Immaculate Heart of Mary

From the Hermitage

Sacred Scripture

Immaculate Heart of Mary

Dear Friends,

What does this feast mean for us today?  Consider if you will all of those places in our world where there is an assault to every human being.  So many places throughout the world where bombs, drones, gunfire and other instruments of destruction have turned against people.  See in your mind's eye today the faces of distraught men, women and children not only in the impoverished areas of our nation, in some inner-city housing where poverty abounds, loneliness lives, and utter despair prevents any decent style of life.  Recall, if you can, some of the pictures various media have put before us on televisions, in magazine or newspapers that bring you to those war torn areas.  Faces of pain, faces of starvation, faces of abandonment.

Now recall the pictures of artistic representations of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.  What do these picture have to to with the images of the first paragraph?  Mary, artistically presented, is meant to represent our Church and the concerns it seeks to awaken in our hearts and minds for all of these people called to your minds.  Mary's outstretched hand and her other hand pointing to her heart:  these are the artistic symbols calling us to pray for those hundreds of thousands around the world who need our prayers, our concern.

Oremus pro invicem!

Fr. Milt

Sell Cleverness - Buy Bewilderment

From the Hermitage

Sacred Scripture

Dear Friends,

Words from today's gospel reading:

for although you have hidden these things
from the wise and the learned
you have revealed them to little ones.

Did you ever stop to think about the youngsters and the cereal aisles of grocery stores?  You have read references to this unique experience parents encounters with their children.  What is it that makes even the youngest among us captivated by the hundreds of boxes of the morning fare?

Why this thought on the Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus?  Let's start with the header for this posting.  It is taken from the Rumi Sufist poet.  This famous 13th century poet wrote "Sell your cleverness and buy bewilderment."

What is it that the "little ones" possess in abundance that we adults seem to have allowed to fade in the past as we adapt (and adopt) very different ways.  Is it not the awe, the wonder that fills their heart that we might think about after reading Jesus' words printed above?

Perhaps we might think about the Heart of Jesus as something like the cereal aisle.  Now don't think I have lost my mind!  The Heart of Jesus is an abundant source of grace, love, and care for us IF we but approach His heart as a child approaches the experience of the cereal aisle:  Excitement, awe, need, want.  Did you ever stop to think that the cereal aisle trip for youngsters is a moment when their heart rate climbs? 

As we approach our Savior on this feast day that celebrates his divine love for us, approach him in your prayer just as a child on the cereal aisle.  "Mom, we need this one.  Mommy, can't we have that one, too."  And on and on.  Let your mind and heart be free as you come to Jesus today.

Today is a time when our prayer need not be a posturing experience.  No!  Let it be just an experience of bewilderment as we come to Jesus and imagine for a while:  imagine the goodness that comes to us from his heart.  Let your heart be open and free, just as a child's would be.

Oremus pro invicem.

Fr. Milt

Good News Bearer

From the Hermitage

Sacred Scripture

Dear Friends,

Today's gospel reading is a reminder to all of us that we have to do all we can to make certain that all of our actions are indeed what the gospel writer refers to as good trees, good fruits.

What comes to mind, for myself and my brother priests, is that each time we stand before a congregation, be it a full church or only a few of the faithful seeking to be with God, the people of God are looking (and listening) for a few words that will help them in their needs.  How many are times when a worshiper will say as we greet each other, "Father, your words today must have been meant for me."  What a grace and gift from the hearer but especially from the Holy Spirit.

Each of us, priest or not, is a daily proponent of the Word of God.  Through our own words and actions we bring to those around us the ever present presence of God in our lives.  Sometime it is simply allowing ourselves to speak God's message.  And each of us can do that if we ourselves seek to be with God a little each day.

Oremus pro invicem!

Fr. Milt

His Name Will Be John

From the Hermitage

Sacred Scripture

Dear Friends,

Let this feast day be a special day for you.  Honoring John the Baptist affords you the opportunity to consider your relationship to God.  Especially today, in the first reading from the Book of Isaiah,  you might reflect for a few moments on the prophets understanding of his vocation to be a spokesperson for Yahweh.

The LORD called me from birth,
from my mother’s womb he gave me my name.

