When some people speak

At the beginning of his public ministry, Jesus called some to work with him.  Ever since that day, we have been listening.  His voice speaks as loudly and clearly today as it did so many centuries ago ... guiding us as we seek his wisdom and leadership.  He himself uses us (and others like us) to speak his truths to today's society.  Who knows whether he's not calling you to use your talents too to spread his good news.

Listen in or read on for this week's reflection:

Speak with authority

In a few days’ time, we will bid farewell to Noel Simard.  For the past four years, he has been living in this city and assisting Bishop Plouffe with the management of the diocese.  During these last few years, those of us who have had the privilege to work closely with Bishop Simard have found in him a man of great wisdom, a man of compassion, a man who knows how to relate to people, and a man who knows how to balance the demands of work with a deep appreciation for family, friends and laughter.  He possesses the great gift of being able to integrate empirical knowledge with the wisdom that comes only from having spent time in prayer.  Because of this, when he speaks, people listen, because we recognize that his words carry an authority that speaks to the heart.

Throughout our history, other great orators and well respected individuals have possessed this gift.  King George VI of England, Sir Winston Churchill and John Diefenbaker all knew how to speak to nations with words that could rally forces and give them a common purpose at a time when they needed it most.  Saint Theresa of Avila and Saint Robert Belarmine used the powers of speech and wisdom to convince the leadership of their day to seek unity rather than division.  Mother Teresa of Calcutta and John Paul II combined their talents for oration with wisdom born out of much struggle balanced with prayer to speak simple but profound truths to the people of their time.

For millennia, the Jewish people have recognized the wisdom spoken by Moses, a wisdom repeated for us in today’s first reading.  Called by God to lead his people into the Promised Land, Moses had to find words which would help them to see that they had a common purpose.  Moses had to find words to echo truths that would speak to their hearts.  Thank goodness he did, otherwise his words would never have been written down and we may never have heard of him.  Moses knew that the key to his words was his ability to trust in God, to look to God for guidance, and to echo the words he himself heard in prayer.  Today’s first reading shows us that he also recognized that his words would not be the last spoken in the story: The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet … you shall heed such a Prophet.

After the time of Moses, there were a number of prophets, each of whom spoke wisdom to his time.  In the fullness of time, God then sent his Son, and Jesus too spoke truths to those who would listen.  In fact, some were so taken with his words that they were astonished by his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority.  The recorded words we know as having been attributed to Jesus were not technical or convoluted.  In fact, it was their very simplicity that made them so powerful.  Jesus used simple every-day images and examples like lost coins, mustard bushes and the fish in the sea to speak about the truths of the Father’s Kingdom.  His teachings were not just words well crafted though.  They carried with them a truth that rang in the ears and hearts of his listeners.

In the early part of the first century A.D., Jesus’ listeners didn’t have the benefit of modern medicine to diagnose or to heal mental illness.  Instead, they referred to the malady as an unclean spirit.  I don’t know of anyone in our time who can command such a spirit to come out of another person, but there are doctors in our time who combine their talents for diagnosing a problem with their ability to assess a situation and then find a way to treat the problem: sometimes with medicine and other times with alternative means.

Perhaps Jesus didn’t have the benefits of modern medicine at his disposal, but he did have the ability to listen compassionately.  He knew how to use the power of words to speak not only to the intellect but more importantly to the heart.  He still does it today as he calls some of us to take positions of leadership within the Church and in our world.  He still speaks with authority when we recognize his words of compassion, encouragement, understanding and love spoken in the significant and not so remembered moments of our lives.

How was the party: the décor

Ever since last Monday, there has been a buzz about how the party went.  Those who were there are still talking about what a success it was, and those who missed it are wondering when the next one will be held.

Some of the pictures from the festivities will be made available on poster boards this weekend in the parish where I am assigned, but unfortunately, there's not enough room for all of them.  Instead, I'll try to post at least a few of them here, in a series of posts, so that others can get a glimpse of what it was like.

Thanks to some very talented decorators, our parish hall was transformed.  Many elements of oriental design were incorporated into this evening's décor:

Each place setting included elements of both Western and Oriental design and functionality.  We also provided lucky money envelopes for each of our guests.  Although these are traditionally used to give gifts to children within the household, we chose to use them as an option for people to consider donating to our parish's Building Fund.  Thanks to all those who used them.

A few strategically placed fans helped to add another element to the décor.  Hand-held fans are an integral part of life in China.  Almost everyone, from the poorest peasant to the most afluent 'woman of leisure' can afford to carry a fan for practical and not so practical reasons.

Paper lanterns and even dragons are often used in the décor for the Spring Festival.  Especially since this is the Year of the Dragon, we needed to incorporate these images in our décor as well, even though the version of our dragon looked as though he had only recently been hatched:

Flowers are also typically used to symbolize the coming of Spring.  Since the New Year celebration also is known as the Spring Festival, it was fitting that we should use orchids to adorn the space used for this festival as well.

Red sheets of paper are commonly used to decorate homes in China for this Festival, and it is customary to write words of greeting and prosperity on the sheets as well.  These words were spread throughout the room, complete with their English-language equivalents printed for all to see.

Table cards providing the details of the menu for the evening's meal, and centre pieces based on the concepts of Feng Shui (incorporating elements of earth, water, wind and fire) were also added to enhance the experience of our diners.

As an added bonus, even the washrooms were decorated to fit the theme of the evening.

One of the local mercants even donated packages of soap leaves which were incorporated into this design for the benefit of our guests.

Having set the scene, we were ready to welcome our guests.

Who to trust

I popped in for a visit at the elementary school this morning.  In hand, I took with me a bag full of Fortune Cookies.  As it turns out, they were here for the recent celebration of Chinese New Year, but never made it out to the tables where our guests were seated, so I thought that it would be wise to share them with the students.

As it turns out, today was not about visiting with students (at least not in the usual manner).  Instead, I had a wonderful visit with the staff.  Before this visit though, I had a momentary encounter with one student who found himself sitting next to me for a few moments.  The look on his face told me that he was deep in thought, perhaps about the reasons why he was sitting where he was.

I ventured to ask how he was doing and he answered in a rather dejected tone: Not well.  The conversation that ensued was relatively stilted.  I knew that he wasn't going to tell me much, at least not unless there was some level of trust established first.  It wasn`t long before I noticed that he was cracking his neck (usually a sign of nervous energy), and I took this as an invitation to start a conversation about the fact that I too crack my knuckles.  Although still stilted, we did make our way through the conversation, speaking about the effects of this habit (including the possiblity of developing arthritis).  He almost appeared to be proud to show me how he could crack not only his fingers and his neck, but also his back, his ankles, and other joints in his body.

Before our conversation had drawn to a close, his teachers' aid arrived, accompanied by the school principal.  Our conversation came to an abrupt halt as the curtain of recognition seemed to be drawn to a swift close.  As he left the room, returning to class, I made sure to say goodbye, in hopes that a little bridge of hope might be maintained.

Trust is a very fragile thing.  Who knows whether this encounter will lead to further conversations.  Who knows whether there will be other opportunities.  For some in the world, there are very few such encounters, and the less there are, the more difficult it is to learn how to trust, but hope springs eternal because every child is a unique creation.  Every child deserves a chance to make a difference.  Thankfully, for this one child, there are teachers who care deeply about who he is, and about who he can become.  If only we could convince him of this truth, perhaps he could begin to believe in himself.

