Future Angst

I am very fortunate to be in relatively good health for my age.  In a few days, I will begin my seventy-fifth year on the planet.  I have all original parts minus one gall bladder.  My wife, on the other hand, had a hip replaced three weeks ago.  Taking care of her since then has given me a glimpse of what lies on the horizon for people my age.  Watching a once vibrant energetic woman hunched over a walker, grimacing as she tries to sit down or get into bed, has suddenly made me feel like an old man.  The guy in the mirror has aged significantly since earlier this summer. 

I have heard people say that age creeps up on you.  A sudden pain or an awkward fall can change one’s life in a heartbeat.   We avoid focusing on impending mortality until some episode brings it to the forefront.  Even if I live another ten years, much of that time could be spent alone in a nursing home or hospital.

Last month, we had a new roof put on our house.  I was interested in getting one of the new metal roof systems that look like conventional asphalt shingles.  They are durable and less likely to shed the little granules that tend to plug up my leaf guard gutter shields.  The downside is the cost, considerably higher than asphalt shingles.  I asked the salesman to price both types of roofing for the purpose of comparison.  The asphalt roof comes with a thirty-year warranty while the metal roof has a fifty-year warranty.

When it came time to deciding which way to go, I was set to choose the metal roof, but the salesman said, “Can I be honest with you?  Go with the asphalt shingle.  At your age, why spend the extra money for a fifty-year warranty?”  Ouch!  Of course, there could be reasons for doing so if the house will eventually be handed down to a family member, but that is no certainty.  I thought about it and agreed.  We now have a new asphalt shingle roof and a thirty-year warranty that will last until I am one hundred and five.

I have come to acknowledge my mortal existence.  While making plans for living is most desirable, we really need to prepare for dying.  Time passes so quickly and there is no going back.  Always be ready for that judgement day that may come unexpectedly.  

Speaking of an uncertain future, I watched the recent debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.  We are not talking Lincoln Douglas material here.  This was difficult to watch.  Who ever dreamed that a candidate in a presidential debate would bring up an unfounded rumor of Haitian immigrants eating dogs and cats in Springfield Ohio?  You can’t make this stuff up.  On second thought, I guess somebody did.  How incredulous can a person be!

Pope Francis said sometimes we have to choose the lesser of two evils when voting in an election.  As Americans, we should never have to choose between two people so completely unfit to lead our nation.  Both parties should be ashamed.  One of these two will likely be President of the United States for the next four years.

I have said this before, but my litmus test for a presidential candidate is his or her stance on respect for human life.  Harris is so completely pro-abortion that I could never vote for her.  Trump claims to be pro-life, but is also pro IVF which tells me he does not understand what true respect for life entails.  Unnaturally creating embryos, many of which will be frozen and never allowed to grow, is inconsistent with respecting life from conception to natural death.  

In elections like this one, I wish there were a way to cast a negative vote.  I may not want to vote for either candidate, yet I know which candidate is the lesser of two evils.  If I do not vote at all, I risk allowing the greater evil to prevail.  If I vote for the lesser evil, I am still voting for evil which violates my conscience.  By casting an anti-vote for the greater evil, my disapproving vote goes against the greater evil without violating my conscience.  Unfortunately, we don’t have that option.  

On election day, I often see people wearing those little stickers with the American flag that say, “I Voted!”  Similar looking stickers available on the internet say, “I Vomited”.  I may need to place an order!

Do you have life within you?

During this month of August, the Year B Lectionary is digressing from the Gospel of Mark at Sunday Mass.  Beginning on the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time and continuing for five weeks until the Twenty-first Sunday, we hear John, chapter 6, which includes the Bread of Life Discourse.  When instructing catechumens in the Real Presence of the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus in the Eucharist, John 6 is one of the go-to scriptural references. 

John 6:52-58

The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying,

"How can this man give us his flesh to eat?" 

Jesus said to them,

"Amen, amen, I say to you,

unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood,

you do not have life within you. 

Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood

has eternal life,

and I will raise him on the last day. 

For my flesh is true food,

and my blood is true drink. 

Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood

remains in me and I in him. 

Just as the living Father sent me

and I have life because of the Father,

so also the one who feeds on me

will have life because of me. 

This is the bread that came down from heaven. 

Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died,

whoever eats this bread will live forever."

I have never understood how Bible-alone believing Christians can read this passage and not take it literally.  How much more emphasis could Jesus have placed on His words?  I pose this question to our Protestant brothers and sisters: Do you have life within you if you do not eat His flesh and drink His blood?

The sacrifice of the Mass is a re-presentation of the same once and for all sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross.  Jesus is the sacrificial Lamb of God.  Like the animal sacrifices offered under the Old Covenant, this perfect sacrifice in the New Covenant must be offered by a ministerial priest.  Where else besides the Catholic Church can one find a continuous line of ministerial priests to act in the person of Christ in offering the bread and wine that become the body and blood?

