This morning, we celebrated the parish Mass and welcomed a number of students from the local high school who are here to live a day of retreat. We also counted among our numbers a number of other parishioners who came to celebrate with us the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick - a regular monthly observance in these parts.
Inspired by the words of Pope Francis' homily from earlier today, I shared the following reflection with those who were gathered.
The gospel today places us with Jesus and his disciples in a moment of particular friendship and intimacy. We who have the luxury of knowing the rest of the story know that this moment takes place just a short time before Jesus' days with the disciples came to an end, but the disciples themselves didn't know that. It might help us to appreciate their point of view if we looked at the story through their eyes.
They were gathered in conversation with Jesus, a man who had met them perhaps a few years previously, a man who had called them and invited them to discover a deeper understanding of love, in fact he had even provided them with an example of personal love; a man who had spoken to them about the fact that God is not a distant reality, but one who truly loves each person as a precious gift. Jesus loved his disciples, he believed in them, he trusted them and they trusted him. Think perhaps about a favorite teacher, or a person who has truly believed in you, or a person who has encouraged you to be the person that you are today. Jesus was all this and more for the disciples.
There's a beautiful phrase in today's gospel, words that Jesus speaks to the disciples at this particular moment: Do not let your hearts be troubled (Jn 14:1). Jesus knew that his time with his disciples was drawing to a close. He knew also that he loved them, and that they loved him. He knew that having to be separated from them would cause them to be anxious and concerned about the future. He also knew that he would always be with them, in a different way, but he wanted to acknowledge the fact that they must first live through the moments of grief, caused by separation, before they would come to believe in the Resurrection. Do not let your hearts be troubled. With these words, Jesus wanted to reassure the disciples that the friendship they had built up with him would endure.
Because of the trust they had developed with Jesus, because of the fact that they were then able to come to believe that he wouldn't leave them alone, we too can come to believe that he trusts in us, that he won't leave us alone.
As a matter of fact, Jesus is present with us every day of our lives: in moments when we are most happy and have cause for celebration; in moments when we are fearful and unsure of ourselves' in moments when we are healthy, robust and confident; and in moments when we are sick, fragile and unsure of the future.
Today, we will receive the gift of Christ's body: food that he provides for us as we travel the journey toward our ultimate encounter with him. Also during this celebration, we will celebrate the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick. Jesus knows of our uncertainties and weaknesses, and responds to our plea for his help with the words, do not let your hearts be troubled. In a few moments, we will invite all those present who are suffering from sickness and disease, as well as all those who are aware of physical challenge or weakness to come forward so that you may be anointed. In fact, anyone who is aware of a serious illness or who is preparing for surgery can ask to celebrate this sacrament. We use olive oil which has been blessed by the Bishop of the Diocese specifically for the anointing of the sick. We place this oil on the forehead and on the palms of the hands, as a sign of our petition for God to heal and comfort our physical ailments as well as our anxieties. Do not let your hearts be troubled. Even in the midst of illness, the Lord is present to us, taking care of us, and asking us to trust that his friendship with us will always endure.
Inspired by the words of Pope Francis' homily from earlier today, I shared the following reflection with those who were gathered.
Homily for Mass and Anointing
with students from Saint Joseph-Scollard Hall
The gospel today places us with Jesus and his disciples in a moment of particular friendship and intimacy. We who have the luxury of knowing the rest of the story know that this moment takes place just a short time before Jesus' days with the disciples came to an end, but the disciples themselves didn't know that. It might help us to appreciate their point of view if we looked at the story through their eyes.
They were gathered in conversation with Jesus, a man who had met them perhaps a few years previously, a man who had called them and invited them to discover a deeper understanding of love, in fact he had even provided them with an example of personal love; a man who had spoken to them about the fact that God is not a distant reality, but one who truly loves each person as a precious gift. Jesus loved his disciples, he believed in them, he trusted them and they trusted him. Think perhaps about a favorite teacher, or a person who has truly believed in you, or a person who has encouraged you to be the person that you are today. Jesus was all this and more for the disciples.
There's a beautiful phrase in today's gospel, words that Jesus speaks to the disciples at this particular moment: Do not let your hearts be troubled (Jn 14:1). Jesus knew that his time with his disciples was drawing to a close. He knew also that he loved them, and that they loved him. He knew that having to be separated from them would cause them to be anxious and concerned about the future. He also knew that he would always be with them, in a different way, but he wanted to acknowledge the fact that they must first live through the moments of grief, caused by separation, before they would come to believe in the Resurrection. Do not let your hearts be troubled. With these words, Jesus wanted to reassure the disciples that the friendship they had built up with him would endure.
Because of the trust they had developed with Jesus, because of the fact that they were then able to come to believe that he wouldn't leave them alone, we too can come to believe that he trusts in us, that he won't leave us alone.
As a matter of fact, Jesus is present with us every day of our lives: in moments when we are most happy and have cause for celebration; in moments when we are fearful and unsure of ourselves' in moments when we are healthy, robust and confident; and in moments when we are sick, fragile and unsure of the future.
Today, we will receive the gift of Christ's body: food that he provides for us as we travel the journey toward our ultimate encounter with him. Also during this celebration, we will celebrate the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick. Jesus knows of our uncertainties and weaknesses, and responds to our plea for his help with the words, do not let your hearts be troubled. In a few moments, we will invite all those present who are suffering from sickness and disease, as well as all those who are aware of physical challenge or weakness to come forward so that you may be anointed. In fact, anyone who is aware of a serious illness or who is preparing for surgery can ask to celebrate this sacrament. We use olive oil which has been blessed by the Bishop of the Diocese specifically for the anointing of the sick. We place this oil on the forehead and on the palms of the hands, as a sign of our petition for God to heal and comfort our physical ailments as well as our anxieties. Do not let your hearts be troubled. Even in the midst of illness, the Lord is present to us, taking care of us, and asking us to trust that his friendship with us will always endure.
No comments:
Post a Comment