You are my servant, he said to me,
Israel, through whom I show my glory.

Each of God's creations has a special mission.  Look at today's bright sunshine (at least that is what you have in Lanham, MD).  Now consider what has God called you to do, to be.  Regardless of one's age, the mission of God is in your heart and soul.  In quiet let these words of the prophet Isaiah stir in your heart, even if only for ten minutes.

God called John to be the one to introduce the Son of God to the world.  How did he carry out the special mission entrusted to him?  John obviously had read and read and prayed and prayed in the desert silence.  Through his preaching, through his call to repentance, John was able to introduce "the one who comes after me" as the Son of God.

And you, what is it that God has called you to be and to do?  Can your write that down in a simple sentence?  And know that most likely what God wants you to be is perfected in you as you grow, as your spiritual life strengthens.

Have a wonderful day and allow Isaiah and John the Baptist to help you understand more clearly how you are to be God's voice in your family, in your office, in your circle of friends.

Oremus pro invicem!

Fr. Milt

Monday of the 12th Week Ordinary Time

From the Hermitage

Sacred Scripture

“Stop judging, that you may not be judged.
For as you judge, so will you be judged,
and the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you.

Der Friends,

How many times have we heard these words or other words quite similar?  These words are important for us today because as we learn or experience from the current political model provided by our national leaders in Congress, by some of the media, most of the TV and radio talk shows, our times are times of critizing so many individuals.  At the same time the real object or problem is overlooked:  it escapes the reality of genuine critique.  We fail to understand the meanings of the two words.

A Jesuit, writing for the Creighton University's daily reflection, noted that we do miss the boat, as it were,

in falling into the carelessness of criticizing a person.  We are called to critique an action, a book, a show, an article, a speech etc.  We fail ourselves when we criticize an individual's actions!  When someone overheard another person critizing another person, the observer said, "I didn't know God had died and left you to be the judge!"

It is so easy to become a judge of another person in today's society.  There seems to be a need to feel better by criticizing another person because what that person espouses offends us or is contrary to what we would prefer.

It is so easy to do because we have allowed our society to become expert at critizing a person rather that a product or an idea.

"It will be measured out to you!"  Kinda difficult, eh?  Let us pray today that when we want to critique something we should take care not to criticize the person.

Oremus pro invicem,

Fr. Milt

Body and Blood of Christ

From the Hermitage

Diocese of Charlotte, NC

First South Eastern Eucharistic Congress

Wikepedia photo

Sacred Scripture

Dear Friends,

Today we celebrate a feast that had its beginnings in the 13th century.  It seems to have been a challenging feast for Cardinal's, Bishops, Priests in general at that time.  Fortunately, there were a few priests and lay women whose dedication to the Real Presence of Jesus Christ, Body and Soul, in the Eucharist brought the feast to the attention of theologians and Church leaders.  It was Pope Urban IV who inaugurated the feast in 1264 upon the suggestion and request of St. Thomas Aquinas.

While the celebration of the Eucharist was initiated on Holy Thursday evening, those seeking to establish a universal feast day focused their attention on the "goodness of Jesus and God's gracious mercy in the Sacrament of the Eucharist."  Until recent times there usually was a procession in which a monstrance was carried by a priest, bishop or cardinal and eventually popes through the city streets or within a cathedral or church.  It served to remind us that Jesus Christ walks with us in our faith experience.  Corpus Christ, as the feast was often designated, was designed to bring the faithful followers of Jesus for a strengthened spiritual life of prayer and dedication to the Eucharist.

Fr. Tom Shanahan, SJ, a Jesuit priest at Creighton University, Omaha, NE, commented on an article he read while studying theology.  "The article skillfully focused specifically on that little word, this,(Do this in memory of me.).   What does "this" mean in the context of Jesus' consecrating words?  It does not primarily refer to frequently celebrating the Eucharist but bu "this" Jesus refers to his own action of pouring himself out with his entire life (and most especially in his death and resurrection) in service to human persons like us."   The invitation we are extended in Jesus' words "Do this ..." is, again quoting Fr. Tom, "to live our lives like Jesus pouring ourselves out for others, especially those most in need in our communities."

