Pastors Notes from October 9, 2023
-
October 9, 2023“The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; by the Lord has this been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes.?” Jesus’ parable in today’s gospel emphasizes the very foundation of who we are, and the Light that guides us forward as Christian men and women. Our cornerstone or foundation will always be God, our Creator and Lord, his Son Christ Jesus, our light and companion, and the Holy Spirit, the source of wisdom and awe. But our foundation is part and partial of various Christian elements. St. Augustine alludes to one practical aspect of the cornerstone. “Humility is the foundation of all the other virtues hence, in the soul in which this virtue does not exist there cannot be any other virtue except in mere appearance.” For Ann Frank—the Jewish girl whose diary exposed the Nazi regime up until her death at Bergen-Belsen concentration camp—the elements of a good foundation must include peace: “I simply can't build my hopes on a foundation of confusion, misery and death... I think... peace and tranquility will return again.” Service to our fellow human beings is what Lech Walesa emphasizes for a true foundation. “The thing that lies at the foundation of positive change, the way I see it, is service to a fellow human being.” Through the years of repression under a Communist regime, Lech’s Catholic faith guided him to remain hopeful, eventually guiding his country of Poland into a free democratic state where freedom of religion was protected. Echoing the thoughts of many, the former governor of Washington state and cancer survivor, Christine Gregoire advocates, “Education is the foundation upon which we build our future.” Such is exemplified in our support of our surrounding school districts of Ogden, Madrid and Boone; and within our faith based education at our parish school of Sacred Heart. “Truth” as the universal virtue within all cultures is emphasized in the words of the composer, Claudio Monteverdi: “The modern composer builds upon the foundation of truth.” His quest to compose sacred and secular music led him to consider the truth behind his abilities, and where God was leading his efforts. Considering the beauty within the various cultures all under the umbrella of God’s creation, this Nigerian proverb reflects Joseph (and his ‘dreamcoat’) in the Old Testament and Joseph of the Holy Family. “Thoughts and dreams are the foundation of our being.” Challenged by the changing values within our own culture, we desire to protect the very foundation of our respective homes as Pope Francis declares, “The family remains the foundation of coexistence and the guarantee against social fracture.” Perhaps Pope Benedict XVI brings us back to the cornerstone itself which is the summation of all the characteristics described: “The foundation of the world is love, so even when no human being can or will help you, you must go on, trusting in the One that loves you.” And Pope Francis solidifies the enduring strength of our cornerstone with the premise of mercy, “Mercy is the very foundation of the Church’s life. . . .Mercy is the force that reawakens us to new life and instills in us the courage to look to the future with hope.” For the Church—guided by the Holy Trinity of God the Father, His Son Christ Jesus, and the Holy Spirit —the cornerstone of our participation is ultimately defined by the Real Presence within the Eucharist. Our Catholic Catechism clarifies this foundational quality of faith. “The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life.’. . .It is the culmination both of God’s action sanctifying the world in Christ and of the worship men offer to Christ and through him to the Father in the Holy Spirit.” Allowing the inspiration of faith to open ourselves to the Real Presence in the Eucharist, could it be possible our Christian foundation will be formed around love, family, Truth, service, education, mercy, peace, and humility? Wisely then, we need to be aware of the distractions that aligns our faith and the full reception of the Eucharist as a spiritual writer warns: “Discontent, blaming, complaining, self-pity cannot serve as a foundation for a good future, no matter how much effort you make.”
We welcome Fr. Hayes from Ohio who will provide a ‘mission’ on the Eucharistic Revival beginning Sunday afternoon through Tuesday evening. Sharing his insights and wisdom at all the Masses next weekend, his mission talks will continue to explore the grace present in the Eucharist, and its effects upon our faith and very soul. We welcome Fr. Hayes.
If interested there will be an All Souls Retreat on November 2nd, paying a spiritual visit to four or five township cemeteries. A time of reflection and prayer, the traveling retreat to nearby township cemeteries will depart after the All Souls Day Mass on Thursday morning, and end with a luncheon by noon. Call the office if you have questions or desire to participate. Thank you.
God Bless, Fr. Tim
FYI: “Every man is a quotation from all his ancestors.” (Ralph Waldo Emerson)
