Jim Mahoney's Blog - Sacred to Etc.

Final Post in in this Series of 100 Posts - January 10, 2019 - Yippee - I did it

I'm happy that I did this - and that i stuck it out. I even finished a couple days early. Practicing the discipline worked. The process worked. This gave me a chance to explore myself in the hope that it might be helpful to those who were reading this. I hope so. If that is what happened, I'm glad. Know that I pray for you. We're all in this together. We're here for each other.

God bless. Love, jim

I end with this blessing written by one of my closest friends, who went home to heaven a few years ago, a person who always believed in me far more than I could ever believe in myself:

    May a silver moon reign over this harvest night

    And glorious Irish dreams explode anew

    May those glittering blue eyes dance with light

    While argent stars whirl to the pipes with you

    May your journey be at least twice as long

    And your people prevent you from growing old

    May Jesus and Mary join in your song

    And henceforth may every day be purest gold

    And  may the Lord of the great Sacrament

    Bless you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

                Andrew M. Greeley

 

 

TODAY'S GRATITUDE - I will resume writing on this blog starting this Ash Wednesday. By that time, I'll be pastor emeritus of Corpus Christi!

 

2 Posts to go - January 10, 2019M - I'm getting excited about my future

I genuinely believe that I'm ready for this next phase of my life. I'm ready to move on - I'm ready to grow - I'm ready for my bucket list - I'm ready to have more time with my friends - I'm ready to thank and to be with all those who are so important to me. Without belaboring the point even more than I have, I'm still perplexed that I have some very good friends, probably more than most, who always stuck with me. My hunch is that it may not have been easy at times - minimally, I probably just shut down in a way that was terribly frustrating for them. Who knows? I certainly don't.

This exercise, this discipline, of writing 100 Posts has had some very positive impact on me. The process helped me in ways where I did not know that I needed help. But I did - and it happened - with the help of God and all those I love.

I am such a fortunate person.

TODAY'S GRATITUDE - Read the above - and also the last post in this series which comes next.

 

3 Posts to go - January 10, 2019L - Continued Self-Exploration

My fear now is that, having admitted that I'm an introvert, I may have created a monster just going on ad nauseum about myself. In truth, this topic will only last through this particular post. Then I will be all defensed up to reach the 100th and last post in this series of 100. 

I have struggled for a long time with a poor self-image. This is not a case of "poor me" or "feel sorry for me." But I am quite often perplexed when people find me likable. I laugh at myself when I realize how often I use the word "joy." I'm absolutely serious about this word - it is so important. Yet, even this is a struggle which I try to overcome.

This may be a reason why I mention so often in preaching that God is absolutely crazy about us. I'm preaching to myself - and even trying to convince myself that I am lovable. I am being authentic as possible because I would never say something in a homily that I did not viscerally believe. 

I'm amused at myself in sharing some very private things in these last two posts - but obviously it is connected with the fact that this Sunday is my retirement liturgy. I'm starting a new phase of life. I continue on my lifelong task - of trying to help others. Often I'm trying to help me as well as help you. It kind of worked for me. I hope that it kind of worked for you.

TODAY'S GRATITUDE: I'm so grateful to all of my extraordinary friends who have stuck with me over these decades.

4 Posts to go - January 10, 2019K - Keep this to yourself - I'm an introvert

I am a genuine certified introvert. In some ways, this can be somewhat of a challenge in my life of work, shall we say. My hunch is that the majority of people would not really classify me as an introvert. But I am. Without question. Not open for discussion. This is the reality. In many situations that I am in, due to my jobs, being an introvert is probably not an ideal thing. It can make some things more difficult and certainly more tiring. I don't relish many social gatherings. I am usually uncomfortable at them.  If I am at a function, I instinctively try to find a couple of people whom I'm comfortable with - and just stick around them. 

A few years ago, I was with a friend at a conference. I just mentioned that I was an introvert and don't like conferences. He seemed intrigued that I was an introvert since he has seen me in many social and professional settings. His wife was kind enough to send me a book about me - truly about me - which I read instantly - Here is the title: Quiet - the Power of Introverts in a world that cannot stop talking. The author explained that introverts, in order to cope and survive, adopt an "extrovert persona" in order to function in many social settings. That made total sense to me. The insight helped me. And since then, when asked, it allowed me to help other introverts. But I'm not going to go up to you and say that I see you're an introvert, here is a book to help you. Nah, you have to admit it first. I don't know if this is being an introvert, but I am about the least intrusive or prying person that you will ever find.

I do have to spend so much time in my "extrovert persona." The graphic at the top of the post really explains me to me - and hopefully to you. It is accurate!

TODAY'S GRATITUDE: For these occasional bursts of self-discovery.

I cannot believe that, after 45 years, I actually wrote about this. I must be really tired and my well-constructed defenses are down!

TODAY'S GRATITUDE: For understanding something about myself which I never understood.

 

 

5 Posts to go - January 10, 2019J - Things I Like about Priesthood and Things I Don't!

This is a photo of Bishop Casey who ordained me as part of a class of 23 in 1973. I liked Bishop Casey a lot and worked for him on a number of things during the last year of his life. He was no scholar, but I learned a lot from being around him.

This post is about things that I like about priesthood and things I don't.  I've been a priest for 45 years. Cannot believe that number. So let me share the things that I really like about priesthood:

Celebrating Mass/praying

Preaching

Being with the people on weekends (even though I'm an introvert - Really!)

Teaching

Trying to share with people the Joy of Christ

Figuring out answers and approaches to problems that people have in their lives

Helping people walk more closely with God

Leading a parish

Now I'm going to list the things that I don't like about priesthood. 

