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Masses begin again at Saint Gabriel’s on Monday, May 25^th 

On our “Blog Page” under Archives you can find a link to the letter being sent to our parishioners and friends regarding the temporary change in our Mass schedule to accommodate our return to regular celebration of the Eucharist due to the limitations the pandemic has imposed on us. It is a drastic change for a while but forces us to ask some deep questions not only about our worship but the rhythm of our lives which is centered in the Eucharist of Christ, primarily that of our Sunday Mass.

So here are some initial faith questions that face us as we return to Mass. Attached are a few comments to help us to explore these areas with the hope that we shall come out ahead in our understanding of the faith and why we do what we do. God is behind this to bless us more.

First big question:

How will switching our Eucharist to another day of the week beside Sunday not only impact our going to Mass but also how will it affect our daily routine, e.g. work, household chores, our preparation for the Eucharist, how we live out our worship of God, how we pray?

Some comments: It is to God’s credit and the gift of faith he has given us that the Lord’s Day means so much to us. Our habit of Sunday Mass is so ingrained in us that we have felt an emptiness when it was not opened to us.

So how did it affect our work? Did we observe work days different from worship days? Did we distinguish servile work from time spent for God?

So how did it affect our routine around the house? Were there special meals to honor God? Did we still come together as a family and spend time together?

So how was our preparation Mass different? Did we put more time into reading and meditating on the scriptures? Were religious subjects more a part of family conversations?

So how did we live out in our daily lives what we usually “took home” from Mass?

So how was our personal prayer changed? Or was it? Did we change our routine and explore other ways of conversation with God?

Second big question:

How will our return to “live worship in person” make us and our worship more pleasing to God?

Some comments: Virtual worship through digital means has in many cases kept us in contact with the Church’s worship during two months of quarantine. But the Last Supper was not virtual worship of the Father through his Son Jesus Christ. Being in the presence of Jesus and hence in the presence of the Father in a personal encounter cannot be replaced by electronic means, even a video recording or presentation. This is what we have missed, even though we might not be able to explain it fully. One way of saying it might be that we are not virtual persons and the God we worship is not a virtual God. It has to be us, flesh and blood, who open our hearts in a loving and close way to the God who opens his heart to us in the Eucharistic mysteries. In this type of encounter we come away changed persons interiority and God is glorified by the deepening of his presence within us. We show this through the liturgical actions of eating and drinking the Lord Jesus in his word and in his sacrament. Liturgy is “live” and we are part of the action, not in a virtual way but actual way in the midst of the Church gathered together. That is the “real” presence to Christ and to one another.

More to come

Below you will find a copy of the letter being sent to our parishioners and friends especially regarding the temporary change in Mass schedule to accommodate our return to regular celebration of the Eucharist due to the limitations the pandemic has imposed on us. It is a drastic change for a while but forces us to ask some deep questions not only about our worship but the rhythm of our lives which is centered in the Eucharist of Christ, primarily our Sunday Mass.

So I shall begin here today with some questions that face us and later to explore these areas with the hope that we shall come out ahead in our understanding of the faith and why we do what we do. God is behind this to bless us more.

First big question:

How will switching our Eucharist to another day of the week beside Sunday not only impact our going to Mass but also how will it affect our daily routine, e.g. work, household chores, our preparation for the Eucharist, how we live out our worship of God.

More to come.

Below is the Letter of Father Fay being mailed to the Parish regarding the reopening of the church to the public celebration of the Eucharist.

May 18, 2020

Greetings Parishioners and Friends

The long awaited resumption of parish Mass at Saint Gabriel will take place on Monday, May 25^th, Memorial Day.

It will not be a return to normal. In a sense we will have a new normal by gradually reintroducing our cherished customs over a period of time. There will have to be temporary adjustments. Everything will not be at once.

To abide by recommended distancing it will require limiting gatherings in church to smaller groups, which in turn led Archbishop Schnurr and the other Bishops of Ohio to suspend for a time the Church practice of directing us all to Sunday Mass attendance. Instead they extended the days of fulfilling our Mass obligation to all the seven days of the week. In this way by spreading our Eucharistic gatherings over several days smaller groups (50-70 at the most at Saint Gabriel’s) could be accommodated more safely in our church building and everyone would have the opportunity to worship God at the Table of the Lord once a week.

This slow approach can have its advantages. As we take our time we are less likely to invite the return of the pandemic, giving our medical community more time to make progress in care of the sick and in the discovery and manufacture of remedies.

This added time which God is giving us provides us with the opportunity to take a deeper look into our faith practices and come to understand better the reasons why we have these sacred traditions. Hopefully our faith will be stronger and deeper in this regard. It is a time of grace.

With guidelines from the Archdiocese to help us we want to say:

1) Our bishops have thought it best at this time to give us seven days for fulfilling our obligation to God to gather to worship him weekly. To follow health recommendations of distancing and thus having smaller groups at Mass at one time we shall change our Mass schedules for everyday of the week, including Sunday. For most of us this will mean selecting a day of the week other than Sunday for celebrating the Eucharist with God’s family.

Suspending the “Sunday” Mass obligation does not exempt us from the basic obligation God gave all of us to worship him in the midst of the Church on a frequent and regular basis. That is not up to us but to God. His commandment to worship him the way he wants is a blessing. We should be very familiar by now that our God is the Lord of all times and seasons of life. His surprises us, such as we have now, and calls us to be faithful to him in these different circumstances.

(You also know well that if you are coughing or sneezing or feel ill you should not come to church that day out of love and respect for others.)