A word of thanks

By all reports, Monday evening's feast was a huge success.  From the moment that our guests arrived, they were wowed by the atmosphere that had been created.  No detail of the décor was overlooked, including napkins, chopsticks, cutlery (for the non-adventurous) and even table cards outlining the menu for the evening.

The professionalism of the evening continued in the persons of a group of high school youth who volunteered to be our wait staff.  Dressed in classic black, they added a definite note of elegance to the experience.  Students also staffed the coat check and even took tickets at the door.  Behind the scenes, there was a team of adults who were busy tending to the final details of the food preparation.

Upon their arrival, guests were invited to approach a punch bar, which throughout the night also boasted a variety of teas (green, black and red) as well as coffee for the dessert course.

A night of such magnitude doesn't happen without attention to the finer details; nor does it happen without many hands pitching in.  For all the hours contributed, for all the enthusiasm and for all the dedication to the success of this endeavour, a sincere thank you to all those who helped in small and not so small ways.

An oriental feast

When some of our guests arrived for Monday evening's feast, perhaps they were expecting to see a buffet cart, or at the very least, a series of warmers or chafing dishes.  Instead, we offered a five-course meal.  Every course was prepared with the belief that especially during the New Year celebration, abundance is a sign of great blessing.

First Course
It seems that no Chinese meal, and certainly no feast would be complete without a soup course.  For tonight's meal, we offered a mushroom Hot and Sour soup, and we offered an alternative in the form of a Chicken Corn soup.  This course was served in individual bowls, and our guests could choose which of the soups they preferred to sample. 

Second Course
Central to oriental cuisine is the dumpling.  For tonight's meal, we offered a mixture of Vietnamese and Chinese cuisine.  On the plate (or plates as it were) we had prepared Vietnamese Cha Gio (Spring Rolls), Goi Cuon (Summer Rolls) and Chinese Gyoza (otherwise known as Pot Stickers).  Accompanying the dumplings, we offered three dipping sauces, one for each of the dumplings and rolls.

Third Course
Although many might believe that pasta was invented by the Italians, the truth is that pasta existed in China many centuries before it was 'imported' to Italy.  On the menu for our feast, we offered a Chow Mein (a mixture of egg noodles, chicken, sausage and vegetables).  For presentation of this dish, we also added a variety of colourful shrimp chips.

Fourth Course
In many parts of China, people cannot afford to eat anything but vegetables, or perhaps a bit of seafood if it is easily available, but during the celebration of the Spring Festival no expenses are spared, including the treasured meat dishes.  For this meal, we offered a Five Spice-marinated Pork Loin accompanied by steamed Bok Choy and Jasmine rice. 

Fifth Course
Desserts are not very well known in China, however even this course can be presented for the waiting palate.  The final course for this feast was Dan Tat: egg custard tarts, accompanied by Orange cream and squares of Coconut, Mango and Taro gelatin.  To understand the extent of hospitality offered by this course, one must understand that eggs are not a normal part of the daily diet in China, however no expense is spared when celebration is in the air.

This Oriental Feast provided an opportunity for leisurely dining and for learning about the importance of the Spring Festival for all those who wish one another luck and fortune for a Happy New Year of the Water Dragon.

Gung hei fat choi

In China, and across the world, millions have been travelling for miles (or kilometers) to reach their homes in time for the two-week celebration of Chinese New Year.  On Monday evening of this week, the party began.

According to tradition, families gather for a meal which is shared on the first night of the festival, and then throughout the next two weeks, other visits and meals are shared among friends and extended family.  It is customary that even the poorest farmer must offer some hospitality to any visitor who happens by, even as simple as a cup of tea and a sweet or a dumpling.

The celebration of the Spring Festival also takes place in countries other than China, including in Vietnam, where the greeting of choice is chuc mung nam moi.  Three years ago, we welcomed a group of Vietnamese who arrived at our doorstep, having recently arrived from their homeland to work in this city.  Over the past number of years, we have had the privilege of getting to know them, and of learning about the traditions that are important to them, including the celebration of the New Year / Spring Festival.

On the first evening of the Festival, our parish hall was transformed into a place of celebration.  It is customary that along with wishes of Happy New Year, hopes for peace, joy, good luck and prosperity are expressed.

Monday night's décor expressed Chinese cultural tradition.  During the New Year celebrations, Chinese households are decorated with signs and posters, traditionally painted in black ink on lucky red paper, and the word foo (which means good luck and happiness) figures prominently among the symbols customarily used.  Flowers are used to adorn homes and to indicate the coming of Spring.  The colour red is important in Chinese culture as a symbol of prosperity.

Paper lanterns are hung, and dragon figures and symbols are used in decorations.  On the first evening of the Festival, the family sits together for dinner and enjoys a beautiful New Year feast.

One of the popular Chinese New Year traditions is the presentation of gifts to young children as symbols of good luck and prosperity.  Adults present red envelopes filled with money to their children, relatives and friends.  Since our celebration was also a fundraising effort for our building fund, lucky red envelopes were placed on our tables, and guests were invited to use them to donate toward the fruition of the tower renovation.  Of course, the donor of money, who placed funds in these red envelopes would do so in hope of gaining further luck and prosperity in the coming year.

At the centre of each table, we placed elements of Feng Shui (water, earth, fire and wind) all of which are central to Chinese daily life, functioning, health and good luck.

On vocation

What makes someone today want to follow in the footsteps of the Master?  Dare we to believe that the answer lies in the same place as it always has ... hearing the call, listening for guidance, and daring to respond in faith.  The classic role model: Jesus' call issued to the disciples of his time, is repeated in today's scriptures.

Here's my take on how to interpret it for today.  As always, it's available in podcast and text version:

Catch their attention

In the readings we have heard, both this Sunday and last, there is a common theme: they all speak of vocations.  Last Sunday, the scriptures spoke of the call of Samuel and about Jesus’ invitation issued to John’s disciples.  In today’s gospel, Jesus invites fishermen from the seashore to leave their nets and follow him, and in the first reading, we heard some the details of the call of the prophet Jonah.

Before reciting the Angelus after last Sunday’s morning Mass in the Vatican, the holy Father used the example of Samuel and the call of John’s disciples to speak of the importance of the role of a spiritual director, one who is able to accompany us in faith, helping us to listen to the voice of God, helping us to discern the call that is offered, helping us to perceive how we are being invited to be disciples in the world.

Each vocation, each call from God is an intimate, personal invitation which is gentle enough to reassure the questioning and seeking heart, and confident enough to hold a note of promise.  One of the characteristics of an authentic call to vocation is that it often begins as a gentle whisper, difficult at times to hear because of other more dominant voices, but persistent enough that eventually, when the promises of the more dominant voices prove to be shallow, the whisper is still there.

This whisper sometimes invites us to radical change.  It must have been difficult for Simon and Andrew to believe the words spoken by Jesus: Come, follow me and I will make you fishers of my people.  These were fishermen, accustomed to setting out in their boats, to casting nets, to hauling in the bounty of the sea.  The imagery of Jesus words must have made them sit up and listen, or at the very least, it made them curious about what he might mean.  In any case, it was enough for them to leave their boats, to walk away from the livelihood they had known, and to embark on a new road. 

Another of the characteristics of an authentic call of this nature is that it often challenges us to grow, by inviting us to consider something we’ve never considered before, or something that we’ve always thought of as beyond our reach.  The prophet Jonah was still a young boy, when the word of the Lord came to him: Get up, go to Nieveh.  Here again, the invitation might have seemed to him to be something well beyond his wildest imaginings.  Nineveh was an exceedingly large city, so the voice of one young boy would have seemed rather insignificant, yet God asked him to call out a warning, and they listened.

