Saint Michael's Lent. Who is with me?

August 16, 2017

Wednesday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 415

DT 34:1-12

PS 66:1-3A, 5 AND 8, 16-17

MT 18:15-20

It often seems like we are getting nowhere in this world, especially when it comes to making it a better place.  Our society has become rampant with hedonism and sinfulness.   Many Christians cannot be distinguished from those who live around them by word or deed.  As a vegan and environmentalist, I find it even more discouraging to see how we treat this beautiful creation that we have been given stewardship over.  When I see someone who lives a life filled with all those things which God has said we should give up, and they seem to be thriving?  Their health is seemingly intact, though one cannot know what is going on under the hood.  They seem to have comfort, friends, and enjoyment.  Sometimes it makes me think, why bother?  Why should I do all of this?  

Imagine how Moses felt standing on that mountain looking into the promised land.  Here is a man who had worked so hard to bring about the plan.   He went out of his comfort zone into the realm of the enemy, performing miracles and leading his people.  Overwhelmed with all of the work he had he often wondered why God had put such a burden on his shoulders.  Then he would only get to look at the promise but never set foot on the land given to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  That’s hard, isn’t it?   Abraham himself died only owning a small parcel of land unable to see the fulfillment of his promise.  The one thing both had, was trust in God and I believe a glimpse of what is to come.

That is what keeps me going.  A glimpse here or there.  Last night as we gathered around the altar to Worship God at Saint Catherine’s Church, I saw another glimpse of that future.  Here were men and women of every heritage.   A polish priest, a Hispanic sacristan, an Irish extraordinary minister, a man with a strong native American heritage, a woman with a southern twang, and an array of skin tones from light to dark.  All gathered together in song, listening to the Word of God, breaking it open together, and feasting at the common table in which God provides us the true manna from Heaven, Jesus Christ himself.  

In this world where the devil seeks to divide men from one another on any ground that he can, it’s more important than ever to seek unity.   To realize that we are all made in the image of God and that we should always seek peace and reconciliation.  In Matthew's Gospel, he gives a quick outline of how the Matthean community should respond to conflict.   Privately at first.  If that doesn’t work, take a couple holy men and women with you to talk it out.  Are you still unable to work things out?  Go to the Church, ask them to help arbitrate matters.   What do we Christians do then?  We have to do what is for the good of both people, separate until reconciliation can happen authentically.  Sometimes forgiveness takes time.  

Yesterday began the first day of St. Michael’s Lent.  This is an older devotion that involves fasting from August 15th to September 29th.  It begins with a day devoted to Mary, the perfect disciple of Christ.   It ends with a feast of Michael the Archangel, whose name means “Who is like God.”   It’s an opportunity for us to choose to add something to our life or give up something that is standing in the way of that realized dream that we glimpse at Mass.  I started a few days ago in order to get in some serious prayer and fasting for a friend who is having surgery.   Today I recommit to that.  How about you?  Will you join my wife and I as we pray and fast for this country?  For our Parish?  For our families?  Our friends?