For Good

                These past few days have brought back many great memories.  On Friday, I met up with two “old” friends after our quarterly tradition of “lunching” lapsed for more than a year.  We joked, we laughed, we shared our stories and lots of memories.  Yesterday, I attended the ordination of 15 new deacons for our diocese.  I met up with my formation classmates there, some of whom I haven’t seen for several years.  We joked, we laughed, we shared our stories and lots of memories.  By the end of the day, it was clear to me that these people and the memories we share are so much more than just part of my history.  They have shaped who I am – for good. 

                There’s a saying in the world of moral philosophy that “we do what we are, and we are what we do.”  Say that ten times fast!  This somewhat circular adage means that our nature (who we are) drives our actions, while our actions (what we do) form our nature.  The same can be said of the people and events of our lives.  Good, bad or indifferent, the people and events in our lives form us; they shape us; they contribute to who we are and what we do.  As Elphaba and Glinda sing in Wicked:

People come into our lives for a reason, bringing something we must learn.  And we are led to those who help us most to grow if we let them.  And we help them in return.  Well, I don’t know if I believe that’s true, but I know I’m who I am today because I knew you.[1]

Every person, every experience changes us one way or another, and they always bring an opportunity for growth.  The question, then, is whether our interactions and experiences will change us for the better, or just for good.  God offers a change for the better in every moment of our lives.  We need to be open to it; we need to seize every chance meeting, every challenge we face, find the good that can come out of it and act on it.  The people and events of our lives will change us.  How they change us is up to us.

I’ve been blessed with a great life filled with wonderful friends and family.  I’ve had my share of challenges, but through God’s grace, I’ve experienced so much of the good he has offered through them.  These past few days reminded me of how much the people and events of my life have shaped who I am today.  And I thank God that, for the most part, they have changed me for the better – for good.

For Good, sung by Kristen Chenoweth and Idina Menzel.

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[1] Stephen Schwartz, “For Good,” Wicked (2003).

Vocation

          In one of my diaconate formation classes, we got on the topic of our vocations – our calling to the diaconate.  Several class members shared how, during a pulpit announcement about the upcoming diaconate formation class, they felt as if the speaker were talking directly to them, as if they were the only ones in the room.  Others described conversations where someone unexpectedly suggested that they consider becoming a deacon, without ever having given it a moment’s thought before that.  My calling was nothing like those.  But no matter how the call comes, we’re all called to fulfill our baptismal mission of priest, prophet and king (or queen if you prefer).  That’s the message of today’s readings.

           Our readings today speak of vocations.  Saint Peter reminds us that we’re “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation . . . so that [we] may announce the praises of him who called [us] out of darkness into his wonderful light.”  (1 Peter 2:9).  In our Gospel, Jesus calls us to action, proclaiming that “whoever believes in me will do the works that I do and will do greater ones than these.”  (John 14: 12)  And we’re given a wonderful example of the communal discernment of vocations in our first reading where, “[f]aced with the inability to care adequately for all the people, ‘the twelve,’ . . . put their trust in the discernment of the entire community to resolve their problem.”[1]  It’s kind of funny that their solution was deacons.  Most think we’re the problem!

We all have a vocation – sometimes many.  The Catechism tells us that our vocation is the “calling or destiny we have in this life and hereafter” and that “the fulfillment if this vocation is eternal happiness.”[2]  While our occupation may be our vocation, there is a difference:  an occupation is what we do; a vocation is who we are – it’s deeper; it’s spiritual.  In the Christian context, we receive our vocation at baptism, where we are imprinted with Christ’s indelible spiritual character and take on his mission as priest, prophet and king.  You could say that “[w]e share in the priesthood and kingship of Jesus through the grace of our Baptism.”

          Now, this whole vocation thing may sound like a pretty tall order, and it is, but rest assured that God has given us all we need to carry out our vocations.  The divine empowerment that Jesus himself received from God is available to all who believe in him.  That’s’ why Jesus tells us in today’s Gospel that those who believe in him will accomplish even greater things.[3]  It’s a matter of trust.  “The Gospel tells us that Christ gave his life for us and has entrusted us with his mission.  In turn, he asks for our trust so that as we take on his mission, we will bring it to fruition in new and greater ways.”[4]  God will give us all we need to fulfill our vocation, and then some, if only we heed the words of the Psalmist:  “Lord let your mercy be upon us as we place our trust in you.”  (Psalm 33: 22)

          Each one of us is called, and each one of us is empowered with the gifts to fulfill our calling.  In the words of Blessed John Henry Newman, “God has created me to do Him some definite service. He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another.  I have my mission.[5]”  God created each one of us to play a unique role in his great plan.  It’s up to us, then, to listen for the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, to consider the promptings of our community and to discern our calling in every moment of our lives.  Some may be called to specific vocations like mothers (Happy Mother’s Day, by the way!), fathers, priests, deacons or religious; others may be called to specialized fields of service, like social work or healthcare; and others still may be called to stand up for what’s right when no one else will.  We may be called to continue doing what we’re already doing.  We may be called to think outside of the box, to change things up, or to go in a new direction.  People are starving, sick, lonely, confused and desperate.  There’s no shortage of ways to be priest, prophet and king.  We just have to listen for our calling, trust Jesus, and follow him.   

