Ignatius Man

From the Hermitage

Today's Readings

Dear Friends,

Yes, it is a special day for me even though I no longer am a Jesuit.  However, as my first superior outside the Society, the late James Cardinal Hickey, then Archbishop of Washington, said to me, "Milt, once a Jesuit, especially for 20 plus years, always a Jesuit.  If you change you way of thinking, I will be concerned."  It is my belief that there are very few men in our Church who wear the mitre who would be so genuine and respectful of my 26 years of formation as a Jesuit scholastic and priest.

Throughout the years I worked with Cardinal Hickey as my "boss," he would frequently call me aside for a genuine spiritual conversation.  Always about the Society and the way of life Jesuits live.

Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556) was an extraordinary man.  One of the characteristics of this saint, often overlooked by historians and commentators on his life, fail to look at the humility which marked much of his life as a Jesuit.  It is always Ignatius the soldier, Ignatius the teacher, Ignatius the man of the Spiritual Exercises, Ignatius the Founder of the Jesuits.  However, I have always looked at the man whose thoughts and life formed my for so many years as a powerful man because he never liked the center of the stage.  I have been blessed to have celebrated Mass a number of times in the room where this leader in the Church died.  It was in this room one day that I came to see beyond the popular ways this man of God and the Church was portrayed.

Yesterday, you may recall my mention of "Ignatian indifference."  This I believe is the source of his power that captivated so many young men during his lifetime.  Within his years as the Superior General the small band of eight venturous men and multiplied to 1,000!  Ignatius' humility springs from his personal commitment to indifference.

What did he mean by indifference?  In 1997, a Jesuit priest, Father Joseph Conwell, author of Impelling Spirit, wrote in his book these words to his brother Jesuits.  I believe these words are a part of the DNA of anyone who has had affiliation with the Jesuits, with the Society of Jesus, with the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius.

We must set aside fear.  Have no fear of the future, fear of change.

The call is to listen, to listen to the Spirit within, 

listen to one another, listen to events outside,

listen to the sights and sounds of the times, 

listen to the needs of God's people and God's world.

Humility is not standing in the corner when others pass by.  Humility is not keeping quiet when the heart is aflame with a sense of a new mission.  Humility is making change always available to the inclinations of the Holy Spirit in one's life.  In truth Jesuits are recognized for their intelligence.  Yet, it is that very intelligence that enables Jesuits to be the power that God uses in them to bring what He has implanted in their hearts and minds.

On this day, while lauding the Jesuits, there is one group of men in the Society of Jesus who are the outstanding models of humility.  Today I remember especially the Jesuit Brothers who always shunned any spotlight.  Their mission was to be the backbone of any Jesuit community.  They were there to make the community life livable.  In my early days the Brothers were looked upon as the less educated.  Shame on us of those days for thinking that way.  Among the The Brothers there have been and always will be saints:  humble men whose mission is to support the Jesuits on the front lines.  Here were the carpenters, the cooks, the bakers, the tailors, the bookkeepers, the sacristans, the men who cared for the properties but always men who did not look for recognition in any way.  Always the men who could be found silently on their knees in our chapels throughout the day ... praying for us who were teaching, administrating or leading spiritual programs for others.

Yes, I do miss my Jesuit life and brothers but I made a decision that I felt Ignatius was asking me to lead ... becoming a diocesan priest.  I am happy that I did because God has blessed me to impact the lives of a number of priests, parishioners and programs ... yes, and even a Pope (St. John Paul II)!  Oops!  I guess there goes my humility for the day!!!!

Again, as we Jesuits, those in the Society and those who may no longer use SJ behind their names but who will always think Jesuit ways, and sign off to one another,

Oremus pro invicem!

Fr. Milt

Thy Kingdom Come!

From the Hermitage

Today's Scripture

Dear Friends,

Good morning.  Seems that most of our readings for the last week or so have focused on several images of the Kingdom of God several times.  Looking for and finding the pearl of great price.

Isn't that what has happened to Jeremiah in his life with his special calling by Yahweh?  After he found Yahweh's "word" to him, he was consumed by a desire to read, read and read more of what Yahweh had spoken to earlier prophets.