(PERSONAL SHARING: there will be nothing here. it is not that I like everything about being a priest. I don't. I obviously like many things or I could never have lasted. But there are things that I just hate doing as a priest. Nonetheless, I do them. We all have to do things we don't like. That is life. But since being a priest means ministering to people, I would share with people that the very thing that I am doing for them as a priest is something that I really can't stand doing or am uncomfortable thing  or would even avoid doing if I could. No one needs to know this. Just know that, even with those things, I try to do my best. I am comfortable knowing that I have never shared with people what I don't like about being a priest. That is not their problem. It is my problem. I do know that, on those things that I do not like doing, I try extra hard to be effective. People have a right to that from their priests. We are not given a menu and told to chose the things we like and just do them. Life does not work that way. Even relationships do not work that way. So this paragraph is the best that I could do on this question.)

 

  

6 Posts to go - January 10, 2019I - Things in life I learned, but did not like learning them, and now glad that I did!

(This is not me. I could not find a photo me playing the piano.)

As I continue to reflect on my past, particularly now since I'm heading from one phase into the next, I have been thinking about lessons learned, things learned, things tried, and some rather spectacular foul-ups. Consider the example of playing the piano. When I was in grade school, I took piano lessons. I do not recall begging my parents for piano lessons. I do not know how this began. Neither of my parents played a musical instrument. But somehow I had eight years of classical piano lessons.

I had to practice one hour a day up in my room. I had developed a strategy to make this less boring. I would play various exercises on the piano which I could memorize. Then I would place a book on the piano and read. My parents never knew this. Downstairs, they could hear the piano music so they thought that I was practicing - actually I was - but hardly giving it much concentration. 

When they would have company, they would invite me to play the piano in the living room. I then usually selected a sonatina or some other type of classical music - and just played and played and played - until the people in their living room lost interest, began talking, and gradually I would end the piece, excuse myself, and go back upstairs.

By the end of eighth grade, I had developed a total hatred of classical music. Did not play at all in high school. When I went to college, I went play in our beer hall - no classical music, but mostly Broadway show tunes which I enjoyed. Then I stopped playing for years. I only resurrected my piano playing in the parish when annually I played the piano to accompany our Children's Christmas Pageant. Only once did I revert to classical music when we dedicated a new piano for the church. I played one sonatina. It was fun, but that was it. Enough.

Is there a moral to this painful spectacle of introspection? Yeah - I'm glad my parents made me learn the piano. In the long run, I was glad that I could play the piano. Figure out the life's lesson for yourself. Some things that require discipline can ultimately be fun.

TODAY'S GRATITUDE: For accepting later in life that parents actually knew what they were doing.   

7 Posts to go - January 10, 2019H - Will Jesus recognize you when you die?

A close friend once said to me that she hoped Jesus would recognize her when she died. I always found that an interesting way to sum up the whole complicated fact of judgment at the end of our time here on earth. Without knowing it, she used rather good theology - which is absolutely faithful to the Scriptures and our tradition. Recognition is part of the spiritual life. Do we recognize Jesus in others and treat them accordingly. Can people recognize Jesus in us by the way we treat them! 

Where can we recognize God? I've touched on this point a few times in this series of 100 posts because I think it is really important. I remember when I was in high school the teacher was going to be late. So he taped on the blackboard a picture of Jesus - with the caption, "I'm Watching You." We thought it was silly. But today, it kind of makes sense - God watches us - and watches over us. We want God to recognize us - and welcome us. It is almost that simple.

TODAY'S GRATITUDE: I'm grateful for the many people in my life whose very life helps me to recognize God.

8 Posts to go - January 10, 2019G - I'm blessed with the wisdom of so many

As I get older, I think a lot about the people who have really influenced my life. I have been blessed with tremendous human beings of all different shapes and sizes. I love the above quote from Albert Einstein. I have certainly learned and grown from some people who were the absolute best in their field. It was fun to be around them. I learned so much. I was also baffled that they seemed to like me. But I've also learned from people who might not have had lofty academic credentials, but had insights and wisdom that helped me more than those with a bunch of degrees. 

I'm at my best when I feel that I can learn something from someone. It is not fun for me when someone goes on and on and on. I do come alive when I can learn from someone, connect dots form their experiences, and learn things that I never knew. This makes me better. There are some people who have given me wonderful gifts with their observations, their way of connecting dots in the world, and their sense of wonder and discovery. I am intrigued when some people that I know well do not consider themselves very intelligent. They are among the wisest people that I know. Heck, book learning can be found in a book. But real wisdom comes from a person with eyes wide open and a heart that never shrinks.

If the world only had Einsteins, it might be fun for a while - but probably it would get boring. I knew a parishioner many years ago who was a friend of Einstein in Princeton. Decades later, I wish I had the gumption to have asked him about his friend, Albert. But even Einstein could have fun. Just consider this stately photograph:

   

   I have no idea why I use this graphic. But it makes me laugh - and that is not a bad thing - especially when I take myself too seriously.

TODAY'S GRATITUDE: I am more and more grateful for the gifts that God gave me - especially as I get, shall we say, less young.

9 Posts to go - January 10, 2019F - A Good Prayer - The Wind died down

I believe this is a sign of the presence of God - the wind died down. When Jesus walked on the water, there was a storm. His disciples were afraid. Jesus calmed the storm and told it to be still. Then there is a line which can often be overlooked, "Then the wind died down." THis is seldom highlighted, but I think that it is one of the most important phrases in the gospels. Our life can be a cauldron, a tempest, roller coaster - use whatever image you like. But what it comes down to is this: we pray to God that the wind will die down. What a stark simple practical sign of the presence of God - The wind died down. Don't be afraid to ask God to let the wind die down in your life. I know I need this. You probably do too. Let's together seek the dying of the wind so we can experience the rising of joy and peace. It is worth it.

TODAY'S GRATITUDE: I'm so thankful for understanding this passage in Scripture - only after 50 years since I learned about it in school!

10 Posts to go - January 10, 2019E - Prayer when we're really in a bad predicament

We are all in predicaments. The above graphic is about the predicaments of a younger person. Older persons have lost of predicaments as well. The spiritual issue really becomes something like this: if we're in a situation where there is tension, misunderstanding, anger, judgment, etc., what can we do about it? Do we insist on being right or following Jesus? At the moment we die, can we defend our behavior before God? Wouldn't we want to clear things up way before this. 

