May 21, 2017

6th Sunday of Easter Acts 8:5-8; 1 Peter 3: 15-18; John 14: 15-21 This is an important weekend for me since I am remembering and celebrating my ordination to the priesthood fifty years ago. I am honored to have three of the parishes I have served in Virginia since 2003 invite me to celebrate the Eucharist with them. Everything in my priesthood is centered in the celebration of the Mass. The Eucharist is the meeting with Jesus, the Father and the Spirit and receiving the unquenchable grace of God’s love to continue to try to be His loving servant. I reflect on the first reading from Luke’s Acts of the Apostles showing Deacon Philip distributing goods to those in need. He also was living the Gospel message in other ways especially in his interaction with the Samaritans. Philip was preaching to them and in the process signs of the Spirit’s presence and action was evident. “For unclean spirits, crying out in a loud voice, came out of many possessed people, and many paralyzed or crippled people were cured. There was great joy in that city.” This was a common sight in the New Testament Church and the Holy Spirit has been constantly present in the Church. I have experienced this throughout my priesthood. I’ve seen countless healing miracles: people being healed of cancer, heart disease, depression, various diseases and maladies. I’ve seen people being able to walk who haven’t taken a step in years. I’ve seen close friends, service people and others who have been in harms way, return when it was never thought possible. God does miracles. So many have asked and continue to ask for prayers for healing of loved ones. They come back and say ‘God has worked another miracle.’ While I was vice-principal, a senior girl asked me to please pray for a miracle: she had to pass the Regents exam in Chemistry. She had failed it the previous year and she had failed the course this year. The only way she could continue her dream of being a nurse was to pass the NY State Regents. God worked another miracle. The Regents exam in Chemistry was compromised that year, one school reported that the exam had been ‘stolen from it’s safe place’. This was reported three hours before the exam was to be given. So a notice was sent to all schools: Start the exam procedure…all students will be seated…take roll and then the administrator (that was me) was to announce that each student present had officially passed the Regent in Chemistry. The grade would be registered to all students as “Passing”. Needless to say, that girl felt that I was the instrument of God’s miracle. All I can say is that I prayed. I have reflected down through the years on the Power of Prayer. This story has been repeated in so many different scenarios throughout my priesthood, people telling me of ‘another miracle of God.’ Peter shares with his readers how as followers of Jesus we are to be witnesses to the world in which we live. They are going to encounter people who are skeptical, doubtful, non-believers, even enemies of God. What are they to know? That God is in our hearts. “Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks for your reason for your hope, but do it with gentleness and reverence, keeping your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who defame your good conduct in Christ may themselves be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that be the will of God, than for doing evil.” Our good conduct may touch the hearts of others. They may be inspired to move away from evil and wrongdoing and turn their lives to be people of love, care and forgiveness; definitely more miracles from God. In the Gospel Jesus continues His ‘farewell discourse’ at the Last Supper by making a strong connection between loving Him and keeping His commandments. He promises that God will always be with us by saying He is sending another advocate. The Greek word is parakletos also translated as ‘paraclete.’ Down through the years different translators have suggested: comforter…teacher…helper …advisor…consoler…friend…counselor and intercessor. This means that this ‘paraclete’ will be with us…we will not be orphans. Jesus used this expression in John 14:18, I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. In a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me, because I live and you will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father and you are in me and I in you.” This has been one of the most comforting scriptural passages during my priesthood. No matter what, God is with me. I am never alone. I do not have to be able to answer all the questions. I take Jesus totally on His word, He is with me. In my training, a number of professors used the term, ‘the priesthood of Jesus Christ.’ It is not about me. It is about God with me. It is not about my agenda, but being open to how the Spirit is leading me through my superiors and most notably, the Bishop and the Pope. The surprise at the end of the day is when I realize that the Spirit was with me each step of the way. I have found the priesthood to be very challenging, and very rewarding. I have found that it is all right not to be in control. God is in control. Like the girl with the Chemistry Regents exam , she needed a miracle and it came. The priesthood and everyday life is filled with God’s presence and God’s daily miracles, especially His taking care of me and each person. I used to feel that I was not worthy, I’m not. But it is not about worthiness it is about God loving me, caring for me, lifting me up and gracing me to be His witness. This is not exclusively to priests or religious or deacons, it is for all believers and all called to be witnesses of Jesus. I have found in the complex issues of my life and encounters, God is present, doing miracles. God is also present in everyday celebrations and expressions of love. Down through the years I have noticed that my spirituality has progressed with expressing my constant gratitude to God. I am eternally grateful to you and each person who has touched me with the Lord’s love. I pray for you, please continue to pray for me. Sacred Space 2017 says: “I know, Lord, that the same Holy Spirit joins me to You as joined You to Your Father. That Spirit dwells in me, an abiding presence whose voice can easily be drowned by my everyday plans and concern. To be open to the Spirit, I must quiet first my body then my heart. Jesus speaks about being still alive even after His death. Mostly we find Jesus to be alive for us in the love of others. There is an energy of love that is connected to the energy of God, for God is love. I do not need to rely on my own resources but turn to God who promises to help me, ready to send the Holy Spirit.”