Children in our elementary schools look up to the adults in their lives, especially those who are sincerely concerned for their wellbeing.  Teenagers in our high schools can quickly decipher the peers and adults in their lives who are genuinely committed to helping them to become all they can be.  There is a truth at the heart of discernment that cuts through all the layers of life, through every smoke screen that can ever be erected.  This truth speaks to the heart.  This truth inspires confidence.  This truth is the heart of every authentic call to vocation, whether that is for a poet to write, for a musician to sing, for an artist to paint, for a craftsman to craft, or for a disciple to put down his fishing net and follow in the footsteps of an itinerant preacher who calls him to a new stage in life.

Today, if this truth is being spoken in our hearts, we must not ignore it.  We must listen to it.  We must follow it, even if it calls us to leave everything behind.  The Sea of Galilee, upon which these first disciples were fishermen, is today all but void of fish, yet the words spoken by Jesus and by his disciples, the example of their actions and the lives they gave to spreading the gospel still speak to our generation.  In quiet and not so quiet voices, Jesus still calls to the hearts of today’s disciples, Come, follow me and I will make you fishers, miners, artists and craftsmen of and for my people.  The question is, what will it take for him to catch our attention?

Lambs to the rescue

Today in Rome, in the Chapel of Saint Urban VIII, two lambs were presented to the Holy Father.  Every year, on this day, the Liturgical Memorial of Saint Agnes, this offering is made.  The Holy Father blesses them and then the lambs are shorn.  Once they are shorn, the wool resulting from these lambs' coats will be used to create the pallia which will be presented to newly-named Archbishops in a few months' time.

The Pallium is a liturgical symbol of honor and of jurisdiction, entrusted by the Holy Father to all Metropolitan Archbishops.  The rite of Imposition of Pallia takes place on the Liturgical Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, June 29, in Saint Peter's Basilica.

Now for something different

On December 30 of this past year, the Holy Father appointed His Excellency, Noël Simard, until then Auxiliary Bishop of Sault Ste. Marie as the new Bishop of Valleyfield, Quebec.  While Bishop Simard now moves on to a new responsibility, there is a vacancy left in the postion he leaves.

Almost within the same breath as the announcement of the new Shepherd of Valleyfield was made, questions began to be asked about who would fill the void left in the Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie.  The decision about how to proceed is up to His Excellency, Jean-Louis Plouffe, the Bishop of Sault Ste. Marie.

Bishop Plouffe explained the next steps of his plan to a reporter who filed a story, now published as of yesterday in the Sudbury Star (and affiliated newspapers in the diocese).  In short, it is up to the Bishop to decide whether he will ask the Holy Father to appoint another Auxiliary Bishop, or whether he will chose some other way of exercising the pastoral governance of the diocese entrusted to his care.

There are pros and cons to both sides.  Bishops can ask for Auxiliaries to be appointed if they can demonstrate a need for assistance with the leadership of their diocese.  In this diocese, there have traditionally been two Auxiliaries (one English-speaking and the other Francophone) assisting the Bishop with his duties.  To this end, one might expect that the pattern would continue, but it appears that we're about to embark on a new path.

In the coming months, Bishop Plouffe will appoint some of his priests to act as Episcopal Vicars.  In effect, this means that while they will continue to function as pastors of their respective parishes, some of our priests will be asked to assist the Bishop with some of the tasks associated with the governance of the diocese.  In particular, responsibilities (of Episcopal Vicars) will include acting as liaisons with Catholic school boards, health institutions, hospitals and nursing and retirement homes, presiding over the sacrament of confirmation if Plouffe is unable to attend, occasionally act as the bishop's representative for certain functions and implement diocesan pastoral programs and practices.

One major difference though between a bishop and a priest who is acting as Episcopal Vicar is that an auxiliary bishop can, with the bishop's permission, ordain a priest or deacon. An episcopal vicar cannot. In addition,Plouffe will choose one of the episcopal vicars to be the diocese's vicar general, or second in charge if he becomes incapacitated. An auxiliary bishop automatically assumes that responsibility but in the case of priests, the Office must be explicitly assigned.  Appointments to the Office of Episcopal Vicar, which will last for two year terms, are expected to be announced in the coming months.

A dream in the making

This week is observed (at least in Canada) as the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.  Every year, for the period of one week (seven days), all the ecclesial communities representing different parts of the Church are encouraged to pray for unity.

Why?  The story stretches back to the 16th century and the Reform, during which many of the Protestant churches (Anglicans, Presbyterians, Penticostals, Baptists, and later the United Church of Canada) were born.  The truth is that this was a very painful period in the Church's history, and ever since then, we have dreamed of the day when we might be re-united ... but ruptures are not easy to mend.

In Rome, the Holy Father spoke of this theme as well during his weekly General Audience.  The path to Christian unity requires more than being nice to each other and cooperating, he said. Full and visible unity will require transformation and being conformed to the image of Christ.  

• Full text of the Holy Father's address (in Italian) 
• ZENITs translation
• Greetings to English-speaking pilgrims
• Video of the General Audience held Wednesday, January 18, 2012

The Week of Prayer concludes on Sunday of this week.  In the meanwhile various efforts at calling the community of Christians to pray for unity continue.

Changes afoot

Last week, all was well (normal that is) but as evening cast its hews over the landscape, news was breaking in one of the neighbouring parishes that major changes are coming.

The parish of the Most Holy Redeemer has been in existence since 1949, and since that time, there have always been members of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (otherwise known as Redemptorists) here ... but those days are about to come to a close.

In a letter published on Saturday evening, Rev. Mark Miller, C.Ss.R., Provincial Superior for the Edmonton-Toronto Province of the Redemptorists (effectively the boss of all Redemptorists living and exercising ministry in Canada) explained that the Congregation will withdraw from serving the parish of Holy Redeemer as of August 1, 2012.

The months ahead will not be easy, for the congregation and for the priests who have established such deep roots in this city and in that parish, so we will need to keep them all in our prayer.  Change is never easy, but it is necessary at times.  With friends to walk the road together, perhaps the change will be just a bit more bearable.

The next step

Some stories seem to be never-ending.  Take for instance the process of reorganization and restructuring of parishes and resources which has been ongoing for the better part of a decade or so in these parts.  Most recently, under the guidance of the diocesan administration, certain parishes in our territory were asked to conduct a series of feasibility studies and to provide statistical information about the life of their communities.  This information would then form a part of the decision making process which would lead to a strategic plan for good (or better) use of our resources as we prepare for the coming months and years.

This most recent round of visioning and the resulting decisions which were presented more than a year ago now caused understandable anxiety to a number of individuals, but nowhere more so (it would seem) than with a group of individuals who took their cause to the highest courts in the Church.

The process has been a long and arduous ordeal, but finally today, the Bishop's Office issued a Press Release outlining the decision recently rendered by the Vatican Congregation for the Clergy, the competent authority who has now revewed the case and rendered its judgement.

In effect, the decision rendered finds in favor of the Diocese, saying that the Bishop did indeed follow all the necessary steps involved in making such a complex decision, and believes that the recourse mounted is unacceptable.  While the applicants in this case always have the option of appealing the decision to the Vatican's highest Court (the Roman Rota), it remains to be seen whether this will indeed come to pass.

