For those of you who might have had the opportunity to read my article, Where is your church?  (Convergent Streams magazine, Third Quarter 2013. Volume 1. Number 1), I am going to build upon those thoughts. If you have not read it, the premise is simple- there are many clergy who do not have a “physical church building” in which to worship.  There are some options, limited as they maybe.  There are hospital or nursing home chapels to be solicited, other houses of worship willing to open their doors to other congregations (United Churches of Christ, as an example) or outdoor venues; such as parks or beaches.  Initially I tried such an option, a nearby hospital chapel, but was met with courteous questions: how many people did I expect and what were my insurance protections for limited liability?  Needless to say, two questions without adequate answers.

We should always be reminded of the most basic, Christ tells us: “For where two or more gather in my name, there am I also.” (Matthew 18:20)  So in the worship and adoration of God, it shouldn’t- and needn’t, be a concern as to where worship, praise and prayer takes place.  For that matter, form and format should not be a concern either. Again Christ tells us: “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners so they may be seen by others. But when you pray, go into your room alone and close the door and pray to your Father in heaven. For your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” (Matthew 6:5-6)

Nevertheless, for those of us clergy and religious- it is a spiritual comfort and inspiration to have a sacred space in which to pray, reflect and be at one with God.  Surprisingly, it is something easily achieved and maintained.  We have all seen those outdoor tributes, statues of the Blessed Mother or Christ in gardens or in front of homes. Forgive me for being judgmental, but I wonder if these ever receive the attention and inspiration they deserve. I digress.  As a resident of the seasonal and temperamental northeast- not to mention restrictions places upon me by apartment community restrictions, such outdoor tributes are not possible.

So I- we, need to set apart a sacred space within our homes where we can go and be with God- to worship God.  It does not have to be grand- adorned with the trappings of a cathedral, but it does have to be reverent, respectful and sincere. A place or area within the home where a visitor would know- you are a Christian and indeed, Christ is present in this place.

For me it is a sacred space in the corner of our dining room.  A high top table which supports a wine rack underneath. On this table sits a collection of green plants surrounding my most prized religious possession- a ceramic and porcelain statute of Jesus on the cross.  (Such a simple statue purchased in a hospital gift shop to watch over my mother in her final days.) And to the side my husband’s most prized possession, a porcelain statute of our Blessed Mother. (A statute that was his mothers and may be perhaps eighty years old.)  Together the sight and placement of these holy statutes, demand the reverence and respect.  It is here, or from a nearby chair, that I can worship and pray.

To add to the beauty and adoration of this sacred space, I ensure that Christ is always present and mindful.  This is done by the purchase and placement of a ‘seven day’ religious candle. (The kind easily purchased at any supermarket)  Lit in transition and prayer- the “light of Christ” never goes out in our apartment.

In a useful pastoral handbook, The Book of Occasional Services (2003), there is even a format- “Setting Apart Secular Space for Sacred Use”.

“Blessed are you, O God, ruler of the universe. Your gifts are many, and in wisdom you have made all things to give you glory. Be with us now and bless us as we dedicate our use of this space to your praise and honor. As often as we worship you here, precede us and abide with us. Be known to us in the Word spoken and heard, in fellowship with one another, and in the breaking of bread. Give us joy in all your works, and grant that this space may be a place where your will is done and your name glorified; through Jesus Christ our Savior, in the power of the Holy Spirit, we pray. Amen.” (BOS p.245)

So dedicate such a place within your home, apartment or even your room. A place for reflection and reverence- for you Mass Sine Populo, to pray for the Church Suffering and celebrate the Church Triumphant!  We rejoice for those who have actual churches- to call the attention of the world to the love and promise of our Lord, but no less is the splendor and majesty of our Sacred Space in a Secular Place!

Oh yes- for those of you that did read my “Where is your church?” I am still praying and searching for that church building to celebrate a beautiful Mass.  Nothing extravagant mind you, but a pipe organ would be nice.

(Also known as James Bianconi; James of Bevagna; Jacobus de Blanconibus de Mevania)

Very early in life, prodigies surrounded Blessed James, for on the day of his birth three brilliant stars, each containing the image of a friar preacher, appeared in the sky over Bevagna. Children ran through the streets crying : “To the schools! To the schools! behold the new masters heaven is sending us !” The three preachers were later understood to be James, Blessed Ambrose of Siena, and St. Thomas Aquinas.

James was given a good education and was carefully trained in the ways of holiness. The power of his prayers was seen early. When still a small child, he brought about peace between two quarreling families. At the age of sixteen, he met the Dominicans. Two friars had come to preach in his native city during Lent. Deciding, after much prayer, that God was calling him to the Dominican apostolate, he went home with the two missioners and began his novitiate.

