All Are Welcome?

Cardinal Burke once again made headlines recently. Having nothing but respect and admiration for the most holy red-hatted cardinal I was shocked to find that I yet again completely and utterly disagreed with him. This should, of course, come as no real shock as it happens every time the man makes headlines. Ok, maybe stating I have nothing but respect and admiration was a bit of an overstatement. That or just a bold-faced lie.

While I could claim I dutifully took note of what the Cardinal had to say the reality, is I saved many articles covering what he had said to read later. Ultimately, however, I moved on with my day and my life with little more than an eye roll saying great Burke’s at it again. That is until today.

Today at mass we once again sang for the opening hymn All Are Welcome. A song I’ve heard dozens of times. A song that elicited from the priest a joke about all being welcomed including me. I and the rest in attendance laughed. Perhaps one or two had the passing thought if only Ingram (as the priest referred to me) weren’t welcome.

As we sang this opening hymn, I was left to wonder, we sing this, we say this, but do we [we being the Church (the Church being the Catholic flavor)], actually believe it to the point of making it a reality?

This is where Cardinal Burke came to mind. As we sang the second verse to the song I began to think of the idea what if the song was re-written, specifically by someone musically inclined and with a slight ax to grind with the Church (I fortunately or unfortunately am only one of those, but have a friend who is both All Are Welcome Re-Written Listen Here).

I thought of the following: all are welcome except… all are welcome unless… all are welcome but…

The welcome expressed in this hymn and the welcome born out of the life and teaching of Jesus is unconditional. Yet far too often the welcome of the Church is very conditional…

All are welcome unless you can’t donate enough per year. All are welcome except those who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community. All are welcome unless you are divorced and remarried (as Burke would claim). All are welcome but first, you must xyz.

While I understand that the Church as an institution needs guidelines, needs standards, needs accountability, I just wish the Church were better at holding herself accountable. I really wish the Church were better at recognizing how often the Church falls short of the standards the Church has set.  Not only the standards set by Jesus but the standards set by the institution itself.

I’m tired of the Church pretending to be welcoming. Jesus’ welcome was not conditional. Why is ours?

Holiness

Several months ago I was able to attend a pub theology that looked at the concept of holiness. Now, unfortunately, my schedule ran away from me and I wasn't able to attend the event as well researched or prepared as I would have liked. This was the case so much so that while driving to the event I reached out to a couple of friends and asked them to quickly look up the definition for me in the Catechism of the Catholic Church for holiness.

As I found parking one responded and told me they didn't find one. Being the trusting person I am waiting at the bar for my drink I did a quick google search on my phone pulling up the online Catechism myself looking for the definition I knew had to be there... Odd as it turned out my friend was right. No such entry was to be found. Annoyed I went and joined the rest of the group to have the nights discussion.

While I can't remember too many of the details from the conversation, I do remember there being some great conversation about the distinctions we make between holiness and sacredness, and the various feelings and experiences that go along with the two. 

After the conversation at the pub, I was then on a mission. What is the Catholic Church's definition of holiness? With this question in mind and wanting a specific 'dictionary' definition I went to my office and began my research.

My go-to books for researching topics like this. (United States Catechism for Adults, Idiots Guide to the Catholic Catechism, YOUCAT, Baltimore Catechism, Compendium to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Catechism of the Catholic Church, and the Documents of Vatican II).

The two books that proved to be the most useful here were the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults and the Documents of Vatican II. 

Once again finding and baffled by the fact that the Catechism itself did not have a glossary entry for holiness, I was glad to see the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults did... That is I was glad until I read it. According to the text, holiness is, "A state of goodness in which a person--with help of God's grace, the action of the Holy Spirit, and a life of prayer--is freed from sin and evil. Such a person, when gifted with holiness, must still resist temptation, repent of sins that may be committed, and realize that remaining holy is a lifelong pilgrimage with many spiritual and moral challenges. The struggles evident in the lives of the saints are instructive when trying to explain and describe holiness." I don't love this definition, but find some value in the last lines of being stuck trying to describe holiness by means of the lives and actions of the saints/saintly people. Otherwise, I think this definition is fairly useless. 