What will it take?

It's cloudy today.  The weather forecast is calling for snow.  It's cold enough to snow, and if it does, we'll go out and shovel the driveway.  If it does, we'll 'fix it', so that we can continue to go on, right?

What would we do if we couldn't 'fix' it?  Conversations about protecting the environment have been going on around tables of all sizes and in all places across the globe for a long time now, but I wonder what it will take to make the subjects of such conversations move away from the realm of words.  Perhaps it takes the simple empassioned plea of a young child to reach the hearts of those who can make a difference.



Or maybe we'll just keep talking.

Where is it?

On Thursday of this week, the Church in Canada observed the Memorial of Sainte-Marguerite Bourgeois, the first Canadian woman to be named a Saint.  She dedicated her life to education, and spent a great amount of energy establishing and nurturing relationships with Canada's First Nations peoples.

In recogntion of the importance of her work, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops launched a new section of its website this week, on her feast day.  According to the press release listed on the CCCB website, there is a new section which has been added to the Bishops' website dedicated to the Catholic Church and Indigenous Peoples in Canada.

I wonder whether this means that plans are in the works for an entirely new section of the CCCBs website to be established and dedicated to Canada's First Nations.  Some dioceses in the country have already established such links, so it might stand to reason that there is room for more.

From the children

Last Sunday, the Church celebrated the Solemnity of the Epiphany, and children of this parish were invited to consider what it was like for the Magi to travel such long distances in order to visit with the new-born Christ child.

When asked to describe the chosen mode of transportation, they explained that camels are stinky, stubborn animals that spit.  They rock when they walk.  It must have been very difficult for the Magi to travel by camel.  Given all this, it is even more amazing that they took the long way home (on a camel) in order to avoid Herod.  It must not have been a very pleasant ride, so it must have been very important that they make this trek.

The scriptures for today (the Second Sunday of Ordinary Time) speak of vocation.  I wonder what wisdom our little ones will iimpart.

Just passing by

The wisdom of the one who wrote the Fourth Gospel invites us today to discover some truths about encountering Jesus: the one who has the power to change our lives if we dare to get to know him.  This invitation is issued on the day of our baptism, and is renewed every day.  All we need to do is respond by listening.  The rest is already taken care of, and the possibilities are endless.

This reflection, offered to the people who pray in this place, is also available for others who encounter it here, both in podcast version and in text:

In pursuit of holiness

This weekend, at the last of the liturgies celebrated with this community, we will welcome two newcomers: children who are being presented by their parents.  Every time we celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism, I for one see it as an opportunity to learn a lesson about what God is asking, not only of parents, but of this entire community.  Whether they realize it or not, parents who bring their children to a church and ask for them to be baptised, are responding to a call which they themselves have heard ever since the day of their own baptism.

It is God who awakens the gift of faith in our hearts, just as he taught Eli the sound of his voice, just as he made himself known to Samuel by calling his name in the dark of night.  At this first encounter, we are told that Samuel was asleep.  I wonder whether the same is not true of those of our own age who exist from day to day but who are deaf to the sound of God’s voice calling them by name.  Only when Samuel was able to recognize the voice and respond to it, was he able to grow in wisdom.  Similarly, if we are able to listen for God’s voice in the dark of our nights, and respond accordingly, we too can grow in His wisdom.

Like Samuel, before we can learn how to listen to God’s voice, we must first meet him.  Our first encounter needs to be guided by someone who can point the way, someone who can guide us and teach us how to recognize him.  The gospel passage for today’s liturgy provides us yet another example of this truth.

John’s account tells us that the Baptist and two of his followers saw Jesus walk by.  In order to understand the wisdom of this particular gospel passage, we need to first remember that there were often double meanings to John’s words.  In this case, perhaps Jesus did indeed physically walk by the Baptist and his disciples, but more importantly, Jesus came to meet them, to invite them to follow him, and the Baptist, who had previously encountered Jesus was able to point him out.  As they grow, children need their parents to provide for their physical needs, but they also need their parents, their godparents and others to point out Jesus when he passes by.  We do this by teaching them to pray in our homes, by bringing them to the Church and by helping them to understand that every day we live is a gift from God.

Once children have been taught how to listen for the voice of God, they too will want to get to know him more.  Like the disciples who asked about where Jesus lived, today’s children too will want to see for themselves where he is to be found.  This quest will lead them to ask questions which in turn will lead them to discover the power of his loving forgiveness and to the great gift of the Eucharist, and all because Jesus responds with an invitation: Come and see.  Throughout our lives, this invitation is repeated, so that if we have the eyes to see it, we are able to marvel at God’s presence in our world.  He is present in the wonder and excitement of a toddler, in the challenging questions posed by a teenager, in the exhilaration of newfound love and in the quiet assurance of companionship with one we trust unreservedly.

Once we ourselves have found the place where our Teacher is to be found, not only will we want to always return to this place where we can listen to his voice and where all the questions of our lives can be and are answered, we will also want to invite others to discover it.  Listening to this voice allowed Paul to call the Christians of his time to a new appreciation for God’s wisdom, and to a new understanding that even the bodies we have been given in this life are gifts from him, meant to be seen as precious reminders of his abiding love for us.  Listening to this voice prompted Andrew to call his brother Peter to listen for it as well, and to be formed by its wisdom.  Listening to this voice might even prompt us to respond to a call which we have heard … ever since the day of our own baptism.

Ever new

Little steps that are repeated can and often do build one upon another, and before we know it, great things begin to happen.  True, the first steps may be tentative, and the result may be a while in coming, but patience often pays off.

This lesson can be learned through experience.  It can also be learned through the simplicity of every-day chores, done with diligence and with determination.  Evidence the experience of a pot of panatunies.  This story is told by an unknown contributor:


A pot of panatunies
As many times before, my gardening rituals brought about some thoughts. The other day I learned a lesson; but not one of which I didn't already know. The lesson just became clearer because of my hands-on experience.

We have a large pot of panatunies growing in our back yard. You might ask, "What are panatunies?" When our daughter was about 3 years old she proclaimed the name of our petunias by combining the name pansies and petunias. We have used that name ever since to describe our petunias.

Just like roses, if you want more blooms to occur on your petunias, you need to snap off the dried up buds. I don't mind at all dead-heading petunias or roses; in fact it's rather relaxing. So here I was working with this big pot of petunias which are a beautiful deep purple. As I was standing on one side of the pot I picked all the dead ones I could see, and thought I was through. However as I began to move around the pot I began to see more and more of them. For awhile I thought I would never finish. I began to lift up the stems to discover more underneath.

The result I am always trying to bring about is to help maintain a nice looking pot of panatunies. This work always rewards me with new blooms. A few days of laziness had got me to this place and I was paying the price.

The thought that came to me is that if we procrastinate, we pay a price or even worse. We may have to do something over and over to keep the beauty of what we want to accomplish.

In other words, change your perception, your view. Heck, stand at a different spot if you have to. There are times (sometimes many) that you feel you're going around in circles picking off old dried blooms, but what you are really doing is clearing up old negative garbage and being persistent trying out new ideas.

If you want your life to look and feel great there are times that you may have to do something over and over while you're looking under your old beliefs and picking them off to bring forth new and vibrant ones.

Ideas with right action equal a great life, but if you don't feel you're there yet then go back to the pot of panatunies and start over again. You will then find your life enriched with new vibrant blooms.

