your people in a time of distress
and comforted them in sorrow
As Marlene & I reflected on our visit, Marlene said she believed she felt now she understood that she was drawn to Knock and given a mission to tell the story which is so little known (outside Ireland).
So this is the first part of that mission – enjoy.
Second Part – We are considering taking a group to Ireland for a week or so next September, the highlight of which will be a pilgrimage to Knock Shrine. If you are interested please email me at sheyes@stcletusparish.com or call my cell phone 630 842 3967.
Blessings – Dcn Stuart & Marlene
As I was preparing my homily my mind kept wandering back to the word CHASM.
One thought was of a Golf Hole on some golf course, somewhere in AZ that I played that was named THE CHASM – you had to hit your ball over it – a distance of a little more than a football field. No problem for these guys on TV – a little more intimidating for the likes of me.
From what I observed the Chasm devoured golf balls with voracity.
A second thought was the meaning of the word Chasm – any dictionary will offer a number of definitions e.g.
Gorge, Abyss, Canyon, Ravine, as in nature OR
Division, Gulf, Separation, Schism, Disunion, Breach, as in human nature, personal relationships, religion or politics.
So what about this GREAT CHASM that Christ talked about in His parable.
It divided Heaven and Hell – the netherworld ?
So clearly quite a bit wider than the Golf hole in AZ or indeed any Gorge or Canyon on Earth.
But the Rich Man, from his very tormented position could communicate and see Abraham in Heaven with Lazarus.
So this CHASM that Our Lord refers to in this parable is neither measured in distance nor in Human relationship terms BUT in the Spiritual Vacuum that separates-
those who live this life for their own self gratification – From those who live it for others.
Moreover – We have three Chasms in the One Parable:
1) The Chasm between Heaven and the netherworld.
2) The Chasm between the Rich and Poor
3) The Chasm between those who believe in Christ and act accordingly and those that don’t.
Let me return to the Chasm between Heaven and hell later because first I’d like to address the Second Chasm between the Rich man and Lazasrus:
The truly awful aspect of the Rich man’s behaviour is:
Not that he is lavishly dressed or
Is Gluttonous or indeed
That he lives in opulence – like those in Zion in the first reading who led on beds of ivory, ate and drank excessively – No the thing that Christ draws our attention to, is this.
The Rich man actually knows the starving, sore ridden, beggar who was at his door BY NAME – LAZARUS
From his tormented situation in the netherworld he cries out to Abraham – “send Lazarus….”
We can assume therefore that he has passed him by on many occasions and ignored him.
Knowing another’s name is an important aspect of any relationship, it offers a chance for intimacy / conversation – even a relationship.
But for the Rich man such knowledge was irrelevant – Lazarus was a beggar and he, the Rich man was too busy is his own self pursuit of hedonistic pleasures to bother with him
He violated Lazarus’s personal dignity in a cruel fashion !!!
UNTIL he dies and finds himself tormented in hell and he sees him with Abraham.
Now the Rich man begs for some relief – but its not forthcoming – The Chasm cannot be crossed!!
Then he asks Abraham to send Lazarus as Christs messenger to warn his family of what awaits them if they live as he did and do not repent.
And Abraham’s response :They have Moses and the Prophets, let them listen to them!!”
But the Rich man persists “… but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent”
And how does Abraham reply “If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead” REPEAT THIS!!
Not only is Jesus foretelling His own destiny but he refers also to the fact that he raised from the dead – the widow’s son at Nain, Jairus’s daughter and of course
Mary and Martha’s brother – also called Lazarus -incidentally the name Lazarus is derived from the Hebrew Eleazar – meaning “God has helped.”
Which brings me to the Chasm between the Believers in the Risen Christ and those who don’t.
When I conduct baptisms I note how the Parents, Godparents and family are given the responsibility to raise the baptised infants in Our Faith – And faith means believing what we do not, cannot, have not personally experienced – UNLIKE the men and women who lived and travelled with Jesus two thousand years ago.
Most of us here today have a blessed and privileged life compared to the vast majority around the world – The average median annual income, globally, is around $10.000 –
How we use our good fortune – to reach out to the poor, disadvantaged, sick, imprisoned etc. – or not – determines on which side of the eternal Chasm we will find ourselves.
In our lives Lazarus maybe the guys who cut your grass, or cleans your car, picks the produce you buy, avail themselves of our food pantry, picks up your trash, puts a new roof on your home, etc. etc.