Then we find his sadness returns, his frustration.  Being one called by God to a special vocation is not an easy life.  Everyone of us is the same in one way:  God has given us a special vocation.  We are not just brought into this world as another human being.  We come as human but with a God given vocation or mission.

Our vocation each day is a search for the pearl.  And, of course, we have to take the time to savor what we come upon.  We may not find it spelled out on the pages of a book.  Yet, we can discover or better understand when we take the time, yes, again and again, take the time to be alone with God.

Summer schedules for most of us do leave time for God if we look upon it as the great discovery of the pearl that is the Kingdom of God for each of us.

Time, quiet and prayer.  It seems this is the recipe for understanding the great discoveries we can have when we are with the Lord in prayer.

Oremus pro invicem!

Fr. Milt

Missing the Meal

From the Hermitage

Luke 10:38-42

Dear Friends,

Remembering St. Martha in two ways today.  There are two scriptural options.  Chosen is the Lucan selection listed above.  Being one who cooks frequently for myself or guests, this part of Martha's life has meaning for me.

Entertaining friends for a meal is always a challenge.  Often a mystery is how some women especially can have a dinner prepare in rapid time without any concerns or worries.  At the same time they are able to entertain their guests without any fuss.  The meal is prepared, the guests arrive and the attention is focused not on the meal but the guests.

Seemingly Martha was not a cook of this style.  From her remarks as well as her sister's, it seems that Martha lets the meal trump having a delightfully refreshing visit with friends.

In my own experiences, there is last minute moments when my thoughts go like this:  Wouldn't it have been easier to go to a local restaurant?  I could spend more time with the guests.  What is the answer that all of the stressed dinner hosts should remember?  Martha seems to be a teacher to this question.  Her answer should be SIMPLICITY.  Whether it is a person of station or neighbor or relative:  just prepare a simple meal that does not drain either the budget or the stamina of the host.

Secondly, Martha must have thought she had to feed people who had not eaten months.  Over the years I have come to realize that we always had large meals at home -- because we were at max 8 mouths to be fed.  As we grow older, I suspect most of us cook not to size but to impression.  Some of my best meals with friends have been what my mother would say is entirely too little on the table.

Which is more important?  The dinner plate or the guest who has taken time to be with the host?

This story of Martha and my own experience can be applied to our relationship with Jesus.  Do we/I seek to impress Jesus?  Certainly if I were sensible, I would know that is impossible.  When I pray, do I attempt to amass of large number of words or prayers?  So many that even Jesus might have a hard time in understanding what we/I want or need.  The challenge to us is to let Jesus be Jesus.  Simply sit at a table with him, just as the two Emmaus disciples learned.  Jesus will speak to us if we start our "table time" with him but asking one or two simple questions about him.  Then sit back and enjoy the meal!  He will share with you more than you could imagine.

Enough from the wanna be chef!

Oremus pro invicem!

Fr. Milt

Making Discernment!!!

From the Hermitage

Scripture

Dear Friends,

Ask!  Ask!  Ask!  Yes, it will be given, as David said in the words of Psalm 126 in today's responsorial psalm.  Are we like David who realized how often he asked of Yahweh?  And like David, do we utter our own psalm of thanksgiving?  How do we mix up a batch of discernment?

However, there will be those petitions that seem to go unanswered or rejected as we read in the gospel today.  The mother of James and John begged Jesus to allow her sons to be seated on each side of Jesus when he would again be with the Father.  How mother-like for her to be caring for her sons' future in the Kingdom of God!  Yet, as Jesus said to her:  this is not in the Father's plan!

Yes, yes.  There will be times of seeming rejection or being ignored by God because we only see with human eyes and are moved by a human heart.  Good ol' humanity!  But when those unanswered prayers seem to bother us, it is time to recall yesterday's gospel:  having ears but not hearing, having eyes but not seeing.  Discernment, discernment is so important.

In making my breakfast "smoothie" this morning, I was thinking about discernment while mixing, spinach, apple, tart cherry juice and cucumber.  A little of this and a little of that:  a healthy breakfast. The same with discernment:  mixing in a half a cup of prayer, a full cup of quiet, two tablespoons of thanksgiving and four cups of patience!  These are the makings of discernment in my recipe book!