Paving the way

Here's a rare sight.  Guyana is one of the poorest countries in the world.  Reportedly, it is perhaps the poorest of all South American countries, and yet there are signs of hope.  In recent years, there have been more and more efforts expended to show the rest of the world that this forgotten land is worth exploring.

Even among the locals, there are signs of enterprise, such as the road that has been constructed between the capital city, Georgetown and the south-western town of Lethem.  To understand the enormity of this project, one must understand that while the capital city is located on the Atlantic coast, the road in question passes through some of the most densely wooded areas of the world: the northern reaches of the Amazon rainforest.  Yet, the road represents promise for the people of the interior, and for the possibility of trade with Brazil, located to the south.

In May of 2010, New York Times reporter Simon Romero published a video article presenting the Road to Georgetown: the road, that is, that now stretches between the two extremities of South America's only English-speaking nation.

Signs of progress being shown to the world.

From another's perspective

Sometimes, we have things right in front of our eyes, and don't even notice them.

There is a practice in this parish which dates back a number of years (I really don't know how many), of Adoration of the Exposed Blessed Sacrament.  Every Friday, the Adoration begins after the completion of the noon Mass and continues until 3:00pm.  The rule is that there must be at least one person adoring at all times, otherwise, the Blessed Sacrament should not be left in the monstrance.

In some parts of the world, a period of exposition draws crowds; in other parts, it seems to be an occasion for just a few to spend some quality time with Our Lord.  Perhaps that's the trick though.  I wonder how many people realize that this is a privileged time, an occasion to spend a moment before the Lord in prayer.  If more of us understood this, perhaps things would be a bit different.

But don't trust my ramblings on this subject.  Instead, here's the testimony of another, posted in an online publication called Catholic Exchange.  For ease of readership, the text of some of her article is reprinted below:

Last summer's motor vacation took us through Door County, Wisconsin and my husband and I stopped for Sunday Mass at St. Rosalia's, the  Stella Maris parish in Sister Bay.

Something unusual happened the day we visited that parish.  After genuflecting, we slipped into a row and leaned forward to lower the kneelers. There were no kneelers to lower.

It was the Solemnity of Corpus Christi. And we were in a Catholic church, but we wouldn’t be kneeling at the moment of Consecration – the very moment that the Corpus Christi would come to us in the Eucharist.  My heart ached for kneelers. Doesn’t that sound strange coming from a former Protestant who spent forty years in churches that didn’t have kneelers?

I wondered as I sat there. Why had they left out kneelers when they built this church? I guessed that the decision had been made in an attempt to welcome visitors. This area of Wisconsin had its share of tourists. I suspected that the parishioners had hoped to welcome anyone and everyone.

I visited a few Catholic churches as a child. On those rare occasions, I did think the kneelers were a strange addition to a sanctuary. Kneelers were part of the list of Catholic oddities that included incense, bells, and statues.

So why was my heart heavy on that Solemnity of Corpus Christi? If I could live without kneelers for forty years, surely I could worship without them during this one Mass.  But there’s one thing that changes everything for me. That one thing is Jesus Christ, Our Eucharistic Lord.

I came to the Catholic Church with a love for Christ, and when I grasped the Truth – that this same Christ was truly present in the Eucharist -  everything changed.

I thought of St. Paul’s letters. To the Romans, he writes, “As I live, every knee shall bend, and every tongue shall give praise to God.” To the Philippians, St. Paul writes, “that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend in heaven and on earth.”

That day in Door County, I knew that this same Lord would come to all of us. And there was no kneeler upon which to bend our knees. At the end of Mass, the priest made an announcement. “There are envelopes in the pews if you wish to make a donation for kneelers. We want to comply fully with our Bishop’s mandate for every parish in the diocese to have kneelers,” he said.  I blinked back tears. This bishop was a shepherd after St. Paul’s own heart! And I pulled out my checkbook and wrote a check.
I understand the desire to make all people feel welcome. And I remember all too well what it was like to see the kneelers and not understand. To watch the incense going up, to hear the bells and not know that Jesus Christ had just arrived.  Just bells for no reason. Incense to be different. Kneelers to pray when I could pray while standing or sitting, whether indoors or outside.

But if you had asked me what I would do if Jesus Christ walked through the door, if Jesus came to me in the Flesh and stood before me – even back then I would have smiled and answered without hesitation.

I’d hit my knees.

There is one thing in the Mass that changes everything. Jesus Christ comes to us really and truly- Corpus Christi. All praise, glory, honor, and power belong to Our Lord.

God bless the bishops for reminding us: We have the Body of Christ.

The full text of this reflection, entitled If there are no kneelers, is it a Catholic Church, can be found on the Catholic Exchange website.

In the shadows

Every child has played at shadow puppets, and those who haven't either have secretly wanted to, or should.  In most cases, shadow puppets are obvious signs of empty hands getting into mischief, but every so often, there's a group of people who have enough commitment to make shadows look quite creative.  In fact, they could even be used to promote tourism.

Check it out ... and enjoy!

Say farewell

Just a few weeks ago, the Holy Father announced the appointment of a new bishop for the Diocese of Valleyfield (Quebec).  The chosen shepherd is His Excellency, Noël Simard, until now Titular Bishop of Nova Sinna and Auxiliary Bishop of Sault Ste. Marie.

The normal routine followed when a new appointment is made is that the Bishop in question has a period of three months from the date of his appointment after which he must be resident in his new diocese.  Plans are fast and furiously being put into place, even as we speak.

Just yesterday, details of a farewell Mass and reception which will be held in honour of Bishop Noël were announced.

Bishop Jean-Louis Plouffe invites all parishioners to a Thanksgiving/Farewell bilingual Mass for Bishop Noël Simard (which will take place on) Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at Ste-Anne-des-Pins church (14 Beech Street, Sudbury) beginning at 7:00pm.


A reception in the parish hall will follow to wish Bishop Simard well on his new appointment as Bishop of Valleyfield, Quebec.


All are invited to participate in this celebration.

The date for Bishop Simard's installation as the eighth shepherd of Valleyfiled will take place on Thursday, February 23, 2011 in the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Cecilia, located in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield.

So large ... so small

I've heard of miniature villages, usually relegated to the ranks of tourist attractions.  I've even seen a mini town nestled in a hilltop (located somewhere along the roadway that winds along the Amalfi Coast in Southern Italy), but what happens when miniature sculpture is combined with extensive behind-the-scenes technology?  Answer: a Miniature Wonderland.  Believe it or not, here it is:

When Cardinals are created

A few days ago, we received the news that one of the Canadian Bishops will be created a Cardinal next month.  Along with 21 others chosen from various parts of the world, Thomas Collins, Archbishop of Toronto will be given the Red Hat during a ceremony presided over by the Holy Father himself.

In preparation for the Consistory (the ceremony of investiture of newly-appointed Cardinals) scheduled to take place on February 18, 2012, the Vatican's spokesman announced yesterday some details about the liturgies which will be celebrated.  In short, there will be a few changes adopted so that the two days of formal celebrations will be somewhat more streamlined.

Each newly-created Cardinals will receive a red beretta and a ring from the hands of the Holy Father.  In addition, each will be assigned a rank within the College of Cardinals (distinctions vary between Cardinal Deacons, Cardinal Priests and Cardinal Bishops), and a Cardinatial church.  Since the tradition of the Church dictates that the Pope is elected by the clergy of Rome, each Cardinal that is created is assigned a titular church, located within the city of Rome.