Normally when the bread and wine are consecrated in the sacrifice of the Mass, the accidents or appearances remain while only the substance changes into the body and blood.  The Church calls this change transubstantiation, the change of substances.  Last week in our OCIA (RCIA) class, we examined some of the rare occasions where the appearance or species of the host also changed.  Where those miracles have occurred and could be scientifically examined, the bloody substance was determined to be heart tissue from a heart that had suffered damage, the blood type AB.  Think about that next time you receive Holy Communion!

(See the Eucharistic Miracles of Buenos Aires, Lanciano, and others.).

Shifting gears

Since 2022, our parish has participated in a synod process ordered by our then bishop, the purpose of which was to evangelize Catholics, specifically those who had strayed away from the Church.  Our synod committee would meet once a month to plan a presentation to be given to our parishioners.  The monthly presentations usually consisted of a video on various topics about our faith, followed by discussion.  To entice attendance, there was always food and beverages provided.  

After taking a break during June, our committee met last week to assess our progress and plan for the future.  In doing so, we all agreed that we are no nearer our objective than when we started.  Oh, the monthly sessions were fairly well attended, usually by the same crowd that already attends Sunday Mass faithfully, along with whoever was assigned to bring the refreshments that day.  Pressed to name one Catholic who returned to the Church as a result of our efforts, we came up empty.

Someone then mentioned the often-used definition of insanity, doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.  We all decided to stop doing what we have been doing.  While those attending our presentations were benefitting, we were not reaching those who needed to hear the message.  It just was not working. 

One committee member said we need more person to person contact.  True, but how do we approach people about their faith?  Frankly, most of us Catholics aren’t very good at evangelizing.  Our pastor suggested something called the Friendly Visiting Guidebook.  I would cite the website he provided to us, but it seems to no longer exist.  A few days following our meeting, he gave me a printed copy of the Guidebook.  This is a program for building a relationship with the elderly.  Most of us on the Synod Committee are ourselves elderly!  Building such relationships is a great idea, but I still doubt it will help meet our goal.  

I believe the best strategy is to keep people from leaving the Church in the first place.   Keeping people involved is the secret to making them feel connected.  We need community.  We are social beings. The Catholic faith is very focused on Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist.  The catechism calls the Eucharist the source and summit of our faith.  When we walk into church, we address the Blessed Sacrament to the point of ignoring others worshippers around us.  Our worship experience is vertically oriented as opposed to the more horizontal social element of many non-Catholic denominations.  While this is a good thing, it doesn’t always lend itself to social interaction with our fellow worshippers.  A weak social structure can result in individuals feeling detached or alienated.

That is why parish organizations are very important.  This sense of community develops when people work with others to achieve a goal.  Ironically, the Synod Committee itself was beneficial to those on the committee because it provided an opportunity to work together in a social setting, even though the goals of the committee were never realized.  We have a very active Society of Saint Vincent DePaul Conference in our parish.  I cannot envision anyone in that group ever leaving the Church.

Our pastor started a men’s group in our parish several years ago.  It doesn’t even have a name; they just call it the men’s group.  At the synod meeting, Father said he never expected the men’s group to be as successful as it has been.  The guys get together once a month to study the faith and socialize.  There might even be a little alcohol involved.  

Knights of Columbus, Christian Mothers, Sodalities, Choirs, these are all organizations that can provide cohesiveness among parishioners.  The secret is to make these groups inviting, to ask outsiders to join or assist with a project.  I am reminded of the Charlie Brown Christmas cartoon where Lucy tells a depressed Charlie Brown that he needs involvement. We all need to be involved.  Growing in faith and commitment will naturally follow. 

God, please RSVP!

My internet news feeds overwhelm me with information every single day.  Rarely do I watch network newscasts anymore.  Email inboxes are filled each morning.  I spend way too much time just reading headlines and hitting delete.  One article did grab my attention this week.  The title read, “Wedding dilemma for many couples:  Should God be invited to the marriage celebration?”

My first thought was, how sad that modern day couples would consider such a question to be a dilemma.  How did marriage become so secularized to the point where God’s involvement is an afterthought?  Further evidence that our society no longer understands the true meaning of a marriage covenant. 

Fighting my impulse to hit delete, I did open the article and was pleasantly surprised.  Written by Fox News correspondent Lauren Green, the article cites family therapist Doctor Roxanne Louh who refers to marriage saying, “If you don’t have God at the center of that, holding you accountable to something much greater than your own feelings, then your feelings can become quite divisive.”  Doctor Louh is married to a Greek Orthodox priest, Father Nicholas Louh.  He is also quoted in the article saying, “You’re not a random act in history.  God has a purpose for you, whether you’re married or single.  And so, is that person in my life going to help me fulfill, or work toward the purpose that God has for me?”  