With this in mind, I continued searching. Unsatisfied with what I could find in the means of 'dictionary'/glossary definitions I optimistically turned to Vatican II. 

While I am personally slightly obsessed with Vatican II I find that the Vatican II document, Lumen Gentium (Light of the nations), the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, in dedicating its 5th chapter to the concept of "The Call to Holiness" does an amazing job at offering insights into what holiness is.

Keeping in mind my obsession with the Vatican II documents, and an inability to be concise in anyway, I now feel obligated to provide you with the direct quotes from the document itself. 

The second paragraph under section 40 states, "It is therefore quite clear that all Christians in any state or walk of life are called to the fullness of Christian life and to the perfection of love, and by this holiness a more human manner of life is fostered also in earthly society. In order to reach this perfection the faithful should use the strength dealt out to them by Christ's gift, so that, following in his footsteps and conformed to his image, doing the will of God in everything, they may wholeheartedly devote themselves to the glory of God and to the service of their neighbor. Thus the holiness of the People of God will grow in fruitful abundance, as is clearly shown in history of the Church through the life of so many saints...

(Now on to section 41) 

The forms and tasks of life are many but holiness is one--that sanctity which is cultivated by all who act under God's Spirit and, obeying the Father's voice and adoring God the Father in spirit and in truth, follow Christ, poor, humble and cross-bearing, that they may deserve to be partakers of his glory. Each one, however, according to his own gifts and duties must steadfastly advance along the way of a living faith, which arouses hope and work through love." (these excerpts were taken from the Flannery translation of Vatican II this chapter was specifically translated by Fr. Joseph M. de Torre).

In light of these passages, and relying on them specifically do I find myself feeling a slight confidence in saying I have the start to an understanding of what holiness might be. 

Peace and Blessings Always 

~M

Our Lady's Windows

As I sit at mass no matter what church I am in I find myself naturally drawn to the windows. This I am sure is the result of growing up going to mass at a church with some of the most beautiful stained glass windows in West Michigan.

While I was not part of the planning committee or involved in the conversations regarding the building of the Chapel, Our Lady Seat of Wisdom, I have no doubt that windows, stained or not, occupied many hours of discussion and impassioned debate. Now, of course, my not being apart of these conversations did not preclude me from having an opinion on the matter. I was naturally an advocate for having stained glass.

I cannot express how thrilled I am that I was not able to voice that opinion and that the chapel has been built without any stained glass windows. A statement I never thought I'd make about a church.

Walking across campus one can clearly see through the trees a beacon of light that is the chapel. This is only made possible because of the massive windows. While sitting inside the Chapel, you are immediately exposed to the natural beauty that the campus has to offer. In the fall you can watch as the beautiful foliage begins to change colors. As the leaves fall the vibrant colors provide the perfect backdrop for contemplative reflection. Even in the winter months as the trees stand bare, reaching for the sky, swaying in the wind, they have a simple and subtle beauty that is most profound. A beauty that is only enhanced as the setting sun shines behind them.

Sitting in mass in this holy space, during the most sacred moments of the liturgy one is able to sit and marvel at the world around them as it carries on. Likewise, the world around, as it passes by, is able to stop and glimpse what is taking place. So much so that one altar server is able to recount an instance during the Eucharistic prayer that a passerby stopped and waited, watching through the window pausing, for the briefest of moments, in wonder and awe, at the source and summit of the faith before continuing on to their destination.

These windows, these simple, these nonstained windows, provide those willing to stop and look a profound glimpse into the beauty of the natural world, as well as, the beauty of the mass.

Peace and Blessings Always

~M

Our Lady's Crucifix

On Saturday, September 23, 2017, I along with hundreds of others were able to see for the first time the new chapel on Aquinas College's campus, Our Lady Seat of Wisdom. While this was not my first time in the physical building, it was the first time I was able to see the finished, nearly finished space.

While the entire space is truly beautiful, the most stunning part if you ask me is the crucifix, what I affectionately call Our Lady's Crucifix. Ever since this day I have been struggling to find the words to talk about this beautiful and inspirational crucifix. A crucifix unlike any I've seen before, or perhaps simply the first to cause such an internal longing that I've spent the last several weeks mulling over what to say.

