“Thy will be done”….

Most of us know those words come from our Lord’s Prayer.  Found in Matthew 6:9-13  they are some of the famous words spoken by Jesus during his Sermon on the Mount.  They are also probably the most known words.  As children, be us Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist or any other Christian denomination we all learned the Lord’s Prayers.  Whether one is a frequent church goer or hasn’t been into a church in many many years- we can still readily recall all the words of the Lord’s Prayer.  For those who seek a closer relationship with God or to strengthen their spiritual being- you really need pray nothing else but the Lord’s Prayer.  In fact Christ warns us, “do not be like the hypocrites… do not keep on babbling” [Matthew 6:5 and 6:7].  “This then, is how you should pray:” [Matthew 6:9 et al.] and Christ imparts to us his Lord’s Prayer.

But in a largely secular society, what is God’s will?

In high school and college, I knew I always wanted to be a priest.  But the feasibility of such a dream, was not a practical pursuit then.  Though my heart heard God’s call, there seemed to be other pressing family and personal demands. As such, I entered law enforcement and enjoyed a lengthy and proud career.  Nearing retirement, I could still hear God calling to me to become a priest.  I finished my studies and am happy to finally be in a position, I wanted my whole life to be in.  But God continued to speak to me, and let me in on a little secret-  I had been a priest serving God my whole life!

We are told in scripture: “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is to give, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.” [Romans 12:6-8] “Share with the Lord’s people who are in need.” [Romans 12:13]

Christ is telling us that we need not be deacons, priests, bishops or confirmed to a religious order to lead a religious life. Christ is telling us that those of us who are parents, teachers, shop keepers, laborers, police officers and firefighters and every other occupation- are also called by God to serve his people.  We meet them where we are at- together in that moment of time- which may be their moment of greatest need, and we become the means by which God accomplishes his will.  “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received, to serve others as faithful servants of God’s grace in all its various forms.” [1 Peter 4:10]

We must all come to realize that each of has a God given gift, that will be of benefit to someone else. These gifts, no matter how small or how insignificant they may seem- may be the most important thing someone is waiting for- praying for.  Perhaps it may be as simple as being that person who directs a lost motorist, angry that their GPS is not working- or we become the helpful stranger and warm smile to the frustrated shopper.  These are all acts of God’s intervention and care for us.  We may not know it then, but God is using us to accomplish his will. In a simple way. To ease someone’s burden, to brighten their day and just be a friend.

We are told; “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care- watching over them not because you must, but because you are willing- not pursuing a dishonest gain, but eager to serve- not lording over those entrusted to you, but being an example.”  [1 Peter 5:2-3]

Let us perform those Corporal Works of Mercy: to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, visit the sick and imprisoned and bury the dead.  Let us strive to fulfill the Spiritual Works of Mercy to instruct the ignorant, counsel the doubtful, admonish sinners, bear wrongs patiently, forgive willingly, comfort the sick and afflicted and always- to pray.

Christ reminds us: “Whoever does God’s will, is my brother and my sister” [Mark 3-35]  So let us live our lives as brothers and sisters of Christ!  Serving the children of God, not matter how simply. For by doing so- Thy Will Be Done!

Saint Albert the Great was born sometime between 1193 and 1206, to the Count of Bollstädt in Lauingen in Bavaria.  Contemporaries such as Roger Bacon applied the term “Magnus” to Albertus during his own lifetime, referring to his immense reputation as a scholar and philosopher.  Albertus was educated principally at Padua, where he received instruction in Aristotle’s writings. A late account by Rudolph de Novamagia refers to Albertus’ encounter with the Blessed Virgin Mary, who convinced him to enter Holy Orders. In 1223 (or 1221) he became a member of the Dominican Order, against the wishes of his family, and studied theology at Bologna and elsewhere. Selected to fill the position of lecturer at Cologne, Germany, where the Dominicans had a house, he taught for several years there, at Regensburg, Freiburg, Strasbourg and Hildesheim. In 1245 he went to Paris, received his doctorate, and taught for some time as a master of theology with great success. During this time Thomas Aquinas began to study under Albertus.

In 1254, Albertus was made provincial of the Dominican Order, and fulfilled the arduous duties of the office with great care and efficiency. During his tenure he publicly defended the Dominicans against attacks by the secular and regular faculty of the University of Paris, commented on St. John, and answered what he perceived as errors of the Arabian philosopher Averroes.