When a Catholic approaches the Eucharistic Minister and hears the words "The Body of Christ," what is being said to the communicant?  Fr. Tom writes an answer:  "You who with faith, hope and love are receiving this sacrament ARE the body of Christ; therefore live out your everyday life AS THE BODY OF CHRIST.  So each person presenting him/herself to receive the blessed elements of communion (individually as well as corporately) is taking on the imitation of Jesus' life, death and resurrection.  Each of us is challenged to pour ourselves out for others as Jesus did; and the entire community is equally challenged to BE CHRIST for others."

If we understand and believe who we are and who Jesus Christ is for us in the Eucharist, receiving communion should not be just another walk to the altar, another time to take the Body and Blood of Christ.

Never allow the receive of the Eucharist to become just some ordinary part of a liturgy.  Receiving the Eucharist should create within your heart and soul a burning desire to be like your Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

May your receiving of the Eucharist this weekend be a special moment for you as you begin a new week.

Oremus pro invicem!

Fr. Milt

Babble Battle

From the Hermitage

Sacred Scripture

Dear Friends,

Because we live at a time in world history when abundance has become a reality for many, we can honestly say that poverty is not a reality for many.  However, some may find that statement difficult to accept or believe.

How many live without at least one automobile?  Sure, getting to work from suburban homes or apartments demands auto transportation.  How many of us live without the assurance of food for breakfast, lunch or dinner?  That percentage cannot be dramatically high although even 1% is too high.

So, what's the issue.  In the gospel today Jesus speaks about the value of simplicity in prayer.  Do not babble on in your prayers.  What is his message?  Again it is simplicity.  Praying is good for sure.  But prayer can be most powerful for us when we speak few, if any, words.  Praying with the Lord does not demand words, words, words.  Jesus is teaching in this gospel what we need:  a simple prayer -- the Our Father.

How often do we speak about clutter?  Hoarding has become such a reality in our culture that there are TV presentations about individuals who become victims of babble in the "things" world.  To be honest, I looked at the clothes I have.  In my heart there are days when I wish we had not abandoned the cassocks priests used to wear as daily dress.  It was so simple:  just put on black slacks and a t-shirt and then the cassock and we were ready to face the day.  Shoes, socks and underwear, of course!

At the present time, I am going through all the "things" that have amassed in my "belongings".   Too much, too much.

What is of value?  What should be a regular part of my life that suffers because "things" take up so much time.  If you have a garage, how cluttered is it?  Ride through a neighborhood where there are garages on the front side of a house.  When you pass opened garage doors, how easy it is to see congestion!  

We have trained ourselves well for the commercial world.  Listen to youngsters in grocery carts as they are pushed through the aisles.  What do would you hear most often?  I hear "Mommy (or Daddy) "We NEED that ......"  And just watch the trip through the aisle where there are cereals!  "We need..."

"I really like this and that one ...."

Lord, grant me the graces to know what I truly need and the power to let go of the many things that clutter my life.

Oremus pro invicem!

Fr. Milt

What Do I Seek?

From the Hermitage

Sacred Scripture

Dear Friends,

Good morning.  A scenario:  a loved one or dear friend is dying.  You have been a faithful friend throughout the person's life.  Perhaps you have travelled together.  Many dinners were shared and so on.

On a day when you visit your friend, you are told he may well pass from this life to meet the Lord.  When you are his side that day, he opens his eyes and speaks ever so softly.  "Friend, you have meant so much to me on so many occasions.  Now I know that there are not many beats left in this heart of mine.

Of course you are saddened by the experience.  How will you remember him?  His sister has told you that she will be doing his will's intentions and that she would very much like you to have something special that would always remind you of your friend.  As you stand there, your friend says, "You know all those trinkets and things I have collected will soon mean nothing to me.  My sister will distribute them to my friends.  Is there any particular item I own that you would like me to tell her to give to you?

What do you feel?  What should you say?  Well the first reading today gives us the same scenario.  Elijah is about to depart this life.  What does Elisha say to him:  Ask from me what you want before I die?  What did Elisha ask of Elijah?  No, he asked for no earthly goods.  Rather he asked for a double portion of Elijah's spirit!  Wow!  How strong Elisha had become working with Elijah.  His value system was made clear in this response:  a double portion of your spirit.

