8th Week of Ordinary Time 2024 - Wednesday - Thus passes the glory of the world

 For just about 550 years there was a ritual that part of the papal coronation ceremony—where the new Pope would be crowned with the papal tiara—a symbol of his authority and leadership. As the newly chosen Pope was carried on the sedia gestatoria—the ceremonial chair—the procession stopped three times.

And on each occasion, the papal master of ceremonies would fall to his knees before the Pope, holding a torch of burning flax—the flowering plant from which we make linen. 

As the flax burned away, the Papal MC would say in a loud and mournful voice, "Pater Sancte, sic transit gloria mundi!" "Holy Father, thus passes the glory of the world!" 

That phrase, sic transit gloria mundi seems to be borrowed from Thomas of Kempis’ great spiritual work, The Imitation of Christ , which states “O quam cito transit gloria mundi”—oh how quickly passes the glory of the world. 

These words, addressed to the Pope, served as a reminder of the finite nature of earthly life and honors—how quickly his pontificate would end, and he would face his Lord and judge. The task of the Christian, from the Pope down to the smallest child is to live, not for earthly honors, but for greatness in the kingdom of heaven.

The last Pope to have witnessed this ceremony by the way, is the Pope whose feast day is today, Pope Paul Paul VI, who was canonized just six years ago in 2018. 

I bring up this, now abrogated ritual, because it’s roots seems to stem from sentiments not simply from Thomas of Kempis but both of our readings today.

St. Peter in his first new testament epistle reminds the Church  to value not the perishable things like silver or gold—and silver and gold can last for a really long time—but in the end—they turn to dust. And they do not contain what is truly life giving. Rather, we are to find our life in the blood of Christ and the imperishable Word of God.  

In the Gospel today, two of the apostles are arguing about greatness in the kingdom of heaven. And we get the impression that they are thinking in terms of worldly greatness—they want thrones and crowns and notoriety and power. But the Lord Jesus teaches them, again that greatness in the kingdom of heaven comes from uniting one’s life to God in imitation of the self-sacrifice he will offer to the Father for the salvation of the world.

Greatness comes from one’s share in the chalice of Christ’s crucifixion—his obediential suffering—his self-donation out of love for humanity.

Now of course, part of that path to heavenly greatness is to cultivate our minds and hearts and abilities. But as Christians, all that we have, and all that we are, and all that we have yet to become, are to be put in God’s service—not for worldly, but heavenly glory.

May each of us share in the chalice of Christ to the extent that it is offered to us by God—making use of the opportunities God gives us to be faithful in his service for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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That Christians may respond generously to the perpetual call to holiness through prayer, fasting, and works of charity. 

For our young people beginning summer vacation, that they may be kept safe from the errors of our culture and kept in close friendship with Jesus through prayer and acts of mercy.

That during this month of May, all people may turn their hearts to the Blessed Virgin Mary, seeking her aid and imploring her intercession with increased and fervent devotion, imitating her example of Faith, Hope, and Love.

For all the needs of the sick and the suffering, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, the underemployed and unemployed, immigrants and refugees, victims of natural disaster, war, and terrorism, for all those who grieve the loss of a loved one, and those who will die today, for their comfort, and the consolation of their families.

For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.

Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord

2nd Week of Lent 2021 - Wednesday - Can you drink the chalice?

 In yesterday’s Gospel, the Lord condemned the Pharisees for seeking to sit upon the chair of moses—the exalted position of power and authority. “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, but whoever humbles himself will be exalted”.

Today, the mother the Apostles, James and John comes seeking an exalted position for her sons in Jesus’ kingdom.  

She wants greatness for her sons, as any mother would.  So there is something commendable in her words, she wants the best of her children, and she has come to believe that Jesus was destined to be king.  Yet, that belief is a misunderstanding of what the Messiah’s kingship means and entails.  

James and John seemed pretty ready to grasp at it the worldly greatness, perhaps dreaming of endless wealth, celebrity recognition, political power, and command of military might.  

Jesus, however, defines “greatness” very differently.  Greatness comes from giving, and service, and sacrifice. Whoever wishes to be great must become a slave, he says.  Greatness comes not in possessing the esteem of men, but in serving others with one’s entire life.  

It is good to strive for greatness.  But, again, whose version of greatness do you strive for, the world’s or Christ’s?  The royal road to Christian greatness is the cross.  The Christian should strive for great sanctity through great self-sacrifice.  The greatness of the saints is found in their ability to die to their own ambitions, and to pour themselves out abundantly in service to the kingdom of God.  

Jesus promises that James and John would drink of the same cup he would drink—the cup of torture and death for the salvation of souls.  James was the first of the Twelve to drink the cup of Christ when he was beheaded in Jerusalem by Herod Agrippa about ten years after the Lord’s death.  And although John was the only apostle to die a natural death, this was not before experiencing great hardship and exile.  One could say John lived a martyr’s life even if he never died a martyr’s death.