We have to pray for people who have done awful things to us. It is not easy. But it helps. It is profoundly spiritual. It will make us a better person. Don't even think about fairness. Think about salvation. Do you want that so and so who did things to you to be responsible for keeping you out of heaven for not forgiving? I don't. I hope that you don't either. Get yourself out of the predicament.

TODAY'S GRATITUDE: When God has helped me to forgive and not hold onto things. (This is not easy - but it works.)

 

11 Posts to go - January 10, 2019D - Routine Prayer

I believe it is helpful to have a routine to our prayers each day. Prayer does not have to be lengthy or complicated. But it has to exist. It is a conscious effort we make to have a connection with God. We pray for many different things in our routine of prayer each day. I really see praying for people, especially parishioners, is an important responsibility that I carry every single day. With Mass and reading and thinking and actively seeking God's help, I probably spend an average of one hour a day praying for people - and sometimes, even for myself. Once in a while, when I get overwhelmed, I realize at the end of the day that I let this slide. I know that is not good, so I just increase my efforts.

The key thing in prayer for me is knowing that, in the end, praying can help many people, but it can often change me. That is not a bad thing.

TODAY'S GRATITUDE: For the many people who have told me lately that they are praying for me.

12 Posts to go - January 10, 2019C - A few posts on Prayer - Emergency Prayers

There are many different ways to pray, There are also different times when we pray different kinds of prayers. 

Emergency Prayers: We all have times when we hear of some tragic news. Some is really ill. They had a heart attack. They are in a coma. They had a seizure. They were in an awful accident. At these times, At these times, our common response is usually to pray. 

In emergency prayers, what are we praying for? The answer is complicated, but let's try to make it simple. I believe that we are praying for the person who needs our prayers in this situation receive the best possible enlightened effective care imaginable. There are so many moving pieces that we want them all to come together in the best possible way. We then ask God to intervene - and to do so powerfully. It is OK to beg. We ask God to simply walk with the person - to take their hand - to give them peace - to not let them be in pain - and to let them know that, in this situation and all situations they are genuinely loved. Just keep repeating the Jesus prayer - asking that Jesus be with them.

As Jesus did when he calmed the winds on the sea, we are asking for a very similar thing - God, calm the winds. Being given the gift of peace is powerful. 

We have a practical reality that sometimes things do not work out as we want. Then we continue our prayers - but make sure we are asking for God's gift of peace - which will stay with the person and let them know that they are not abandoned. 

Obviously, we want everyone to live forever. We want everyone to be healthy. We want everyone to be safe. Our emergency prayer is ultimately for the healing power of peace to be given to this person. Through prayer and people praying for them, they are not alone. Somehow, in the short run, it seems like these prayers may not be answered. But I believe that, maybe not even in the middle run, but in the ultimate run - God answers them - and gently guides the person, through our prayers, into whatever outcome is possible. Sometimes, we need God to just keep the person safe. 

These are somewhat random thoughts - about the most difficult circumstances that people can face. We pull out all the stops - knowing that we cannot control the situation - but we can be certain that Jesus walks with this person and stays close to them. Sometimes, this is all we can hope for - but we usually hope and want even more. I have seen good things happen countless times- and also seen times when things are really left in God's hands to take care of the person.

This is the bottom line for me - this is the bottom line of our faith: somehow, in some way, in some time - God never ever abandons the ones that God loves.

TODAY'S GRATITUDE: For people who help other people through difficult times, especially in recognizing that they are not alone.

 

13 Posts to go - January 10, 2019B - The Beauty and Mystery in Nature

Have you noticed something interesting about the Poinsettia plans in church this year? Each plant is fuller, taller, and markedly more robust than in past years. Our plants come from a wholesale greenhouse. I do not know if the little folks began their lives outside or spent their life in a greenhouse. Whatever the case, they were better than any year I can remember in the past. I do not have a green thump. I really am not competent in these things. But, is there a point to this horticultural meandering? Actually, yes. 

The beauty and mystery of nature is one of the signs of God in the world. God is the creator. It is easy to picture the hand of God in a poinsettia plant - as we see that hand in a beautiful sunrise or sunset at the Jersey shore. We must honor and respect all of God's creation. If Joyce Kilmer could do a poem about a tree, we can reflect on God's power in a plant - and then, most important - in life itself.

TODAY'S GRATITUDE:  For realizing the hand of God in so many things in our world.

14 Posts to go - January 10, 2019A - Heroic Sacrifices - a common response

As I look back over these years in the parish, I often think about the families who made what anyone might feel are sacrifices for another family member: a gravely ill parent, a struggling spouse, a younger person or even older person struggling with addictions, mental and physical disabilities - so many things, so many situations requiring a family to dramatically shift their priorities and figure out how they can help. To people looking at this from the outside, it might seem like a heroic sacrifice - but to so many families in these situations - there see no option. Their only response is love.

I have seen this over and over. It has taught me about goodness and sacrifice. Above all, it taught me one of my most important religious truths: non-abandoning love. It is real. It is dramatic. It is given without stinting. It is the response of saints - disguised as parishioners and friends.

TODAY'S GRATITUDE: For the wonderful example of people whose lives really show what faith is.

15 Posts to go - January 9, 2019E - The 7:30 weekday morning mass

When I first moved into the rectory at the parish from living at one of our Catholic high schools, the parish only had an 8:30 a.m. Mass on weekdays. That would not have worked with the schedule that I had to keep in my diocesan job. Father Patch added a 7:30 a.m. Mass to the weekday schedule, and primarily I said it over the decades.

Over time, this became one of the real great supports for my own faith and connection with God. I learned so much from the people who went to this Mass. Since I said the Mass for over four decades, I not only knew all of the people really well, but also, with profound sadness, had to celebrate a good number of funerals of these good people. 

This people caught me about faith, prayer, not giving up, being joyful in the midst of adversity, and so many other things. I've never told them this, so I hope that they read this post. They are an extraordinary group of human beings - filled with faith, spiritually disciplined, thoughtful, and so concerned about each other. I will always be in their debt.