In 1260, Pope Alexander IV made him Bishop of Regensburg, an office from which he resigned after three years. During the exercise of his duties he enhanced his reputation for humility by refusing to ride a horse—in accord with the dictates of the Dominican order—instead walking back and forth across his huge diocese. This earned him the affectionate sobriquet, “boots the bishop,” from his parishioners. After his stint as bishop, he spent the remainder of his life partly in retirement in the various houses of his order, yet often preaching throughout southern Germany. In 1270, he preached the eighth Crusade in Austria. Among the last of his labors was the defense of the orthodoxy of his former pupil, Thomas Aquinas, whose death in 1274 grieved Albertus. After suffering a collapse of health in 1278, he died on November 15, 1280, in Cologne, Germany. His tomb is in the crypt of the Dominican church of St. Andreas   in Cologne,   and his relics at the Cologne Cathedral.

Albertus was beatified in 1622. He was canonized and proclaimed a Doctor of the Church in 1931 by Pope Pius XI. St Albert’s feast day is celebrated on November 15.

 

Blessed John Licci, born to a poor farmer, his mother died in childbirth. His life from then on, all 111 years, was a tale of miracles.  His father, who fed the baby on crushed pomegranates, had to work the fields, and was forced to leave the infant alone. The baby began crying, and a neighbor woman took him to her home to feed him. She laid the infant on the bed next to her paralyzed husband – and the man was instantly cured. The woman told John’s father of the miracle, but he was more concerned that she was meddling, and had taken his son without his permission. He took the child home to feed him more pomegranate pulp. As soon as the child was removed from the house, the neighbor’s paralysis returned; when John was brought back in, the man was healed. Even John’s father took this as a sign, and allowed the neighbors to care for John.

A precocious and emotional child, John began reciting the Daily Offices before age 10. While on a trip to Palermo, Italy at age 15, John went to Confession in the church of Saint Zita of Lucca where his confession was heard by Blessed Peter Geremia who suggested John consider a religious life. John considered himself unworthy, but Peter pressed the matter, John joined the Dominicans in 1415, and wore the habit for 96 years, the longest period known for anyone.

He founded the convent of Saint Zita in Caccamo, Italy. Lacking money for the construction, John prayed for guidance. During his prayer he had a vision of an angel who told him to “build on the foundations that were already built.” The next day in the nearby woods he found the foundation for a church called “Saint Mary of the Angels,” a church that had been started many years before, but had never been finished. John assumed this was the place indicated, and took over the site.

During the construction, workmen ran out of materials; the next day at dawn a large ox-drawn wagon arrived at the site. The driver unloaded a large quantity of stone, lime and sand – then promptly disappeared, leaving the oxen and wagon behind for the use of the convent. At another point a well got in the way of construction; John blessed it, and it immediately dried up; when construction was finished, he blessed it again, and the water began to flow. When roof beams were cut too short, John would pray over them, and they would stretch. There were days when John had to miraculously multiply bread and wine to feed the workers. Once a young boy came to the construction site to watch his uncle set stones; the boy fell from a wall, and was killed; John prayed over him, and restored him to life and health.

John and two brother Dominicans who were working on the convent were on the road near Caccamo when they were set upon by bandits. One of the thieves tried to stab John with a dagger; the man’s hand withered and became paralyzed. The gang let the brothers go, then decided to ask for their forgiveness. John made the Sign of the Cross at them, and the thief‘s hand was made whole.

One Christmas a nearby farmer offered to pasture the oxen that had come with the disappearing wagon-driver. John declined, saying the oxen had come far to be there, and there they should stay. Thinking he was doing good, the layman took them anyway. When he put them in the field with his own oxen, they promptly disappeared; he later found them at the construction site, contentedly munching dry grass near Father John.

While he did plenty of preaching in his 90+ years in the habit, usually on Christ’s Passion, he was not known as a great homilist. He was known, however, for his miracles and good works. His blessing caused the breadbox of a nearby widow to stay miraculously full, feeding her and her six children. His blessing prevented disease from coming to the cattle of his parishioners.  A noted healer, curing at least three people whose heads had been crushed in accidents, he was Provincial of Sicily, and Prior of the abbey on several occasions.

also known as James Griesinger

Memorial Day: October 11th

James was born at Ulm, and spent a fortunate childhood. He was thoroughly instructed both in his father’s trade of glass painting and in the practices of piety. He assisted his father in the making of stained glass, which was at the time a fine art in Germany, and he passed a sinless and happy youth in his native city. Wishing to make a pilgrimage to Rome, he asked his father’s blessing on the enterprise and set forth on his long journey, arriving in time to spend Lent in the holy city.