Last Sunday was Father’s Day.  In his homily, our priest reminded us that our most important job as fathers is to help our families get to heaven.  When God is not present in the marriage, the relationship can be fragile. Too many children are growing up without fathers in the home.  

It is refreshing to occasionally come across a secular source that expresses support for God-centered marriage.  For many young people, marriage is a relationship void of any religious significance.  The wedding has become a social event to put on a display.  I am glad the Catholic Church requires Catholic weddings to take place in a Catholic Church.  There is a good reason for marriage vows to be exchanged in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament.  How much more God-centered could a wedding be?

Music and memories

I grew up in the 1960’s, still the best decade of music ever to be produced, at least in my opinion and the opinion of many others.  Among my favorites were the Four Seasons and the Beach Boys who had somewhat of an east coast – west coast rivalry prior to the British invasion.  The Four Seasons were the Jersey boys featuring the sound of Frankie Valli, and the Beach Boys mastered the California sound of surf and cars from the genius of Brian Wilson.  Both are still around, and both made the newspapers this past week.   

Frankie Valli turned 90 years old this month and is still performing concert dates.  Having had such a long successful career, one would think his worries would be over.  Unfortunately, a judge had to grant Frankie and his son Emilio, a restraining order against another son, Francesco, who Emilio said is addicted to opiates and has been selling Frankie’s personal property to fuel his addiction.  Frankie had been financially supporting Francesco, but made that support contingent on him seeking treatment for his addiction.  Subsequently, Francesco has been threatening violence toward Frankie and Emilio.  Sad that at 90 years old, Frankie still has to fear his safety from his own son.  Drug addiction is a terrible thing.

Brian Wilson also made the news this week when it was revealed that he suffers from dementia at the age of 81.  His wife Melinda had been caring for him but sadly, she passed away in January.  This past week, a judge placed Brian under a conservatorship at the request of his family.  His mental health had always been fragile and it is a blessing that he as survived this long.  The court ruled that Brian can no longer make health care or financial decisions in the state that he is in.  His seven children, including five he and Melinda adopted, signed a statement agreeing that the conservatorship is in Brian’s best interest.

Fortune and fame are no guarantees for a carefree life.  Addiction and mental illness affect people in all walks of life.  Music can be an avenue of escape for the realities that burden our thoughts every day.  I doubt that either of these men realize the joy they have brought to millions of people over the past 65 years.  I don’t remember where I heard it, but someone recently remarked that the day will come when no one on earth will remember we ever existed.  Successful recording artists stand to be remembered longer than the rest of us.  Their music will live on long after they are gone.

I wonder how long will I be remembered.  How long before there is no record or memory left of my existence on earth?  Things come into existence and go out of existence.  That is the reality of God’s creation.  At the second coming of Christ, will anyone understand what life was like in the twenty-first century or will the twenty-first century be ancient history by then?  The thought of it makes me wonder why I am bothering to write this!  The answer, of course, is because we believe in everlasting life.  While we will eventually be forgotten here on earth, God will not forget us.  Our corporeal and spiritual efforts help ensure that we will spend eternity in heaven. How long will be remembered here on earth?  God only knows, so let’s hang on to what we’ve got!

Indulge me for a moment

On Divine Mercy Sunday, we heard John’s gospel about Thomas coming to believe in the risen Lord only after seeing the evidence.  Thomas doubted the resurrection occurred until he had a revelation from Jesus himself.  Jesus said to him, "Have you come to believe because you have seen me?  Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed."  As Catholics, we accept certain tenets as a matter of faith without having visible evidence. We know the Eucharist is the Body and Blood of Christ even though it appears to be bread and wine because Jesus said so.  Beyond God’s revelation, some Catholic practices and devotions have developed over the centuries from the private revelations of various saints.  

Our pastor used his Sunday homily to question why people do not take advantage of the plenary indulgence available to those who attend the Divine Mercy Sunday devotion, a devotion that can be traced to the private revelation to a saint.  Father lamented that only a dozen or so individuals would likely show up for the afternoon service.  People generally don’t like to be publicly chastised during a homily which, in my opinion, isn’t the best way to reach an audience.  Nevertheless, I pondered his question.  Why do so many Catholics dismiss the opportunity for a plenary indulgence?

Father sometimes refers to plenary indulgences as “get out of jail free” cards.  If only it were that simple.  There are really two factors here that may affect how Catholics respond to plenary indulgences and in particular those granted based on a private revelation.  Divine Mercy Sunday came about from the Lord’s revelation to Saint Faustina.  Her diaries are available to anyone who wishes to study them.  As Catholics, we are not required to believe private revelations, even those approved by the Church.  