Do we reach out to them?
Do we make an effort to find out their names? If so what do we do then?
How we act to those in need will be the criterion by which we are judged, not by merely attending mass and receiving Jesus.
However it is the very act of receiving Christ – “The Real Presence” that should conform us in the manner in which we treat the Lazarus’s we encounter in our lives.
So let me conclude by reviewing the three Chasms
1) The Chasm between those who believe in the Risen Christ and act as He taught us and those that don’t.
Believing means more than mass attendance – At the end of mass a Deacon has four options to dismiss yourselves.
Most often I will use the Words
Go in peace Glorifying the Lord by your life
Which brings me to the second Chasm
2) The Chasm between the Rich and Poor
We are to accept the blessings God has graciously bestowed upon us and reach across this chasm, and use these gifts to help the Lazarus’s of this world. It is what Christ calls us to do, it is our faith, it is our duty.
And of course the third chasm within Christ’s parable:
3) The Chasm between Heaven and Hell – the netherworld.
If we live our earthly lives on the right side of the first Chasm, accept our good fortune to be on the affluent side of the second and act accordingly – then – we will indeed live our eternal life on the Heavenly side of the greatest Chasm.
And as the Choir sings at our funeral masses
“May Choirs of angels welcome you and lead you to the bosom of Abraham: and where Lazarus is poor no longer, may you find eternal rest!”
Multiple sewer and drainage repairs were recently required due to the failure of aging sewer systems. This was an unanticipated and non-budgeted expense.
Our parking lot is also in need of repair, with areas in dire need of attention. We also expect to crack seal and seal coat the entire parking lot of 85,790 square feet. These repairs will also require us to seal and stripe a year ahead of our usual schedule.
Combined, the parish is looking at a cost of $73,000 of unforeseen and unbudgeted expenses. Fr. Bob will be speaking at Masses on October 5 and 6 to further update. A second collection will be taken October 5/6 and October 12/13 to help pay for these required expenses. We appreciate any help you can provide.
Todays Gospel is a Familiar story about Martha and Mary
Martha – with a bit of an attitude says to Jesus,
“Lord,– do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving”
A surprising way to speak to Jesus – the most famous rabbi in the land
After all he raised her brother Lazarus from the dead !!!
And what does he say in reply “Mary has chosen the better part”
Now messes with our sense of fairness – it does !!!
Whenever we hear this Gospel proclaimed most of us think – Poor Martha
And quite likely we make a comparison with family member of friend who does’nt pull his/her weight !!
When polled 99% of Women at a recent Christian conference identified as themselves as Martha’s.
And so the common extrapolation is often that Women – the Martha’s – cook clean and serve, while the Mary’s of this world like to be served upon!!
Clearly such thinking is neither Christ like nor correct.
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I read a story by Carol Strazer – how as a English major at college she was overwhelmed by trying to please her family, professors and friends – to the point of contemplating ending her life.
She was an accomplished, popular, successful student but felt empty
Her friends, family, sorority sisters and school psychologist tried to help – but to no avail.
She was just to busy being a Martha !
Then she had a eureka moment as she remembered very fondly visiting her aunt on a WI dairy farm as a little girl and attending mass – Carol wasn’t Catholic, in fact I don’t think her family had a faith as such.
What she remembered were two things.
First The enormous health challenges faced by her aunt all her life and yet her faith never wavered.
Secondly – How at mass she felt surrounded by a peace she did’nt experience anywhere else.
So started studying her Catholic friends, including her roommate – they had something she didn’t – they were confident, caring, and especially concerned about her as she struggled with her emotional issues.
She concluded that it was their Catholic faith had made them better people!!
Then she started dating Bob, a Catholic, and her future husband with whom she discussed religion and faith.
He was studying,Engineering, she English and yet he wrote her a poem – the refrain was
“Carol is like a leaf floating down a stream….”
Bob said he understood how she felt overwhelmed, guilty and frustrated – not sure what to do – Playing Martha ( my words)
She prayed, listened to the discussions and the words, and concluded;
– In her words – “the Catholic Church will help you find what is important, what God wants”
And for the first time she felt embraced by safe boundaries and forgiveness
“The Mary role” – my words!!
A year later she was baptised Catholic, then later married Bob in the Catholic Church and that was over 50 years ago.
She admits it’s not always been easy, she’s less than perfect, had her doubts BUT the Catholic Church has always been there for her.