TODAY'S GRATITUDE: The 7:30 a.m. weekday Mass crowd. They are so good.

16 Posts to go - January 9, 2019D - I love the music here

The above picture shows our various choirs singing at my retirement liturgy. Well, maybe, just in my mind. But, I do love the music here. We have lots of choirs - various children's choirs, youth and young adult, and adult choirs, and handbell choirs for children and adults. Singers and instrumentalists. They all come together in our liturgies. It gives the parish, our worship, a special flavor and joy that we might often take for granted. I would never compare all of our choirs to other parishes. That would not be fair. But what I will say - is that it is one of the things that I like the most about the parish. It is clearly a priority because worship is a priority. Our choirs help us celebrate. They do not dominate. They are well integrated into our masses. They are so incredibly good. Did I mention how good they are? I am so fortunate that these choirs exist, that their quality continues, and that those who lead our choirs are people of joy and exceptional competence and artistry. What more could a pastor ever ask? (Unlike many choirs that I have heard outside the diocese, when this choir sings, you can actually understand the words they are singing. That is not often the case.

If you agree with me (and you better!!!), why not tell them sometime.

17 Posts to go - January 9, 2019C - My lifelong goal - I always wanted to be tall

You may be amused at this, but if I was asked to pick something about my life and change it, one unfulfilled wish would be simply that I was tall. I do like the photo and caption of the giraffe above. I guess most people have something about themselves that they would like to be different. I was never content with being short. Unlike many things in my life, I did not set out on a program to change a particular characteristic, such as height. I did not wear elevator shoes or anything like that. But here it is - I've said it. I've confessed it. I have never said this to anyone in my entire life. So there.

As I get towards the end of this series of 100 posts on my blog, I do find that I'm starting to get a bit surly. Is this really me or is this just a function of being too tired to have my usual filters in place. Who knows. Someday, I'll figure it out. While those who know me best have an idea about this, here is something interesting about my preferences: one of my very favorite animals is the giraffe. I have a large giraffe in my office, Msgr. Cora, who is one of my closest advisors. I also have a few other giraffes hanging around. Am I trying to identify with them? I don't know. I just like giraffes. 

TODAY'S GRATITUDE: That I can laugh at myself when I'm being ridiculous. Sometimes, it takes a while to reach that point.

 

 

18 Posts to go - January 9, 2019B - Am I Old?

I have never felt old. According to my driver's license, birth certificate, baptismal certificate, and AARP membership card, I am old - and quite possibly what is quaintly referred to as a senior citizen. While I often am just plain tired, I rationalize that this is a function of work responsibilities and dealing with serious problems - I have an innate disinclination to look at myself as old.

I know that most discussions of senior citizens hover around the ages of 60 - 70, usually 65. But I say to myself, so what. I just don't consider myself old. I don't consider myself young either. But until I breathe my last, I hope that I can always say that I don't care how old I am. I want to be active. I want to be healthy. I want to be happy. I have to have joy. (sorry for all the "I" words in the last few sentences.) I choose to rage, rage, against the dying of the light. Old Age? To heck with it. I used to hate this expression, but now I like it: Just seize the day, darn it. Keep savoring each day - and be sure to get all the senior discounts you possibly can.

TODAY'S GRATITUDE: For the gift of good health. May this continue.

19 Posts to go - January 9, 2019A - Wow - Perspectives Change on Retirement

(No graphic here. Could not find photograph of elderly priest that I considered respectful!)

Probably 25 years ago, I did a survey of our priests on their possible time for retirement. At that time, there was more latitude with choosing an earlier retirement date than we have today. When I filled out the survey (which I wrote!), I remember checking off the box which indicated that I planned to remain in active ministry until I was 75. At that time, I had not started to feel in any way the toll that 2 full-time jobs might take on me. Today, I would ask myself about staying until 75, my thoughtful response would be "are you nuts?" Reality rears its ugly head every time.

There is a reason so many organizations have a mandatory retirement age of 65 or earlier. There is a reason why police and firefighters can retire after 20-25 years of active service. We just cannot keep it up. We don't have the stamina we once had. Frankly, it can no longer work in the best interest of the organization. With priests, we have the added complication that, in many dioceses with fewer priests, there just have to have their priests serve longer, even if it is against their good health. (go figure!)

Today, I envy those priests who retired in good health at the age of 65. Good for them. Those lucky dogs. They also retired before they faced a Church now dealing with some awful issues from our past.

TODAY'S GRATITUDE: I'm thankful to God that I can retire now. 

20 Posts to Go - January 8, 2019A - What Do Catholic Politicians Do about Politics?

The older I get, i am less enamored with politicians. Come to think of it, the older I get, i am less enamored with all sorts of leaders. Is this a societal trend or is this a diagnosis of what is going on today. I came across an article yesterday which observed that, for the past 12 years, the Speaker of the House has been a Catholic. This would be John Boehner, Paul Ryan, and Nancy Pelosi. The article asked whether we could identify a particularly Catholic way of being Speaker. The author's conclusion and mine would be "Nah."

I think that it is a difficult task for politicians to remain faithful to their faith, given all of the reasons that politicians have for compromise, building coalitions, and so many other things that are really difficult. In my thoughtful judgment (which would be the only judgment to have), each of these Catholic Speakers of the House did try to follow their moral impulses - but sometimes their impulses really were contrary to the full vision of the Church for our world. God bless them for trying.

I think it is great to have growing numbers of Catholics in our Congress. I would be happier if some of them, even two or three,  could come up with a truly Catholic understanding of life and society. This does exist, but only a few politicians have tried this in the last fifty years. That's a shame.  

TODAY'S GRATITUDE: I'm grateful for political leaders in Pennsylvania named Casey. They were genuine Catholics in the best sense of the word.

 

 

21 Posts to go - January 7, 2019A - Life Really Is Sacred

Let me share my thoughts succinctly. I really believe that life is sacred at every stage, every age, every social condition, every ethnic group, every everything! I believe that the protection of the environment is terribly important. I am not inclined to be a protester. I am inclined to be thoughtful and think carefully through these important issues. I value a consistent ethic of life. 