One time when I was visiting one of the power brokers in industry.  Standing by his bedside, knowing he was not much longer for this world, and asked a very similar question to the one placed before Elisha, I stood frozen.  The man had so much and so many wonderful "thing" that had cluttered up his homes, as he told me.  Suddenly the Holy Spirit did something that I shall never forget.  I said to my friend, "Let me kneel here beside your bed.  You place your hand on my head.   Then, please, would you say some kind of blessing over me because you have been such a true friend who always reached out to help others.  I need just a small portion of your spirit."  I looked into his eyes as I climbed from my knees and saw the tears rolling down his cheeks.   He said "I thank you for your spirit, Milt.  You have just made this dying so much easier.  Just take care of other people as I have tried to do."

I need to write no further.

Oremus pro invicem.

Fr. Milt

Are You Kidding Me?

From the Hermitage

Sacred Scripture

Dear Friends,

Good morning.  I hope the sun is shining wherever you may be as you join me in praying for God's blessings upon all of us today especially in moments that might try patience, stretch imaginations and demand reconciliation.

Jesus' words: Yesterday's efforts, today's challenge, tomorrow's reconciliations.  Love one another and love your enemies!  It is to this calling from Jesus that we might be inclined to utter in despair, "You gotta be kidding."  Yes, this is one of Jesus' strongest and most challenging teachings for all of us.  Not satisfied with the Jewish directive, Jesus takes us a step further to what might be a monumental challenge.  Surely it is not easy to love the family member whose teasing jokes have been an insult in front of others.  What Jesus asks of us is almost impossible when another person has negatively influenced a sought after advancement at work.  Yes, if we stop and think about our daily activities and encounters with others, there could be many "enemies" that impact our daily experiences of life.

Each day, as you swing your legs from the mattress to the floor, look at your feet.  Ask yourself, "Where will you take me today?  To whom will you lead me that will be challenging?  Then offer a short prayer for the loved one who insulted you.  Ask God to bless with goodness today the one who bring to your day some frustration or disappointment.  This is what Jesus teach us as the part of our journey to the Father.  So, as you start each day, ready to walk those feet wherever God wants them to take you,  take just one minute more, just 60 seconds to write one resolution for the day:  Jesus let me keep my cool today when I encounter Mr. Know-it all of have to listen to Ms. Gossip at the coffee station.

Yes, these are just some of the challenges we might meet today.  Then this evening, before retiring, allow a moment or two of reflection:  Did I do what I should have done today in those challenging moments?  Then ask God to bless those people who may have tried all of your goodness and your efforts to bring peace into you corner of the universe.

Oremus pro invicem!

Fr. Milt

Jezebel: Little Do We Know You

From the Hermitage

Scripture Readings Today

Dear Friends,

The Old Testament reading today offers us someone who has been roundly condemned throughout the ages.  As we consider an OT woman's reputation, as in any instance where there are clear accusations about actions and intentions, we might take a moment to consider our own times and how we have become a people who are quick to condemn.

Listen to the voices of "critics of our times" who, it seems, now either totally confused or changing their tunes when it comes to the historical atrocities occurring in the nation of Iraq.  Seemingly national leadership and those called upon to be advisers to the leadership are now terribly upset that lives are being lost and perhaps the valiant sacrifices of our own troops several years ago in Iraq may stand simply as a lost effort, an unsuccessful war.  Some critics compare the Iraq story as similar to the Vietnam debacle.  How many innocent people are now literally on the slaughtering block?  If this sounds confusing, to me it is no different than the the flip flops and rash judgements being thrown about.

  

Back to the star of the first reading, Jezebel.  From most accounts this woman did what she could to assist her husband, Ahab, secure a piece of land that adjoined to his kingdom.  Naboth, the land owner did not want to give up his vineyard on that property.  Ahab's wife becomes involved and arranged the death of Naboth thus making it easy for Ahab to take the land.

