Fr. Bob's Corner

On the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul (June 29, 2009) Pope  Benedict XVI  published an  Encyclical entitled: "Caritas in Veritate" (Charity in Truth). Here are a few quotes that speak of our integral human relationship to Creation. “The way humanity treats the environment influences the way it treats itself, and vice versa” ……. “The Church has a responsibility towards creation and she must assert this responsibility in the public sphere.”

In 2010 in his New Year Message he said, “It should be evident that the ecological crisis cannot be viewed in isolation from other related questions, since it is closely linked to the notion of development itself and our understanding of man in his relationship to others and to the rest of creation.” I encourage reading and study of the two documents. Here is a video that might inspire….

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The Jesuits have put together an inspiring and helpful website to help our prayer and meditation during Advent. “A new prayer session is produced every day.  It is not a 'Thought for the Day', a sermon or a bible-study, but rather a framework for your own prayer.

Lasting between ten and thirteen minutes, it combines music, scripture and some questions for reflection.  The aim is to help you to:

  become more aware of God's presence in your life

  listen to and reflect on God's word

  grow in your relationship with God.

It is produced by Jesuit Media Initiatives, with material written by a number of British Jesuits and other experts in the spirituality of St Ignatius of Loyola.

Although the content is different every day, it keeps to the same basic format.”

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I haven’t posted for a while for a variety of reasons: health, parish duties, and a sense of weariness from the many problems our church is  facing. As I meditated on this Sunday’s Gospel about the lost lamb, the lost coin, and the prodigal son – powerful parables that leave no doubt in my mind of God’s unconditional love for each and every one of us, I felt the comforting sense of the Lord’s presence and love in my life. Yet, I still tossed and turned after I went to bed, and found myself getting up and reviewing emails and then coming across a little article from a previously unknown Jesuit publication: Company Magazine.

Today is the Anniversary of 911. Lately we have been bombarded  by controversies about ground zero in New York. ( I don’t need to name them, you’ve probably heard most of them.) In the midst of all the rhetoric and arguing  there seems to be a total loss of the courageous outpouring of heroic love this tragic day released. In the midst of mayhem, death, fear, and even despair, there was a powerful message of hope and inspiration, as the people of New York and around the world responded. This little article (albeit vintage), “Amid the Ashes: An Ignatian Response to September’s Terror.” could  prove a partial anecdote to the weariness you might be feeling too. The world has definitely changed since that day – war, terror, religious bigotry, etc…. Yet, it is in the midst of darkness that the light becomes bright and stunning. David Nantais, SJ, a university minister for the College of Engineering and Science at the University of Detroit Mercy, was so inspired by the response of many of his Jesuit colleagues and friends that he wrote:

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Don Luigi, Mille Grazie e Arrivederci!

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This week’s Gospel is directed at men who believe themselves to be ‘God’s Best’ – ‘God’s Favorites’ – ‘God’s Important Leaders and Teachers’. The ‘chief priest’s and elder’s of the people’ who challenge Jesus’ authority in this week’s Gospel have inflated egos, and perceive Jesus to be nothing but a fraud because he associates with (sinners) prostitutes and tax collectors. We might say that their own sense of self-importance and worthiness blinds them to God’s ways and Jesus’ message, They judge only by appearances and their own inflated sense of self-worth and holiness.These are not humble holy people, but self-important querulous men, who consider others to be well beneath themselves in holiness and goodness.

Jesus has little time or respect for their self’ important critical ways, and tells them a little story about two sons:

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St. Paul tells all of us about the ‘make or break’ nature of love in our lives. He says:” If I do not have love, I am nothing.” (1Cor.13:2) We can have all kinds of wonderful gifts, but if we don’t receive and give love, life becomes meaningless, and we become meaningless and lost.

Here is a little story told by Fr. John Jay Hughes that helps us appreciate the significance of Paul’s words.

Marie is eighty-seven years old and a widow. She has lived for several years in a nursing home. It is hard to grow old, to have to give up your own place and to be dependent on others. Marie has never been able to adjust. She is crabby and disagreeable much of the time. She complains over trifles. She criticizes those who look after her, often for little or no reason. Her loved ones have reproached her for her bitterness, and tried to talk her out of it. They’ve failed.

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Having a wonderful time. Here are the links to some of the pictures I have uploaded to flickr. They are not very organized, but you can see what I have been up to, and where I’ve been taking in the sights:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/parishpictures/sets/72157606048655495/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/parishpictures/sets/72157606045137408/

If you would just like to read the letter, it is excellent, here is the link: www.acbc.catholic.org.au/documents/200804271910.pdf

The Easter Triduum renews in us great hope, says Holy Father