With this list of appointments, there are now two resident Cardinals living in Canada (the Archbishops of Toronto and Montreal), as well as one Canadian Cardinal who is curently serving as Prefect of the Vatican Congregation for Bishops and President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.

Welcome the Year of the Dragon

As readers of these pages know, the parish where I am currently serving has recently undergone some major renovation to our bell towers.  The work lasted through the summer months, and with any luck, the last parts (the louvers at the top of the towers) will be installed by the end of Spring 2012.  Work of this magnitude doesn't come cheaply, and as a result, we have to get creative if we can ever hope to pay off the debt we incurred in order to bring this restoration to fruition.

For the past four years, we've been involved in a number of fundraising projects, and now we're ready to tell you about the most recent of these endeavours.

January 23, 2011 will mark the beginning of the Chinese New Year celebrations.  The coming year is designated as the Year of the Dragon, and we're ready to welcome it in style.

In China, no one celebrates birthdays.  Instead, everyone takes two weeks away from the regular routines of life to spend time with family and with loved ones.  This is a time for festivals, for banquets and for celebrating.  Even the poorest of peasants will offer a guest some kind of hospitality.  A cup of tea and a simple dumpling or snack may be the extent of the hospitality that can be offered, but it will be offered cheerfully during the New Year celebration.

Parishioners at the Church of Christ the King will welcome the Year of the Dragon by hosting a special feast which will be held in our parish hall on Monday evening, January 23.  Together with the members of our 'family' we will begin the celebrations of this special time of year, and enjoy a scrumptious meal at the same time.

Since this is a fundraiser event, we invite friends and family to join us.  Tickets can be purchased either on-line or at the parish office.  For more information about this feast, contact us by email or call (705) 674-6447.

Epiphany: Little Christmas

Ever since I was a little one, I remember people referring to today's feast day as either the Epiphany or as Little Christmas.  As it turns out, Little Christmas (traditionally observed on January 6) is also Christmas Eve for those who follow the Jullian calendar (like the Ukrainian Catholics, and all those who count themselves among the Eastern branches of the Catholic Church or the Orthodox Church.

While our Eastern relatives are celebrating Christmas, the Latin Church observes the Epiphany, the appearnace of God made flesh to the Magi (or as some references put it, to the Gentiles).  Here then is my reflection about this feast.  Whether in podcast format or in print, I hope that it helps you to pray:

Follow the star

For the past couple of weeks, many of us have been travelling.  Some for just a few days, and others for the entire period of the Christmas break.  Some travelled to their destinations on foot, and others used other modes of transportation.  Destinations may have been as close as the next door neighbour or as distant as the other side of the world.  No matter how near or far, every time travel is involved, there are preparations to be made, routes to be planned, transportation to be arranged.

Regardless of the details involved, travel is relatively easy these days. At least it’s easier now than it would have been at the time when the wise men from the East came to Jerusalem asking ‘Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews?’  As if fulfilling the prophesy of Isaiah (see today’s first reading), these unexpected visitors arrived in the metropolis of Jerusalem, and then continued their search until they found Joseph, Mary and the newborn child.  Who were these travellers?  What was their story?

The Magi might have been practitioners of Eastern mystical traditions, perhaps Babylonian astrologers or Arabian magicians.  Perhaps they were just rich adventure seekers.  If they were living in the twenty-first century, these would be the modern-day Phileas Foggs, travelling the world aboard yachts and cruise liners, or streaking across the skies in search of the next exotic port of call.  These are the ones who would have paid money to be aboard the manned rocket that lifted off from China in the past week or so, destined for the moon.

The story of the ancient travellers from the East is retold and reflected upon each year, even though we have been so separated by time from them, perhaps because there is still a part of their story that is found within each of us.  The wise men were and are much more than simply ancient nomads in search of a thrill.  They followed the signs that pointed them to the Christ-child, and they show us too how to find the star that guides us to Him.

This star still shines in our night skies.  This star is still visible in our world today.  At times, our work may be to polish the star and make it shine when it has been obscured by clouds of doubt. This week, the media is abuzz with reports of the sentencing of a Catholic Bishop from Nova Scotia who was arrested two years ago for possession of child pornography.  It seems that the darkness of scandal and suspicion are in desperate need of a star to provide some guidance.  Eight months ago, the bishop in question asked permission to begin serving a prison sentence, in anticipation of the sentence that would be handed down this week.  A few days ago, the judge granted release (with conditions attached) based on the fact that the time already served is adequate for the crimes committed.  There is still the matter though of the penalty that will be imposed by the Church.  He must now wait to discover what that will entail.  In the meanwhile, he has admitted his error, and is on the road to dealing with the consequences. 

As for the people of the diocese he once served, there is understandable disillusionment and doubt there too.  The work of healing will not come easily.  Perhaps the best gift that we can offer them is the assurance of our compassion, understanding and prayer.  At times such as these, ours is the privilege of pointing out to restless searchers of our time, the star of faith that still shines in the heavens.

Admittedly, sometimes we ourselves are the ones out in the cold, dark night, needing to get back on track, needing to find our way back aboard the camel so that we can follow the star again, until it leads us to the Christ-child who brings life and joy for the whole world.  We can only hope and pray that if this happens, there are others who will remind us that there is good news in which we ought to hope, for we are all members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus, through the Gospel.

Guidelines for a Year of Faith

This morning in Rome, the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith published guidelines which are meant to help the Church prepare for a special Year of Faith which will be obeserved from October 11, 2012 to November 24, 2013.

These recommendations are meant to assist Bishops and others to plan various projects which will help the people in our pews to discover or to rekindle their faith.  The note explains some of the measures that are being put into place in order to favor the growth of faith at all levels of the Church.  The fruit of these guidelines will come to be known in the next few months.  Stay tuned.  It should be interesting to see how it all works out.

Think positive

Some days are challenging, but every day should be an opportunity for discovering something positive, and there's always a positive side, if we have the eyes to see:

• Living on earth can be an expensive proposition, but it does include a free annual trip around the sun
• The length of a minute depends on which side of the bathroom door you're on
• Birthdays are good for you; the more you have, the longer you've lived
• Happiness comes through doors you didn't know you'd left open
• Have you ever noticed that the people who are late are often much happier than the people who've had to wait for them?
• Most of us go to our graves with our music still inside
• If Wal-Mart is always lowering prices, why is nothing free yet?
• You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the world to one person
• Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once
• Don't cry becasue it's over; smile because it happened
• We could learn alot from crayons: some are sharp, some are pretty, some are dull, some have wierd names and all are different colours, but they all exist very nicely in the same box
• A truly happy person can even enjoy the scenery on a detour

It's all in the way you look at things.

Christ is born

While many in the Latin-rite Church celebrated the Epiphany today, this evening, the Eastern Church begins the celebration of the liturgical season of Christmas.  As is their tradition, parishioners at the local Ukrainian Catholic Church gathered tonight to celebrate.  Others who are celebrating Christmas tonight include the various branches of the Eastern Orthodox Chuch and the Eastern Rites of the Catholic Church.

Present at the celebration of the Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom were a number of the Latin-rite priests of the city.  This was a rare opportunity for us to celebrate together.  In the words of one of the Ukrainian priests, it takes such a celebration as this to bring the priests of the city together.

As we moved through the celebration of this liturgy, I couldn't help noticing the language of this Eastern liturgy, and how similar the wording is to the revised language of the Latin-rite Mass.  In reality, this was a moment for all of us present to realize that when we are given such opportunities for celebrating together, we can better appreciate the beauty, the diversity and the rich heritage that is ours in faith.