Jezebel then became the standard bearer for those who act in devious ways.  To be called a Jezebel is something akin to a prostitute being made to wear the large, red letter A over her clothing as we experienced in our early American history.  Whether those women were guilty or not, simply being made to wear that letter was what decided the minds of many.  So, too, today, we have so much that is put upon us by others who write blogs (!!!), speak on numerous radio talk stations, or speak out in public meetings pushing forward personal points of view.  Who is correct?  How do we determine where the truth can be fount?  Are we not at a point in time when we are forced to ask a famous old questions:  "What is the truth?" 

It is so easy today to make what we have know as rash judgements.  How many minds are determined by the voices of a Fox News or a Morning Joe crew?  Where is the truth?  How often does truth, genuine truth, become the guiding reality in the countless words we hear and possibly read regarding so much.  Why is it that political party affiliation seems to be the single, most important factor in determining what is true?

And where is our Church?  What impact do our Church leaders have upon helping us know the truth?

But then will our people accept what might be said?  What an age we call "our times."   How quickly and easily do we tend to judge others without judging ourselves!

Oremus pro Invicem!

Fr. Milt

Most Holy Trinity Sunday

From the Hermitage

Dear Friends,

Sunday Morning.  Just back from the diaconate ordination of the seminarian who assisted in our parish the past year.  What a wonderful experience.  Will (the new Deacon) smiled from the entrance procession into the Pittsburgh cathedral (St. Paul's) and was still smiling afterward.  He had the look of a youngster in a toy store.

Surely the feast we celebrate today is one that brings us into mystery.  As I am reading Learning to Walk in the Darkness, written by a renowned preacher/teacher, Barbara Brown Taylor, I could not but think that this author surely understands something of mystery.  For us who "believe" in the Holy Trinity, we are indeed living in what we might call darkness.  Barbara Taylor is of the opinion that a journey in darkness can be an experience of abundant blessings such as wisdom and certainly a "closer walk with Jesus."

We might think of the Trinity as one God with three personalities.  However, that is not the case.  We indeed believe in one God while at the same time believing in three Persons.  Let me offer for your reading and reflection today a few words from Pope Francis, spoken last Holy Trinity Sunday:

"Today is the Sunday of the Most Holy Trinity. The light of Eastertide and of Pentecost renews in us every year the joy and amazement of faith: let us recognize that God is not something vague, our God is not a God “spray”, he is tangible; he is not abstract but has a name: “God is love”. His is not a sentimental, emotional kind of love but the love of the Father who is the origin of all life, the love of the Son who dies on the Cross and is raised, the love of the Spirit who renews human beings and the world. Thinking that God is love does us so much good, because it teaches us to love, to give ourselves to others as Jesus gave himself to us and walks with us. Jesus walks beside us on the road through life."

Surely for us on this feast that follows so many Trinitarian moments, we might say, considering all of the greater feasts we have celebrated since Holy Thursday evening until last Sunday's Feast of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ (Corpus Christi) that we have been offered so many moments to consider how our God dispenses his extraordinary love:  His love for us in creating us; His love for us in giving us Jesus His Son to bring us the Father's gift of Salvation; and, His love joined with the love of Jesus Christ in giving us the Holy Spirit.

Darkness, as Barbara Taylor maintains, is an experience when we need not fear.  Rather, darkness can be an occasion when we are able to push all distractions from our lives to be alone with God.  When I was in the seminary, there were many nights when I would "sneak" out of the building just to walk around the grounds with only God and me in His darkness, giving me assurances of his love and care in the stars and at times the moon that would give His light to me.

Taylor writes "Step 1 of learning to walk in the dark is to give up running the show."  Wow!  How many of us should take note of this insight?  She continues, "Next you sign the waiver that allows you to bump into some things that may frighten you at first."   Most of us are frightened by darkness, aren't we?  Lastly she writes, "Finally you ask darkness to teach you what you need to know."  Amen!  Amen!

Is not mystery a kind of darkness?  Is not mystery, like the Trinity a call from God to let go?  Is it not one of those bumps that makes religion a challenge?  And, lastly, is not mystery an experience when we have to ask God to help us because we really find it hard to understand Three Persons/One God realities!!!

Let us celebrate this mystery, this walk in darkness as truly an opportunity for light, for growing ever closer to you this three-personed God that is given as the reality of His love for you and me.  Taylor give us this advice:  "... darkness is not dark to God; the night is as bright as the day."  Just remember:  God is Love!  God is Love!  God is Love!  All of this love in three ways:  from Himself, His Son and their Holy Spirit!