The early promises of his great learning were well fulfilled. In and age that shone with the brilliance of Albert, Thomas and Bonaventure, the preaching of James of Bevagna was still remarkable. He was particularly gifted at reconciling enemies and bringing peace to warring families and cities.

James was very severe with himself, particularly in the matter of poverty. On one occasion, his mother, shocked at the poor condition of the habit he was wearing, gave money to buy a new one. As he wanted very much more to get a crucifix for his cell, he did so. His mother reminded him that the money was given for clothing. James replied with the text, “Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ,” assuring her that this was the garment he had bought with her gift.

At another time, praying before the same crucifix, James was overcome with a sense of his own unworthiness and begged of God some sign that his soul was to be saved. Blood gushed from the hands and side of the figure on the cross, and a voice from heaven told him that his token of God’s favor would reassure him. Some of the miraculous blood was preserved for more than two centuries. Kept at the tomb of Blessed James, it worked many miracles, but it was stolen by heretics.

Forewarned of the hour of his death, James was assured that Our Lady would come to meet him, because he had often sacrificed to adorn her altars. She came at the time foretold, and James went happily with her into the presence of God.

Born: Bevagna in Umbria, Italy in 1220

Died: 1301 at Mevania, Italy of natural causes

Beatification: 1400 (Cultus confirmed) by pope Boniface IX; again on May 18, 1672 (cultus confirmed) by Pope Clement X

 

 

 

The Order of Preachers, OPoc wishes Fr. Glenn Glorioso a blessed and joyous day today as he marks the completion of his first year of priesthood. We love you, our brother!

It is with the utmost joy that we announce the Novitiate of Br. Michael Scott Brown.  Br. Scott has completed his Postulancy and expressed his desire to enter the Order as a Novice.  Please continue to keep Br. Scott in your prayers as he continues his studies for profession, as well as his studies for Ordination to the Diaconate.

Stephen Bandelli was born into a noble family. Little is known of his early years except that he applied for admission to the Dominicans in his hometown and received the habit while still very young.

Stephen earned a degree in canon law and a master’s degree in theology, and lectured at the University of Pavia. He was a man of superior intellect and a careful student. Tradition holds that he was “another Saint Paul,” and that his sermons were effective in bringing many Christians to a more fervent life and many sinners back into the fold. Aside from this, one reads only the traditional assurances–that he was prayerful, penitential, had a spirit of poverty, was charitable, and was a model religious.

When Stephen died, he was buried in the Dominican church of Saluzzo. Many miracles were worked at his tomb, and the citizens of Saluzzo invoked him, in 1487, when the town was attacked by one of their neighbors. Their preservation was attributed to Stephen’s intercession, as it was claimed that he had appeared in the sky above them while they were fighting. An annual feast was kept there in his honor for many years.

+In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Today is the first Sunday after Pentecost. Commonly known in the Catholic liturgical calendar as The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, or simply Trinity Sunday.  It is on this day that we wonder and reflect on the greatest mystery of our Christian faith- the three distinct divine personages of God, the Son and Holy Spirit.

In fact each time we begin prayer, we offer up worship and respect- in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  Perhaps done so often, we unconsciously solidify the foundation of Christian faith and tradition that separates us apart.  Yet there are many of us, and rightly so, who do not understand this concept.  Before anything however, we must understand that God chooses to remain an incomprehensible mystery to us and reveal himself to us in prayer, meditation and contemplation.  After all, all human knowing and acting takes place within the encompassing mystery that is God. We cannot hope to understand and explain these things, as our faith is exactly that- our faith.  “For we live by faith, not by sight.”  (2 Corinthians 5:7)  And scripture reminds us that “faith is a confidence of things hoped for and the assurance about things we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1)

On this day we recall the ancient Athanasian Creed- that “we worship one God in the Trinity, neither confounding the Persons nor dividing the Essence… all three uncreated and all three eternal with no beginning.”   Perhaps more rooted in doctrinal concept than biblical per se, we believe and confess that God is three in the Blessed Trinity.

We can find support for this in The Bible.  Jesus tells us to “make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19)  Saint Paul throughout scripture blesses us with the three personages- “May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” (2 Corinthians 13:14)  In fact, surprisingly in the very beginning- “..God said, let us make man in our image, our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26)  God reflecting on the knowledge and awareness of the Trinity.

The Gospel of John gives us more insight into the Trinity.  “In the beginning was the Word. The Word was with God, and was God. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.” (John 1:1-3)  “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)  “For no one  has seen God, but the one and only Son, who himself is God” (John 1:18).