I believe that neither political party has a monopoly on caring and profound life issues. Some ways in which some politicians approach life issues make me wince, groan, and sputter. I believe that if you don't respect people, then you have little credibility in convincing others that you respect life.

Period. End of post. Why should this be so complicated?

TODAY'S GRATITUDE: For politicians, few and far between, who are consistent in their protection of life.  

22 Posts to Go - January 6, 2019G - Monsignor

This is not my photo. It is taken out of a church clothing catalog in case you wanted to order a Monsignor cassock. I do have all of these things, but you may not have often seen me attired in such "splendor." Have not worn these things in years at the parish. Maybe once a year at certain diocesan functions. I'm not putting these things down, but, in truth, have been thinking about them lately.

I've been a priest with the title of monsignor for 25 years. It bears repeating that being a monsignor is strictly honorary. One does not receive any special sacramental powers or anything else. It is honorary. Did I mention that it's honorary! I will concede that when I was given this honor, I was very happy. It was fun. But shortly after receiving the honor, I thought more and more about the priests who were not given this honor. To make one person happy made countless others unhappy. It often happened over the years in the diocese.  It is hard to honor some and not honor others. 

Shortly after he became pope, Pope Francis changed the rules for requesting monsignors. I have never actually seen the document, but essentially it changed the minimum age to be named a monsignor. I think it is 65, but I'm not certain. The practical effect was to limit this honor to a much smaller group of people than in the past. The pope said that he wanted to reduce "careerism" in the church among priests. The only exception was that priests who were working in the Vatican still could be named monsignors without this age limitation. 

The effect of having monsignors used to be to "reward" priests who had done a good job. The problem is that most priests have done a good job - but were never going to be monsignors.

I don't have a solution for this particular situation. But I believe it is a problem. A lot of priests have been battered around with the aftermath of the sex abuse crisis - guys who have done their very best to help people and have been wonderful priests.  A lot of priests have been and are discouraged over what has taken place. It is a problem. (Sometimes, I think it would be great to be pope for just a day. I could solve everything. I also believe that the Chicago Cubs will win the next World Series.)

TODAY'S GRATITUDE: In the midst of such a tumultuous world and church, I'm grateful to know people who are sincerely concerned about the morale of priests and what can be done.

 

 

23 Posts to go - January 6, 2019F - Deep down, I am enjoying the downsizing of my life

Even though I consider the prospect of getting ready to move, have new beginnings, a major shift in my work patterns, and so many other changes, I nonetheless find at least a little enjoyment in downsizing. In the past, I had the luxury of being expansive. Now, I have no choice. Being focused, being sparse is not an option, it is a requirement.

In my professional life for both jobs, I have often had to deal with priorities - sometimes loosely, sometimes quite rigorously. Now I am dealing with downsizing rigorously - both in terms of things and in terms of what I will actually be doing. 

When I'm thinking straight, I look at this process of getting ready for retirement as an adventure - a new way of living. When I'm not thinking straight, then I look at all this as just a royal pain. From both perspectives, I do wish this process could be completed soon.

The thing that is fun is hoping I will emerge from this process having removed clutter in my life, and really having a chance to only deal with those things that I want to do and are important to me. I have spent my life trying to serve other people. Now I'll be shifting some of that focus on to me. I'm actually looking forward to it.

TODAY'S GRATITUDE - Seeing this more and more as a new exciting beginning. That makes me happy. 

 

24 Posts to Go - January 6, 2019E - The Accumulation of Stuff!

In some ways, i'm a pack rat. I don't like to throw things away. I accumulate things over time. Now in the course of 45 years, I have been dealing with the accumulation of stuff and more stuff and more stuff. It is a tedious exacting process. Ideally, it should be done annually, but that seems frightfully reasonable to actually do it when I have things to do that are more important.

As I'm going through this process which will certainly continue for the rest of this month, I'm bemused at how priorities and assessments of things rapidly shifts. Things, inanimate objects, that seemed quite essential and valuable at one time now have lost the slightest bit of importance to me. This has happened a lot. I wish I had done this annually. I was fortunate in always having additional space where things could be spread out. Now I am under a space constraint that I never had to deal with since I left the seminary. A one-bedroom apartment is not a place where you have the luxury of having non-essential things. Reality happens - even after 45 years.

I'm kind of glad. If this process did not take so much time, I would really value it. But having to cut through all these things accumulated over the decades has made me recall those things and memories that mean the most to me. I'm taking nothing to my little apartment that is not incredibly important to me. That feels good. I'm happy about it. It has not made me sad in the slightest - and that is a very good thing as I'm approaching retirement.

TODAY'S GRATITUDE - Getting my act together - even if it has taken at least 45 years.

 

25 Posts to Go - January 6, 2019D - Tonight are the Golden Globes

OK, tonight is the Golden Globes- and the start of the important time of the year when those in the entertainment industry take much needed time to honor themselves. When I read the nominated films, I realized to my social chagrin that I had not seen one of the nominated films. In truth, it is rare if I have seen more than two of the nominated films, but this is the first year when I had seen exactly none of them.

What is the cause of this void in my life? A reasonable honest answer is that I have just had too much to do and been too tired. That is true. But I do enjoy going to movies - and especially movies that will make me laugh. I find that when dealing with sad things, i.e., sex abuse and the intense aftermath, I retreat at times into things that will lift me up. Movies can do this, but none around seemed capable of spending the time to let that happen.

Consider Charlie Brown's trenchant observation: (makes sense to me!)

  

TODAY'S GRATITUDE: I have a renewed interest in Peanuts lately. 

26 Posts to Go - January 6, 2019C - Does a good example matter anymore?

This is not only about politicians. There is enough blame to go around. I fear for what is happening to children today - when the insistence on adults giving a good example to children seems to have been ripped to shreds by the example of leaders in so many walks of life. Obviously, some of the worst possible examples for children comes from certain of our political leaders. In no way can the Church be complacent about this as well.And so many other areas of life come to mind.