Oremus pro Invicem!

Fr. Milt

Deeply Digging

From the Hermitage

Today's Gospel Matthew 5:27-32

Dear Friends,

Good morning.  First on my thoughts today is the imminent diaconate ordination of Seminarian William Wuenschel.  Will worked at St. Matthias parish for the last year, assisting us during our weekend liturgies and teaching in our classrooms.  Tomorrow he will be ordained a Deacon for the Diocese of Pittsburgh, his home diocese.  Please remember him and all those men being ordained during these early summer days.  Two weeks from today we will also celebrate the priestly ordination of Deacon Mike Ackerman, also from the Diocese of Pittsburgh who assisted at our weekend liturgies as well as in bringing dynamic presentations on several days of prayer for parishioners and visiting the grammar school classrooms.  We pray for both Will and Mike, two remarkable young men giving their lives to the service of Jesus Christ in our Church.

Now to the reflection:  today's gospel.  While Jesus is preaching about adultery, the real significance of this particular instruction is a calling for all followers to realize that we look more deeply into our hearts whenever we have sinned.  Jesus is calling us to look beyond the actual sin to discover what in our hearts has brought us to the particular sin.  In the gospel today, Jesus says we have to look beyond the sin of adultery to its cause.  He points out that it is lust that will bring a person to this particular sin.

Likewise, yesterday, the posting presented the issue or sin of anger.  What is important as we seek to remove any particular sin is the time we take to examine in our hearts why does this particular sin come about.  Jealousy, impatience, hatred?  We must ask ourselves why we loose tempers, why we explode at times.  This is the way that we can overcome sin in our lives.

Have a good weekend.  I am off to Pittsburgh this afternoon to be with Will and his family and friends who will join him for his formal incorporation into the clergy life.

Oremus pro invicem!

Fr. Milt

Life in Peace

From the Hermitage

Taday's Sacred Scripture

Dear Friends,

Good morning.  Today's gospel is so appropriate for our times.  Especially in our parish of St. Matthias where today the all the students gather for a Mass.  It is the final day of school for the current academic year.  Being the oldest of six children, I will speak to the students about anger which might be one of the strongest faults in the lives of young people as well as in our own culture.  Anger seems to be a notable characteristic of our times.  Just read the news papers, watch the TV news, listen to talk radio:  anger is everywhere.

This morning, in Rome, Pope Francis spoke about anger to those with him for his morning Mass and prayer.  What we know from our awareness of the scriptures is that God wants us to love one another.  Surely it is not always easy.  Nonetheless God made clear that the second greatest commandment is to love our neighbor ... all of those beyond God and ourselves.  

The Holy Father spoke of three criteria to help us love one another.  First, a criterion of sane realism.  If there is something against another person, the Pope points out, "look for a compromise."  Wouldn't that make the life we experience in our society so much better?  From Capitol Hill to the rage that takes over in so many situations today there is an abundance of situations were rage rules.  Pope Francis pointed out that rage is rooted in hatred.  It is to "kill another person" in a different way.  Jesus reminds us that "The one who calls his brother stupid is killing his brother, because the act is rooted in hate."  He continued with an exhortation:  If you do not hate, you would not literally murder someone. If so, then do not insult another.  This is the second criterion:  a coherence.  Do not kill, do not insult.  Third criterion is that of "fraternity rooted in sonship."  If we would not kill another person, literally murder another, it is because that person is a brother or sister to all of us created by our Father.  Remember we have the same Father in heaven.  Francis said "Do not talk to the Father if you are not at peace with your brother -- if you do not have at least a compromise agreement.  "One cannot talk to the Father if one cannot even speak to one's brother -- and this means overcoming the holier-than-thou attitude of the scribes and the Pharisees."

Closing Pope Francis said, "This program is not easy, is it?  Thought, it is the way that Jesus tells us to keep going.  Let us ask Him for the grace to move forward in peace among ourselves, with compromises, and always with coherence and in a spirit of fraternity rooted in sonship."

Oremus pro invicem!

Fr. Milt

Barnabas: Man of Encouragement!

