September 13, 2016

Team Players ~ St. John Chrysostom ~ Br. Michael Marshall, Novice

Historical Background

Saint John Chrysostom was born around 347 C.E. in Antioch, and is a Doctor of the Church. He died in the year 407 C.E. During his lifetime, he turned away from negative societal influences, and entered monastic religious life; in which that period he was ordained as a lector. He was ordained a priest in the year 386 C.E. and much of his early ministry prior to the priesthood was instructing catechumens, as well as looking after the sick and poor. After being ordained, over the next twelve years, he composed many important writings on the priestly life, as well as several impactful sermons about living a virtuous Christian life. The three most significant aspects of his ministry were being a great preacher, a great exegete of Scripture, and a well versed dogmatic theologian. As Dominicans, our charism is essentially the ministry of Saint John Chrysostom.

He was consecrated Bishop of Constantinople in 398 C.E. after the death of Nectarius. His first important act as Bishop was reconciling with Rome, as well as enacting reform on the local level due to many scandalous acts taking place among clergy. Even though there was some success with this reform, Saint John Chrysostom eventually faced tensions with members of society over wealth and Church leaders; which led him to be exiled from Constantinople, and died as was buried in Comona but his body was eventually transferred back to Constantinople to be put to final rest.

Sermon

The life of Saint John Chrysostom relates to the readings for today very well. The stories within the readings practically parallel much of Saint John Chrysostom’s ministry. The first reading from First Corinthians speaks about the Body of Christ as a whole Community of believers, rather than divided groups; and Saint John Chrysostom was important in re-establishing a relationship with Rome. Even though he was known for his preaching, he was also very gifted in other capacities, just as First Corinthians speaks about people having gifts and talents to help contribute to the Community. In the Gospel, we see that Jesus is raising a man from the dead; and Saint John Chrysostom literally ministered to the sick, but he also brought the Christian Community in Constantinople back to new life through reforms and his ability to preach well.

So, what does all of this have to do with us as Christians today? Let me share a little story. Prior to my initial seminary studies I worked at a local retail store, and the department manager who hired me knew how to be a team leader, and had a vision for where the department could go beyond where it was. Our department was essentially a well-oiled machine with everybody contributing in their own way; then the department manager took another position. The new department manager shared the same vision as the previous manager, yet eventually hired someone who was not a team player. The manager obviously did not see this coming because the situation only became evident after the person started on the job. There was great distention between several staff in our department, and things fell apart. Essentially, it takes only one person to destroy a “community”.

During my time with the Church which has become the UOCC, I have seen that same situation several times instead of leaders working together as a team; and fortunately, we are now moving in the right direction with working together with other Churches. As much as the various Churches are now moving in a positive direction, we as individuals need to examine whether we can make an impact within the Christian Community to help spread the Gospel, and be the team player through giving of ourselves though our talents. Not everyone is an eloquent preacher, nor is everyone an expert in dogmatic theology; but it is important to look to Saint John Chrysostom as an example of how to be effective people in ministry by using the gifts and talents we do have.

May we look to Saint John Chrysostom for guidance as how to be better Christians, and leaders within our own Communities. This we ask through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

September 11, 2016

Forgiven! ~ Br. Chip Noon, Novice

Sin.

Abomination.

Depravity.

Disobedience.

There are some pretty heartbreaking things going on in today’s readings. The Israelites turn away from God and worship false gods, David sins with Bathsheba and has her husband killed, Paul relates once again his culpability as a persecutor of the followers of Jesus, and finally, the prodigal son, after a life of dissipation and debauchery, comes home to be forgiven.

Forgiven. This idea of God’s mercy is the heart of today’s readings, not sin.

We have been set up in several ways to recognize what displeases God, how we can reject him, and what we do to others that is worthy of shame. In fact, if we didn’t have the other parts of the Mass in between these messages, we might leave this Sunday’s celebration rather cast down by all the bad things that we can do and have done in the past.

Those of us who pray the Liturgy of the Hours daily will recognize today’s Psalm 51 (or 50 in the old enumeration) which we read every Friday at Morning Prayer. The antiphon is You alone have I grieved by my sin; have mercy on me, O Lord.

In this psalm David recognizes his guilt for his adultery with Bathsheba and the setting up of her husband to be killed in battle. He admits his guilt, admits that it is always with him, acknowledges before God his faults, asks God for forgiveness, and promises to proclaim God’s goodness and declare God’s praise as a sinner who has begged for mercy and been redeemed.