For another way of reflecting on today's reading, there is a  MOVING STORY prepared by a younger Jesuit priest working at Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska.  Always a good stop in shopping for prayerful thoughts.  Thanks, Fr. Duffy.

Oremus pro invicem!

Fr. Milt

Exercising Faith Muscles

From the Hermitage

Sacred Scripture

Dear Friends,

In the first two readings we are reminded that faith is a practice that is not always easy or quickly achieved.  Faith is like any seed or young plant that we place in the soil:  it needs attention and care.  Faith is not something we can take for granted.  We must work at strengthening it especially in the culture that surrounds us today.

Most people today encounter challenges at home, at work, with family, with friends, with colleagues, yes, even with our Church and her Pastors!  When those moments of anxiety develop, it is very easy to lose that relationship with God - Father, Son or Holy Spirit.  How many people have found their faith tested in the last few weeks with the downing of a passenger plane, the disappearance of another plane this morning.  As well when we listen to those who lives are challenges by illness or poverty, some people will turn from God, questioning is promised support.

Remember this:  faith is your relationship with God.  In a society such as ours, we must remind ourselves that we cannot always have life the way we want it.  These experiences or moments demand of us another trip to the spiritual exercises.  We need to make sure we turn to our personal trainer, Jesus, or a favorite saint who can intercede for us with our God.  We must remember faith is not something we always have in our wallet or purse.  We must work at strengthening that relationship with God.

Oremus pro invicem.

Fr. Milt

He Gives What We Need

From the Hermitage

Today's Scripture

"Ah, Lord God!" I said,

"I know not how to speak; I am too young."

"But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit,

a hundred or sixty or thirty fold.

Whoever has ears ought to hear."

Dear Friends,

First, I do hope that you understand that my absence from these pages has come about because of a new assignment that has fallen upon my shoulders.  I have assumed the Administratorship of the parish where I have been living for the last several years.  So, as you can imagine, the last few weeks have been days of special attention and care to wonderful parishioners and a very loyal staff.  I do ask that you remember my needs in your prayers during the days and weeks ahead as I confront the challenges that are mine.  Despite my many years in priesthood and administration, I do feel somewhat like Jeremiah.  Little did I ever consider at the age of 73, I would experience a call to return to parish leadership.

Of course it is wonderful to be reminded that God wants to use me once again to lead his people.  There are moments some mornings when I put my feet on the floor on awakening when I question my sanity!  Yet, I realize how blessed I have been to be called to priesthood and to leadership roles to serve the people of God.  Whenever I have those thoughts or feelings of reluctance, I must remind myself that my God is always present to give each of us whatever it is that we might need in the tasks that he has asked of us.  Whether priest, faithful spouse or dedicated and sacrificing parent, when God calls us to serve, he will always be present for us.

Consider yourself as the seed that Jesus spreads on the soil.  What we seek to do for God, all of us share a vocation to serve the Lord despite the kinds of soil that we may have to encounter.  But we must never forget that somewhere in our callings, we will find ourselves working in good soil.  Our efforts will not go unrewarded.  We must never fail in trusting our God.

Oremus pro invicem ... now more so than before!

Fr. Milt

Go Out: Where Today?

From the Hermitage

Today's Gospel

Dear Friends,

New Evangelization.  What does it mean for us today?  "Go to the lost sheep of Israel."  Who is that for me and you today?  How many of us know that we have family members or friends who have found it in their hearts to leave our Catholic faith.  Of course they maintain, usually, that they continue their relationship with Jesus Christ.  For that we can say, "Thanks be to God."

It is family and friends that we are called to evangelize.   We are called to learn why they left the Church.  "What am I to do about it?"  This might be the question that we should be asking ourselves.  And, furthermore, just how am I to go about it?  It is so much easier to talk about it with friends and relatives who have remained faithful to our religion.  To bring the matter up to those who have turned away frequently results in an argument or feelings of insult.

First of all, we can take the time for serious prayer on behalf of those who have left our Church.  Afterwards, it is a matter of communications.  Change cannot come about if there is no open discussion.  This is where the challenge is difficult for so many of us, isn't it?  Yet, this is the doorway that we must pass through to bring about a reconciliation between faith and disappointment or frustration.

