Ascension Thursday

Today is Thursday in the Sixth Week of Easter.
On this day in many churches, the Ascension of the Lord is celebrated.

I would like to offer just a few brief notes on this wonderful feast day. First, we have to realize that the actual Ascension of Jesus is more than just "rocket ship Jesus" blasting through the clouds of the sky into Heaven. The Ascension of the Lord is that moment when Jesus was no longer bodily, tangibly present on earth in His resurrected, glorified body. Jesus returns to the right hand of God the Father in order to send the Holy Spirit to His followers. "But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you." (John 16:7)

Yes, it is true...while we remain here on earth, we can no longer look into the eyes of Jesus, nor can we embrace and hold onto Him. We cannot hear Jesus speaking his native Aramaic. But on this Ascension Thursday, we recognize that Jesus the Lord is present among us in an even more real and abiding manner. Jesus ascends so that He can be shared with others in a radical way.

"The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them.When they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted. Then Jesus approached and said to them, 'All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age'.” (Matthew 28:16-20)

Jesus is present in the Scriptures and in the breaking of the bread (see Luke 24:13-35). We can hear Jesus speak to us in our hearts through prayer, meditation, and contemplation. Jesus remains here on earth through the Church, His very Body. Whenever we celebrate the sacraments and pass on the Tradition, we behold the very presence of Jesus. When we reach out to the weak, the poor, the marginalized and the outcast, we encounter Jesus.

As a pledge of His love, Jesus sends the Holy Spirit to be our guide and advocate, to remind us of all Jesus has taught us. Jesus tells us that we are not left as orphans. Instead, God always chooses to always abide among us. As the Body of Christ, we will one day follow Jesus our Head into Heaven. Together, we shall dwell in the Presence of the Lord in endless glory and rejoicing.

So, let us rejoice on this day-- Jesus is alive and risen! Jesus has returned to the Father! And Jesus dwells among us, always, until the end of the age!

Friendship, Loyalty, Love

I've always liked the symbolism that makes up the Claddagh.
This Irish symbol, dating from the 16th or 17th century, represents friendship, loyalty, and love.
The hands signify friendship...the crown signifies loyalty...and the heart signifies love.

I believe that life is best experienced when it is shared with others. We celebrate, we mourn, we dream, and we pass through our days amid a collection of people we call 'friends.' There will be times when we extend our hearts to others, and in turn, there will be times when we must open our own hands to receive the heart of a friend.

Truly, if we can hold on to the love and loyalty of dear friends, then we can make it through the storms of life. Perhaps Clarence the Angel from the movie It's a Wonderful Life said it best: "Remember George, no man is a failure who has friends."

Roinnt ar an Claddagh! Share the Claddagh!

The Kerygma

Rarely do I use words that are too long, archaic, or difficult to pronounce. Yet there are some words that are packed with such power and meaning that to use anything else would simply be inadequate.

Kerygma is a Greek term used to describe the preaching of the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The kerygma is much more than just describing distant events of the past. Rather, the kerygma is the dynamic sharing of how God has loved each of us into existence; that the very Word of God spoken at Creation, Jesus Christ, became man and for our salvation, was nailed to the wood of the Cross. This same Jesus rose from the grave after the third day of death -- this is testified by eyewitnesses. The Spirit of God has been sent into the world in order to breath life and to enliven the community of Jesus' followers.

Death has lost its sting! Sin has been forgiven! Those of us who have encountered this profound love are compelled to share such a transformative experience with all who will listen. 

St. Paul, as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles, proclaims the kerygma in this way: "My brothers...to us the this word of salvation has been sent. The inhabitants of Jerusalem and their leaders failed to recognize him, and by condemning him they fulfilled the oracles of the prophets that are read sabbath after sabbath. For even though they found no grounds for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him put to death and when they had accomplished all that was written about him, they took him down from the tree and placed him in a tomb. But God raised him from the dead, and for many days he appeared to those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. These are now his witnesses before the people. We ourselves are proclaiming this good news to you that what God promised our fathers he has brought to fulfillment for us..." (Acts 13:26-33).

The Apostles and the first disciples constantly preached this Good News to all. Those of us who are disciples of Jesus Christ today must also preach this Good News! Our task is to continuously share the kerygma in new and exciting ways so that our friends, family, acquaintances, and even complete strangers might be introduced to Jesus Christ and encounter the Lord of life and love. 