In these ways we can come to understand that God and the Son and the Holy Spirit, though one- are three.  Some come to interpret this as God is the Father of all creation– living being omnipotent and omnipresent, being with us here and now, and not somewhere out there.  That the Son, Jesus Christ is the Word made flesh- to have been among us to experience His creation, suffer with us and for us and to be our Redeemer.  “Jesus said to them, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6).  That the Holy Spirit is God in action- sustaining us, surrounding us and uniting us (Psalm 104:30) and breathed out upon us by Jesus Christ- “receive the Holy Spirit.” (John 20:22)

So then, we celebrate the wisdom and glory that is God- that is one, yet three in the mystery and majesty of the Holy Trinity!

Let us close with the prayer for Trinity Sunday. “It is fitting, right, our obligation and duty, that we should always and everywhere gives thanks and praise to you, the Lord, Holy Father, almighty, everlasting God. For with your co-eternal Son and Holy Spirit. you are one God, one Lord, in Trinity of Persons and in Unity of Being; and we celebrate the one and equal glory of you, O Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Therefore with angels and archangels, and with all the redeemed in heaven, we proclaim and magnify your glorious name, forever praising you.  Amen” (The Old Catholic Apostolic Church of North America Sacramentary. (c) 2012.  p.149)

Today the Order of Preachers, OC celebrates with joy and thanksgiving the first anniversary of the Consecration of the Most Reverend Aaron Edmund Newton Cass to the Episcopacy.  Thank you, Your Eminence, for your love, your guidance, your wisdom, and your service to us, and for your dedication to Our Lord.

Colossians 1: 3-4  We always give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ when we pray for you.  For we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all God’s people.

Philippians 1:3  I thank my God for you every time I think of you.

You are loved and respected more than you can imagine.

Almighty God, Heavenly Father, we thank you, for our beloved, Presiding Bishop Edmund and for our life together. You have led him by the Holy Spirit to serve your people in this Church, to build up your Church, and to glorify your name. We have worked in common for the sake of the Gospel. Together we have learned from your Word. Together we have broken bread and given thanks. In thanksgiving, we praise you for raising up faithful servants among us for the ministry and oversight of your Church. And we pray that Edmund may continue to exemplify, in word and deed, the Gospel of your Son. Grant that we, with him, may continue to serve you in the Church on earth, and be brought to rejoice in your kingdom forever; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

I have written many sermons over the 14 years I have been a cleric and a Bishop. I have spoken about every aspect of every single feast day that I can imagine. And yet, for me, Holy Thursday and Good Friday are always special.

Today I want you to close your eyes and imagine the Upper Room. See the Disciples reclining around a table, enjoying each other’s company. Mary Magdalene is somewhere in the room and maybe even Jesus’ mother is there as well.  These men and women have just come in from walking all around Jerusalem. They have followed Jesus through the streets, knowing that he could be arrested at any moment. Yet, they are at peace now. No one would be arrested at night, much less tried at night. So they could let down their guard and enjoy the Passover meal.

The disciples all washed their hands and prepared to feast. Then it happened. That one moment that confuses our intellect. Jesus gets up and begins to wash the feet of the disciples! Their feet were not pleasant to be sure. Yet, Jesus wrapped a towel around him and began to show them what a servant really was. Some protested. Peter refused to have his feet washed until Jesus told him he would not enter eternal life unless he let him wash his feet. Then Peter went to the other extreme and asked for Jesus to wash his whole body! This likely sent giggles through the disciples as they thought about the dramatic shift in Peter’s demeanor.

While this act is recreated every Holy Thursday, I seriously doubt any of us will sit for a foot washing with feet as dirty as the Disciples. Yet there is something very humbling about the washing of feet. It is a moment when we are truly united to the humanity of Christ. It is when we finally have the opportunity to understand just what it means for Christ to have humbled himself to become man for our salvation.

I have used, and I know others who have as well, the analogy of one of us becoming a cockroach in order to save all the cockroaches of the world. While it is still an abstract, it is the best we can do to understand how Jesus must have felt when he humbled himself to become man. But Jesus did not just humble himself and become man, he also took on the humblest of positions as a man, he became the servant who washed the feet of his followers. This was more like a human being becoming an ameba to save all amebas!

This is what it means to be truly Christian. We must be willing to humble ourselves to the lowest point one can in order to be truly a follower of Christ. As a Franciscan, I vowed to follow that humble call in my daily life. Have I succeeded? No. There is still a lot of pride in me. There is still a lot of growing I need to do. I pray that someday I will be a servant that will make St. Francis and Christ proud. I want to be the foot washer, the friend of the outcast and the one who hugs those sick and dying without fear for my own insignificant life.

As we go to our respective places of worship on this Holy Thursday, let us remember that the call of Christ, the mark of Christianity, is not one of honor, but of humility. Let us begin to practice that humility in our daily lives. Rather than sit in the front of the church, instead sit in the back pew. Volunteer to wash feet on Holy Thursday rather than to have your feet washed. Ask to visit those who are ill and alone rather than expecting people to visit you.

In doing so, we live the Gospel and obtain true salvation.

God Bless!