Look again at these readings. Each one speaks of something precious that has been lost through accident or deliberate actions: the sheep, the drachma, chastity, a life of service and work for others, self-respect. Something precious that is gone and that should be retrieved.

Scientists are now studying whether a sense of goodness, or conscience, or altruism is hard-wired into us or is something we learn from our parents and society. It will be interesting to know, but in fact, we don’t really need to know where this sense of the right thing to do comes from, do we? We know immediately and intrinsically the difference between right and wrong. And even though Paul says his misdeeds grew out of ignorance in today’s reading, we know that his transgressions against the early Christians troubled him greatly, or his conversion would not have been so complete.

So I suppose we don’t really need the Ten Commandments, or sermons, or homilies to show us the right path, because the moment we step off it, we know in our hearts that we are have lost our way.

But the greater message of the readings from today is more than just having us see that everybody, even David, is capable of sin. The greater message is that there is no sin that cannot be forgiven by God.

There is no sin we commit that God will not forgive. If only we confess the sin and ask for forgiveness.

Confess to God and ask his forgiveness.

“…there will be rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Let us pray. Lord we know there are times we have rejected the good and gone after the bad, whether by thoughts, words, or deeds. Help us on the right path and help us to ask forgiveness when we mis-step. And as Jeremiah tells us, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future,” then let us rest in your loving kindness.

Amen.

September 8, 2016

Life-For the Purpose of God – The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin ~ The Rev. Lady Sherwood, OPI

Today we celebrate the nativity of the Mother of Our Lord Jesus Christ and our heavenly mother.

All parents are filled with such joy at the birth of their children. We try to bring them up to be the best which they can be in the world. Our heavenly Father who created us and who knows each of us before our birth is no different. He also is filled with joy at our birth and wants the best for us.

God already has plans for each of our lives and for exactly which role we shall fill within his kingdom on earth.

Some may eventually become Bishops, priests, ministers of the word or professed religious. For others, it may be growing up to work in the care profession, to be a Dr or nurse, carer and so on,or to teach our future adults in schools, colleges or universities. They may be in support roles such as social or charitable work. Whatever the role the Father has planned for us, all are valuable and necessary for his Kingdom on earth.

But just imagine if you can, that in this case, we have St Joachim and St Anne, who were both unable to bear children. Imagine the joy here when, because of their faith, they were given their daughter Mary. What such a special gift and blessing!!

However, not just St Joachim and St Anne were blessed by the birth of Mary, as indeed we all have been blessed!

God chose that Mary would grow up to become the Mother of Our Lord Jesus Christ, when he came down to earth as one of us. It is Mary who loved and nurtured Our Lord and who suffered so much incomprehensible sorrow and heartbreak when Jesus gave himself to be crucified for the atonement of our sins.

Through this most blessed role, Mary became our Mother in heaven who is there interceding with her Son on our behalf.

This innocent new baby, Mary, grew up so full of faith and gave herself totally and freely to the will of God our Father. When the angel Gabriel came to her to proclaim that she would bear a son and that he would be the Son of the Most High, Mary replied, “I am the Lord’s servant” May your word to me be fulfilled”.(LK 1:38 NIV)

Such Faith and devotion!

We can all learn so much in our lives from the life and faith of Mary. Her life clearly shows us how we should accept in true faith the plans that God our Father has for our lives, so that like Mary, we may be instruments of his glory.

With this in our hearts and minds, let us pray:

God Our Father, give your chosen people your help and strength. The birth of the Virgin Mary’s Son was the dawn of our salvation. May our celebration of her nativity bring us closer to lasting peace and may the virtues that she modelled develop in our lives,to love you and our neighbours more perfectly. Grant this we pray, through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

September 4, 2016

Follow Me ~ The Rev. Dennis Klinzing, Novice

When Jesus left the Pharisee’s house, great crowds followed Him, but He was not impressed by their enthusiasm. He knew that most of those in the crowd were not the least bit interested in spiritual things. Some wanted only to see miracles, others heard that He fed the hungry, and a few hoped He would overthrow Rome and establish David’s promised kingdom. They were expecting the wrong things.

Jesus turned to the multitude and preached a sermon that deliberately thinned out the ranks. He made it clear that, when it comes to personal discipleship, He is more interested in quality than quantity. In the matter of saving souls, He wants His house to be filled, but in the matter of personal discipleship, He wants only those who are willing to pay the price.

