Apple of Love

Like a relief pitcher in a baseball game, I am often called upon to help on weekends in various parishes. To my surprise and delight, I bump into “old friends” from Strong Hospital, the Mercy Motherhouse and Brockport. However, it only takes a few minutes to hear the stories about the struggles of the community. The exodus of parishioners, the cluster changes and the lost of identify describe a hurting faith. The remnant stays faithful and strong but look for a sign of hope. Despite the pain, here was an opportunity to bring the “good news” that God indeed loves and cares deeply for these good people.

So it is time for a story and by coincidence it was the beginning of Catholic Schools Week. At this Mass, the kids from the local Catholic School were going to read and bring up the gifts. But I had a better idea. So imagine yourself in the pew, there’s this visiting priest at your altar, kids in uniform whose heads are barely visible reading the Scripture at your lectern and you witness an invitation during the homily for “ALL” the kids in church to come up to the altar and hear this fairy tale about God’s love.

Once there lived a beautiful princess. Among the many young men who fell in love with her were three handsome brothers. Often she invited them to visit her and they sang her songs and told stories of magic. When it came time for her to marry, she knew she would choose none other but one of the handsome brothers. But which one? She loved them all. So she decided on a test. Whichever one brought her the most marvelous gift would have her hand in marriage.

The three brothers were best friends and agreed that before they presented their gifts to the princess they would meet back home to show each other their gifts they brought back from all parts of the world. One brother traveled to Asia where, after many searches, found a magic carpet. Another brother went to Egypt where a magician showed him a shiny mirror. You had only to think of a place you’d like to see and then look and there it was in the mirror. The youngest brother traveled to the lands of Arabia. There he met a farmer who took him to a corner of his farm where from a small and lovely tree hung a single apple. “This”, the farmer told him, “is an apple that once grew in the Garden of Eden. It will cure any illness and pain. But be careful when you use it, for its magic will work only a single time.” The youngest son gave his fortune for the apple.

The three brothers met back home and revealed their prizes. One of them suggested they use the magic mirror to find the princess. And when they looked they saw the princess had become very ill and she was dying. So quickly they mounted the magic carpet and arrived where the princess lay. The youngest brother took the magic apple from his bag and said, “Here, this will make you better.” She bit the apple and magically she was healed. The next day in the garden each brother told her how each had purchased his gift. Then they reminded her that without the mirror they would never have known the princess was dying. Without the carpet they would never have gotten to her bedside, without the apple she would have died. She agreed, Now whom would she choose as husband?

The princess loved them all but could only marry one. She then embraced the oldest brother and thanked him for saving her life with the magic mirror. Then she hugged the second brother and thanked him for the magic carpet that had also saved her life. Then she looked into the youngest brother’s eyes and said, “I have chosen you. For the magic mirror performs its magic as often as you need it for me or anyone, and the carpet also will help anyone fly. But the apple… the apple can be used only once.” You could have saved it for yourself, for the time when you would need it. But you didn’t. you gave it top me.”

Love in action is a harsh and dreadful thing. Jesus on the cross was a decision of love. Despite the hurts in our faith community, we need to take our apple to those in need and show them the sweetness of our love.

God prays for us as we reflect: “Turn, O Lord, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love.” (Psalm 6:4).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends who give their apple away every day. In thanks for the people who come to bring us a breath of fresh air by their smile, their laughter and their encouragement we give you thanks. For this is the true meaning of God’s love.

Surprises from God

Would you like to open a Macy’s account today? “No, thank you,” I replied. The clerk went on to say that an additional 30% discount would be applied to my purchase. “Another time, perhaps.” Then she asked “Don’t I know you? Did you ever serve at Holy Redeemer?” No, I politely replied and noted it had been closed many years ago. “Did you serve at St. Theresa’s?” A beautiful urban-center church served by the Franciscan fathers. But again, I had not served there. Then she said: “Don’t worry, let me open the account father, it’ll only take a minute and you’ll save lots of money.”

“Did you serve at St. Stanislaus?” As she opened the new account, I shared that I had served in my home pariah. “Did you know Father Andy?” That brought back many memories for Fr. Andy came from Poland to serve in an American parish. He was the perfect match for St. Stan’s who later became their pastor and sadly died prematurely of cancer during his ministry.