This morning, Bishop Malesic offered a simple reflection. His excellency wrote, “Jesus said to James and John that following him is not easy.  It has a cost.  Jesus asks them: “Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?”  The chalice that Jesus is referring to is the cup of rejection and suffering.

Sometimes, doing the right thing is difficult.  Just ask Jeremiah the prophet in our first reading.  He was thrown into a pit because he spoke the truth to people who did not want to hear it. 

To follow Jesus will always entail a bit of pain, sometimes even a great amount of it.  Can we drink of that chalice?  Can we afford not to?”

Through our Lenten observances, may those attitudes of entitlement and self-preoccupation be conquered within us, and may we drink the chalice of self-sacrifice,  service, and love for the glory of God and salvation of souls.  

 

For profound renewal for the entire church during this Lenten season. 

That parents will help their children seek the priorities of the Christian Gospel over all else, and for an increase in vocations to the priesthood and consecrated religious life.

For the protection of the unborn and respect for all human life. 

For generous giving for the needs of the poor, the hungry, the homeless, those who are sick, especially for victims of the coronavirus and serious seasonal illness, for the unemployed, victims of natural disaster, terrorism, war, violence, and human trafficking, and for those most in need.  

For our beloved dead and all the poor souls in purgatory.

Mercifully hear, O Lord, the prayers of your Church and turn with compassion to the hearts that bow before you, that those you make sharers in your divine mystery may always benefit from your assistance.

Homily: Feb 23 2017 - St. Polycarp & the Chalice of Christ

Fr. William Jurgens was the professor of patristics, the study of the early church fathers, at our seminary here in Cleveland from 1961 until around his death in 1982. He was a quite incredible man, and priest; an internationally renowned church historian, and quite musically gifted, he had a great love for Gregorian chant.

There is a story told among the priests of Cleveland, that that in his course on the early church fathers, Fr. Jurgens would become so passionate and so emotional during the lecture on today’s saint, the bishop and martyr Saint Polycarp, that when he got to the story of Polycarp’s martyrdom, Fr. Jurgens would begin to weep, and he would then cancel class for the rest of the day. Needless to say the seminarians were both edified and grateful for Fr. Jurgens pious devotion to Polycarp.

Polycarp was born sometime between the years 75 and 82.  Saints Peter and Paul had already been martyred in 67, but Polycarp was able to meet and become the disciple of one of the Apostles, Saint John the Evangelist.  So, you can imagine how the early church revered him, being a sort of connection to the last of the twelve apostles.

Polycarp was entrusted with the church at Smyrna and was consecrated its bishop.  He wrote many letters and formed many holy disciples. During his episcopate, at the age of 86, a violent persecution broke out in Smyrna against the Christians. A young boy betrayed the bishop’s location, and Polycarp was arrested.  He was led directly to the roman judge, who ordered him make sacrifice to a pagan God and commit blasphemy. Some of his Christian friends had urged him to make the sacrifice in order to save his life.

He responded, “for 86 years I have served Jesus Christ, and he has never abandoned me.  How could I curse my blessed king and savior.” Polycarp was sentenced to be burned alive.

While tied to the stake, he prayed, “Almighty God, I give you praise, for you have counted me worthy to be among your martyrs, who drink the chalice of Christ’s sufferings.”

The ancient opening prayer for today’s Mass uses words spoken by Polycarp as he died for his Lord, petitioning God that we too may share with St. Polycarp in the chalice of Christ.

To drink from the chalice of Christ means to share in Christ’s suffering for the sake of the salvation of souls and the Father’s glory.

"Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?” our Lord asked James and John. It is the cup which fills us with the life of God, it is the cup which gives us strength to do the will of God, it is the cup which drunk from leads to eternal life, but it is the cup which entails suffering for the sake of the kingdom, which means not running away and abandoning the faith when it becomes difficult, not succumbing to the temptations of the world.

May St. Polycarp’s example and prayers help us drink deeply of the chalice of Christ—the chalice of faithfulness and everlasting salvation for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
 
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The martyrs freely embraced death in bearing witness for the faith, give us the true freedom of the Spirit. We pray to the Lord.

The martyrs professed their faith by shedding their blood, give us a faith that is constant and pure. We pray to the Lord.

The martyrs followed in the footstep of Christ by carrying the cross, help us to endure courageously the misfortunes of life. We pray to the Lord.

The martyrs washed their garments in the blood of the Lamb, help us to avoid the weaknesses of the flesh and worldly allurements. We pray to the Lord.

May the faithful departed, all of the poor souls in purgatory, the deceased members of our family, friends, and parish, for Fr. William Jurgens and the deceased priests of the diocese of Cleveland, and all those who have fought and died for our freedom, come to share the joys of the eternal kingdom. We pray to the Lord.