A ‘disciple’ is a learner, one who attaches himself or herself to a teacher in order to learn a trade or a subject. Perhaps our nearest modern equivalent is ‘apprentice,’ one who learns by watching and by doing. The word disciple was the most common name for the followers of Jesu Christ and is used 264 times in the Gospels and the book of Acts.

Jesus seems to make a distinction between salvation and discipleship. Salvation is open to all who will come by faith, while discipleship is for believers willing to pay a price. Salvation means coming to the cross and trust Jesus Christ, while discipleship means carrying the cross and following Jesus Christ. Jesus wants as many sinners saved as possible, but He cautions us not to take discipleship lightly, and in the three parables He gave, He made it clear that there is a price to pay.

To begin with, we must love Christ supremely, even more than we love our own flesh and blood. The word hate does not suggest positive antagonism but rather ‘to love less.’ Our love for Christ must be so strong that all other love is like hatred in comparison. In fact, we must hate our own lives and be willing to bear the cross after Him.

What does it mean to ‘carry the cross?’ It means daily identifications with Christ in shame, suffering, and surrender to God’s will. It means death to self, to serve Him as He directs. A ‘cross’ is something we willingly accept from God as part of His will for our lives. The Christian who called his noisy neighbors the ‘cross’ he had to bear certainly did not understand the meaning of dying to self.

Jesus gave three parables to explain why He makes such costly demands on His followers: the man building a tower, the king fighting a war, and the salt losing its flavor. The usual interpretation is that believers are represented by the man building the tower, the king fighting the war, and we had better ‘count the cost.’ Truthfully the builder and the king represents not the believer but Jesus Christ. He is the one who must ‘count the cost’ to build the church and battle the enemy. He cannot get the job done with halfhearted followers who will not pay the price.

Discipleship is serious business. If we are not true disciples, then Jesus cannot build the tower and fight the war. If we will tell Jesus that we want to take up our cross and follow Him as His disciples, then He wants no false expectancy, no illusions, no bargains. He wants to use us as stones for building His church, soldiers for battling His enemies, and salt for bettering His world, and He is looking for quality.

After all, He was on His way to Jerusalem when He spoke these words, and look what happened to Him there! He does not ask us to do anything for Him that He has not already done for us.

To some Jesus says, ‘You cannot be MY disciple.’ Why? Because they will not forsake all for Him, bear shame and reproach for Him, and let their love for Him control them. They are the losers. Will you be His disciple?

August 30, 2016

Saint Rose of Lima

At her confirmation in 1597, she took the name of Rose, because, when an infant, her face had been seen transformed by a mystical rose. As a child she was remarkable for a great reverence, and pronounced love, for all things relating to God. This so took possession of her that thenceforth her life was given up to prayer and mortification. She had an intense devotion to the Infant Jesus and His Blessed Mother, before whose altar she spent hours. She was scrupulously obedient and of untiring industry, making rapid progress by earnest attention to her parents’ instruction, to her studies, and to her domestic work, especially with her needle.

After reading of St. Catherine she determined to take that saint as her model. She began by fasting three times a week, adding secret severe penances, and when her vanity was assailed, cutting off her beautiful hair, wearing coarse clothing, and roughening her hands with toil. All this time she had to struggle against the objections of her friends, the ridicule of her family, and the censure of her parents. Many hours were spent before the Blessed Sacrament, which she received daily.

Finally she determined to take a vow of virginity, and inspired by supernatural love, adopted extraordinary means to fulfill it. At the outset she had to combat the opposition of her parents, who wished her to marry. For ten years the struggle continued before she won, by patience and prayer, their consent to continue her mission.

At the same time great temptations assailed her purity, faith, and constance, causing her excruciating agony of mind and desolation of spirit, urging her to more frequent mortifications; but daily, also, Our Lord manifested Himself, fortifying her with the knowledge of His presence and consoling her mind with evidence of His Divine love. Fasting daily was soon followed by perpetual abstinence from meat, and that, in turn, by use of only the coarsest food and just sufficient to support life.

Her days were filled with acts of charity and industry, her exquisite lace and embroidery helping to support her home, while her nights were devoted to prayer and penance. When her work permitted, she retired to a little grotto which she had built, with her brother’s aid, in their small garden, and there passed her nights in solitude and prayer. Overcoming the opposition of her parents, and with the consent of her confessor, she was allowed later to become practically a recluse in this cell, save for her visits to the Blessed Sacrament.

