Pastors Notes from October 16, 2023
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October 16, 2023Every couple weeks or so I share a conversation with a good college friend who retired from education two years ago. As we age into our sixties our conversation jumps from family, to books read, recent adventures, health (or lack there of), briefly on sports (baseball), bit on music (classic), incidents within our country. Our phone conversation a few days ago jumped to a new and alarming topic: the tragedy in the Holy Land. Not just the brutal killings by the Hamas, but the casualty of war and violence. Endless conflict, destruction of property and, most importantly, the innocent men, women and children who are killed, injured, and displaced. Further maimed by hatred, revenge, fear and inhumanity. As I told Jim, I have held a precarious hope out for a lasting peace agreement and settlement in the Holy Land, where suspicions could be tempered, misunderstandings discussed, and mutual existence of a homeland established. With the recent murderous rampage and declared war in the Holy Land, my hope is tempered, essentially disappeared. In the sacred grounds where Jesus established his ministry, shared the last supper, crucified and resurrected; where Muslims worship within two of their most sacred mosques, Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqua; and for the Jews, the remains of the Temple Mount is evidence of their history and belonging to the God we all share in common. Having the opportunity of studying in the Holy Land during my seminary formation at St. John’s, I was privileged to meet individuals who called the Holy Land home—Arab Christians and Jews—along with the Franciscan brothers who managed the Christian holy sites we are familiar with. In their respective values directed by faith, within their humanity, ambitions and hospitality, we had a shared commonality—(though eating lamb and hummus was not to my liking).
With the tragedy of violence unfolding in the midst of a land that is sacred to the faith of so many, we are absent a solution, a way out, a resolution. Opinions aside—and we all have one on the situation in the Holy Land—can we center our hope on that particular evening centuries ago, in the Upper Room on Mount Zion just outside the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem—in Palestine, the Holy Land, where Jesus embraced his apostles at the Last Supper. In light of the explosive events in the Holy Land, may we temper our thoughts and prayers on the grace we receive and share in the Eucharist as reflected in the words of Pope Francis, Fr. Emmerick Vogt, O.P., and Fr. Shay Cullen, missionary to the Philippines.
“The early Church understood the mystery of the Eucharist as underlying the expression ‘peace’. ‘Peace’ very quickly became one of the names for the Eucharistic sacrament, for it is there that God does in fact come to meet us, that He sets us free, that, although we are debtors, guilty in His sight, He takes us into His arms, gives Himself to us. And by leading us to Himself, introducing us into the communion of His Body, by introducing us into the sphere of His love, by feeding us with the same Bread. He also gives us to one another as brothers and sisters. The Eucharist is peace from the Lord.”
Christ's peace is different from the peace that the world affords. The world's peace is won at the price of capitulation, of giving in to one's weaknesses. Christ's peace comes from His Cross. And the Cross and the Eucharist have always been mystically one. For that reason the Cross has traditionally been placed just above the altar. In the Holy Eucharist we celebrate the passion, death and resurrection of Christ. Christ invites us to share in this paschal mystery, but not simply at Mass. The mystery we celebrate at Mass is the mystery of faith that we must live daily. As Christians we are called to live out in our own lives this eucharistic mystery. "Love one another as I have loved you" is a call to live Calvary in our daily lives. All true Christian “calvaries" are life-giving and lead to inner peace. It was not by chance that Jesus shocked his disciples during the Last Supper when He began to wash their feet. He gave them and us this example of discipleship. This is an important part of the Eucharist, it bonds us to Jesus and to each other in a commitment without asking for rewards. A true disciple must take an active stand for the truth, justice and dignity of every person. The Eucharist not only gives us the spiritual power to embrace such principles but the courage to act for and on behalf of the abused, exploited, sick and the hungry. Jesus paid the ultimate price for his unwavering faithfulness to the Father - death by crucifixion. The rulers of the day saw Jesus as a threat to their power and authority. Before He was falsely accused, arrested, tortured and executed, He left us the Eucharist. Above all, the Eucharist is the living presence [and peace] of Christ who is always with us.
We welcome Fr. Hayes from Ohio with warm hospitality and appreciation for his time and reflections on the gift and grace of the Eucharist during the parish mission this Sunday afternoon, and Monday and Tuesday evenings.
God Bless, Fr. Tim
FYI: “Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.” (Desmond Tutu)