From Catholic Answers:  In 2010, Benedict XVI explained: Ecclesiastical approval of a private revelation essentially means that its message contains nothing contrary to faith and morals; it is licit to make it public and the faithful are authorized to give to it their prudent adhesion. A private revelation can introduce new emphases, give rise to new forms of piety, or deepen older ones. It can have a certain prophetic character and can be a valuable aid for better understanding and living the Gospel at a certain time; consequently, it should not be treated lightly. It is a help which is proffered, but its use is not obligatory (Verbum Domini 14).

In the 1700s, Benedict XIV observed that the Church accepts these revelations only “as probable” and added, “It follows that anyone may, without injury to the Catholic faith, give no heed to these revelations, and differ from them, provided he does so modestly, not without reason, and without contempt.”

The lack of contempt is needed because one needs to show respect to the Church authorities who approved them, but if one thinks there is a good reason not to accept a particular, approved apparition, the Church holds that one is free to do so.  Even though Catholics are not obligated to believe private revelations, the visions of Saint Faustina have gained approval by the Church.  

According to the Catholic Encyclopedia:  When the Church approves private revelations, she declares only that there is nothing in them contrary to faith or good morals, and that they may be read without danger or even with profit; no obligation is thereby imposed on the faithful to believe them.  So, some Catholics may hold a certain skepticism about the authenticity of Saint Faustina’s visions which seemed to be very specific. 

The Divine Mercy Chaplet may sound strange to anyone not accustomed to this type of prayer.  Similar to praying the rosary, the chaplet decades are repetitive. “For the sake of his sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world” is said fifty times in the course of the chaplet prayer.  The final exhortation says, “Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.”  The way we sing it in our parish always sounds ominous to me.  I find myself wondering if God really finds this devotion pleasing.

Then we come to the indulgence associated with Divine Mercy Sunday.  On the same day St. Pope John Paul canonized Sr. Faustina, he also established Divine Mercy Sunday as a feast day for the entire Church. Divine Mercy Sunday was officially established for the universal Church by a decree of the Vatican's Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments on May 5, 2000. 

A plenary indulgence, granted under the usual conditions (sacramental confession, Eucharistic communion and prayer for the intentions of Supreme Pontiff) to the faithful who, on the Second Sunday of Easter or Divine Mercy Sunday, in any church or chapel, in a spirit that is completely detached from the affection for a sin, even a venial sin, take part in the prayers and devotions held in honor of Divine Mercy, or who, in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament exposed or reserved in the tabernacle, recite the Our Father and the Creed, adding a devout prayer to the merciful Lord Jesus (e.g. Merciful Jesus, I trust in you!")

The Church in its Divinely instituted authority to bind and loose certainly has the ability to speak for Christ in granting indulgences, but is a plenary indulgence even attainable for the average Catholic?  Who among us is saintly enough to be completely detached from the affection for even a venial sin?  Perhaps Catholics who do not actively seek plenary indulgences are actually more conscious of their sinful nature and therefore think a plenary indulgence is beyond reach under the required conditions. 

 

Is it proper to take part in a Divine Mercy Sunday devotion for the sole purpose of gaining an indulgence?  Can our motivation be misplaced?  Can thinking we have gained an indulgence be presumptuous on our part?  These are all questions that come to my mind.  Trying to meet all the conditional requirements to gain a plenary indulgence can seem misplaced, perhaps even bordering on superstition.  If I do this and say that so many times, this thing will happen.  Should the indulgence alone be the motivating goal?

As we were leaving the church after the Divine Mercy service, I overheard a woman asking our priest if going to confession at our Lenten Penance service (March 20th) was sufficient to gain the plenary indulgence on Divine Mercy Sunday (April 7th).  He said, “No.  Confession had to be the week before or the week after.”  According to the EWTN website, the Apostolic Penitentiary, the roman dicastery responsible for the administration of Indulgences, states that sacramental confession can take place within about 20 days before or after the indulgenced act, March 20 to April 7 is 18 days by my count.  It is understandable why we Catholics are sometimes confused when our priests give us conflicting information.

This is why I believe we may place too much emphasis on trying to accumulate indulgences.  Yes, we should attend Divine Mercy Sunday services and other devotional opportunities to ask God for His mercy, but not to be too concerned about whether we qualify for a reward.  Being overly obsessed with meeting procedural requirements can lead to superstitious behaviors. If we are properly motivated to seek Our Lord’s Divine Mercy and are granted an indulgence as a result, alleluia!   Pray, make frequent confessions, receive Holy Communion, and then say, “Jesus, I trust in you.”