In her twentieth year she received the habit of St. Dominic. Thereafter she redoubled the severity and variety of her penances to a heroic degree, wearing constantly a metal spiked crown, concealed by roses, and an iron chain about her waist. Days passed without food, save a draught of gall mixed with bitter herbs. When she could no longer stand, she sought repose on a bed constructed by herself, of broken glass, stone, potsherds, and thorns. She admitted that the thought of lying down on it made her tremble with dread. Fourteen years this martyrdom of her body continued without relaxation, but not without consolation. Our Lord revealed Himself to her frequently, flooding her soul with such inexpressible peace and joy as to leave her in ecstasy four hours. At these times she offered to Him all her mortifications and penances in expiation for offences against His Divine Majesty, for the idolatry of her country, for the conversion of sinners, and for the souls in Purgatory.

Many miracles followed her death. She was beatified by Clement IX, in 1667, and canonized in 1671 by Clement X, the first American to be so honored. Her feast is celebrated 30 August. She is represented wearing a crown of roses.

Born:1586 at Lima, Peru as Isabel

Died: August 24, 1617 at Lima, Peru

Beatified: April 15, 1668 by Pope Clement IX

Canonized: April 2, 1671 by Pope Clement X

Representation: anchor; crown of flowers; crown of roses; Holy Infant; roses; Dominican tertiary holding roses; Dominican tertiary accompanied by the Holy Infant

Patronage: against vanity; Americas; Central America; embroiderers; florists; gardeners; India; Latin America; Lima, Peru; needle workers; New World; people ridiculed for their piety; Peru; Philippines; diocese of Santa Rosa, California; South America; vanity; Villareal Samar, Phillipines; West Indies

August 29, 2016

Beheading of John the Baptist~ The Rev. Dcn. Dollie Wilkinson, OPI

While reading of the beheading of John the Baptist, I am reminded of such violence that occurs today. While not widely accepted, there are still individuals being beheaded. This may be by random violence (such as murder), or acts committed by individuals who are following a particular religious or cultural belief. But even in this digital age of violent video games, movies, and television shows, beheadings are still viewed as a gruesome spectacle. Can you imagine how such a thing was perceived during the time of Jesus? Yet this is what occurred, all to appease the whims of a young girl.

Mark 6:17-29 (KJV)

“For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife: for he had married her. For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother’s wife. Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him; but she could not: For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly. And when a convenient day was come, that Herod on his birthday made a supper to his lords, high captains, and chief estates of Galilee; And when the daughter of the said Herodias came in, and danced, and pleased Herod and them that sat with him, the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee. And he swore unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom. And she went forth, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptist. And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou give me by and by in a charger the head of John the Baptist. And the king was exceeding sorry; yet for his oath’s sake, and for their sakes which sat with him, he would not reject her. And immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison. And brought his head in a charger, and gave it to the damsel: and the damsel gave it to her mother. And when his disciples heard of it, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb.”

Here we have Herod Antipas, smiling and nodding with approval, as his step-daughter swayed and twirled in front of him and his birthday party guests, her graceful figure filling them with longing. When her performance was done, Herod and the guests applauded. What a dance! So entranced by her perforrmance and the mood of the moment, Herod cried, “Ask me what you want, up to half my kingdom, and it is yours!” And he swore a great oath to confirm his promise. As a Tetrarch (ruler of one quarter of a Roman province) Herod was more than able to provide a handsome gift even by first century standards. Would his step daughter ask for a jeweled necklace? A dowry? A house? Herod and the guests waited to hear her request. The girl herself hesitated. Uncertain what to ask for, she whispered with her mother.

Down in the dungeons of Herod’s fortress (named Machaerus) a man’s fate was about to be decided. John the Baptizer was under lock and key in one of those gloomy holds. The cause was this: he had rebuked Herod for stealing another man’s wife, namely Herodias. This woman had been married to Herod’s quiet half brother, Phillip. Herodias was furious, and convinced Herod to arrest John. Herod was only too willing because he was suspicious of the large crowds John attracted.

However, once Herod got John in his lockup, he talked with him and found he liked the guy. He didn’t understand what John was saying about holiness and salvation, but it seemed to be something he should hear. Instead of executing John, he gave him visitation privileges. Execution would be a bad idea anyway. John had a lot of followers; why make them mad and risk rebellion?

Having made up her mind, Herod’s stepdaughter approached him. The guests and the king turned to hear what she would ask. “Give me now the head of John the Baptizer on a platter!” said the girl. Even the reckless, hardened lot must have drawn sharp breaths at the gruesome request. How quickly the indulgent mood melted. Did Herod’s face change? Here was an awkward demand! Used to thinking of people as objects, used to beheading men at a whim, it never occurred to him to say, “An incorruptible prophet like John the Baptizer is worth more than my whole kingdom.” Looking around at his guests, he saw only one thing. If he was to save face, he must fulfill his promise. He ordered the execution.