          My own calling to the diaconate was very subtle.  It started as an idea that grew into curiosity.  That curiosity led to a lot of research and many conversations.  With those conversations came affirmation that resulted in conviction and commitment.  And here I am standing in front of a couple hundred people in a dress (I think I pull it off pretty well, if I do say so myself).  My calling wasn’t dramatic – God probably figured that I was dramatic enough already – and it wasn’t immediately obvious.  It was a slow-burning sense of assurance that I was headed in the right direction.  While I can’t speak for you, my vocation certainly has been a blessing for me.  Through it, I’ve been privileged to serve at the altar, baptize, marry and bury 130 people; I’ve visited the sick and the imprisoned; I’ve organized charitable activities; and I’ve engaged in a lot of challenging theological discussions and have loved every one of them.  My vocation isn’t always easy, but it brings me great joy and fulfillment.  So much so that I pray for the same for you; I encourage you, no, I urge you to listen for God’s invitation, trust Jesus and pursue your vocation.

Readings:  Acts 6: 1-7; Psalm 33: 1-2, 4-5, 18-19; 1 Peter 2: 4-9; John 14: 1-12

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[1] Mary M. McGlone, “Anything is Possible,” National Catholic Reporter, vol. 53, no.15 (May 5-18, 2017) at 23.

[2] Catechism of the Catholic Church, glossary.

[3] Scott M. Lewis, “The Gospel According to John,” New Collegeville Bible Commentary:  New Testament, Daniel Durken, ed. (Collegeville, Liturgical Press, 2009) at 348.

[4] McGlone.

[5] John Henry Cardinal Newman, “Meditations on Christian Doctrine, Hope in God – Creator,” Meditations and Devotions (March 7, 1848) (emphasis added).

Trust Me - A Wedding Homily

          In the 1992 Disney blockbuster film, Aladdin, a young street rat named Aladdin courts Princess Jasmine with the offer of a magic carpet ride.  Skeptical, Princess Jasmine asks, “Is it safe?”  Aladdin extends his hand and replies, “Sure, do you trust me?”  Trust me when I say that trust is the key to a successful marriage.  And that’s the message of the Gospel passage that Nadia and Ron have chosen for their wedding today.

          In our Gospel, we hear the familiar story of the Wedding at Cana.  When Mary noticed that the hosts had run out of wine, she turned to Jesus for help.  Though he initially demurred, Mary trusted that Jesus would make everything right and instructed the servants: “Do whatever he tells you.”  The rest, as they say, is history.  Jesus performed his first miracle; he changed water into wine and saved the hosts from disgrace.

          It’s fitting that Jesus should perform his first miracle at a wedding, and not just because it’s a miracle that married couples can live with each other day after day.  It’s fitting because marriage is a beautiful sacrament instituted by God from the very beginning of creation.  “The Church attaches great importance to Jesus’ presence at the wedding at Cana.  She sees in it the confirmation of the goodness of marriage and the proclamation that . . .  marriage will be an efficacious sign of Christ’s presence.”[1]  Jesus blessed the institution of marriage with his presence at the Wedding at Cana, just as he blesses your marriage today with his presence.  As Pope Francis said, “What happened at Cana two thousand years ago, happens in reality at every wedding feast.  It is the presence of the Lord . . . that will render your marriage full and profoundly true.”[2]

          There’s a catch, though.  While Jesus makes himself present to every married couple, you have to take advantage of it.  You have to welcome him into your marriage, you have to entrust your marriage to his divine wisdom and grace.  Our Psalm teaches us that those who trust the Lord and walk in his ways are blessed.  Likewise, Saint Paul tells us in our second reading that when we do what we’ve learned and receive what we’ve heard from Jesus, “the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds.”  And trust me, there are plenty of times in a marriage when you should guard your hearts, your minds and sometimes, even your mouths – Nadia.  Nadia and Ron, if you want a happy marriage, of course, you have to trust each other; but you also have to welcome Jesus into your marriage, trust him, and do whatever he tells you. 

          Think about it, you’re not getting married to solve all of our problems, you’re getting married to face your problems together – forever.  The marriage covenant, then, should give you hope for the future – a hope that you’ll never be alone no matter what you may face.  “The more you entrust yourselves to the Lord, the more your love will be 'forever', able to renew itself and to overcome every difficulty”[3] – even putting up with Matt, (a.k.a. Jeff).  Trust me when I say that if you trust Jesus and do whatever he tells you, Christ will dwell with you, give you strength to take up your crosses and follow him, to rise again after you have fallen, to forgive each other, to bear each other’s burdens, and to love each other with supernatural, tender, and fruitful love.”[4] 

          Nadia and Ron, I can’t promise you a magic carpet ride, though I hear that Nadia may have a Jesus car from her childhood that flies and rides on water, runs on prayers and gives you food.  You know, Ron, I’ll bet the Jesus car is a lot more comfortable than the backseat of a police car.  Trust Jesus, he wants you to pay your tickets on time!  What I can promise you is this:  if you entrust your marriage to Jesus and do whatever he tells you, you will discover in marriage “a whole new world, a fantastic point of view” – one of love, compassion and understanding that will lead you through every happiness and challenge you may face.  Trust each other, and trust Jesus, and you will have a long, happy marriage together.  Trust me.

Readings:  Sirach 26: 1-4, 13-26; Psalm 128; Philippians 4: 4-9; John 2: 1-11

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[1] Catechism of the Catholic Church 1613.

[2] Pope Francis, Valentine’s Day Address, February 14, 2014.

[3] Id.

[4] Catechism of the Catholic Church 1642.