Here are our temporary Mass times beginning May 25^th.

Monday, Wednesday, Friday — 12:00 PM noon;

Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday — 8:00 AM;

Sunday — 5:00 PM Vigil on Saturday evening and 10:00 AM Sunday morning.

These times were chosen so that more people could find a convenient time to fulfill their obligation — e.g. noontime might be better for senior citizens and those at work could come during lunch break as they do on holydays; early risers might find the 8:00 AM more suitable for worship. Only one Mass on Sunday morning because we have to sanitize the church after each Mass (this includes wiping used surfaces and discarding any paper materials).

By each of us choosing a different day and time we will not jeopardize the health of others by too large a crowd and avoid having to limit the number of persons we can let into church.

2) The Mass will be simplified to start with. The whole order of service will be there from start to finish. Homilies may be more brief but not eliminated — the word of God elicits the faith we need to give thanks to God properly. Singing will be from printed worship aids instead of the hymnals. Some of the ministries, e.g. lectoring and serving, will initially be taken care of by the priest. Seating will follow the national recommendations of six feet apart (families can sit together) so every pew will not be able to be used. According to Archdiocesan Guidelines the faithful should be encouraged to wear a face mask. Likewise according to the Guidelines the distribution of Communion will be at this time under only one species (the bread form). Depending on the Spirit to guide me I probably will bring Communion to the pews (as I do at Maple Knoll and Glendale Place). Communion should be received in the hand to avoid any possibility of transmitting germs by saliva (personal preferences take second place here). Leaving church will have to be done by sections rather than having everyone crowd at the door. Boxes for collection will be at the entrances to church. These are some of the changes you will experience. Always keep in mind that we gather for worship and adoration of God. He is giving us a way to do that as the body of Christ that we are. We will always remember the sad days when this was not possible.

I wish to thank you all for your understanding and assistance to Saint Gabriel’s during what I call desert days. We have been able to hold our own. Those needs will continue. We will need small teams (perhaps about 4 persons) to sanitize the church after each Mass. Please contact the office and leave a message if you can help.

Your patience during these changing times will restore us more quickly to a deeper share in the mystery of Christ and the eternal salvation it brings. I will try to continue to offer frequent spiritual teaching on our website www.gabrielglendale.org. Keep in touch.

Thanks for your comments.

God’s blessing!

Father David Fay
Pastor

Below is the Letter of Father Fay being mailed to the Parish regarding the reopening of the church to the public celebration of the Eucharist.

May 18, 2020

Greetings Parishioners and Friends

The long awaited resumption of parish Mass at Saint Gabriel will take place on Monday, May 25^th, Memorial Day.

It will not be a return to normal. In a sense we will have a new normal by gradually reintroducing our cherished customs over a period of time. There will have to be temporary adjustments. Everything will not be at once.

To abide by recommended distancing it will require limiting gatherings in church to smaller groups, which in turn led Archbishop Schnurr and the other Bishops of Ohio to suspend for a time the Church practice of directing us all to Sunday Mass attendance. Instead they extended the days of fulfilling our Mass obligation to all the seven days of the week. In this way by spreading our Eucharistic gatherings over several days smaller groups (50-70 at the most at Saint Gabriel’s) could be accommodated more safely in our church building and everyone would have the opportunity to worship God at the Table of the Lord once a week.

This slow approach can have its advantages. As we take our time we are less likely to invite the return of the pandemic, giving our medical community more time to make progress in care of the sick and in the discovery and manufacture of remedies.

This added time which God is giving us provides us with the opportunity to take a deeper look into our faith practices and come to understand better the reasons why we have these sacred traditions. Hopefully our faith will be stronger and deeper in this regard. It is a time of grace.

With guidelines from the Archdiocese to help us we want to say:

1) Our bishops have thought it best at this time to give us seven days for fulfilling our obligation to God to gather to worship him weekly. To follow health recommendations of distancing and thus having smaller groups at Mass at one time we shall change our Mass schedules for everyday of the week, including Sunday. For most of us this will mean selecting a day of the week other than Sunday for celebrating the Eucharist with God’s family.

Suspending the “Sunday” Mass obligation does not exempt us from the basic obligation God gave all of us to worship him in the midst of the Church on a frequent and regular basis. That is not up to us but to God. His commandment to worship him the way he wants is a blessing. We should be very familiar by now that our God is the Lord of all times and seasons of life. His surprises us, such as we have now, and calls us to be faithful to him in these different circumstances.

(You also know well that if you are coughing or sneezing or feel ill you should not come to church that day out of love and respect for others.)

Here are our temporary Mass times beginning May 25^th.

Monday, Wednesday, Friday — 12:00 PM noon;

Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday — 8:00 AM;

Sunday — 5:00 PM Vigil on Saturday evening and 10:00 AM Sunday morning.

These times were chosen so that more people could find a convenient time to fulfill their obligation — e.g. noontime might be better for senior citizens and those at work could come during lunch break as they do on holydays; early risers might find the 8:00 AM more suitable for worship. Only one Mass on Sunday morning because we have to sanitize the church after each Mass (this includes wiping used surfaces and discarding any paper materials).

By each of us choosing a different day and time we will not jeopardize the health of others by too large a crowd and avoid having to limit the number of persons we can let into church.

