Tending the Holy

I attended a special prayer service at Sacred Heart Parish on a recent Friday night.  A wonderful atmosphere arose from good readings and the repetitive, moving music of Taize. This refrain still haunts me: ”Sacred is the call, awesome indeed the entrustment: tending the holy, tending the holy.”

What does it mean to tend the holy? 

Maybe we tend the holy when we stoke the fire of the Holy One within. Or maybe we tend the holy by simply sitting silently, muting all our inner chatter.    

Or maybe we tend the holy when we help the man with the flat tire or hug the woman who mourns her husband or lend money to the one whose pension is spent.

On a plane ride home from Israel I think I tended the holy when I held the fussy baby whose mom went to the restroom. What a surprise that was for me.   

How have you recently ‘tended the holy’?

                                                 Majorities and Minorities

The biggest problem in the early church was integrating Gentiles into the Christian community. It was a real mess until Sts. Peter and Paul had a meeting of the minds in the Council of Jerusalem. (Acts 15)  They agreed that Gentiles didn’t have to follow most Jewish customs. So the Gentile church group grew and it ultimately became the majority. 

That situation comes to mind as we face similar issues in our country and in our Catholic Churches too. Demographic studies tell us that within 30 years Anglos will be a minority in the USA.    

I assume that’s why White Supremacist groups are on the rise. 

It’s not easy being a minority. Just ask Latinos or Blacks who’ve had to deal with that reality for a very long time.

In the light of this, what can Pastors or Congregations do to oppose hate groups and to help our communities face the new reality? What have we learned as the ethnic make-up of our Churches and Pastors has changed over recent years?  What helps us and what hinders us?   Send email responses and comments to rjgramza@gmail.com

                                                   Where Are You From?

Timothy W. Obrien wrote an article for the August 7^th edition of America entitled: The Discomforts of Home.  He says: “For migrants and Christians alike, the question ‘Where are you from?’ is haunting and elusive.

This is what I think he means.  Refugees and migrants are caught between homelands.  If someone asks where they are from, what should they say?  Christians are caught between homelands too.  We have our eathly homeland, but we also have a heavenly one.  Sometimes it’s hard to pledge allegiance to both of them. 

Here is a case in point.  It is the issue of the ‘DACA’ children who were brought here by their parents when they were much younger.  For most of them, the USA is the only country they know.  So, where are they from?   

Pope Francis says that the treatment of the ‘DACA’ children is a ‘pro-life issue’.  That’s such a good way to see a common meeting place for our two homelands. 

Are there other ways that our heavenly and earthly homelands are in sync?  Can you name times when our two homelands are in conflict?

                                                          Passion

Today, August 29^th, is the feast of ‘The Passion of St. John the Baptist’.  I never noticed that title before.  I always thought it was called the ‘Beheading’ of St. John the Baptist.  But the word ‘Passion’ adds a new dimension.  First of all, the connection to the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ becomes crystal clear.

What’s more, the word ‘Passion’ has a double meaning.  It not only describes the details of John’s suffering and death.  It also describes the strength of John’s commitment, his passion for being honest and faithful no matter what it would cost. He didn’t back down.  John gave his whole life to his calling.

Questions:  What’s the current passion in your life?  What was it when you were 20 or 40?  For what would you be willing to die?

Here's some follow-up to Jesus’ question from last week: “Who do you say that I am?” Annette says: “He is my anchor.” Terri mentions that He’s the one I can “lean on”. Don says: He’s the center of my heart.” Konni calls the Lord: “My Graceland.” And Sheila adds: “He’s my bridge over troubled water.” Thanks for those wonderful responses!

                              “Who Do You Say that I am?” (Mt. 16:15)

                                                        

Jesus poses this question to His disciples when He takes them to a remote place for a retreat-like conversation.  Prepare yourself for next weekend’s Gospel by answering Jesus’question: “Who do you say that I am?”

Here are some suggestions to prime the pump. 

Jesus is my safety pin that holds things together when I think they’re going to fall apart.  He is a magnet that draws me close to Him.  He is the core of my being and I am the apple of His eye.  He is the oasis I seek when I feel like I’m in a desert.

Jesus is the potter and I am the clay.  He is the vine and I am a branch.  He is my anchor that keeps me from drifting and drowning.  He is the hub around which my life revolves. He is my compass by day and my north star by night. 

Jesus is my companion on the journey.  He stays with me even when I take detours. He is my Good Shepherd who finds me when I am lost, and He puts me on His shoulders to carry me home.  He is the still point at the end of my journey.

I’d like to hear your descriptions of who Jesus is for you.  Please send them to me at: rjgramza@gmail.com    Thanks!

                                           Don’t Die Before your Dead

Jesus says: “I came that you might have life and have it to the full.” (Jn 10:10)

Mary was in Home Hospice Care for 7 months before brain cancer took her life.  But she wasn’t worried about it.  She showed no fear.  She never said: “Why me?”  She didn’t complain.  The Hospice Nurses and her family gave her great care.  And her mom and I brought her Communion…food for the journey…nearly every week. 

She died recently. Her breathing was very shallow and her husband knew it wouldn’t be long.  So what did he do?  He got an ice cream bar from the freezer and shared it with Mary.  She ate some of it and so did he. 20 minutes later, she took her last breath. 

Mary didn’t die before she was dead.  She lived her life fully until the end. 

Anxieties, worries, regrets and fears can deaden us.  They disguise the fact that we can’t control everything. They keep us from living the present moment.  And that’s sad.

Doesn’t sharing ice cream with a loved one just before dying sound pretty good?   

What does it mean to live life fully?  What deadens your spirit? What and/or who could help you die with grace? 

                                                   Hidden Treasures

“The kingdom of God is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all he has and buys that field.” (Mt 13:44)

In his commentary on this parable, Bishop Sklba says that parables are normally about God. And he suggests that this parable may point out that God hides treasures for us to discover.* Where does God bury them?  My guess is that they’re buried in our hearts. 

That helps me explain the recent discovery of some self-love, which was hidden in my heart for as long as I can remember.  Growing up with a negative self-image, led me to a variety of insecurities and ways to put myself down.  With the help of a good spiritual director and some trusted friends, I’ve finally uncovered the treasure of self-love. 

It makes a huge difference.  It clearly affects the way that I love my neighbors.

Are there some treasures hidden in your heart?  What could those treasures be and who could help you find them?  Take some time to think about this…and then…start digging! 

*Bishop Sklba’s commentary is found on page 294 of “Fire Starters”.