Is there an obligation to give a good example to children? I think so. But why do so many adults let so many leaders get away with giving a bad example that will ultimately be mimicked by children. The quote at the top of this post says it all. People rightly talk about climate change. I think we should also be talking about Character Change. It is happening rapidly. 

TODAY'S GRATITUDE: For adults, especially parents, who go the extra mile in giving a great example for their children and other children in their neighborhood or community. These are the heroes today. 

27 Posts to Go - January 6, 2019B - Let the children come to me

 

In Matthew's Gospel, Jesus said, "Let the children come to me and do not hinder them, for of such is the Kingdom of God." I don't believe it is very difficult to figure out what Jesus was saying. It is quite probable that he was not talking about the present scourge in our society of child abuse. But minimally, Jesus is talking about the best possible example being given to children - because they are sacred.

I will never understand this scourge of child abuse. I know in some cases that it is a sickness. In other cases, it may be a horrible moral failing. To think that adults would not do everything in their power to attack this scourge, to prevent this happening ever again, and not rest until it is eradicated - I just don't understand it. It is an under-reported, but accurate, fact that it has happened in every part of our society. The Church has been blamed the most - but the statistics and research show the incredible progress the Church has made, but few report this. Nonetheless, even one case is too many.

I tend not to be terribly impressed with politicians weighing in on this issue. I'll take them seriously when true protection of our environment, comprehensive gun control, comprehensive background checks, and the elimination of the availability of semi-automatic weapons takes place. Until that time, please don't pretend to be in favor of life. 

So few politicians are genuinely pro-life. That is a shame, because so much good could be done. Sigh.

TODAY'S GRATITUDE:  For those in the minority who have tried to be authentically pro-life at every age, stage, and social condition.

 

28 Posts to go - January 6, 2019A - How's Your Faith?

"Keep the Faith" is more than a album/song by Bon Jovi. It is a genuine plea to each other to remain faithful to God - and to remain vigilant in the times when we can veer off course in our lives and drift away from God. I would like to hope that I have a strong faith, but I know that there have been times when I feel that my faith has been tested, when things do not make sense, and I am just struggling.

The most recent major testing of faith came for me during the most recent clergy sex abuse crisis. So many things seemed to be up for grabs. So many people were angry and disillusioned. People wanted to strike out and hurt the Church for seeming to have abandoned them.  This was a time of upheaval. 

For me, I had to wrestle with this question, both in terms of my two jobs and also wanting to help people who were themselves hurting because of all this terrible stuff. I'm still angry, but certainly a more thoughtful anger than the initial just being plain ticked - big-time. My regard for church leaders did not, shall we say, grow. but I kept coming back to the words of Peter in the Gospel of John, chapter 6. The real context is about eternal life. 

Jesus is the only way who can promise us eternal life. WE need the Eucharist as our most privileged connection with Jesus. The Eucharist is the heart of the Church. Not having the Eucharist seems an incredible deprivation. So, for me, this is why I stay in the Church and want to stay in the Church - because of the Eucharist - the Sacraments - the Mass. We cannot get that anywhere else. 

Is the Church perfect? Nah. Are you perfect? No. Am I perfect? Well, perhaps now. But my faith is in Jesus Christ. It is not in someone who is just human. I need to remember that. I need to keep the faith. 

TODAY'S GRATITUDE: Keeping things in perspective.

29 Posts to Go - January 5, 2019 - The Gift of Time - a worthy gift of the three kings!!

 

This weekend, we celebrate the feast of the Epiphany. We remember the portrayals of this feast as a time when people, that we call kings, arrived to bring gifts to Jesus in the crib. Over history and in tradition, these were gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. A popular Christmas carol gave us the idea that these were three kings. The word astrologer is sometimes used to describe them because they followed the star to the place where Jesus was. They presented what was important to them on Epiphany.

Sometimes, to put the feast of the Epiphany into contemporary terms, I have this image of Jesus receiving especially the gift of myrrh and simply saying to the presenter, "oh, what a lovely surprise, I always wanted myrrh for Christmas." All right, perhaps not - but in truth the magi presented things important to them. Each of us can present gifts to God of our support and offerings, but also the gift of time.

Our parish would wither away if we did not have the generosity of our parishioners in so many different ways. To have great programs, we need great volunteers. Fortunately, we have them every year. Some can volunteer for things on a regular basis - other for something occasional - and the universal comment of those who volunteer is that they feel that they receive more than they give. Their hearts are enriched by what they do.

I pray for our volunteers - probably much less than I should because they are so important to our life. When I retire, I intend to get better about this particular group of people who have made Corpus Christi what it is today. God bless them all.

TODAY'S GRATITUDE: Volunteers of every age and interest. You help us to be the Body of Christ. 

 

30 Posts to Go - January 4, 2019D - Confessing the Sins of Others

My hunch is that one of the most frequent sins that people commit is confessing the sins of others. What does this mean? It means sharing with someone else something that another person has done and it is something wrong or sinful. It can come from gossip. It can be a byproduct of jealousy or all sorts of things. Sometimes the more biblical point to James, chapter 5, as a reason why we are supposed to confess the sins of others. Nope. Nope. Nope. Confessing, mentioning the sins of others is a way of judging them, of making ourselves feel superior in comparison to the person we are talking about.

This is pretty direct. If you confess the sins of others, stop it. No one made you God. Pope Francis put it most simply, "who am I to judge?" He is right.

When I confess/mention the sins of others and later think about it, I feel really cheap and unworthy. It takes a lot of practice NOT to do this. But it is worth it.

TODAY's GRATITUDE: When I catch myself on the verge of mentioning someone else's sin or failing - and stop. 

31 Posts to Go - January 4, 2019C - Do You Walk with God?

A great way to figure out how I'm doing spiritually is to just ask myself the question, "did you walk with God today?" This is not complicated. One of my concerns, if not frustrations, is that there are certainly methods that make spirituality complicated. I don't think it is. Certainly, if you look at the words of Jesus in the Gospels, he spoke simply and directly. He told stories - using the images in the stories to teach people about the Kingdom of God and how much God loves us. I don't believe religion is meant to be complicated. Frequently, I just grimace when I come across preaching or teaching or writing that is filled with jargon. Under my breath, I just think - "who is he or she trying to impress?"