Mindful of this stroll through memory lane, our sales lady is clicking my personal information into her computer to enroll me into “such-a-deal” Star Reward Program. I had only come to pick up my dress shoes that I buy on sale in January and wait till the beginning of a new school year to wear. I carry very little plastic and discount cards are not in my wallet, however, this persistent sales lady wants to surprise me with her amazing savings.

She continues to multi-task her way through her store’s discount program, then she says she knew my parents and my heart sank. Rarely, do I bump into a person who remembers mom and dad. It has been a long time since they went home to God. She knew about the old churches, the special priests, the old neighborhood and now my dear loved ones. It appeared I was getting more than a discount card, but a heart to remember in gratitude the people that God had placed in my path.

What was this lady thinking? It reflects the attitude of Jesus when his mom told him that the wedding party in Cana had run out of wine. Here, we get this homely little story about a wedding party gone bad where Jesus swoops in to save the day by providing a wine cellar’s worth of intoxicating beverages to wedding guests who already had a few under their belts.

The wedding guests enjoyed the new wine, and, in the end, they did not turn to thank the giver of this particular gift that was something Jesus as Creator had been long accustomed. From the dawn of time people had been eating the pears and sipping the cognac and swimming in the oceans and enjoying the vistas of mountain grandeur that Jesus’ creative work in the beginning made possible, but most never thanked God for those gifts. So if the people in Cana lapped up Jesus’ fine wine with nary a backward glance toward him who made the wine, Jesus probably did not notice and maybe did not care. He was used to it. But like any good host, Jesus’ joy came from knowing that others had enjoyed it.

To my surprise, the sales slip for the new shoes reflected a 50% discount! Suddenly, I realized this transaction was never about saving money, but rather, giving thanks to God for all the memories, all the people, all the choice wine and surprises that God provides and we take for granted. Needless to say, I thanked this kind lady for all her trouble despite my objections.

God prays for us as we reflect; ““From his fullness we have received one blessing after another”

(John 1:16)

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends who have been a blessing to me throughout my years of ministry. For the priests and sisters, the parishioners and neighbors, horse trainers and farmers, old friends and new “sales” people. Help us to see Your glory that shines through their generosity and make us mindful of Your surprise gifts.

Are You In Good Standing?

She was fearful about her brother coming to visit. He had asked her to be the godmother of his newborn child. You would think that would be a moment for a great party and celebration, Instead, there was a caveat to this invitation to stand up as the child’s godmother. The priest at her brother’s church asked if his sister was “in good standing.”

What was that all about? This comment made her nervous, uncomfortable and sad to say a tad ashamed. This was the same sister who took care of her elderly father in her home for over thirty years. This was the mom who opened her door to her adult daughters to come back and live in the old homestead after their broken relationships. This is the same lady who visits her 90 something-year-old aunt in hospice everyday. She would never think to leave her aunt’s side at this stage in her life. Yet, she was bewildered and perplexed with the question: “Are you in good standing?”

What makes a person "in good standing?" Did she attend Mass every Sunday or only on Christmas and Easter? Did she make her Easter duty? Did she have envelopes and contribute to the fuel fund? Most likely, she felt that she would have failed this litmus test. However, when it came to being an extravagant hostess, providing hospitality to family and friends, providing extraordinary customers service to strangers, practicing patience with friends, and offering her expertise in selecting flora and fauna she would have passed any test with flying colors.

Still, she struggled with the question and worse felt that she was somehow unworthy to serve as godparent for her brother’s child. She did not want to be a hypocrite. Yet, her ordinary life was filled with hands and heart offering life and comfort, forgiveness and tenderness to others in need. When I asked her what did she think about being “in good standing.” She went silent. So I reassured this meek and humble heart that her ordinary efforts at bringing comfort to the sick, acceptance to the abandoned, and love to the lonely count as extra points in this exam. Under the watchful eye of our Creator who sees all the good things we do for others, our extravagant God marks on a curve. This sister has nothing to fear for she is more than worthy to serve as a godparent. She lives in the spirit that graces others by her generosity and extravagance to care for others.

God prays for us as we reflect: “When you send your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the earth.” (Psalm 104:30).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends whose ordinary lives perform some extraordinary feats of love. Let us be mindful and grateful to those folks who bring meal on wheels, donate clothing, visit the hospitals, nursing homes and prisons and send your Spirit of love to renew the face of the earth.