2) The Mass will be simplified to start with. The whole order of service will be there from start to finish. Homilies may be more brief but not eliminated — the word of God elicits the faith we need to give thanks to God properly. Singing will be from printed worship aids instead of the hymnals. Some of the ministries, e.g. lectoring and serving, will initially be taken care of by the priest. Seating will follow the national recommendations of six feet apart (families can sit together) so every pew will not be able to be used. According to Archdiocesan Guidelines the faithful should be encouraged to wear a face mask. Likewise according to the Guidelines the distribution of Communion will be at this time under only one species (the bread form). Depending on the Spirit to guide me I probably will bring Communion to the pews (as I do at Maple Knoll and Glendale Place). Communion should be received in the hand to avoid any possibility of transmitting germs by saliva (personal preferences take second place here). Leaving church will have to be done by sections rather than having everyone crowd at the door. Boxes for collection will be at the entrances to church. These are some of the changes you will experience. Always keep in mind that we gather for worship and adoration of God. He is giving us a way to do that as the body of Christ that we are. We will always remember the sad days when this was not possible.

I wish to thank you all for your understanding and assistance to Saint Gabriel’s during what I call desert days. We have been able to hold our own. Those needs will continue. We will need small teams (perhaps about 4 persons) to sanitize the church after each Mass. Please contact the office and leave a message if you can help.

Your patience during these changing times will restore us more quickly to a deeper share in the mystery of Christ and the eternal salvation it brings. I will try to continue to offer frequent spiritual teaching on our website www.gabrielglendale.org. Keep in touch.

Thanks for your comments.

God’s blessing!

Father David Fay
Pastor

SAMPLE OF HOME PRAYER FOR SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Peace be with you.

PENTENTIAL RITE to let the Lord prepare our hearts for pure worship

Lord Jesus,  Have mercy, Kyrie eleison
Lord Jesus,  Have mercy, Christe eleison
Lord Jesus,  Have mercy, Kyrie eleison

Let us pray:
In our gathering here today, Lord God almighty, let us celebrate these days of Easter joy eagerly and lovingly for we gladly carry out this time of prayer in honor of the Lord Jesus whom we join in his risen state at your hand. Our prayer with the Church in this memorial is that what we remember your doing in his name be reflected always in the way we live. Through Christ our Lord. Amen

Listen to the sacred scriptures:
[Go to the Today’s Readings section below on this webpage.]

A BRIEF COMMENTARY ON TODAY’S READINGS

Acts 8:5-8, 14-17
The Apostles place hands on their heads and they received the Spirit
Philip, one of those seven ministering as deacons, took the word of God north to Samaria as he made his way home to Caesarea. He evidently could not stop talking about Jesus and what God was doing through him. The preaching of the word brought a faith response from his listeners. They were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. The Apostles Peter and John follow this up by ritually bringing them the gift of the Holy Spirit through the sign of extending hands over their heads — not unlike what we do today. The word of God is spreading.

Psalm 66:1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 16, 20 (1)
Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.

This psalm (and other psalms as well) reveal the ancient faith of the Israelites that God’s plan extends to all mankind, not just the Jews. So it is fitting response to the first reading which tells of the some of the early efforts to evangelize the whole world. What is great about this psalm is its joyful tone. The amazing spread of the faith shows us the magnificence of God’s love for all his creatures. See this as connected with the resurrection of Christ who died for us all.

1 Peter 3:15-18
Be ready to give reason to others why your hope is so strong
Underlying the realities of which Peter speaks is the fact that our faith is a shared faith. God made us to live in the world with his other creatures. Our lives are intertwined — the pandemic is bringing this home to us very sharply. When you think of it, God reveals his glory in creating (and saving) us the way he has. So human ways bring us heavenly ways. Thanks be to God.

John 14:15-21
I will pray to the Father to send you another Spiritual Advocate

These words of Jesus make us stop and think what Jesus has done for us. He has been a “Spiritual Advocate” during his life here on earth. So whatever Jesus said and did brought us spiritual life, i.e. life beyond the grave. He will continue to do so from his place at the right hand of the Father by praying to the Father to send the Spirit — which he continues to do. Notice in the reading that this gift of Father and Son is the Spirit of truth. The truth is the eternal plan of God for mankind, i.e. the everlasting Covenant of communion with Father, Son and Spirit around his heavenly throne. The Easter Gospels are filled with the gift of the Spirit. That is the word of God. Our Easter faith is to accept it as such.

Silent Reflection and/or share comments.

Homily Written for the Web —May it enhance your prayer and worship of God this day.

TOWARD A HOMILY FOR SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

One of the things I am afraid we are missing from Mass during these unusual days is the Prayer after Communion. Yes, it is said or sung over the television or Internet. But it certainly does not carry much weight since it is not part of our Communion Rite. These altar prayers are composed to fit right in with the liturgical action — which we are missing without being there.

So the Postcommunion Prayer runs something like this (with embellishments for better understanding):

O God you are all-powerful and capable of doing everything. In the resurrection of your Son; you have recreated us for life eternal. Only you could do this and you have done it right here today through our celebration of the Paschal Sacrament. Make sure and increase the gifts of this Eucharist within us. This day give us new strength from this nourishment of Jesus’ Body and Blood for his very presence brings us salvation.

These prayers are packed with spiritual teaching. That is why the prayer itself is Jesus’ fulfillment of sending us the Spirit. Giving us this prayer today following his words in the Gospel is the promise–fulfillment so characteristic of him.

First of all, the Church is praying to our God is omnipotent. What took place at Mass today was something only God can do. Divine power is needed. Man is not capable of this on his own. Jesus, the Son of God at this place on high, is our priest. There is no substitute. We do not make the Mass, he does.

