• Bulletin Board, Announcements, Calendar
• Welcome and Website Protocol
• Editorial - Op Ed
• Article Archive

Print this page

Article Categories

• Book Reviews
• Open Letter
• Editorials
• Notes, Quotes & Comments
• Pastor's Study
• Project Millstones
• Sidebar Comments
• Weekly Message

Links

AMERICA Magazine
A balanced Catholic weekly magazine published by the jesuits of the United States for an intelligent Catholic readership. Go online to subscribe.

Liturgy
This link will keep 'parishioners-at-large' in touch with current creative liturgy sources and resources that respect a variety of 'traditions' within the Church.

Voice of the Faithful
A 'movement' of lay Catholics 'inspired' by the abuse scandal calling for greater accountability of bishops to 'Catholics in the Pew.'

Survivos' Network for those Abused by Priests or Religious
A National Network of self-help support groups for people abused by clergy or religious.

Bishop Accountability
Vital information about the disclosure of sexual abuse and related issues affecting Catholics in the pew and the manner in which Bishops continue to exempt themselves from accountability

National Catholic Reporter
A national Catholic lay newspaper covering events not usually covered or presented with a clerical bias in the local diocesan press or but of concern and interest to Catholics.

COMMONWEAL Magazine
A 'lay' Catholic weekly publication with an accent on an intelligent analysis and commentary on curent issues, trends and concerns of interest to Catholics.

Search

Daily Scripture

+ Ascension Thursday

There is no proof; there are only witnesses.

Readings: Acts 1:1-11 Ephesians 1:14-23 Luke 24:46-53

You are witnesses of all these things. And now I am sending down to you what the Father has promised. Stay in the city then, until you are clothed with the power from on high. [Luke 24:50-51]

In an age of technology and scientific progress, we have an explanation for everything or at least the promise of the same. Yet, there are still truly human experiences – both positive and negative—that defy human explanation. Death is one such experience. Doctors know the medical reasons for death but an autopsy doesn’t tell the whole story. Conversely, who can explain the field of energy that binds lovers for life?

During his life on earth Jesus created a field of energy that changed the course of history and it did not cease at his death or even at his resurrection. It continues to this day – locally and globally. Or else how explain the heroism of the saints of yesterday and the saints of today? Women and men, energetic witnesses who have said ‘yes’ to unconditional love under any and all circumstances continue to change the course of history in the face of those who attempt to chain the Word of God. No, most of them are not formal preachers or even religious teachers per se, but people who live the message of the Gospel of Jesus day in and day out.

The gospel today is typical of the departure of a hero. We might even consider it the conclusion of a hero story. Jesus assures his disciples that he is not abandoning them. Not only that but he will send an advocate who will empower them to continue his mission. “You will be clothed with power from on high.” They will be clothed with the mantle of Christ just as the ancient Elijah was clothed in the mantle of Elias before Elias departed in his chariot to the heavens. It’s metaphor and allegory, of course but the underlying truth of Jesus mission will continue to be proclaimed as Good News for all.

But hang in there until Pentecost when the gifts of the Spirit will be renewed and we will be empowered once more to preach the Good News—using words only when necessary.

Fourth Week in Advent

Sunday December 19, 2004

“I’ll Be There For You!”

In the format for some three-day retreats, particularly youth retreats such as “Antioch” or “Search,” provision is made in the concluding service for personal witness and commitments. In essence, retreatants are invited but never forced to give testimony to what they have experienced during the retreat and then to make public their resolution to continue to live the experience on what is called “the fourth day.” I expect this is not unlike some recovery programs in which people acknowledge their particular addiction and their resolve to live free of alcohol or drug dependency-one day at a time.

In any event, in the midst of this witness and commitment, it is not unusual for someone in the assembly to voice support for the individual giving testimony with the phrase, “I’ll be there for you!” At first the words may sound hollow and may even appear to convey not much more than verbal support. However the words are a promise not only of physical presence but also firm moral support. It is a commitment on the part of the person verbalizing them to be a walking companion, a soul friend and a mentor but not a crutch, surrogate parent or moral enforcement officer. It is a very unique relationship and not many people know how to “be there” for someone initiating a spiritual journey, recovering from an addiction or recovering from any significant life challenge for that matter such as divorce, a life-threatening illness or the death or a loved one. When you stop and think about it, a retreat experience or recovery program can is life and death experience for some people.

It is through the lens of these experiences that the Scriptures for the Fourth Sunday in Advent can have special meaning. On this Sunday, we hear God through the prophecy of Isaiah, say to the people of Judah and to us, “I will be there for you!”

Isaiah speaks of a sign that indeed, God will send someone who will be his presence in human form. He will be called “Immanuel” which is interpreted “God is with us!” Although Isaiah is more likely referring to the imminent birth of Ahaz’s son, Hezekiah, the fuller or deeper reference of the text is found in the birth of Jesus in whom Christians experience the visible presence of God in human form. Ahaz was not particularly interested in Isaiah’s promise either because he was preoccupied with an impending invasion on Judah by Syria in collusion with Israel, the northern kingdom.

As it turned out, Hezekiah did not in fact live up to the promise and turned out to be a weak example of the messianic presence of God. Little did Isaiah know how much the sign that he offered to Ahaz and the people of Judah in the eighth century before Christ would continue to speak to countless generations of believers to the present time. In fact, Charles Curran of Loyola University in Chicago was prompted to suggest that Isaiah may have felt somewhat like Abraham Lincoln giving his address at Gettysburg. “The world will little note nor long remember what we say here.” In fact, Lincoln’s words seemed to have little impact on his listeners and on those who read it in the newspapers without comment.

St. Paul in his letter of introduction to the Romans, offers the assurance that indeed it did happen and that the sign of God’s presence would be found within the community of faith living in grace, which is the life of God raised to the conscious level through Jesus Christ. God is within us from the very first moment of our existence but as with Hezekiah, we are more often blind to his presence by our preoccupation with self and our own will to do what we think is best for ourselves rather than what God knows is best for us.

Of course, it is not an either/or situation. God takes his partnership with us very seriously but will never dominate us or force our hand. God does not set our agenda or “do our agenda” for us. God gives us the insight and the wisdom to find our path in life and sends people into our lives-role models, heroes, mentors, people who prod us but who do not push us. People who set high standards but who are aware of their own frailty and mortality. People who challenge us but who do not hassle us. Paul was such a person to the Romans and the saints are surely mentors for all of us.

However, no one can take the place of Jesus. As with the person who supports the testimony and commitment at the end of the retreat experience, God fulfills his promise to “be there” for us in Jesus, our silent and patient partner through life.

The Gospel serves as a birth announcement and more. Matthew collects the convictions of early believers that indeed, Jesus, Jeshuah, i.e., “God helps” or “God saves,” is indeed the fulfillment of Isaiah and all the prophets. In Jesus, God has proclaimed, “I am with you” in a manner that was not only unexpected but also unprecedented.

In these final days before the feast, perhaps we need to be among those who give witness to what we have experienced in faith or perhaps to give testimony to our need to be converted to a greater awareness of God’s presence in our lives. This takes frequent exposure to the Bible, faithful presence at this table, much prayer, and of course, active service to others. For others it may be the opportunity to say: “I’ll be there for you!” For family, for friends—present but not dominant; prodding but not pushing; consistent but not annoying; challenging but not hassling.

“I’ll be there for you!”