From the Hermitage

Feast of St. Barnabas

Sacred Scripture

Dear Friends,

With God's graces and care, I have returned to St. Matthias where the Hermitage is located.  My brother has  had to return to the hospital for another week or more and then, hopefully, will be able to move to a rehabilitation center.  This man has surely endure much suffering of mind soul and body.  Please continue to remember him in your prayers.  He has a journey ahead that will further test his patience and his faith!

I can say that today my brother could use a visit by St. Barnabas.  What a trooper, as we say, Barnabas was.  According to some records he was born in the year 1 AD.  He was a Jewish man who lived in Antioch.  He was a late joiner to the Apostles' company.  He was, again according to an early history, the cousin of the Evangelist, St. Mark.

Barnabas, the name, means Son of Encouragement.  He became a believer in Jesus Christ and did much to spread the Good News.  He, in particular, is responsible for encouraging the Apostles to accept St. Paul into the group of the Apostles.  Later in his life he also brought St. Mark to help him and St. Paul in their early work as missionaries.

 Strange, isn't it, that here in the Middle Atlantic States, rare is the person named Barnabas.  More often it happens to be a monk that bears this saints name.  In my reflection today, I think, were I a parent, I would certainly consider naming a child after this saint.  I would treasure a son who would be like Barnabas, a son who gave much of his life seeking the good in others, nurturing a heart that seeks to give encouragement to others, especially those who are seeking to find the vocation that God has planted in the heart.

We can become like Barnabas in our times.  There are so many young people who are seeking to find what it is that God wants of them in their lives.  I am a priest today because a Pastor gave me my First Communion and bent over and whispered into my ear, "I believe God want you to be a priest."  Later that day, back in 1947, he visited our home where Mom and Dad had a cake and ice cream for the family.  He presented me a gift:  a statue of the Infant of Prague which I have until this day.  When he gave me the gift, he said "Don't forget what I said to you when I gave you Holy Communion."

How our Church needs men and women who have the spirit of St. Barnabas, men and women who encourage others to follow in the footsteps of the Apostles, men and women who are willing to give their lives to priesthood, religious life, or active laity in the service of the Church.  An army of Barnabas-like folks would surely make a new order of things for us in our Church today.

St. Barnabas, thank you for encouraging the Apostles to accept Saul, the convert who became the great teacher and missionary for the early Church.  May your graces come to us today and plant in our hearts a strong desire to reach out and help those who are searching.

Oremus pro invicem!

Fr. Milt

Pentecost Day

From the Hermitage

Sacred Scripture

Let our beginning be something of an investigation:  why is it that God gave to the apostles and all those subsequent men and women through the centuries what we call the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit?  Surely “because” is an inadequate answer.  Realistically why did God give wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord to those confirmed in our Church?  Would the world, would our Church, would Christianity be different without these seven gifts?  Again, another way, what good have these gifts brought about in our world since that day when Jesus brought the Holy Spirit upon the small band gathered in prayer?

While we celebrate Pentecost as the day marking the beginning of our Church, is it not a day as well when we recall, as does St. Paul, that these days and the days that follow celebrate God’s goodness for the common good, among us here and all of God’s people who have been scattered throughout the world?

Paul, in today’s second reading answers these questions with simply strength:  “To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”  What is the apostle saying?  While each individual seems to possess more than one of these Holy Spirit gifts, all of us make the picture, all of us bring the gifts of the Holy Spirit to the gathering of the people of God.  He has made these gifts the glue that holds each person in the arms of the Holy Spirit, making us the Church of our God.

These gifts from the Spirit are given to us purely from God’s generosity.  Considered carefully, the gifts of the Holy Spirit are to us signs of the lavish and extravagant love God has for each of us.  And to be sure these are gifts that strengthen our Church and each of us individually.

Consider a family with four or five siblings.  Each of the siblings has a set of qualities which may not be the same as for another child of God.  But it is each of these sets of qualities that gives strength to our Church, to our personal relationships with God.  And when we do share these gifts with others, we are at our best for the entire flock of God’s people.

Another reality is this:  our individual gifts from the Spirit when conjoined with those of our other siblings, we make clear to others the very person of Jesus Christ.