Secondly, this is done by the risen Christ. Now we know why he passed through death and was taken on high. If remained on the earth and did just earthly things we would have no hope of life eternal. But if he goes to the Father and shares his glory he can share that glory with us, even in this life. Our human efforts cannot reach that high.

Thirdly, our celebration is a Paschal/Passover celebration. Think of the historical setting of the Passover Meal. It is not just a fancy meal we set on the table. It is a gathering at God’s table and altar to give thanks and to join in his sacred meal, i.e. share the heavenly gifts of God. The meal is not limited to earthly food. It is also spiritual food which we cannot make for ourselves. Those spiritual gifts assure us of a share in the eternal life of the Lord himself.

Fourthly, the gifts do not remain outside us, they are taken in like food and drink and change us interiorly. This is the purpose of the Mass — to receive all the more the Christ who came to dwell in us through faith and baptism. This increase is what we seek and pray for at the altar of the Lord. Christ told us he wants us to have his life and have it in abundance. It is that abundance that we desire.

All of this takes place because of the many facets of Jesus’ real presence which we have celebrated at this Eucharist from start to finish. So what are the final words: Go forth on mission to bring Christ to others — Ite, missa est. We want to hear those words again — Christ sending us forth (as he did in the early Church). It will happen soon. Thanks be to God.

Blessed be God! Blessed be his Easter people!

CREED: I believe in God the Father almighty…

We conclude with this prayer together:

Let us pray
for all those eagerly awaiting the time when they can go to Mass again.
for the Church of Cincinnati, that the mercy and holiness of Christ shine forth for all to see
for those who have died in recent weeks, that Jesus the Truth bring to fulfillment their hope,
for our government officials, both elected and appointed, that they be close to God
for those being tested for the virus have good results
for those in the work force be safe and sound

for those out of work hear good news about their future

for family and friends that these days be spiritually rich for them all

In Jesus’ name we pray for ever and ever. Amen.

Our Father, who art in heaven…

Renewal of the Covenant Prayer aka Prayer of those unable to participate in Mass in person

 Through your gift of Covenant love, O Lord, you have opened our hearts to welcome your Son to dwell within us by being baptized into his Church community and enlivened and strengthen by his Holy Spirit as to what you have made us so that we can better answer your call to gather for the Eucharist. Unable to join the body of Christ at this time to celebrate the redemption of your people, we beseech your merciful love to enlarge our hearts so to welcome your presence all the more and that of your Son and the Holy Spirit so that we may give you thanks always and everywhere as befits your name. Open our ears, O Lord, to your word, both spoken and lived. Through your Holy Spirit make our daily lives more in the image of your Son who is the perfect example of your eternal Covenant so that we may soon join his body, the Church, to burst forth in praise of you at the Table of the Lord, sharing his Body and Blood, and to advance with all your faithful people toward your kingdom of heaven, bound together with you and your holy ones in your one family. Make firm that unity of your Church in answer to your Son’s prayer that we be one so that the world come to know your presence here and know that you are always with us. Through Christ our risen Lord. Amen.

[See this and the explanation of it on the Blog Archives under the name New Prayer of Saint Alphonsus]

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

The unusual times we live in should not surprise us by the changes demanded of us to be faithful to Christ under these different circumstances.

According to Archdiocesan regulations Masses may resume on Monday, May 25^th, with certain cautionary steps taken to provide for the health and safety of Mass participants. To abide by recommended distancing it will require limiting gatherings in church to smaller groups, which in turn led Archbishop Schnurr and the other Bishops of Ohio to suspend for a time the Church practice of directing us all to Sunday Mass attendance and instead extend the days of fulfilling our Mass obligation to all the seven days of the week. In this way by spreading our Eucharistic gatherings over several days smaller groups (50-70 at the most at Saint Gabriel’s) could be accommodated more safely in our church buildings and everyone would have the opportunity to worship God at the Table of the Lord once a week. For example, as part of the precautions the church needs to be sanitized after each Mass and thus reduces the number of Masses that can be scheduled on a daily basis.

This will mean for most of us a shifting of our habitual Mass participation to a different day of the week out of loving concern for others.

Our Mass schedule at Saint Gabriel’s is being finalized and will be published shortly.

Lessons Learned in the Early Days about Unity in Worship

Before we leave our reflections on what is called The Council of Jerusalem in Acts 15 let us take a second look at the way the Holy Spirit guided the early Church to preserve unity in the body of Christ for which Jesus prayed at the Last Supper.

The Church was heading toward a split into two groups — the Church in Jerusalem and the Church in Antioch. The Church in Jerusalem was made up mostly of Christians of Jewish origin; the Church at Antioch was a mixture of Christians of both Jewish origin and Greek speaking origin. The two cities had different cultures. In Jerusalem the milieu was mostly Jewish traditions, including the food in the shops was in our terms kosher; in Antioch the Greek (or pagan) practices were prevalent, e.g. some meat in the shops had come from pagan temple worship. So some Christians in Jerusalem ask why aren’t they like us and strictly follow Jewish law, e.g. eating “clean” foods and ritual circumcision. In Antioch and the north Peter and the other bringers of Good News ran into a different response to God’s activity, especially word and Spirit. The famous example was Peter’s encounter with God in the house of the Roman Centurion Cornelius (Acts 10). These people accepted the Gospel without going through what the Jewish Christians had experienced. Peter even remarked I see the same Holy Spirit in these people as in us (i.e.in us who were circumcised). How then could I refuse to baptize them — which he did. So the Christian community, even in Antioch, was breaking up into two groups and the antagonism was increasing. To solve the question a delegation was sent from Antioch to Jerusalem to meet with the Church there (considered the Mother Church).