Christ is Born!  Let us adore Him!

Cardinal TC

January 6 is the liturgical Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord.  In Canada, this Feast is transferred to the nearest Sunday (thus we will observe it in just two days' time) but in Rome, there is a Papal Mass celebrated in the Basilica of Saint Peter.

At 9:30am local time, the liturgy began.  In the course of the celebration, the Holy Father pronounced his homily and as is his custom, greeted the gathered pilgrims at the end of the liturgy before pronouncing the words of the Angelus.

Today, in addition to his regular Angelus greeting, His Holiness also announced that there will be a Consistory held on February 18 of this year, during which 22 newly appointed Cardinals will receive the red hat.  These newly named Cardinals come from all parts of the world, including the Archdiocese of Toronto (Canada).

In addition to their responsibilities to assist the Successor of Peter in his duty to confirm the faithful in faith and to be first and foremost a sign of unity and communion in the Church, Cardinals who have not yet celebrated their 80th birthday are called upon to elect the Successor of Peter when the current Pope dies.

Archbishop Thomas Christopher Collins will now join the 108 others who are considered Cardinal electors.  In total, there are 192 living Cardinals, all of whom are consulted at various times and in various circumstances in order to seek wisdom and guidance as major decisions must be made.

The formal investiture of the newly appointed Cardinals will take place in Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome on February 18, 2011.

Looking for answers

Yesterday was a day for questions.

As it turns out, there were stories of two Catholic bishops in the news.  The first concerned the former Bishop of Antigonish, who has been in the news across Canada in recent months, ever since he was stopped by Border Control officials at the Ottawa airport for posession of child pornography.  Two years and some months later, he was officially sentenced yesterday, but the judge freed him from prison because he has already served his time.

Although his time in court is now complete, he still has to wait for the Vatican's decision to be rendered.  Archbishop Martin Currie (Saint John's, NF) explained to CBC News that  There are three possibilities. First would be dismissal from the clerical state altogether. Secondly, he could be sentenced to a life of prayer and penance in a monastery, which in a sense would be house arrest. A third would be that he may be able to celebrate eucharist privately, but he would not be able to identify himself as a cleric by title, by address or by association.

Meanwhile, the Vatican accepted a resignation from pastoral governance presented by one of the Auxiliary Bishops of Los Angeles yesterday, following his own admission that he has fathered two children who are now teenagers.  Although the Eastern rites of the Church do permit their clergy to be married, Roman Catholic clergy have taken vows or promises to live celebate lives, at least since the seventh century.

Many modern-day Catholics have been disillusioned by the human frailty among the Church's leadership which has been brought to the light of public scrutiny over the past number of years.  The Church in Canada, and in other parts of the world has put into place a number of protocols and measures to deal with cases of sexual abuse.  In and of itself, no protocols will repair the damage done to the trust of those who have watched this reality unfold, but every measure of protection is worth the effort because every human being is created in the image and likeness of God.

This morning, the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith issued an explanatory note in which it announced the forthcoming publication (due on Saturday of this week) of guidelines and recommendations for the observance of a special Year of Faith which will take place from October 11, 2012 to November 24, 2013.

Faced with the doubts which are resident in so many hearts, especially in light of the evidence of human frailty, it is perhaps a sign of hope that the Church is being invited to a special time of grace and deepening of our faith.  We can only hope and pray that this will also be a time of healing and of renewal for disheartened and wounded souls.

Pray for peace

Every year, on January 1, the Holy Father publishes his New Year message.  Like the custom of Royalty, these words are shared with all the faithful throughout the world.  In the tradition of the Church, January 1 is the day dedicated to the Liturgical Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God, but it also serves as the World Day for Peace.  The Pope's words provide a snapshot of the world as it is currently, and issues a call for peace, especially in troubled areas.

Here's this year's version:

HOMILY OF HIS HOLINESS, BENEDICT XVI
proclaimed during the celebration of the Mass for the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God

Dear Brothers and Sisters!

On the first day of the year, the liturgy resounds in the Church throughout the world with the ancient priestly blessing that we heard during today’s first reading: "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace" (Num 6:24-26). This blessing was entrusted by God, through Moses, to Aaron and his sons, that is, to the priests of the people of Israel. It is a triple blessing filled with light, radiating from the repetition of the name of God, the Lord, and from the image of his face. In fact, in order to be blessed, we have to stand in God’s presence, take his Name upon us and remain in the cone of light that issues from his Face, in a space lit up by his gaze, diffusing grace and peace.

This was the very experience that the shepherds of Bethlehem had, who reappear in today’s Gospel. They had the experience of standing in God’s presence, they received his blessing not in the hall of a majestic palace, in the presence of a great sovereign, but in a stable, before a "babe lying in a manger" (Lk 2:16). From this child, a new light issues forth, shining in the darkness of the night, as we can see in so many paintings depicting Christ’s Nativity. Henceforth, it is from him that blessing comes, from his name – Jesus, meaning "God saves" – and from his human face, in which God, the almighty Lord of heaven and earth, chose to become incarnate, concealing his glory under the veil of our flesh, so as to reveal fully to us his goodness (cf. Tit 3:4).

The first to be swept up by this blessing was Mary the virgin, the spouse of Joseph, chosen by God from the first moment of her existence to be the mother of his incarnate Son. She is the "blessed among women" (Lk 1:42) – in the words of Saint Elizabeth’s greeting. Her whole life was spent in the light of the Lord, within the radius of his name and of the face of God incarnate in Jesus, the "blessed fruit of her womb". This is how Luke’s Gospel presents her to us: fully intent upon guarding and meditating in her heart upon everything concerning her son Jesus (cf. Lk 2:19, 51). The mystery of her divine motherhood that we celebrate today contains in superabundant measure the gift of grace that all human motherhood bears within it, so much so that the fruitfulness of the womb has always been associated with God’s blessing. The Mother of God is the first of the blessed, and it is she who bears the blessing; she is the woman who received Jesus into herself and brought him forth for the whole human family. In the words of the liturgy: "without losing the glory of virginity, [she] brought forth into the world the eternal light, Jesus Christ our Lord" (Preface I of the Blessed Virgin Mary).

Mary is the mother and model of the Church, who receives the divine Word in faith and offers herself to God as the "good soil" in which he can continue to accomplish his mystery of salvation. The Church also participates in the mystery of divine motherhood, through preaching, which sows the seed of the Gospel throughout the world, and through the sacraments, which communicate grace and divine life to men. The Church exercises her motherhood especially in the sacrament of Baptism, when she generates God’s children from water and the Holy Spirit, who cries out in each of them: "Abba, Father!" (Gal 4:6). Like Mary, the Church is the mediator of God’s blessing for the world: she receives it in receiving Jesus and she transmits it in bearing Jesus. He is the mercy and the peace that the world, of itself, cannot give, and which it needs always, at least as much as bread.