Having run out of funds, James enlisted with the army in Sicily. Here his pious nature received a rude shock from the soldiers with whom he lived. They were given to every manner of vice and resented any effort to change their lives. Disgusted with the corrupt morals and practices around him, James made haste to free himself as soon as his enlisted was up. He went into service with a lawyer, who soon entrusted him with his most important affairs and would gladly have adopted him as his own son. Having worked with this man for several years, James became anxious to return home to see his aging father, so he once more set forth on the road.

In Bologna, while he was praying before the tomb of Saint Dominic, an interior voice made known to him that his vocation was to be a Dominican. He sought no further, but went immediately to the prior to beg admission as a lay-brother in the Order.

James set for himself no extraordinary program of sanctity when he entered the Order, but resolved to keep the rule perfectly. He did this with great success. His humility and obedience were particularly remarkable.

James resumed his father’s trade of making stained-glass windows, and all his working time was devoted to making windows for the churches and convents that desired them. At one time, when he had a particularly large and elaborate window for firing in the furnace, the prior called for him to go out begging. Without a backward glance at his precious window, he went. He was gone all day, and it was only to be expected that his window would be in ashes when he returned, but God rewarded his obedience with a miracle-the window was more beautiful than he would ever hoped.

On another occasion, the prior, who had been telling a visiting bishop of James’ virtue, called him and told him to take a letter to Paris- a journey of some three weeks. James, bowing his head, asked only that he might first go to his cell to get his walking stick. The prior did not send him: he had only wished to try his obedience.

James was silent and recollected at his work, diligent and prayerful, and always ready to leave one kind of work for another when obedience called him, even though he had a craftsman’s regard for finishing for work well. His chief distinction was in keeping the rule perfectly, though he also performed a number of miracles.

Two windows made by Blessed James are still in existence; one in the chapel of the Bentivoglio palace, the other in the cathedral of St. Petronius in Bloogna.

Born: 1407 at Ulm, Swabia (modern Germany)

Died: 1491 of natural causes

Beatified: In 1825 by Pope Leo XII

On August 28,2012 two West Virginia State Troopers stopped a motor vehicle which had been operating recklessly on I-79 in Clay County.  The vehicle was occupied just by the driver who, the Troopers determined, was driving while intoxicated.  The subject was arrested, handcuffed and placed in the back of the Troop car.  A tow truck was requested for an impound.  Sadly, the events turned quite tragic after that. Deadly tragic.

As a retired police sergeant, and still a New Jersey police academy instructor, I will not seek to pontificate or comment critically on what went wrong. Suffice it to say- things went wrong.  We in the law enforcement community know, because we ourseleves make mistakes and find ourselves thankful the consequences were not as such.

But in horrific instances such as this, when we stare and wonder in disbelief- we are moved to remember the person- the quality of their character, that would move someone to become a policeman, a fire fighter, a soldier or paramedic/EMS professional.

Christ tells us: “Truly I tell you my friends, greater love has no one than this- that he would lay down his life for a friend.” (John 15:13)  How this is magnified when the “friend” is a stranger or, as in this case, society itself.

Christ also has taught us; “This is how we know what love is- that Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. We ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.” (1 John 3:16)

Both these scriptures encourage us to do the right thing. We must be willing ourseleves to make a scarifice for our brothers and sisters. Even the ultimate sacrifice.  Let us not forget those heros, unknown to us personally, who gave that sacrifice on September 11th.  Paying the full measure of their lives, in hopes of giving some aid and comfort to strangers.  At the very least, this is what we should be all willing to do.   “God demonstartes his love for us- even though we be sinners- Christ dies for us” (Romans 5:8)

After I became a police officer, freshly minted out of the police academy, my Department suffered the loss of Det. Richard McGilvery by gunshot in October of 1978.  Still probationary and adjusting to my fellow officers, I took comfort in the oath we swear as policeman: “to not turn from peril or presumption but to champion steadfastly in protection of the meek, weak and fearful.”