The photo above is simple and yet profound. Do we walk with God like a child walking with the most loving parent imaginable. That is what it is about. It is really that simple.

I have to remember to live this way - because often I forget!

TODAY'S GRATITUDE - I'm grateful and even relieved when I recall things that I have forgotten - especially trying to remember whether or not I walked with God today.

 

32 Posts to Go - January 4, 2019B - Transitions in our political lives

 

(Do you recognize this gentleman? It is Robert Livingston. He was one of the people who helped Jefferson write the Declaration of Independence. He administered the oath of office to George Washington when he became president.)

I was so proud of our nation yesterday in catching glimpses of the transition to a new Congress in Washington. Despite the awful and toxic political environment, even for a few hours, there was a peaceful and proper transition as a new speaker of the house was elected. I was thinking about this last night at the meeting of our Township Committee. Strong views were expressed. A 3-2 majority is never an easy thing to maneuver. But despite differences, I did have faith that these five individuals would find a way to help our community. There is no doubt in my mind that this is what each of the five elected citizens wants to do.

In Chatham Township, our political process is sometimes a little boring, and other times very exciting, In our little community of 10,000 people, there can be sharp differences on the best way to lead our community into the future. I have followed the proceedings and occasionally attended the meetings for over 40 years. Just about always, I've been a quiet presence unless I was asked to give an invocation or prayer. Political leaders on both sides of issues often talked with me. They could be certain that I would respect their confidences. Last night, during some moments when things were a tad tense, I recalled a thought that I often had about our local leaders and national leaders. Thank God for women and men who are willing to give them time, their insights, and commitment to make us better. Politics is a tough arena. Mario Cuomo observed that politics is a contact sport. That is probably true. But we need people willing to enter into the fray to make things better.

I found very reassuring the political process of the transition from Paul Ryan to Nancy Pelosi. Last night, I found reassuring the political process of the transition to new leaders in our township as well. May God reward those who worked so hard in the past. May God watch over them as they lead our community into the future. May we respect all those who show their commitment to public service.

TODAY'S GRATITUDE: Once again, I'm grateful to Thomas Jefferson who wrote the first draft of the Declaration of Independence. Four other people worked with him on successive drafts: Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Robert Livingston, and Roger Sherman. I never knew these four were part of the drafting process until yesterday. Despite differences, they worked together. May our present leaders do the same.   

 

33 Posts to Go - January 4, 2019A - A small personal quandary!

Quite some time ago, I thought it would be nice to do a series of 100 posts for this blog, ending on the date of the Retirement Mass on January 13. The realist in me is looking at today's date and noticing, according to the title of this post, that there are 33 posts to go - today is January 4th and the retirement Mass is January 13 - hmmmm - 9 days away/.

So what to do? The real quandary comes in that I publicly wrote that I would do these 100 posts ending on January 13. If I had not done that, then I would not have had to save face and could have written at a more leisurely pace. Regardless of whether I meet this deadline or not, it will be public.

I willingly concede that the outcome of this deadline contest is not going to change the fate of this world. If the only things that I had to do right now would be to write the posts, it could be easily done. But why do things the easy way? Since I was in school, I have always worked on deadlines this way - and each time said that I'm not going to do things this way again. Candidly, one reason that I reach these crunch points is that I'm doing too darn much. But, what the heck, this keeps me from being bored. So, my intention will be to scrupulously try to write 4 posts a day until I reach the 100 milestone. The photo at the top is a prediction of what I will look like in writing the 100th post.

TODAY'S GRATITUDE: For those days, admittedly few, when I'm not frazzled! 

 

34 Posts to Go - January 3, 2019D - First Responders - Our Emergency Squad

The final part of our local first responders is the Chatham Emergency Squad. Did you know that this all-volunteer organization went on over 1800 emergency calls in 2018? Imagine how many people, how many families were comforted by their work, their presence, and their competence. This is another group that spends an incredible amount of time training. So many times over the years, I have seen the way in which they help, reassure, and take charge to protect someone's life.

My medical expertise comes from a merit badge in First Aid from the Boy Scouts, a Red Cross certification in basic use of a defibillator, and some basic first aid. Thank goodness, we have these squad members who are trained and prepared to help us.  The police and fire also go through special training to help in many situations as well.

We all receive requests for financial assistance from the Emergency Squad. Like the other important groups I've mentioned in the past several posts, the Squad is so worthy of your support.

Pray for them - and those they treat.

TODAY'S GRATITUDE: Lives saved by these women and men - neighbors working for us.  

35 Posts to Go - January 3, 2019C - First Responders - Our Police Department

 

The members of our Chatham Township Police Department are essential first responders for our community. Because of the past and present efforts of our police, Chatham Township has received recognition for being one of the safest communities in the nation. (True, but have you ever encountered a bear on a dark parking lot behind your church?)

I've served as a police chaplain and a fire chaplain since 1980. These are responsibilities which I take seriously. It is an honor to work with both police and fire fighters. I like cops. I like firefighters. Heck, I really like all first responders, including our emergency squads. What incredible people.

For a number of years, I have been a member of the Morris County Critical Incident Debriefing Team for police. This has been an extraordinary experience to see police at their very best - who deal with unimaginable situations but nonetheless must keep serving, doing their job, and truly not let the horror of some situations get to them while they are responding. The work on this team is obviously confidential, but I have never been part of a debriefing where I do not emerge without even greater respect for our police and other first responders.

As with our firefighters and emergency squads, if you receive an appeal to support the Police Benevolent Association, it's a worthy cause to support.

Here's a prayer for officers killed in the line of duty:

Dear Lord, law enforcement is not an easy task to do,
Yet, there are many who choose to wear the shield.
They serve each day, to the oaths they swore are true,
Protecting and serving, a safer, better world to build.