Desperately I was hoping for something profound to say that could summarize this piece and spare anyone who reads this a lengthy read.

Listening to 'When I Survey the Wondrous Cross' (Click here to listen) I hoped to find inspiration. While a touchingly beautiful song, it did not prove to be beneficial in helping put an end to my writer's block.

When this proved unsuccessful I turned my attention to Scripture, immediately racing to St. Paul's letter to the Philippians, which contains passages always used when talking about Christology (See Philippians 2:6-11).

It wasn't until one day last week that I was finally struck with what to write. After daily mass, I decided to sit in a chair at the foot of this crucifix. I decided to spend an hour with Our Lady's Crucifix in the hopes of finally finding the words to say.

Within the first minutes of sitting down, I knew what to say. I knew that all I needed to know was the phrase "It is finished." A phrase I've used dozens of times when asked how a test or a paper or even an entire semester went. I would simply respond with "It is finished." This being a quote from Jesus himself. From the Gospel of John, Chapter 19 verse 30, "When Jesus had taken the wine, he said, 'It is finished.' And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit."

This is it, this is what I needed. After mere moments of sitting at the foot of this cross, my writer's block had seemingly evaporated.

The only explanation for this, the reason these words are so fitting, the reason, I believe why this, Our Lady's Crucifix speaks more to me than others I've seen and prayed before is because it is a clear depiction of not only a crucified Christ but a dead Christ.

This crucifix, with Jesus' shoulders, slightly slumped forward clearly depicts a Christ that has died. While this is by no means a new revelation in and of itself, it struck me in a way that hasn't before.

Jesus, a man who was fully human and fully divine died. Not only that however, he didn't simply die, he died a very painful and gruesome death. Something else that is clearly depicted in this crucifix.

As I sat, I began to notice the detail of the veins bulging in Jesus' thin arms. The cracked upper lip. The visible rib cage, the nail passing through his feet, the crown of thorns, his gaunt face, all clearly demonstrate the tremendous agony that was experienced.

Above Jesus' head is another unique aspect to this crucifix. While many include the inscription INRI, the inscription that Pilate included, "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews." This Crucifix, much like the actual Cross Jesus died on, according to John's Gospel (Jn 19:19-20), includes the inscription, or its abbreviation (INRI), in Latin, Greek, and Hebrew. While this may have been nothing more than an attempt historically to ensure that all who passed by could read it. It now serves as a reminder, that while I wonder in awe at Jesus' willingness to die on the cross for me, the truth is that salvation is for all.

While the entire sacred space of Our Lady Seat of Wisdom is truly a sight worth seeing, I find Our Lady's Crucifix to be most worthy of thoughtful prayer and reflection. Many hours since my initial attempt at curing my writer's block have been spent sitting at the foot of this crucifix and they have truly been spiritually enriching moments!

Peace and Blessings Always
~M

What Makes a Christian a Christian?

Well over a month ago now I had the opportunity to sit at a brewery, drink a beer and listen as a gathering of people from a church I am not a member of answer the question 'What Makes a Christian a Christian?'

As I sat and listened to the answers to this question that the people around me offered I had to reflect on the answer I had prepared to give. While one individual talked about the idea of being partially Christian on one's own and only fully Christian when a member of a Christian community I was left to wonder if one could be partially Christian?

While my mind wandered down this rabbit hole I began to truly reflect on the overly simplified answer I came with that a Christian is someone who identifies Christ as their lord and savior and attempts to live their life accordingly. While I'm sure in many classrooms that answer may be the perfect fit. Had I been able to articulate this in grade school I'm certain I would have impressed and annoyed many of the people around me.

Yet as I sat there drinking a beer and listening to these authentic insights from peoples experiences my mind naturally turned to the theological concept of Anonymous Christian (for the Rahner nerds out there I hope you see how I connected these dots).

