Peace from Penance

Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects.

--- James 5:16 (RSV)

 

The beauty of it took me aback.  Walking towards the church on the Tuesday of Holy Week for a “Penance Service,” Those leaving looked happy and lighthearted. 

Inside, what I saw both humbled and amazed me.  The aisles of the large sanctuary were filled with lines.  Lines for the priests-in-residence, stationed in their usual confessionals, and lines for thirteen additional priests who were sitting, spaced throughout the pews.

Serene piano music floated down from the loft.  A handout listed the Ten Commandments, each followed by a thought-provoking question to encourage examination of one’s conscience.  The first:  “I am the Lord your God: you shall not have strange Gods before me,” followed by the question: Have I treated people, events, or things as more important than God?  

Muffled conversations filled the sanctuary, each followed by the priest’s hand raised in blessing with the sign of the cross.

My turn.  Through the mask, my words seemed a jumbled mess, but the priest wasn’t fazed.  He spoke pragmatically, indicating acceptance of certain situations, but not in any way condoning my sins.  He reminded me to pray throughout the day, assigned a simple act of penance and then provided absolution.

Later that evening, while lying in bed, I recited the scripture he had assigned, and enjoyed the blanket of peace that resulted from the entire evening.

Lord, thank you for the humble beauty of verbally confessing one’s sins.  

 

 

 

 

The Meaning of Six Letters

In Loving Memory of T. Patrick Burke, Th.D., Ph.D.               
b. March 16, 1934,  d. February 23, 2021

Th.D, Ph.D  -- Those were the letters after his name.   

When I first met Patrick, I was scared of him.  Tall and distinguished-looking, he held two doctorates, was a retired professor, had written several books and even had started his own philosophical institute.  I felt a loss for words.  How could I talk with Patrick when I didn’t begin to have his educational and philosophical prowess?  Yet he never came across as arrogant.  He always was kind to me.

Our friendship developed slowly.  Just a friendly 'hello' after church.  Then someone organized a book signing party for him, to recognize his newly published work on social justice.  He approached me after church to invite me to the “paahty.”  

Patrick was Australian.  His accent only added to his ethereal presence.  Surely… he didn’t mean… “potty??!”  I hesitated, then I realized what he was saying.  Yes, of course I’d be honored to attend. 

My husband and I picked up a bottle of wine.  No connoisseur of wine, I’m sure our gift was the epitome of supermarket normal.  But Patrick accepted it graciously, giving no indication that its vintage might be inferior to that of which he was accustomed.

As the years turned over, our conversations became less stilted.  He once shared how disappointed he was never to have had children, and how it took years to recover from his wife’s untimely death, that he once was featured in Time Magazine, and how it was the beautiful music that brought him back to the Church. 

For some reason as he neared eighty, Patrick fell into financial trouble.  He lost his home, the institute closed and he moved to a residential care facility run by Little Sisters of the Poor.  But that didn’t stop him from giving lectures, attending daily mass, and finding happiness in his own place.

Patrick called me last summer.  He sounded happy, telling me how much he had loved my parents, and encouraging me to call him -- understanding that I had a busy life.  He ended the conversation with these words, “You always were one of my favorite people.”  And those were the last words he said to me. 

Months passed, a couple of seasons.  I heard that he’d fallen and hit his head and was living in a different care facility.  Covid restrictions prohibited visits, and I didn’t get organized enough to call him.  The news of his passing was a surprise, but not completely, given his age and deteriorating health.

Today was his funeral and I’m reminded of his gift to me in those last words, “You always were one of my favorite people.”  Along the inroads of life and the inevitable challenges that arise, Patrick’s words offer a warm blanket to my cold shoulders.  He was indeed a Th.D, Ph.D, six letters that say a lot.  But to me, he was six letters that say even more: friend.

Requiescat in pace, Patrick.

Obituary of Thomas Patrick Burke, Th.D., Ph.D. - The Wynnewood Institute

St. Patrick's Breastplate

 

The Ways of Jesus

 

So he came again to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine.

--- Genesis 4:46 (RSV)

 

I didn’t realize that Jesus did two miracles in the town called Cana.  

The first was done at a wedding, where the wine had run out.  People felt more comfortable telling Mary the need rather than going directly to Jesus.  Her response:  “Do whatever he tells you.”  The result was water being turned into fine wine.

Jesus had become known for that wedding wine phenomenon.  Thus when a nobleman, whose son was dying, needed a miracle, he turned to Jesus.  Hearing that Jesus was in the area he went directly to him, begging Jesus to heal his son.  Jesus didn’t even need to be on site.  His response:  “Go your way.  Your son lives.”

Two needs.  Two responses.  In both cases, a miracle resulted. 

Lord, help me to do whatever you tell me, and help me to take my needs to you, knowing that you can heal in a moment.

St. John Neumann

 ...And he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks.    [Luke 17:16 RSV]

Today I learned some things about St. John Neumann, pronounced "Noy-man."  He came to the United States from the country of Bohemia in 1836 and became a bishop in Philadelphia, establishing many parishes and schools.    

Read here two of Bishop St. John Neumann's prayers:

1. Deprive me of everything, my God, but not of the desire to unite my will to your will in perfect resignation!
2. How much I love You, O my Jesus! I wish to love You with my whole heart; yet I do not love You enough. My lack of devotion and my negligence still haunt me. I have one desire, that of being near You in the Blessed Sacrament. You are the sweet bridegroom of my soul. My Jesus, my love, my all, gladly would I endure hunger, thirst, heat and cold to remain always with You in the Blessed Sacrament

Amen. Come Lord Jesus.

The True Spirit of Christmas

 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. [John 14:26 RSV]

I sent a Christmas card today.  The inscription read, "May the True Spirit of Christmas Bless You and Keep You."  What is the True Spirit of Christmas?  Or perhaps the better question: Who is the True Spirit of Christmas?

It is the Spirit whom Jesus promised would be with His disciples once He was gone.  Our Emmanuel, which mean "God with us."

Advocate, Helper, Comforter, Counselor, Paraclete.  These are the words used to describe the Holy Spirit by various translations of scripture.  My experience proves all five words to be accurate.

Which word best encompasses the Holy Spirit to you today?  May Emmanuel, who is with you this very moment, meet you at your point of need.

Dear Lord, Thank you for giving me Emmanuel, Your Spirit who is the True Spirit of Christmas to cloak my heart with Your care each day.  Amen. 

Candle of Hope

 I believe that I shall see the bounty of the Lord in the land of the living.  [Psalm 27:13]

Did you know that each of the four Advent candles has a meaning?  The first purple candle, lit during this first week of Advent, stands for hope.  The promise is that we are not disappointed when we hope in the Lord.

God is never late, rarely early, and usually last minute.  This characteristic of God requires us to wait, hoping that He will answer.   

Some years ago, my husband David was laid off from his job quite unexpectedly.  The layoff came in January just weeks after the company holiday party, where he had received big kudos for ten years of service.  His boss told the crowd that he looked forward to another ten years working with David.  What a shock to be laid off after that!

Thankfully, there were eleven weeks of severance pay.  When the new job came along, guess when the start day was:  The first Monday of the twelfth week!  God was neither early, nor late, but most definitely last-minute.  His new job met our financial needs, yet was less demanding.  Today, we thank God for that unexpected change.  

Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; yea, wait for the Lord! [Psalm 27:14]

Lord, please help me to be to be stalwart in prayer and hope while I await your answer.  Amen.