And so it is for us – our lives are a mix of Martha and Mary
Martha’s – as dedicated and faithful Servants of God AND
Mary’s – The faithful disciple who listens to Christ’s words, absorbs them and allows them to direct our lives – no matter the challenges.
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However, that said Christ puts the Mary role ahead of the Martha – Clearly.
How often he uses the daily life of the time to create His parables to explain in terms people can comprehend –
His teachings about the Kingdom of God.
This, however, is not such a parable but an actual living teaching moment he ceases upon.
Jesus knew Mary, Martha and Lazarus very well, they were very good friends, he otten stopped and ate with them – this explains how Martha felt comfortable addressing Jesus in the manner she did.
Marlene’s view of this story is that without Martha’s in the world men like me wouldn’t eat very well !! That is certainly true in my case!!
So Martha is the poster child for- the doers, the movers and shakers, the go-getters in this world. And we certainly need people like that:
In our Families, in our businesses, parishes, organizations etc.
So Jesus isn’t faulting the Martha’s but rather saying BEFORE the DOING IS THE LISTENING – The Mary role.
As Martha’s we are to be busy to listen!!
Jesus said “it is the hearers and then the doers of the word of God”
Listening – good listening – is critical in relationships – marriage, family, business, organizations – wherever a discussion is taking place.
What Jesus is saying is that there are times to hustle, worry, work etc.
But then times to pray, reflect and listen to His words and the words of the scriptures, such times should be given the greatest priority BECAUSE as we digest such they will form us into better disciples, better Catholics – better Martha’s!!
Such a time to pray and reflect should be right now – here at mass.
We should be attentive to The Word, The Eucharistic celebration, enter into the inspiring music and song – focussing for a few minutes a week at least – on the Faith we share and the very reason for our being.
So lets all be Mary’s while we are here together today and then go out and be the best Martha’s we can be.
A faith formation opportunity offered collaboratively through Saint Cletus and Saint John of the Cross Youth Ministries for teens in our community.
What is Alpha for Teens?
Alpha for Teens is a 9-week course that creates a space where teens can be excited to bring their friends for a conversation about Jesus. The series offers compelling stories, images, questions, and discussion topics well spread throughout each episode to better engage youth, helping them think about how these issues relate to their lives as they discuss with their friends and leaders. In each session, we’ll eat food, watch a talk, and discuss questions in small groups.
All High School teens are invited to attend our weekly Alpha for Teen Series, beginning Sunday, January 12, 6:15-7:30 PM, in the Saint John of the Cross Parish Center. All are invited to come to share a meal, watch a short video, and talk about questions and topics from the video. Through the next 9 weeks, the Alpha Teen Series explores timeless questions about life, faith and God for a new generation.
Alpha for Teens needs Adult Volunteers!
VIRTUS-compliant adults feeling called to assist in the preparation and implementation of Alpha for Teens, please contact MaryClaire Zurowski, mzurowski@stcletusparish.com.
Each year at the Archdiocese Diaconate Convocation the wife or widow of a deacon receives the St Priscilla award for “Outstanding Service to the Church and the Diaconate”
In his Notes last week Fr Bob referring to writings in the Acts of the Apostles – wrote about how the early disciples were conflicted about what they should do in the face of misunderstanding and even hostility AND what their identity should be.
Should they more open and spread the good news or close ranks, and keep the good news to themselves – a much safer option.
Should they go outside their own communities and if so how should they interact.
Well this week in the first reading we hear their decision and the initial response from the gentile communities of Antioch Syria and Cilicia. They didn’t like Mosaic law being forced upon them, especially the requirement for circumcision.
As a result the disciples compromised for the church’s sake, prescribed a few laws which were acceptable and as we are here to testify the Christian church in the gentile world continued to grow for 2 millenia.
Not without its trials and tribulations, schisms, reformation, scandals etc.
So it has continued to grow as it adapted, the last major adaptation was Vatican 2 – an initiative to reflect the changing times and values, particularly post WW2 with the world having won the battle over the evil of fascism.
What came with that was prosperity, and greater opportunities for the working and middle classes in the areas of Education, Healthcare, Housing, travel and personal freedom and lifestyle choices.
The baby boomer generation were out to change the the world they inherited – with their clothes, music, relationships etc
Those who met to craft Vatican 2 less than a decade earlier could not have imagined how the 70’s would unfold.