Here I was left to wonder, is being a Christian more than a seemingly simple creedal statement of belief? Now with this having been over a month ago, I cannot pinpoint what comment or what passing thing out the window hit me but suddenly all I could think of was a song sometimes sung at mass.

The answer came to me in a song I'd sung hundreds of times, a song that more often than not drove me nuts, a simple song, "We Are One in the Spirit". In particular, in this song there is a line repeated over and over again, "They will know we are Christians by our love". That's it. That is the answer. As simple as it sounds. What makes a Christian a Christian is the love that they share with the world.

As simple as that sounds it may well be the most difficult answer to the question. Saying a few words and being considered a Christian would be easy. However, the reality is that this label isn't meant to be an easy mantle to carry to truly love is a far more difficult task than simply reciting a few words from a creed on Sunday.

The question I leave you with, the rabbit hole I continue to wonder down is, when did loving become so hard? 

Peace and Blessings Always
~M

This is my beloved _________, with whom I am well pleased; listen to them.

Two of today's readings (8/6/17) included the following, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him." (Mt 17: 1-9 and 2 Pt 1: 16-19).

There is only one thought I want to share today, ignoring all the other theologically brilliant aspects of the readings (AKA all the things I would love to talk about for an undetermined length of time).

How often do we find ourselves realizing that we can be that son, that daughter, that child with whom God is well pleased?

This is my son, my daughter, my friend, my parent, my spouse, this is a person I know, and I love them.

Why can't it be that simple?


Peace and Blessings Always

  ~M

Sieger Köder's depiction of the transfiguration. Perhaps our lives can be transfigured...

"I am here."

          Anyone who knows me well knows that there are often times that I have a complete and utter inability to see how the dots are connected. Similarly, there are often times that I find ways to connect the dots in the most round about and illogical way possible. It should then come to those who know me that I often find myself reading a book or article and suddenly having a thought that brings back a flood of memories or connects in a most profound way to a book or article I have read or a thought that I have had before, even if the book or article was read or the thought was thought years ago. For this reason among many others, I love nothing more than surrounding myself with my books. Always keeping them close at hand to return to when such a rush of thought happens.

           For this reason, the past month or so has been particularly distressing. As I packed and prepared to move I had a number of my books not only a city away but in another state from where I was living. This left me with a number of what I am sure would have been brilliant thoughts unpursued. This was of course with one exception.

            One thought was far to impactful to be left unpursued. As I read an article for my last graduate level class on the theology of prayer I was reminded of a book looking at the seven last words of Jesus.

            In the Gospels of Mark and Matthew we see the last words of Jesus the Christ recorded as “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (MK 15:34, MT 27:46).  There are typically two ways of addressing this particular passage. I would like to suggest both of them as likely true, but add a bit of my own thought and reflection.

           One typical response to seeing is this to very simply point out that these words are the opening lines of Psalm 22. The next sentence often then looks at this and says it was not an honest or earnest outcry from Jesus, but instead he was merely praying and calling upon the wisdom of Psalm 22. The other typical response is to say that Jesus in his humanity, being fully human he did indeed, in that moment, upon the cross, feel a very real sense of abandonment.

          I see no reason why these need to be conflicting responses. Instead, I see them as deeply linked. Integrally related yet missing one last important aspect. In this moment of physical torture who could blame Jesus for feeling a sense of abandonment and in feeling this abandonment calling upon the words of Scripture for a prayer? What is missing from the Gospel accounts, something that we simply cannot know with historical certainty is what God’s response to Jesus’ prayer was.

          In truth we don’t even know if these were, in fact, Jesus last words, both Matthew and Mark recount slightly differently, “And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.” (MT 27:50) and “And Jesus uttered a loud cry, and breathed His last.” (MK 15:37). What we don’t know if what kind of response Jesus received from God.

          I like to think, the thought I had the other day that inspired all of this, that the last thing Jesus experienced before crying out and offering up his spirit was the familiar voice of God saying nothing more than “I am here.” In hearing this profoundly comforting response Jesus embraced whatever might follow and gave his spirit over to God.

All it took was a simple “I am here.”

Would this be enough for you or me? 

Peace and Blessings Always
~M

Photo Credit Little Ways Photography

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