In this meeting we have the spirit-filled leadership of the Apostles Peter and James as recorded in Acts 15. Peter recounts the situation mentioned above and out of it states something central to our belief — God works by inner faith in the name of Jesus Christ, not by certain rituals. Cornelius had the faith before he was baptized. The rituals express externally what is first within the person. Peter’s exact words were: God purified their hearts by faith [in response to the word of God]… we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they. Note it is the “Lord” Jesus. For him that is the risen Christ.

James uses the chronological approach. The Bible attributes the religious practice of circumcision to Abraham. Prior to Abraham we are told of Noah who disembarked from the Ark and God said: ‘I am now establishing my covenant with you and with your descendants to come, and with every living creature that was with you: birds, cattle and every wild animal with you; everything that came out of the ark, every living thing on earth. God sent his Son and raised him from the dead for the salvation of all mankind. God can choose whatever way he wishes to unite his creatures to his plan of salvation, even apart from certain Jewish practices. Along with Peter and James we see this happening through his gift of the Spirit.

The psalms (perhaps even composed before the editing and inclusion in the Bible of the Noah accounts) frequently sing of God saving the whole world. The Church chose such responsorial to follow the reading of Acts 15, e.g. Psalm 57 I will sing your praises among the nations; Psalm 100 Let all the earth cry out to God with joy. The Jews clearly saw themselves as blessed by God and so be instruments of salvation for the rest of mankind.

Now the final solution to the original question which the Council of Jerusalem presented is not one sided. There is something for the Christians of Jewish background and something for those of “Greek” culture. Both sides must practice mutual respect for unity sake — same for us today. The messenger dispatched from Jerusalem to Antioch carry a double message: 1) respect God’s gift of the Spirit in those who have not been circumcised because they too share in salvation; 2) respect ancient Jewish faith that puts the Father of Jesus first in everything — there is no other god, life comes from God and is sacred, the marital union symbolizes the covenant union between God and his people and is sacred as well. This is what is meant by believing in Father, Son and Spirit and accepting that gift of Christian faith according to our baptism.

United as Church we say: There is one Body, one Spirit, just as one hope is the goal of your calling by God. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of all, over all, through all and within all (Ephesians 4:4-6).

Great lesson from the past. Same for today.

Easter and the Council of Jerusalem – Part III

The Apostles from Jerusalem send delegates and a letter responding to their question about the necessity of following all the prescriptions in the Mosaic Law.

They based their decision on what the resurrection of Jesus means for the New Covenant as shown by the presence of the Holy Spirit. 

Each group (the Christians of Jewish origin and the Christians of Gentile origin) should love one another 1) by not demanding some Jewish traditions for all and 2) respecting the ancient faith of the Jews regarding the primacy of God (Yahweh) over pagan practices in their city — food sacrificed to idols, eating of lifeblood of animals, faithfulness in marriage.

This was to preserve the unity in the Christian community as Christ wants in the light of his resurrection. They all were proud to be called Christians. 

More to come

Feast of Saint Matthias, Apostle

EASTER AND THE COUNCIL OF JERUSALEM, PART II

Early in the life of the Church the faith grew and the understanding of God’s way became better understood following the resurrection of the Christ. God’s plan from the start was to gather all peoples into his Covenant of salvation. Disagreements and discussion ensued as to whether newly converted “Gentiles” were required by God to follow every detail of the Law of Moses. The Church met in Jerusalem. Here are “the minutes” of their meeting leading up to their decision and handling of the problem. This was a real turning point for the fledgling Church and a deeper understanding of the faith.

[Today’s Feast of Saint Matthias has it special scripture readings. As a result this passage was skipped over in the Mass readings. You find it here and can find the whole Chapter 15 by going to the readings for today (just below this on the home page) and navigating to yesterday Wednesday and click on the link at the top of the first reading on the right and it will take you to whole chapter. I have split the chapter into three sections — the second of the three is presented here.]

After much debate had taken place, Peter got up and said to them, “My brothers, you are well aware that from early days God made his choice among you that through my mouth the Gentiles would hear the word of the gospel and believe. And God, who knows the heart, bore witness by granting them the holy Spirit just as he did us. He made no distinction between us and them, for by faith he purified their hearts. Why, then, are you now putting God to the test by placing on the shoulders of the disciples a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear? On the contrary, we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they.”

The whole assembly fell silent, and they listened while Paul and Barnabas described the signs and wonders God had worked among the Gentiles through them.

After they had fallen silent, James responded, “My brothers, listen to me. Symeon has described how God first concerned himself with acquiring from among the Gentiles a people for his name. The words of the prophets agree with this, as is written:

After this I shall return and rebuild the fallen hut of David; from its ruins I shall rebuild it and raise it up again, so that the rest of humanity may seek out the Lord, even all the Gentiles on whom my name is invoked. Thus says the Lord who accomplishes these things, known from of old.’

 It is my judgment, therefore, that we ought to stop troubling the Gentiles who turn to God, but tell them by letter to avoid pollution from idols, unlawful marriage, the meat of strangled animals, and blood. For Moses, for generations now, has had those who proclaim him in every town, as he has been read in the synagogues every sabbath.”

Acts 15:7-21

The words of Peter and James carried the day. Let’s see why.

