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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.

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

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Daily Scripture

+ 7th Week of Easter

Much ado about nothing or, is there something to it?

Readings: Acts 19:1-8 Psalm 68:2-7 John 16:29-33

Paul traveled through the interior of the country and down to Ephesus where he found some disciples. He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?” They answered him, “We have never even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” [Acts 19:1-3]

Depending on one’s sacramental theology and pastoral practice, this text has been variously interpreted. For example, those who work with the RCIA (catecheumenate) hold that the sacrament of Confirmation should be administered with Baptism as it was in the early Church. It is one of the sacraments of initiation—Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. The Eastern Rite of the Roman Catholic Church has retained the tradition of administering all three at Baptism. Yes, the infant receives a small piece of the Eucharist bread. And so in the Eastern Rite, there is no formal celebration of First Holy Communion at the age of reason or Confirmation by the bishop at whatever age the local diocese has determined the age of maturity appropriate for Confirmation. All three sacraments are administered shortly after birth.

Others feel that the celebration of First Communion and Confirmation at a later age ensures the participation of youngsters in parish religious education programs – at least until Confirmation. In this case, many Catholics view Confirmation as the completion of or graduation from religious studies.

In recent years I have become convinced that the RCIA folks and the Eastern Rite Catholics have it right. All three sacraments of initiation should be administered together. First Holy Communion and Confirmation have become more social than spiritual. I do not mean to suggest that there is no connection or that there should be no celebration after sacramental ceremonies but for many, the accent is on the wrong syllable.

The path from Baptism to Christian maturity is life-long and the benchmarks for progress are not easily measured by grouping children by age or grade level for a period of preparation that is largely academic.

This is not to suggest that religious education is optional. Faith development is unique to each person within the context first of family and then of parish. Religious education / formation is intended to provide insight into faith development at an age-appropriate level.

Catholicism has become ‘child-centered’ the result of which, we have an adult population whose religious and spiritual development stopped at Confirmation.

The celebration of Eucharist is the primary setting for faith formation. Religious education is a necessary component but detached from Eucharist, it remain just another subject to master.

Of course this all assumes that the parish celebration of the Eucharist is truly inclusive and meaningful rather than just an empty ritual. The parish at worship should be a rendition of a community of faith that strives to live its faith ‘in the town square’ as I mentioned in Sunday’s homily.

Notwithstanding my commitment to religious dialogue, I do believe that effective dialogue is based on the assumption that although both parties are knowledgeable about the topic. Though they may have different perspectives, they are not based on ignorance of the subject.

Holy Thursday 2009

Thursday April 9, 2009

+ Holy Thursday

The ‘eighth commandment.’

Readings: Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14 Psalm 116:12-13, 15-18 Corinthians 11:23-26 John 13:1-15.

After he had finished washing their feet and had once again put on his outer garments, he reclined at table and said to them, “Do you understand what I have just done for you? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have given you an example. What I have done for you, you should also do. [John 13:12-15]

As a pastor, the celebration of the Mass of the Lord’s Supper is the most soul-stirring liturgy of the entire year because it dramatizes not only the gift of Jesus life given in bread and wine to the apostles and to the Church down to our age, but it also epitomizes what the life of the Christian should be at the table of humanity.

I have read somewhere that the ‘washing of the feet’ or the ‘mandatum’ as it is called in the ritual, was close to being instituted as a sacrament. It certainly is sacramental – an occasion of grace that inspires us to be and do hat we ritualize at worship.

In a survey on expectations of the faithful for priests conducted several years ago, more than any other quality the faithful look for in their pastors is spiritual depth.

That’s a tall order – one that stretches me, as I’m sure it does all priests. On the other hand, I have been inspired and energized over and over again by so many ‘lay priests’ in the pew. In fact, the spirituality of the priest is rooted in the faith of the people in the pew. After all, it is baptism that unites all of us – women and men – baptized into the common priesthood of Christ.

Jesus’ instruction to his apostles to wash the feet of others was meant for every disciple, not just the ‘Twelve.’ This was more than a gesture to inspire. It was indeed a ‘mandatum,’ a command to do as he did.

Washing the feet of others can include anything from a spiritual or corporal work of mercy to the taking of a concrete positive action to change an oppressive political, economic or ecclesiastical system.

The people of L’Aquila in Italy know of what I speak. What can be a more dramatic observance of this sacred day than the rescue of someone buried beneath the rubble of an earthquake?

And what about the people who are building homes and installing fresh water supplies for the people in Guatemala? And what of the many people who bring healing to those afflicted with physical or mental illness?

The Eucharist was the setting for the washing of the feet because it is in the bread of Eucharist that we are joined as sisters and brothers in Christ becoming in fact, the bread that we eat. We are the Body of Christ. Amen.