Dear friends, peace, in the fullest and highest sense, is the sum and synthesis of all blessings. So when two friends meet, they greet one another, wishing each other peace. The Church too, on the first day of the year, invokes this supreme good in a special way; she does so, like the Virgin Mary, by revealing Jesus to all, for as Saint Paul says, "He is our peace" (Eph 2:14), and at the same time the "way" by which individuals and peoples can reach this goal to which we all aspire. With this deep desire in my heart, I am glad to welcome and greet all of you who have come to Saint Peter’s Basilica on this 45^th World Day of Peace: Cardinals, Ambassadors from so many friendly countries, who more than ever on this happy occasion share with me and with the Holy See the desire for renewed commitment to the promotion of peace in the world; the President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, who with the Secretary and the officials of the Dicastery work in a particular way towards this goal; the other Bishops and Authorities present; the representatives of ecclesial Associations and Movements and all of you, brothers and sisters, especially those among you who work in the field of educating the young. Indeed – as you know – the role of education is what I highlighted in my Message for this year.



"Educating Young People in Justice and Peace" is a task for every generation, and thanks be to God, after the tragedies of the two great world wars, the human family has shown increasing awareness of it, as we can witness, on the one hand, from international statements and initiatives, and on the other, from the emergence among young people themselves, in recent decades, of many different forms of social commitment in this field. For the ecclesial community, educating men and women in peace is part of the mission received from Christ, it is an integral part of evangelization, because the Gospel of Christ is also the Gospel of justice and peace. But the Church, in recent times, has articulated a demand that affects everyone with a sensitive and responsible conscience regarding humanity’s future; the demand to respond to a decisive challenge that consists precisely in education. Why is this a "challenge"? For at least two reasons: in the first place, because in the present age, so strongly marked by a technological mentality, the desire to educate and not merely to instruct cannot be taken for granted, it is a choice; in the second place, because the culture of relativism raises a radical question: does it still make sense to educate? And then, to educate for what?

Naturally now is not the time to address these fundamental questions, which I have tried to answer on other occasions. Instead I would like to underline the fact that, in the face of the shadows that obscure the horizon of today’s world, to assume responsibility for educating young people in knowledge of the truth, in fundamental values and virtues, is to look to the future with hope. And in this commitment to a holistic education, formation in justice and peace has a place. Boys and girls today are growing up in a world that has, so to speak, become smaller, where contacts between different cultures and traditions, even if not always direct, are constant. For them, now more than ever, it is indispensable to learn the importance and the art of peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, dialogue and understanding. Young people by their nature are open to these attitudes, but the social reality in which they grow up can lead them to think and act in the opposite way, even to be intolerant and violent. Only a solid education of their consciences can protect them from these risks and make them capable of carrying on the fight, depending always and solely on the power of truth and good. This education begins in the family and is developed at school and in other formative experiences. It is essentially about helping infants, children and adolescents to develop a personality that combines a profound sense of justice with respect for their neighbour, with a capacity to address conflicts without arrogance, with the inner strength to bear witness to good, even when it involves sacrifice, with forgiveness and reconciliation. Thus they will be able to become people of peace and builders of peace.

In this task of educating young generations, a particular responsibility lies with religious communities. Every pathway of authentic religious formation guides the person, from the most tender age, to know God, to love him and to do his will. God is love, he is just and peaceable, and anyone wishing to honour him must first of all act like a child following his father’s example. One of the Psalms says: "The Lord does deeds of justice, gives judgment for all who are oppressed ... The Lord is compassion and love, slow to anger and rich in mercy" (Ps 102:6,8). In God, justice and mercy come together perfectly, as Jesus showed us through the testimony of his life. In Jesus, "love and truth" have met, "justice and peace" have embraced (cf. Ps 84:11). In these days, the Church is celebrating the great mystery of the Incarnation: God’s truth has sprung from the earth and justice looks down from heaven, the earth has yielded its fruit (cf. Ps 84:12,13). God has spoken to us in his Son Jesus. Let us hear what God has to say: "a voice that speaks of peace" (Ps 84:9). Jesus is a way that can be travelled, open to everyone. He is the path of peace. Today the Virgin Mary points him out to us, she shows us the Way: let us walk in it! And you, Holy Mother of God, accompany us with your protection. Amen.

Wisdom for a new year

It's rare that Christmas Day (and hence New Year's Day also) fall on Sunday, but that's excactly what has happened this year, so while the regular crowds gather for the weekend liturgies, some of them have had to share their regular seats with some newcomers (or some of the CEOs) who have come to pray with us in the past week or so.

As a new calendar year begins, it is perhaps customary that we should want to start afresh, so today gives us pause to set our sights on ways that we can improve, ways that we can reach out to others in need, ways that we can aim to do things that much better in the coming months, and thankfully, we do all this with the help of some very powerful intercessors.  January 1 is also the liturgical Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God, so pray with Mary as we begin this new year.  Ask her to intercede and to bring us closer to the loving heart of her Son, so that we might grow ever-more in our knowledge of Him and our appreciation for His love.

In case it might help, here is this week's reflection (in text and podcast format of course):

Words to be treasured
This past week, many of us have taken a bit of time to visit, to exchange greetings with family and friends and to get caught up with one another’s lives.  Some of these meetings involved first-time encounters, and others brought together old-time friends.  Stories and adventures were recounted even as traditions old and new were observed.

I’m not sure whether any of you noticed, but in the midst of these meetings, God has revealed himself to us.  God has shared with us a number of blessings, some of which we have already acknowledged and others which are yet to be noticed.

The shepherds who visited with Mary and Joseph and their newborn child were also anxious to tell their story, and what a story it was.  This was a tale of mysterious apparitions involving angels who had revealed a secret and good news that had compelled them to make their way to Bethlehem.  This good news had also awakened in them a need to search for the Christ-child.  I wonder whether Mary and Joseph were surprised at all by this encounter, or by the words that were spoken as they recounted their encounter with the heavenly messengers.

The story of the shepherds’ visit has been told and retold every year for the past two millennia, and yet every time its details are recounted, the truths it contains are fresh and vibrant.  Unlike the best of novels penned, this story is always new because each one of us here is part of this story.  Each one of us comes to visit with the newborn child every time we utter a word in prayer.  Each one of us welcomes the shepherds whenever we encounter a friend who knocks at our door.  Each one of us has cause to ponder the truths of such an encounter, as did Mary in the stable.  Each one of us has reason to treasure the truths spoken in Paul’s letter to the Galatians: God sent his Son … in order to redeem each one of us.  If therefore God sent his Son into our hearts, we are all sons, daughters and heirs of God.

Every year, at the beginning of the calendar year, we hear these words read aloud.  Every year, we are given the chance to stop, to listen anew, and to come to believe them ever more deeply.  What do Paul’s words truly mean?  Could it really be that in Christ, God wanted to make us his sons and daughters, his heirs?  What is it then that we are to inherit?  If God had written a Last Will and Testament, would it include you and me?  Answer, yes!  Believe it!  You and I have been bequeathed a part of God’s inheritance.  Unlike the pieces of paper that we prepare with such care and then squirrel away in vaults, safety deposit boxes or in lawyers’ offices, this testament is renewed each day, each time we hear the good news of the gospel proclaimed.  We are heirs of God.  Perhaps we have difficulty believing that we could truly be enumerated among the elect who call themselves sons and daughters of God.  Perhaps even despite numerous years having been spent discovering this truth, we might still have difficulty believing that each one of us is indeed so deeply loved, but it’s true.

Ponder then with Mary and Joseph the truths revealed in this encounter.  Among us are the bearers of good news.  Among us are the ones who receive the blessing of God, and the encouragement we need to encounter friends new and old, to recount our adventures in faith and to believe ever anew that God has revealed himself to us, that he has looked graciously and kindly upon us and that he has blessed us with his peace.

Happy New Year!