This then is the heart of Trooper Marshall Lee Bailey ( age 42 with 17 years of service) and Trooper Eric M. Workman (age 26 with just 20 months of service).   Without concern for their own lives, comfort and safety, they wore the uniform. They answered the call everyday- to be God’s servants of protection and freedom. While we pause to mourn their life, we must move forward in greater celebration of it.  Christ tells us: “… do not be afraid of those who kill the body, for after that they can do no more.” (Luke 12:4)

I close with a poem by Peter Hornback, known in police circles as  “The Final Inspection”.  I submit it in tribute to these fallen officers, and all others who have paid the sacrifice for my protection and freedom-

“The policeman stood and faced his God. Which must always come to pass. He hoped his shoes were shining as brightly as his brass.

“Step forward now, Officer. How shall I deal with you? Have you always turned the other cheek? To my Church, have you been true?”

“The Officer squared his shoulders, ‘No Lord, I guess I ain’t. Cause those of us who carry badges can’t always be a saint.

“But I never took a penny that wasn’t mine to keep. I worked a lot of overtime when my bills got far to deep.

“And I never passed a cry for help, though at times I shook with fear. And sometimes, God forgive me, I wept unmanly tears.

“I know I don’t deserve a place among the people here, they didn’t want me around except to calm their fear.

“But if you’ve got a place for me Lord, it needn’t be so grand. I’ve never expected or had too much, so if you don’t- I’ll understand.”

There was silence all around the throne where the saints had often trod. As the officer waited quietly for the judgement of his God.

“Step forward now brave Officer, you’ve borne your burdens well. Come walk a beat on Heaven’s streets- you’ve done your time in hell.”

May almighty God embrace the souls of all those who die for us in protection of our society and her freedom. May he make of us instruments of his justice among people and nations, so that His will be done.  Comfort those who mourn and give to us your blessing for peace. Amen.

“For he will command his angels to take charge of you and guard you in all your ways.” (Psalm 91:11)

www.saintaelred.weebly.com/police.html

As I reflect upon my life, many things were always certain.  My love of dogs, I love the Autumn, I enjoy the beach, Christmas is my favorite time of year, and my mother was the best mother in the world!  I knew I would end up a policeman, though my 1974 high school yearbook betrayed my “secret desire to be a priest”.  God does indeed have His plan and works his mysteries- I retired from 29 years in law enforcement and now I work to serve God as a priest with The Reformed Catholic Church.

There are other aspects in my life of which I have always been certain too. I am a gay man. I knew this all my life as far back as I could remember thinking of such things. I also knew I was intensely spiritual, and how to reconcile the two would ultimately become the formation of who I am.

I know that my being gay is not a decision I made. It is not a “sexual preference” I chose, but rather who God created me to be. I knoew this because God blessed me with an understanding family and compassionate and caring friends.

I also came to learn that there were those who would try to use the very scriptures I loved to read, against me. I came to know that this belief grew in ignorance and darkness.  I read a book by The Most Reverend John Shelby Sprong retired Bishop of the Episcopal Church Diocese of Newark NJ (who I have had the occasional pleasure to meet) entitled “Lving in Sin” where he explains that fundamentalists misinterpretations of scripture conclude that that “which is abnormal is an abomination”.  The learned person knows homosexuals are born homosexual. Bishop Spong concludes that ipso facto– that there is no sin for the homosexual person because my homosexuality is for me normal. Created by God as his glorious gift to me, to reflect his love back to his creation.

This was very liberating to me as a gay Christian. I found myself accepted and blessed as I opened my heart and soul to God in prayer and came to understand his love for me!

It was with this knowledge that I came to find St. Aelred of Rievaulx (pronounced: ree-VOH) (b.1109-d.1167) and so appreciate his impact that I have named my ministry after him.  Born to a Catholic priest, Aelred at first grew to become a squire to King David I of Scotland and then ‘Head of Household’.  But moved by the Holy Spirit, he left the service of the king to enter the service of God being ordained in 1134.  He became a monk at the Abbey of Rievaulx. His reputation as a great teacher understanding of God and his works, and his embrace of his fellow monks in friendship, led to his election as Abbot of the monestary. So known was his regard that the numbers of monks at Reievaulx rose to over 750. His popularity prompted King Edward the Confessor of England to invite him to preach at Westminster Abbey in his later years. He was canonized a saint by the Roman Catholic Church after his death.

St. Aelred was known to write many works. First known as a historian, writing the biographies of kings of England, he is most remembered for his writings on his relationships and friendships among the monks in his Abbey.  He cited these frienships as proof of God’s love for us- by living that love through our friends. He would tell his monks; “be friends to each other and that will earn the friendship of God.”