The kerygma has the ability to transform hearts and change the world. In faith, hope, and love, we preach Christ crucified and risen through our spoken words, our deeds, our constancy in prayer...and perhaps even through blog posts!

Thoughts on Graduation

"The people. Definitely the people."

Throughout the week leading up to graduation, I had the opportunity to meet up with many of my classmates. Among other questions, I asked each of them what, above all else, would they would miss most from their time in the Master of Divinity program at the University of Notre Dame. And their response?

"The people. Definitely the people." 

I echo these sentiments. Of course, I am immensely grateful for the superb academic education I have received throughout these past three years. Faith truly does seek  understanding within the Notre Dame Department of Theology. Also, enrollment in the M.Div. program has demanded my full and conscientious participation in spiritual and human growth and formation. For all of this, I am most grateful. Truly, I have been blessed with quite an educational and formative experience!

 

Yet, I was perhaps most deeply impacted by all the people I have met during my time in the program. In markedly different ways, each person has reflected the face of Jesus Christ to me. I think of all those who have shaped me during these past three years such as the community of M.Div. classmates who have become dear friends; I recall the people I served in my various ministry placements, all of whom ministered to me as well; there were many holy and thoughtful mentors and advisers from Notre Dame; and as always, many family members and friends back home supported me from afar. The list goes on and on!

There is great excitement and anticipation for me as I move on to the next chapter in my life. However, I know I would never have graduated with a Masters of Divinity degree from Notre Dame without all those people who helped me, guided me, and loved me. Whether later today or years down the road, I know if I am asked what I miss most about this experience, I will always answer: "The people. Definitely the people."

May God bless the Class of 2014 and all loved ones!

University of Notre Dame, Master of Divinity program, Class of 2014
(recent graduates with director, formators, and Bishop Kevin Rhoades)

 

Gratitude for the C.S.C.'s

It is with a spirit of immense gratitude that I write this most recent post.

For the past seven years, I have been in institutions of higher education sponsored by the Congregation of Holy Cross. The education philosophy and spirituality of the Holy Cross priests and brothers has been very formative for me.

This religious congregation, comprised of priests and brothers, was founded in post-revolutionary France in 1837. The priests and brothers grew out of the small French village of Sainte-Croix, from which they took their name (in Latin: Congregatio a Sancte Cruce... and hence, they are affectionately known as the C.S.C.'s). Such a choice in name reveals an important part of the ministry of Holy Cross: these men are not only dedicated to their work of education and mission, but also to the very places in which they serve.

Their founder, Blessed Basil Moreau, C.S.C., recognized that many parts of the world beyond his native France were also in great need of higher education and religious formation.

Fr. Connerton, C.S.C.

By 1841-42, the Congregation had sent several missionaries into the wilderness of northern Indiana in order to establish the University of Notre Dame. After numerous setbacks, Notre Dame would eventually become one of the most prestigious Catholic universities in America. More than 100 years later, in 1946, Rev. James Connerton, C.S.C., was sent from Notre Dame to Wilkes-Barre, PA in order to establish another Holy Cross institution of higher education.

The founding of King's College is a wonderful story of faithfulness and dedication on the part of Holy Cross, the Diocese of Scranton, and many contributors from throughout the Wyoming Valley. The whole enterprise of establishing a college in Wilkes-Barre began with Fr. Connerton's typewriter, a few hundred dollars from Bishop William Hafey, and a grand vision of Catholic higher education in 'coal country'.

Countless Holy Cross priests and brothers have spent their lives "forming the hearts and minds" of students at Notre Dame and King's College (as well as at Stonehill College, University of Portland, and St. Edward's University). I personally benefited from their witness of intelligence, creativity, and compassion. I leaned that education is much more than just memorizing facts and statistics; education is an openness and willingness to engage all of life with passion and zeal. I feel blessed to have known many  C.S.C.'s, especially those who have accompanied me during some of life's wildest journeys.

The Congregation of Holy Cross is a great source of hope and light for the world. And for that, I am truly grateful.

C.S.C.'s at King's College (2013)

The Good Shepherd and Our Moms

"I am the Good Shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." -(John 10:11)

Jesus describes himself as the Good Shepherd, the one who willingly lays down his life for the sake of the flock. It seems somewhat disproportionate for a shepherd to risk his own life for the life of a lamb. Yet Jesus claims that this radical love for the sheep, this willingness to die on behalf of those who are undeserving of such a gift, is in fact the central identifying mark of a good shepherd. Jesus lives out this role of Good Shepherd by freely sacrificing himself on the Cross for our sake, even though we do not deserve such treatment: "But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).