Peter came to the meeting and told of his own experience concerning the faith of some Greek speaking converts. The one household we have already heard about is that of the Roman Centurion Cornelius. To refresh your memory — they got together because they had simultaneous visions and Peter answered Cornelius’ invitation. When he arrived in Caesarea and entered the house of Cornelius he spoke God’s word to them — the good news that Jesus was sent by God into this world as Savior. Upon hearing the word Cornelius believed. Peter remarked at the time: Now I know that God does not play favorites; but anyone of any nation who lives uprightly and reverences God is acceptable to the Lord. The household received the Holy Spirit — the same Spirit Peter had brought with him. It was not necessary for circumcision to intervene. In the scripture above Peter states: God purified their hearts by faith [in response to the word of God]… we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they. This is the fundamental meaning of the Gospel that all men are invited to share in the saving Covenant by faith generated by response to the word of God preached to them.

James comes to the same conclusion by another route. He cites Old Testament prophet Amos who says that God would gather the Gentiles into the restored house of David. He, too, points to the fact that God is the one who is doing this. It is up to him to work the way he wants. We ought not attempt to stop him and block his way with our human precepts. James goes on to cite what the Gentiles rather need to do: avoid insulting God by eating pagan sacrificial meat dedicated to false gods; avoid marital relationships which defile the divine purpose of marriage and the procreation of life; avoid eating blood because lifeblood is sacred as it represents God’s life in his creatures and must not be an occasion for disrespect of the God whose life is within us.

Both James and Peter support the primacy of God in all that we do — including what God has done in raising Jesus from the dead. Man is not first, God is. Could not have a better standard to go by. Their faith is a great lesson to us.

We have received word that Archbishop Schnurr and the Bishops of Ohio have set Monday, May 25th  as the day to resume parish Masses. Weekday Masses will begin first, — the Sunday obligation is suspended for a while and we shall work toward eventually all coming together on the Lord’s Day. By spreading attendance at Mass over the whole week we will be in a better position to observe the “distancing” required, rather than trying to squeeze everyone into the church on Sunday. This will mean some effort on your part for you own safety.

We have preparations to make for the arrangement of Masses and the church setting. At this time I am asking you for suggestions of Mass times (temporary schedule), during the week and on Sunday. A possible arrangement: Monday, Wednesday, Fridays Mass at Noon; Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday Mass at 8:00 am. This would give better opportunity for all ages to participate in Mass — early risers and lunch hour. After a few days of the first week we should be more able to estimate attendance on each day, including Sundays. We may have to change the Sunday schedule to give us time to sanitize between Masses. By the way May 25th is Memorial Day. Let me know. Thank you.

WHAT IS GOD UP TO?

Paul and Barnabas, as the word of God relates today (First part of Acts 15), kept announcing the “Good News” wherever they went. Their message was that God was doing something new. He was distributing his graces among the outsiders as well as to visible members of his chosen people. This new action on God’s part calls us to respond with a new faith — not brand new but new and deeper amazement at his wonderful works.

The pandemic has done much the same for us. Our Easter faith has taken a new turn — not entirely new but new to us in his emphasizing that our faith is a shared faith. He has done this by taking away from us for a time our ability to share as we had previously done, especially at the Eucharist. We are not a Church unto ourselves. Our world of faith is personal and individual but not exclusively ours. God is not blessing just me. He does not keep his blessings for me alone. The generous Lord loves others as well and blesses them with remarkable gifts. Not being able to gather together at the Table of the Lord and praise God by sharing together in the mysteries of Christ, his Son, has awaken us to the fact that we are not completely in control of our lives. The Lord above is in charge of my life but also the others whom he blesses.

So we look forward to coming together again at Mass to offer thanksgiving in the midst of the assembly. What a delight that will be! Right now we ask ourselves how we shall do this with greater faith and love. This is where Paul and Barnabas and the whole Church of their time provide some guidance. Watch how they solve the problem of discerning whether circumcision was a necessary requirement of pleasing the God of the Covenant and joining together for worship. They do not try to solve the question with just their human ways but they look to God to reveal to them his wishes — not our human wishes.

We had already heard how, as the number of believers increased, there was a need of ministering to them in such a way that unity was maintained and strengthened. With this question of full observance of all the specific parts of the Mosaic Law God revealed what was more important —what was essential to live the Covenant. The disciples then gathered in Jerusalem. Here unity in God’s ways was the prime concern.

The chose Jerusalem as their meeting place because it was the home of God’s dwelling, the Temple, and it was chosen by him through Jesus to be the place of the perfection of the Covenant through the death and resurrection of the Christ. The Church in Jerusalem was the Mother Church. The answer to the discussion would come forth from the God himself in the historical setting of the Holy City. The Lord is the authority. So the answer will be found in what God is doing rather than in man’s endeavors. This the disciples did. A great step in the faith will result — a shared faith, unity in faith and worship. The pandemic of our time can result in the same.

Next we will hear, through the mouths of the Apostles James and Peter, an authoritative interpretation of what God was doing for our salvation.

We have received word that Archbishop Schnurr and the Bishops of Ohio have set Monday, May 25^th  as the day to resume parish Masses. Weekday Masses will begin first, — the Sunday obligation is suspended for a while and we shall work toward eventually all coming together on the Lord’s Day. By spreading attendance at Mass over the whole week we will be in a better position to observe the “distancing” required, rather than trying to squeeze everyone into the church on Sunday. This will mean some effort on your part for you own safety.