Oremus pro invicem.

Fr. Milt

14th Sunday Ordinary Time

From the Hermitage

Sacred Scripture

Dear Friends, 

In today's readings there are reminders once again that we are a blessed people.  We are cared for by our God.  As St. Paul wrote, "...there is no need to obey our unspiritual selves."  For me these thoughts are important and should be for us.  Why?  Because each day we move forward on the pathway God has chosen for us.

The gift that God offers us is the Holy Spirit.  We might call it "discernment."  And, as Jesus says according to the evangelist, St. Matthew,

“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,
and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am meek and humble of heart;
and you will find rest for yourselves. 
For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”

Words we have heard many times, words that give us a special assurance that our God is always with us in whatever we discern as God's will for us.

Let us use these words during these days of summer vacations and rest to allow the Spirit to speak in our hearts.  In our days of summer R&R, do what you can to spend some extra time with the Lord.  

Oremus pro invicem!

Fr. Milt

Independence Obligations

From the Hermitage

Sacred Scripture

Dear Friends,

As we celebrate what is perhaps our nation's most unifying holiday, we can use this occasion to recall something that we hear quite often:  there is a price for freedom.

In today's gospel reading, stand and look at what is happening at the tax collector's table.  Jesus comes to Matthew and invites him to "follow."  Today, on a national holiday, we are reminded of our obligation today:  come behind the pilgrims, follow in the footsteps of the men and women who labored so hard to fulfill the dreams and works of the founders of our nation; follow the visions of so many men and women who invented, who legislated, who struggled westwards despite terrible travel conditions; follow the daring and the sacrifices of so many fellow Americans to take up arms to defend freedom.  Likewise, today, recall the ideologies that became the foundations of such a strong nation: how have we accepted what our forefathers and mothers gave their lives for in bringing about values that we have even today.

Today we should remember our celebration should also be a time of prayer for each and everyone who lives in our land.  In many churches today and in many civic events Americans of every color, of every ethnic background will join in singing the words of "America the Beautiful."  Listen attentively to those words ... they speak so much to what is critically important to the American people today ... especially to those who wish to damage the dream of the many people seeking to be with us in our nation where we proclaim in another hymn/song, The Battle Hymn of the Republic, truth is marching on.

We must ask ourselves this question:  can we sit back and allow truth to be blocked any longer?  Can we continue to separate others because of color or ethnicity?  Because of religious beliefs and practices?  God help us to be the people our founders wanted us to be.

God bless each of us!  God bless the United States of America!

Oremus pro invicem.

Fr. Milt

Doubting Thomas

From the Hermitage

Sacred Scripture

Dear Friends,

Who is this man, Thomas?  How does he open our heats and mind to our very being and to our God--Father, Son and Holy Spirit?

Surely we can ask ourselves if we have been like Thomas?  How so?  Doubting, of course!  Did you ever wonder why most experience doubting when someone or something opens the doors of change we are are invited to walk through those doors into something new?

Can the experience of change be complete without a does of doubt?  Rare the child of God who walks through the doors of change without doubting what suspecting the outcome.  Perhaps we might see the good or bad of change when we recognize doubting as the scales the Holy Spirit provides us with his gifts of wisdom and understanding.  Doubting easily helps us know if a specific change is God's will for us.

Consider Thomas as our partner, our teacher, our friend in our efforts to gain the insights of doubting which can enlighten our process of evaluation.  Rather than look upon doubting as something negative or evil, we might consider doubting for what it is:  the innate gift to perceive with wisdom.  Doubting should be considered a fault or weakness.  Does not Thomas teach us that doubting can help us better understand where and how God leads us?

As we celebrate Independence Day, let us pray to St. Thomas to be our companion in those moments of doubting which well might be moments opening us the true freedom God wants us to share with him our our brothers and sisters.

During these days, I ask you for your prayers for me as I have accepted an invitation to change, the invitation to step from retirement back into the full-time ministry of parish life, serving as Administrator of a wonderful parish.  Know that it was the pathway of doubting about several important aspects of retirement that ultimately led me to feel free enough to accept the invitation to assist my brother priests in pastoral ministry.

Oremus pro invicem!

Fr. Milt