Even in those times, there were those who accused St. Aelred of being homosexual, a charge he did not dispute. In his most famous work, Speculum Caritatis (The Mirror of Charity c.1142), Aelred responds: “Some emotions are not ours to command. Others will pass judgement, even with my tears that my love is to real. Let them think as they will. But you Lord, with your divine mercy, see not only what is outward but what is within. I love those that God calls for me to love. I reach out to hold the hand that God reaches out for me to take. To cherish those that God calls upon me to cherish. Friend cleaving to friend in the spirit of Christ.”

The words have been an inspiration and a comfort to me, for those that would seek to use God against me. “Whoever claims to love God, yet hates a brother or sister in Christ is a liar. For whoever hates a brother or sister, whom they have seen; cannot love Christ who they have not seen.” (1 John 4:20)  “For no one has ever seen God, but if you love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.” (1 John 4:12)

So then this is how God lives today among us- by living his love for us, through us. We must come to understand that we must embrace and love those that, as St. Aelred reminds us- “love those that God calls for [us] to love.” We must wrap ourselves in that love- so God can love- God can live!

“Therefore, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility and patience. Forgive one another, as Christ forgave you. For of all the virtues- put on love. It is love that binds us together. Let the peace of Christ be in your hearts.” (Colossians 3:12-15)

That really says it all. “Let the peace of Christ be in your hearts.” Amen.

John 6: 60-69

60 Many of his disciples, when they heard it, said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?”

61 But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples murmured at it, said to them, “Do you take offense at this?

62 Then what if you were to see the Son of man ascending where he was before?

63 It is the spirit that gives life, the flesh is of no avail; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.

64 But there are some of you that do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the first who those were that did not believe, and who it was that would betray him.

65 And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.”

66 After this many of his disciples drew back and no longer went about with him.

67 Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also wish to go away?”

68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life;

69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”

We must ask ourselves, do we brush aside or resist the teachings of Jesus?  As Christians we are attracted to Jesus because he offered us God’s loving-kindness and mercy. His wonderful works of healing and deliverance.

However even today, as then, some of us  do not understand or appreciate the claims of Jesus.  He claimed to be the very life of God come down from heaven and that no one could live this life without submitting to him. Even the apostles admitted that this was an expression that it was not just hard to understand, but hard to accept.  Jesus pressed the issue with his beloved disciples because he wanted to test their faith and loyalty.

Jesus assured his disciples that it is his heavenly Father who invites and who gives us deliverance Jesus knew that some would not only reject him and his word, but would do so to the point of betraying him to his enemies.

In today’s community there are people who may initially think that it is heaven on earth. After three or four months, however, they discover that the Community is not perfect, that they may disagree with others, that it’s not particularly glamorous and it can be tiring. The temptation to flee and avoid reality can be great.  The same is true in discerning people for leadership roles. There nearly always seems to be a critical moment when a tough decision needs to be made. Often it is when someone wants a role but is asked to commit for two years, and that seems like an eternity. Or maybe they would ideally like a live out salary, but we are unable to offer one. It is at those moments – when everything seems to hang on a knife edge – that discernment is key: trying to discern what is my deepest desire, which in turn is the desire that God has for us.

It is also true for the Community as a whole. There are nearly always short cuts that we could take – but often at a long term cost. What is really important is the quality of relationship, and the commitment that flows from it.

Our faith seeks understanding.  That is why God gives us the help of the Holy Spirit to enlighten the eyes of our mind to understand his truth and wisdom.. Jesus offers his life-giving word and Spirit to those who believe and who submit to his authority.  Peter’s profession of loyalty was based on a personal relationship with Jesus.  Through the gift of faith Peter knew that Jesus was the Messiah, the Holy One of God, and he believed in his words. Faith is a response to God’s revelation. It’s the key to seeing God work in our lives with power.  Do you believe, as Peter did, that Jesus can change your life because he has the words of everlasting life?  Ask the Lord to increase your faith that you may grow in your relationship with him and in the knowledge of his love for you.

“Lord Jesus, you have the words of everlasting life.   Help me to cast aside doubt and fear and to embrace your word with trust and joy.  I surrender to you fully my heart, my will, my thoughts and my actions.  May there be nothing which keeps me from you and your love.”

Br. Terry Elkington, OPr

The Order of Preachers, Reformed is thrilled to announce the Postulancy of Br. David Moore.  David comes to us from Hilton Head, SC.  He is a former priest and Franciscan, and has much to offer our Order and to Our Lord.   Welcome David!  We are extremely happy to have you in our family!