We have preparations to make for the arrangement of Masses and the church setting. At this time I am asking you for suggestions of Mass times (temporary schedule), during the week and on Sunday. A possible arrangement: Monday, Wednesday, Fridays Mass at Noon; Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday Mass at 8:00 am. This would give better opportunity for all ages to participate in Mass — early risers and lunch hour. After a few days of the first week we should be more able to estimate attendance on each day, including Sundays. We may have to change the Sunday schedule to give us time to sanitize between Masses. By the way May 25^th is Memorial Day. Let me know. Thank you.

Prayer by those not able to go to Mass in person

Saint Alphonsus di Liguori (1696-1787) lived at time when many came to identify Mass with just going to Communion. So at that time he composed a widely circulated prayer of Spiritual Communion for those who, for one reason or another, could not go to Communion. This prayer has been suggested to be used today in our present crisis. However, God has done a lot for us in the intervening years regarding our cherished celebration of the Eucharist. In our time the Lord has given us a deeper and wider understanding of the great Mystery of the Eucharist which he handed on to his Church for all ages for our spiritual growth. We need to take advantage of these heavenly gifts in the way we pray — the Church has experienced this in the revision of the Mass in our life time.

We know better now that the entire Mass from start to finish involves the many real presences of Christ, and in particular his real presence within the people of his holy assembly. So I have composed this prayer, which I prefer to call Prayer When I Cannot Participate in Mass in Person aka The Prayer for Renewing the Covenant (instead of Spiritual Communion for the reason just stated) is based on the reality of faith that the Lord’s Covenant love is behind everything he has done for us — our better knowledge of scripture has provided us with a better grasp of our faith. He gave us his Son, born into this world, who followed his Father’s will in everything and thus was sinless. Jesus so loved us that he wishes to recreate us in his image day by day so that we come to perfection in him and so enjoy the fullness of life. To this end he left us the Eucharistic memorial in its totality which we have grown to love in the midst of his faithful people. So we pray that every celebration of the Eucharistic mysteries deepen his life within us and within the whole Church, bringing together the many real presences of Christ in our lives.

I offer this prayer during these “desert days” of contemplation so that our return to these sacred mysteries will find us more deeply committed to the Covenant love of Christ, for which he gave his life, and to the increase of his life within us until we reach the fullness and abundance he has in store for us. That is the purpose of the Mass for which we long.

Through your gift of Covenant love, O Lord, you have opened our hearts to welcome your Son to dwell within us by being baptized into his Church community and enlivened and strengthen by his Holy Spirit as to what you have made us so that we can better answer your call to gather for the Eucharist. Unable to join the body of Christ at this time to celebrate the redemption of your people, we beseech your merciful love to enlarge our hearts to welcome your presence all the more and that of your Son and the Holy Spirit so that we may give you thanks always and everywhere as befits your name. Open our ears, O Lord, to your word, both spoken and lived. Through your Holy Spirit make our daily lives more in the image of your Son who is the perfect example of your eternal Covenant so that we may soon join his body, the Church, to burst forth in praise of you at the Table of the Lord, sharing his Body and Blood, and to advance with all your faithful people toward your kingdom of heaven, bound together with you and your holy ones in your one family. Make firm that unity of your Church in answer to your Son’s prayer that we be one so that the world come to know your presence here and know that you are always with us. Through Christ our risen Lord. Amen.

Saint Alphonsus approved this message because his appreciation for the Eucharistic Christ has reached perfection now in the company of saints and offers the prayer above, too, from his heavenly perspective.

We have received word that Archbishop Schnurr and the Bishops of Ohio have set Monday, May 25^th  as the day to resume parish Masses. Weekday Masses will begin first, — the Sunday obligation is suspended for a while and we shall work toward eventually all coming together on the Lord’s Day. By spreading attendance at Mass over the whole week we will be in a better position to observe the “distancing” required, rather than trying to squeeze everyone into the church on Sunday. This will mean some effort on your part for you own safety.

We have preparations to make for the arrangement of Masses and the church setting. At this time I am asking you for suggestions of Mass times (temporary schedule), during the week and on Sunday. A possible arrangement: Monday, Wednesday, Fridays Mass at Noon; Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday Mass at 8:00 am. This would give better opportunity for all ages to participate in Mass — early risers and lunch hour. After a few days of the first week we should be more able to estimate attendance on each day, including Sundays. We may have to change the Sunday schedule to give us time to sanitize between Masses. By the way May 25^th is Memorial Day. Let me know. Thank you.

EXTENDED SCRIPTURE COMMENTARY FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

Acts 6:1-7

The early Church had its struggles — but they were good ones. It was not so bad with 70-100 disciples. The Twelve could take care of that. When the numbers increased into the thousands the Holy Spirit, which had descended upon them, inspired the Apostles to choose others as Jesus had chosen them. It was a choice by faith, probably learning a lesson from the gifts which they themselves had received — Holy Spirit, faith and wisdom from above. So it was a “spiritual” selection. Remember that Peter himself was filled with the Holy Spirit on Pentecost and spoke to the people. What was the problem they had to address? It was a language and culture problem. There were two easily distinguished groups among the Jews: those who spoke Aramaic and those who spoke Greek and the accompanying cultural backgrounds, e.g. the type of food that they ate or did not eat. What is it that brought them together in the first place? Their faith and worship of the God of the Covenant. You can imagine how the divisions affected their worship gatherings. This happens today sometimes when ethnic groups sit in church in adjacent pews. So the Apostles in consultation with the whole Church chose seven men, with Greek names, to minister the distribution of food to fellows of similar origin. The Apostles prayed over them, imposing hands upon them (much like Mass) invoking the Father to send his Holy Spirit upon them to minister to his people. In this whole passage it is worth noting the priority the Apostles placed upon the ministry of the word — an essential vocation of our clergy today. Luke, as the sacred author, tells clearly that it was the ministry of the word which accounted for the spread of the faith and increase in the numbers of followers. The ministry of the word holds the same position of priority in the Church in our time. Then and now it will be the source of unity among God’s people whatever their language and culture because the one and same Holy Spirit of the risen Christ is at work.

Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19 (22)
Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.

Those who selected this psalm in response to the first reading did not have a hard time finding a psalm to fit the occasion. An observant Jew grew up reverencing and celebrating the word of God. Here in the verses we have today the psalmist (and those who sing this psalm) speak of God’s greatness and give thanks to him for the word of Yahweh and his works. Then the psalm ties the “word” with the faithful covenant love of the Lord to the extent that his word and his faithful love is all over the world in everything that God has made. God speaking to mankind (his word) is a very loving action on God’s part. It is a loving action on the part of the religious person who relies on that word and covenant love to reply to what God is doing living that faith to the fullest and singing his praises before all mankind. The psalms (and the whole Bible) are the word of God which becomes a living word in the lives of God’s faithful people. Just as at the time of the Apostles in those early years the listening (and taking it into our hearts) to the same word of God, e.g. at Mass, unites us at the Table of the Lord through the gift of the same Holy Spirit. It happens today.

Exult, you just, in the LORD;
praise from the upright is fitting.
Give thanks to the LORD on the harp;
with the ten-stringed lyre chant his praises.

 Upright is the word of the LORD,
and all his works are trustworthy.
He loves justice and right;
of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.

 See, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him,
upon those who hope for his kindness,
To deliver them from death
and preserve them in spite of famine.

Collect/Gathering Prayer

May you always bring to perfection in us these Paschal Mysteries, O Lord almighty and eternal God, so that those you have found worthy to renew by holy baptism may under your protective care produce a multitude of good deeds and according to your graciousness will reach the joys of eternal life.

The Church’s tradition of a lengthy Easter Season stems from the faith expressed in this prayer. That faith is that following the risen Lord we are called to mature in the faith. The Easter Mystery unfolds before us and our life in Christ as well. Easter is not like a snapshot which remains the same forever. It is moving higher and higher, closer to the God’s intended goal for us — the fullness of life in his heavenly presence. So as Church we call out to God during this liturgy to bring what he has begun in us — that is the reason for remembering baptism — to the perfection which the Lord Jesus won for us through his death and resurrection. So we join the Church asking for three things: 1) that God preserve and protect what he has already done for us in the initial faith; 2) that he turn our first steps in the faith into a very productive life in Christ; 3) that we come to share the abundance and fullness of Christ’s life in us in the heavenly realm. It is our whole life.

1 Peter 2:4-9

Let us jump ahead a bit now to our Gospel of today because Peter, the writer of this letter, was involved in all that Jesus said and did there. In the passage we hear today Peter’s name is not mentioned but from his past experience we know that he took it all in and took it very personal, e.g. Jesus, I will never deny you. We have to give Peter credit for the wonderful depths of his faith and his gift of seeing God’s ways for what they really are. He reveals once again in this passage a profound grasp of the scriptures (Old Testament). Keep in mind that from his time accompanying Christ he realizes that Jesus had chosen him for a special role among the Apostles. Here he tells his listeners/readers that they too have been chosen. In this way they are like Christ chosen by God. Stay close to him, he says, that you may living stones in God’s spiritual house and join the Lord Jesus in offering spiritual sacrifices pleasing to God. Christ Jesus showed himself as the priest by his offering on the cross — the Church’s Easter prayers, e.g. the prefaces at Mass, state this explicitly. So Peter teaches that in union with Christ and his Church we are a chosen race, a kingdom of priests, a holy people, God’s personal possession to sing the praises of God. There is your reason for gathering together to worship God in the Eucharist. That is why we come to church. That is how we mature in the faith and a holy life in Christ.

John 14:1-12

These words of Jesus in the hours that preceded his death have come to mean so much for us as we mature in the faith. Just as the Apostles so gladly followed Christ at his call so we have consciously and lovingly recognized the good in our attachment to him and done so willingly. But with our acceptance of Christ Jesus comes the fear that we shall lose him. The Apostles were troubled because Jesus increasingly spoke of his death and departure. When he spoke of dying and being raised they got the first part but did not really understand the second part, the resurrection and what that would mean for them. So we find ourselves confronted with much the same. Jesus’ resurrection is still a mystery to us in many respects. The Church gives us this Easter Season to make progress is understanding what has happened to us by Jesus’ dying and rising.

In this Gospel passage Jesus explains to us what his resurrection means in our lives. He explains it this way. First, I am going to the Father, it is better that I go. Secondly, I will see to it that we will always be together— you shall be with me where I am. Thirdly, you shall see the Father, even more clearly than you see him in me now. Fourthly, just as we have walked together these last couple of years we will continue to walk together for I am the way — our journey is headed in the same direction. During those hours together at the Last Supper this still did not sink in but now by the time of the preaching and writing of the Gospel they knew clearly that Jesus was true to his word. We find ourselves in their position of Easter faith. We, too, keep walking with the Lord, who now is at the right hand of the Father ceaselessly interceding for us. In him we shall not fail.