How Traditional religions would be discarded by vast numbers of subsequent generations.
Why have all these people defected from traditional religions and more particularly from our Church?
Because they no longer share our values and beliefs.
Values – One of the non negotiables for the disciples was that the gentiles could not offer sacrifices to false gods- sadly today in the western world many worship wealth, status, power and position – false gods.
Beliefs – They have no tolerance for our beliefs:
For example forcing the Little sisters of the poor to provide birth control for their employees
Or the baker in Colorado to make a wedding cake for a gay couple.
Or forcing doctors and nurses to attend at abortions against their beliefs.
Or victimizing Karen Pence for wanting to teach Art at a Christian school.
Its a NO TOLERANCE policy in an intolerant society.
Free Speech !! only if you speak freely in line with those who dismiss our traditional Christian values.
While I was pondering all this and today’s scripture readings I read “Chicago Flashback” in last weeks Sunday Tribune. –
The headline was “The Crash of Flight 191” at O’Hare airport – 40 years ago this weekend when 272 people died in what was and still is the deadliest accident in US aviation history.
What is striking about this – the darkest day in US Aviation history is that from the ashes arose an understanding that the industry needed better protocols and oversight for building and maintaining aircraft and training pilots.
The safety record since is due to the enactment of such protocols.
The learning from this the darkest of days resulted in an incredibly safe and successful industry. – notwithstanding the recent tragedies with the Boeing 737 max .
In 2018 – 4 billion passengers traveled by air worldwide.
The reason I mention this is that it kinda feels like the darkest day for our church in the modern era, certainly since Vatican 2.
To rebuild, renew, revitalize our church we need to listen to the voices of reason who in the best interests of the church propose :
Married Priests,
ordain women as permanent deacons,
allow the remarried and divorced Catholics to receive communion.
And a recent study showed that about 50% of US Catholics believe we should welcome Gay Catholics into our communities.
I ask you this – What would Christ want for his church today ?
He guided his disciples with the Paraclete, the Holy Spirit, He still is guiding us and as a church we should listen to this Spirit.
Speaking of welcoming – A few weeks ago Marlene & I attended Parkview Christian Church in Tinley Park for the experience, – it was not an unpleasant or uncomfortable experience and the preacher was surprisingly fair and well balanced in his comments about our church.
It’s a very large church, often more than 75 % filled at all of the 5 weekend masses AND of the registered parishioners more than 80% are lapsed Catholics FURTHER the majority are are in age range 20 – 50
Why is that? I asked the pastor after introducing myself .
He said “So many of these Catholics don’t go to mass any more because of our exclusivity – they feel unwelcome!!!”
That’s because they are – they are divorced, or remarried or gay or lesbian or enjoy contemporary music and singing.
And because of this often their parents, siblings and friends also leave our church and join them.
We are so unlike the early church who addressed differences and became inclusive – following the model of Christ himself with tax collectors, prostitutes, lepers, adulterers etc.
Sadly I suspect I won’t see any of these changes i mentioned before in my lifetime but we must adapt to a changing world as we did in the 1960’s with Vatican 2.
Is it time for Vatican 3 Pope Francis?
In the Gospel we heard Jesus offer his “Peace” to all, not the enforced peace over the defeated seen after a victorious war
BUT the genuine peace of tolerance –
religious tolerance, lifestyle tolerance, political tolerance.
How far we as a society have moved from that model!!
God has never abandoned his church and he will not now BUT he expects us to do our part.
Unlike the early Christians we’re sure of our identity but like them we still face misunderstanding and hostility – as does the global Christian community as we saw as recently as Easter Sunday in Sri Lanka.
Offer Christ’s peace to all, be tolerant of all – even as they are not of you, be a force for change within our church.
Discussing Married priests, women deacons and inviting back to the table of Our Lord those who have been disinvited or even feel so, isn’t heresy – it’s a healthy debate that needs to happen – just as did the early Christians – The reading from Acts says:
“…there arose no little dissension and debate..”
Such is what needs to happen as The Lord calls us to adapt to circumstances to continue to Build His church.
A Challenge – for sure
Necessary – Absolutely
May the Lord’s Peace be with us all as we commit to moving Our Church through these dark days.
St Cletus is starting a new ministry, to pray for healing in the church – healing from the wounds resulting from the sexual abuse scandal.
Are you interested in joining one of the parish ministries? Not sure what’s available?