VOILA

A mother was driving her four-year son home after a funeral service for her younger sister. Her little one noticed that his mommy was sad when out of the blue he said.

“Mommy, families are like a puzzle.” What are you talking about replied his anxious mom. “Well, when someone dies, a piece of the puzzle is missing. But when that person falls asleep “VOILA” that person opens their eyes and all the parts of the puzzle come back together again.” This young mother was astounded by the profound message of hope that came from the lips of her son.

This woman shared that after the death of her sister, years later her mother died, then her father and another older sister all within the same year. This time her son was a teenager and again he shared the story of their family being like a puzzle. Each time she would step back from her grief and receive the grace of her little four year who explained the wonder of God and the birth of Christ that comes during this Christmas Season.

This mother worked in a group home as a residential caregiver for developmentally disabled adults. Joann, a resident, had died after battling many serious medical problems while living in the group home. The staff remarked that Joann had nine lives. She was the light of this community expressed by her simple kindness and gratitude. At times, Joann could be quite hard to handle and boisterous seeking to be the center of attention. Once a staff member taught her to fold her hands and say, “I’m sorry” when she hurt someone’s feelings. That memory of her folding her hands and humbly bowing her head to express her apology brought tears since each staff member knew that Joann trusted and loved them in her own special way.

During the Christmas Season, memories of family members and friends have become like missing puzzle parts make us tearful. We remember the light they brought to our hearts and miss their spirit and life force that filled our lives with wonder and grace. At that moment, let us remember the faith of a little four year old “WA LA” who inspired his grieving mother to surrender her grief and find joy again in the memory of those people God has blessed us on earth and have come back together in heaven.

God prays for us as we reflect: “My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.” (Psalm 119:50).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends whose thoughts go back to loved ones who are now a part of the communion of saints. From their kindness, wisdom and love may we always be grateful and look forward to the day when we can take our piece of the puzzle and be joined again with them in heavenly peace.

Gospel by Starlight

The storyline to The Shack involves an extended conversation between the Holy Trinity and a man named Mack. Mack has many questions for God and, by the end of the book; he’s grown at ease with speaking his mind. But there’s one part that makes some people uncomfortable. It has to do with people who aren’t like us.

The opening words are from Jesus:

“Christian? Who said anything about being a Christian? I’m not a Christian.”

Those who love me come from every system that exists. They were Buddhists or Mormons, Baptists or Muslims, Democrats, Republicans and many who don’t vote or are not part of any Sunday morning or religious institutions. I have followers who were murderers and many who were self-righteous. Some are bankers and bookies, Americans and Iraqis, Jews and Palestinians. I have no desire to make them Christian, but I do want to join them in their transformation into sons and daughters of my Papa, into my brothers and sister, into my Beloved. Does that mean, asked Mack, that all roads lead to you? Jesus replies: ‘Not at all…What it means is that I will travel any road to find you.’”

Epiphany is more than feast about magicians or astrologers; rather it is the feastday for welcoming folks who were made to feel unacceptable and unworthy. Not all roads lead to heaven. But there’s not a means that God won’t pursue us to help you get there.

That’s as true for anyone who did not celebrate Christmas because they were bitter about the death of their child like Mack, or not finding work in 2009, or divorced, or scraping with their medical insurance carrier about a pre-existing condition or in jail.

God will pursue you. God’s love is relentless. And it’s God’s will that none should be lost, but all are to be saved. How? We don’t know how. When? We don’t know when.

Yet this we do know: Sometimes, we ourselves get in the way. We don’t mean to, but we do. This too we know: Sometimes institutions like the Church or our faith community get in the way. It doesn’t mean to, but sometimes it does.

On this Feast of the Epiphany, we pray that we get out of the way and let God accomplish the salvation for which the world so longs.

God prays for us as we reflect: “Star of wonder, star of night, Star with royal beauty bright…guide us to they perfect light.” (We Three Kings of Orient Are).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends in this New Year that we pray for insight. We pray for wisdom. We pray for love to transforms the way we see things and hear things and do things. Most of all, we pray that all people might seek the face of God …as surely as God seeks us.