According to a long-standing tradition, John was beheaded on this day, August 29, probably around the year A.D. 28. What happened to John’s head, we do not know. His disciples came and buried the body. Remains alleged to be his were later taken to Alexandria, Egypt and placed in a specially built church. When John’s cousin Jesus heard the news, we imagine it hit him as hard as it would any of us. He tried to get away by himself for a time. John, who had preached Christ’s coming and prepared for His messianic ministry was needlessly dead in the prime of his life.

August 27, 2016

All in God’s Time ~ The Feast of St. Monica ~ The Rev. Lady Sherwood, OPI

St. Monica.. All in God’s Time

Today we celebrate the Memorial of St. Monica. Although she is usually mainly thought of as the Mother of St. Augustine, who we celebrate tomorrow, Monica is truly a Saint in her own right. Her life clearly shows us why she is known as one of the Patron Saints of tolerance and patience. We can all definitely learn from the example of St. Monica within our lives.

Monica’s life shows us the true realism that still exists in many families even today. She could be seen by some as an obsessive, overbearing mother who drove her son crazy chasing after him until he would convert. She would’ve probably driven her bishop crazy with all her tears. The example of Monica’s life and her tolerance and patience clearly shows us how we should ourselves be living for a more full and true relationship with God Our Father. We need to stop wanting a personal genie, or instant answers to the prayers we send when we feel we need help or change within our lives. The Lord does listen to all of our prayers and will always do that which is best for us, even if not the response we may be seeking. However, God our Father answers in His own time and not in ours.

When most people think of St. Monica, several things probably come to mind: Her determination in prayer, her amazing dedication as a mother, her patient, long-suffering as the wife of an adulterous pagan with a mean-spirited pagan mother-in-law.

St Monica reminds me of the persistent widow in the gospel of Luke 18:1-8:

And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not to lose heart. 2. He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. 3. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying,

‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ ⁴For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, ⁵yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’” ⁶And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says.⁷And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? ⁸I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

So with this in Our Minds, let us pray:

St. Monica,
troubled wife and mother,
many sorrows pierced your heart during your lifetime.
Yet, you never despaired or lost faith.
With confidence, persistence, and profound faith,
you prayed daily for the conversion
of your beloved husband, Patricius,
and your beloved son, Augustine;
your prayers were answered.
Grant us that same fortitude, patience,
and trust in the Lord.
Intercede for us, dear St. Monica,
and grant us the grace to accept His Will in all things,
through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever.

Amen.

August 24, 2016

Book Review: The Bible Doesn’t Say That ~ The Rev. Dcn. Dollie Wilkinson, OPI

The Bible Doesn’t Say That: 40 Biblical Mistranslations, Misconceptions, and Other Misunderstandings

By Dr. Joel M. Hoffman

When I first began reading this book, I really had no idea what to expect. It was a relatively easy read (on my Kindle), though some chapters read more like a history book. But that’s what the Bible is, isn’t it, a history book? Or is like any other non-fiction book written by man, just a collection of personal stories and eye witness accounts, but only with parables, stories, embellishments, thrown in? And there is the first mistake I believe modern readers of the Bible make, and which Dr. Hoffman points out in this book. While most of the Bible is factual, meaning it did happen, it is still a personal account of who did what when. And as with any personal testimonies, there will be conflicting reports among various individuals. Also, we modern English readers tend to forget that the Bible wasn’t initially written in English. In its many translations, from Hebrew to Greek, to Latin, and finally to English, there surely must have been some things changed, and some things may have been lost in the various translations.

Dr. Hoffman details five ways the Bible gets distorted: culture gap, mistranslation, ignorance, accident, and misrepresentation; and two common elements that they share: misapplying tradition and missing the context. Some of the ideas explored in Dr. Hoffman’s book include definition of marriage, aging (how long people lived), homosexuality, polygamy, and the conflicting accounts of the creation story (Adam and Eve), just to name a few. Amazon offers this review:

“The Bible Doesn’t Say That” explores what the Bible meant before it was misinterpreted over the past 2,000 years. Acclaimed translator and biblical scholar Dr. Joel M. Hoffman walks the reader through dozens of mistranslations, misconceptions, and other misunderstandings about the Bible. In forty short, straightforward chapters, he covers morality, life-style, theology, and biblical imagery, including:

*The Bible doesn’t call homosexuality a sin, and it doesn’t advocate for the one-man-one-woman model of the family that has been dubbed “biblical.”