Jesus has given us a model for selfless, loving leadership. Such Christian leadership requires a willingness to forget oneself in order to fully and completely serve the 'other'. Throughout history, countless men and women have come forward to serve as good shepherds, leading the flocks they were charged with to safe and verdant pastures.

We too are called to allow ourselves to be led by Jesus the Good Shepherd and to be loved in such a radical way by our God. We are also challenged to conform our own lives after that of the Good Shepherd, to love others so much that we lay down our own lives for them.

Providentially, yesterday was both Mother's Day and Good Shepherd Sunday! Our moms are indeed shepherds. They gently guide and nurture us, seek us out when we are lost, and rejoice when we are found! Moms know their children and love them, and the sheep know and love the voice of their shepherd. These women lay down their lives in all sorts of ways: by putting careers on hold to raise children; replacing their own wants and desires for those of their children; dealing with temperamental attitudes of adolescent children; years of feeding, bandaging wounds, and driving to soccer practices ...the list continues on and on!

Through it all, mothers faithfully lead their children as Jesus the Good Shepherd guides the sheep of his flock. Mothers as good shepherds: such a fitting model for us to contemplate!

Blinded by the Light

Although "Blinded by the Light" is a great song released by the band Manfred Mann in the 1970's, today's post will not be examining this hit.

Instead, I want to look at those moments in everyday life when we are "blinded by the light," that is, those moments when we see with such clarity as to actually grasp what it is we are (or are not) doing well. Being "blinded by the light" helps us to realize that, as humans, we are always in need of new sight and vision.

These moments of illumination can be radical, as it was for St. Paul.
Before his conversion to Christianity, St. Paul was a fanatic oppressor and persecutor of the early Church. However, on his way to Damascus, something profound happened -- Paul was knocked down to the ground; he was struck blind by the light. Three days later, Paul's sight was restored, both physically and spiritually. Paul was baptized and began to preach this same Christ whom he had once been persecuting. The rest of the story, as they say, is history.

Many of us probably won't experience such a dramatic episode as St. Paul did. However, we still need to be aware of those little moments in life which make us aware of our own blindness and call us to daily conversion. The light of the truth may come in common ways: through Scripture and prayer; in the tugging of our conscience; from the good example set by others; even in those moments when we are gently corrected; all serve as ways in which we can be "blinded by the light".

We can be restored to paths of righteousness and holiness if we remain open to the movement of God in our lives and allow ourselves to turn from darkness to true light. How will we respond in those moments when we are "blinded by the light"?


...Oh, and here is Manfred Mann performing "Blinded by the Light":

Sunshine, Blue Skies, and Green Grass

Enjoy God's Creation...go golfing!

Thoughts on Food

For most colleges and universities around the country, this week marks finals' week. I currently work in an undergraduate residence hall at the University of Notre Dame and so I get quite an insight into the ways in which these intelligent and driven students prepare for their exams and papers.

Many types of foods are consumed during this week, especially of the sweet and savory variety: pizza, hot dogs, burritos, candy and chocolate.While not of the healthiest stock, these snacks do help to keep the residents focused on their work. During finals' week, these young scholars will often neglect sleep, exercise, and socializing, but they will never miss out on a chance to grab some much needed grub!

Food is an essential component of all existence. All creatures sustain themselves from what they have consumed. This is especially true for us. But what we eat is much more than just fuel. Our meals have a way of reflecting who we are and what we value. Think about it: some of our most lavish meals occur at life's biggest celebrations -- wedding banquets, awards ceremony luncheons, Thanksgiving and holiday feasts. We also live at a time in which the fast-food culture continues to expand while children in our own country go hungry without any food in their bellies.

Food indeed says much about who we are and what we value.

In today's Gospel passage (John 6:30-35), Jesus declares that he is the Bread of Life. This food of Jesus' flesh is unlike anything we have ever eaten. We will always be hungry the next day after eating regular food. This is not so with Jesus. When we eat of Jesus, when we consume the Lord and allow him to enter into us, only then are we truly satisfied.