Lord now we gather to pay our deepest honor,
To those of ours officers, killed in the line of duty.
It matters not the style of shield they wore,
Only that they served with pride, and honor.

Lord all that matters is that they were one of us,
Serving wherever needed, richest mansion to dirtiest alley.
Confident and proud, highly honored by the peoples trust,
So they carried a shield, mindful of all their sacred duties.

Lord you have called several of ours home to glory,
The race with life for them is now done.
Peace, blessed peace, in safety, forever now with Thee,
Welcome rest, now in heaven for all of eternity.

May time never erase the sacrifices that were made,
May no officer ever fall alone, to lie cold in their grave.
May those of us still serving, remember well the price they paid,
May their memories stand forever as those who went down brave.

Lord give us courage to carry on, to still live and care,
To not be vengeful or bitter, to simply trust Your word it true.
May we always cover with pride the shield we wear,
To honor all fallen officers, whom we now commend to you.

TODAY'S GRATITUDE: For the hundreds of police who have served us since our community began - and the lives they have saved.

 

 

 

 

 

 

36 Posts to Go - January 3, 2019B - First Responders - Our Fire Department

I'm going to do a few posts on our first responders in the community. Why? Easy, as I get closer to retirement and also know that I'll still live in the area, I have been thinking about all the work and interactions that I have been privileged to have with so many of our first responders. In the last post, I wrote about our civic government whose coordination and support makes so many good things possible.

Chatham Township is served by two fire departments, both staffed by volunteers. The larger part of the township is served by the Chatham Township Fire Department, which I serve as chaplain. The remaining part of the township, along with parts of Harding, is served by the Green Village Fire Department. They are both outstanding. I like firefighters.

These volunteers save our lives and property. Whenever I hear the sirens, I always pray for our firefighters. The most seemingly innocuous fire (and truly there is no such things as an innocuous fire) can cause tragedy, spread to other buildings, and cause heartbreaking devastation. These people, like firefighters everywhere, go to save lives and property with no thought of their own comfort and safety. They spend hours and days each year training, training, training, and taking care of their equipment.

These people are tireless. They also spend time each year raising funds to cover costs that could not be covered by the subsidy they receive from our local government. 

The next time, you receive an appeal for financial support from either of our fire departments, please consider helping them. They help all of us. 

If you have a moment, join me in praying the Firefighters' Prayer:

When I am called to duty, God,
wherever flames may rage,
give me strength to save a life,
whatever be its age.
Help me embrace a little child
before it is too late,
or save an older person from
the horror of that fate.
Enable me to be alert,
and hear the weakest shout,
quickly and efficiently
to put the fire out.
I want to fill my calling,
to give the best in me,
to guard my friend and neighbor,
and protect his property.
And if according to Your will
I must answer death's call,
bless with your protecting hand,
my family one and all.

TODAY'S GRATITUDE: For our firefighters.

37 Posts to Go - January 3, 2019A - Our township begins again

Every January, some of our civic entities reorganize and begin again in the new year. Tonight, the Chatham Township Committee will have its annual reorganization meeting, elect a new mayor, and ratify the appointments being made for so many of our boards, committees, and commissions. I always enjoy this reorganization meeting because it is a reminder of what makes our country great. Citizens, participants, and staff of our local government come together, find ways to reconcile differences, and, most importantly, give a sense to the community that all is indeed right with our world.

As I sit in this meeting, I always think to myself about the fact that this type of meeting has taken place since 1806. The community has improved. People have come together. There is a sense that things are right in the world.  Over the decades, there has been some, shall we say, exciting moments in the political life of Chatham Township. But good people, following the rule of law and tradition, found ways to work together and to give us stability for the future. What a wonderful experiment, practice, of democracy. 

I have such respect for those who are public servants - who not only represent us and lead our political processes, but also draw in hundreds of people to volunteer and to serve our community. Their gifts of time and talent are an essential resource for our community. The people on our township committee, boards, councils, commissions, make our community what it is. How fortunate we have to have them. 

It takes no crystal ball to know that our political world nationally is in grave conflict. How fortunate we are to have our elected officials, volunteers, and workers in Chatham Township, both past and present, representing authentically our best interests. May God be good to them. Let's be sure to thank them. Let them know that their incredible work is not taken for granted by those who are fortunate to live in an area bounded by the Great Swamp, but filled with people of caring and commitment. 

TODAY'S GRATITUDE: For this great community. 

 

38 Posts to Go - January 1, 2019A - Making Resolutions

At this precise moment, I am growling at the computer screen. The screen told me that it was about to delete what I had written. I do not k now why it did this. Clearly, the computer screen is unbalanced. I am growling. It is possible that I called the computer screen an, shall we say, unsavory phrase. I was just about finished with writing a post. It was pretty good, not spectacular, but pretty good. Now those pearls are consigned to the scrapheap of cyberspace. 

I just retrieved the photo I used. It makes me smile. So here it is:

(When I have to rewrite something, I am always briefer and more focused!)

I make New Year's resolutions every year. I forget New Year's resolutions every year, usually within a week or two. I am much better at making and keeping Lenten resolutions. Maybe if I'm making a spiritual resolution, I am making this commitment to God, rather than to a baby wearing a New Year's banner.

Resolutions are about self-improvement - ways in which we want to remake ourselves, change ourselves, or address things in our lives that we know should be different. 

My hunch is that I will keep my resolutions this year, unlike the past. The simple reason is that this new year corresponds with my retirement where I have sketched out a series of massive projects that have been on my bucket list for a long time. I won't bore you with them right now, although I alluded to them in my retirement letter to everyone here. Being in a rut is seldom good. I do feel that I have been in a rut the last few years. It was time for a change. It was time to get better, to do better, to focus more on those things that are most important. That is what I always want to do, but often it has not happened. I am resolved to see that my time in retirement is a productive time. (Sigh, am I adding to the stress of a peaceful retirement? Have to work on that.)

Does any of the above make sense to you? Is this helpful to any of you?

TODAY's GRATITUDE: For the good sense to not resist the fact that it is time for me to retire.