*The Bible’s famous “beat their swords into plowshares” is matched by the militaristic, “beat your plowshares into swords.”

*The often-cited New Testament quotation “God so loved the world” is a mistranslation, as are the titles “Son of Man” and “Son of God.”

*The Ten Commandments don’t prohibit killing or coveting.

What does the Bible say about violence? About the Rapture? About keeping kosher? About marriage and divorce? Hoffman provides answers to all of these and more, succinctly explaining how so many pivotal biblical answers came to be misunderstood.”

While at times I did feel like I was reading a history book, I honestly found this book to be very informative. The Bible has been picked apart, used as a weapon, mistranslated and misquoted, so much so that we forget why it was written in the first place. When we take just one passage, one parable, one story, and use it for a singular purpose, we miss the whole reason these words were written down. Dr. Hoffman’s seeks to remind us that the Bible is a book, written by men a long time ago. And as with any book, should be studied in-depth, and not be quoted randomly to suit this or that purpose.

August 23, 2016

Blessed James of 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

August 21, 2016

Will Only a Few Be Saved? ~ The Very Rev. Jay Van Lieshout, OPI

“Will only a few be saved”? How this question must have annoyed Jesus! Here He was speaking of the good news of God’s love and revealing the path to God’s kingdom here on Earth and this bean counter wants to talk numbers; well not really numbers, this man wanted to know who will be saved and more specifically was he probably included in the saved group. From Jesus’ reply it is evident that He saw right through the veiled question and deep into the man’s self righteous heart. So, instead of answering the question, Jesus gives allegorical directions then a warning of the outcome if one fails to take His advice and, of course, a description of the reward for those who do walk the righteous path.

Jesus tells the man, and those listening to “strive to enter through the narrow gate”. The word translated as strive in the Greek is agonizesthe, meaning to contend for. So just like an Olympian who struggles to surmount all obstacles to win the gold we too must rise up to the challenge and it will not be easy to get through this narrow gate. Why is passing through this gate so challenging? Is it really, really narrow or perhaps has some complicated lock? Remember ancient cities were protected by walls, and in these walls were openings, the gates which were closed at night and during battle. The main gate was large and allowed carts of merchandise, people riding donkeys or horses and crowd of people to easily enter or exit. The main gate was also where the triumphant and royal would process in or out as a form of spectacle. The narrow or pedestrian gate was small and had sharp turns which made it difficult to navigate in armor let alone to draw ones sword and attack; this was the gate for the common people, the beggar, the slave to use. And when these gates are closed, as say during attack, entrance to the city is impossible, you are stuck out in the open, a victim to the raiding army.

But WHY must we agonize and struggle to enter the pedestrian gate, can’t we just walk in? Think about any adventure movie you have ever seen. After hauling all their precious equipment past impediments along the way, fighting off competitors and then finding the treasure, reaching the apex of the adventure the glorious moment always falls apart. After all their struggles and perils, our team of adventurers must hasten to escape or they will surely die; the only means of escape requires them to abandon their treasure, leave their evidence of victory and shed everything but the scraps of clothes on their back in order to survive. Inevitably there is one member who refused to leave the treasure behind, who agonizes over whether to relinquish the riches and fame and flee to safety or hold one to them and hope for the best.

This is the moment Jesus is speaking of, this is the struggle we must face if we wish to walk the path to the Father. We must be willing to divest ourselves of the baggage that weighs us down, holds us back, blocks us from escaping the impending trials of what life throws at us: greed, hate, envy, gluttony, the fear that we might lose out and someone else might beat us. It is a competition, but one where we only battle our own flaws and insecurities. We must always be ready to open our hands and let things go when we face life’s choices; release our treasures for not only our own sake but for the benefit of those around us, those in need, who have less and ask for little. Here too, we might be willing to let those people go who cannot escape the grip of their own fears, those who drag us down instead of lifting us and others up. In essence we must set ourselves free from the worldly desires to be at the top, first in line, best in show, greatest of all, so that we, like the adventurers in the movies, the heroes and heroines of book and film, might escape and find a different sort of reward in telling the stories of our journey’s true success. For it is only when we take a more humble place in line and allow others to go first that’s we begin to shed the armor of our own fears and desires in lieu of a more ignoble and simple garment of altruism, forgiveness and love which easily slips through that narrow gate into the God’s kingdom.