Jesus offers himself to us as our food and drink. What a radical concept! Our Lord is so present to us that we can literally gnaw and chew him. This Bread from Heaven is freely shared and freely given; it compels us to likewise share our entire self with others. This banquet seats the poor, the vulnerable, and the marginalized at the head table. Wine flows abundant, and like Blood, gives life. This food and drink satisfies the hunger of our hearts. And it is present to us, here and now.

Of course, we will always need to eat regular food. Whether preparing for final exams, celebrating life's moments, or simply refueling our bodies, food remains a natural and essential part of life. However, there is a Source of Life and Nourishment who continues to summon us to eat and drink, to fulfill our deepest needs.

Jesus gives to us his Body, broken and shared as bread, and his Blood, poured out as new wine for all. Come to him, all who hunger and thirst. Eat. Drink. And be satisfied.

Oprah and St. Irenaeus

Have you been to Starbucks lately? If so, your coffee or tea may have had a cardboard sleeve with an Oprah quote on it...(I also would have been okay with finding keys to a new car in my coffee).

The other day, I read the following quote attributed to Oprah on the sleeve of my coffee cup: "You are here not to shrink down to less but to blossom into more of who you really are."
This saying reminded me of what Saint Irenaeus of Lyons wrote in the 2nd century: "The glory of God is the human person fully alive."

We give glory to God by becoming the best versions of ourselves! God gives us all unique and beautiful gifts, talents, and identities to share with the world. Our world is all the richer when each of us lives out our individual calling and blossoms as a child of God.

I'm not sure if the 'Queen of Talk' is familiar with the theological writings of St. Irenaeus. 

Who knows?! Maybe one day we will find Irenaeus' works on the Oprah Book Club list!

"My life is ruined...for the better"

These final days before graduation have a way of making seniors become deeply introspective. Yesterday, I had the privilege of walking through campus with "Joe," a senior who lives in the undergraduate dormitory where I currently work. As the two of us traveled past the campus quads, my companion recalled his work during the previous summer with the Notre Dame VISION conference.

Joe spoke of his role as a mentor to high school students who were attending the University of Notre Dame in the summer months for the VISION conference. Their engagement in prayer, discernment, and discipleship greatly impacted Joe's own personal spiritual journey:

"I realized that these high school kids had integrated their faith into all aspects of their lives. And I realized just how little I lived out my own faith life outside of church. This VISION experience made me rethink everything."

"How so?" I asked. 

"Everything has changed," he responded. "I had planned on getting a job after graduating, but I realized I wasn't passionate about that line of work anymore so instead, I'll be taking time off after graduation. No grad school either. Also, I wasn't in a healthy relationship, so I ended that too."

Joe then paused for a moment and a smile crossed his face. "My life is ruined...for the better."

My conversation with this wise senior reminded me of the two disciples who were on the road to Emmaus.

It seemed as if everything was ruined for the disciples in the aftermath of Jesus' crucifixion. They could not see beyond the pain of those days: Jesus was betrayed, he was executed, and his body was now missing. The two companions could not see beyond this apparent ruin.  

Yet, in the midst of their conversation, Jesus appears to the disciples on their way to Emmaus. His interpretation of these events in light of the Scriptures moved their hearts. And the eyes of the disciples were opened to see Jesus' Presence among them as they shared in the Eucharistic bread. After that encounter, the two disciples rushed back to Jerusalem to share the Good News. Their sorrow was removed and in its place was planted the joy of the Gospel.

Jesus is alive! Jesus is present in the Word and in the breaking of the bread! When we encounter Jesus, our hearts burn within us and we see with the eyes of faith. When we encounter Jesus, we are forever changed.

Yes, when we encounter Jesus, our old ways of life will be ruined...for the better. 

First Entry

This marks my first official blog entry and initial foray into the blogosphere. (Actually, that is not true...I once had an "expage" during elementary school in 1998... Does anybody remember those? Whatever happened to expage?)

Anyways, all subsequent posts herein will be my own personal musings and ramblings on life in light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. My hope is to use this site to share the Good News with anybody who comes across it. My life has been transformed by the love offered to me by the Lord. All are welcomed into the loving embrace of Jesus --This is certainly a message worth sharing!

One small way of doing so is to blog about my life in light of the Gospel.
Nothing will ever take place of personal encounter, but perhaps this is a good first start!

Thanks for taking the time to read this blog. Take care.
And remember: "God is love." -(1 John 4:16)