Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Catholic Social Teaching - Class 9

Tonight’s instructor was the Bishop from our diocese who began by telling us a little bit about himself. When he was ordained, and in fact for most of the 60s and 70s, California was considered to be a “mission” territory. Our Bishop was ordained between the opening and closing of Vatican II and so he is very committed to the council. He described the Second Vatican Council as “A very important moment for the Church”, and also called it “the largest meeting in the history of the world”.

Previous to Vatican II the church was envisioned to be like a pyramid, with the clergy at the top, the religious in the middle, and the lay people at the bottom. According to him there was very little interaction between the levels. After Vatican II the church was envisioned to be like a circle, divided into sections like a pizza. The clergy, religious, and laity are the sections but today there is constant interaction between those sections. We understand that all are equal in the sight of God.
 
It’s important to understand that we are all called, even though each of us has a different function. Life is a series of invitations, such as birth, baptism, confirmation, marriage, even death, and we all have the same mission. We are a work of God who has painted the face of Jesus on each one of us. The people we meet should know who we are even before we’ve had a chance to speak to them. The mission of the Church, our mission, is to be Christ to the world. The Second Vatican Council re-discovered the value of the laity, recognizing that we are all in the process of becoming and for us, like Vatican II where progress has been made, progress still needs to be made.
 
In 1999, soon after the Diocese of San Jose was created, our new Bishop asked the people “How are we doing”. The answer included various facts, such as the diocese was 1 of 4 in the United States that consisted of only 1 county, and that today it includes 53 parishes made up of 620K – 650K registered parishioners plus about another 30K unregistered parishioners. Of that total, about 33% are Latino, 31% are Asian, and 46% are others (which includes me). Today the largest group of worshipers in the diocese is Hispanic.
 
Like all businesses the Church has a business plan which defines a product, “To make known to all people the saving power of Jesus”. Unlike the business plan however, our Pastoral Plan is not bound as a book, but is instead contained in a loose leaf binder. Our Bishop wanted this to be a living document that could be constantly evaluated and updated. The original plan took three years to create, and bits and pieces of it have been updated along the way. Obviously, today’s needs are different than they were ten years ago, and it is due for a complete re-evaluation.
 
Creating the plan was a very complicated process, involving design teams, vision and mission statements, and the gathering and organizing of data. From this 400 priorities were identified which was way too many, so the Bishop organized something called Dot Sunday. On Dot Sunday large sheets of paper were hung up at all Masses that listed all 400 priorities, and everyone was given four colored dots to stick next to the four priorities they felt were the most important. This resulted in four primary concerns and four organizational issues, which today has grown to six concerns; Liturgy, Education, Youth, Young-Adults, Lay-Leadership, and Social-Justice.
 
Our Bishops crest (evidently all Bishops have a crest) includes a Scottish cross, a symbol of Mary the Mother of Jesus, a symbol of Saint Paul, and at the bottom is the motto “Together in Christ”, because we’re all in this together. It was very important to have input from others, which is why at the very beginning our Bishop refused to voice his personal concerns and issues for the new Diocese. He didn’t want to influence the Pastoral Plan by describing his own personal mission. He did ask some basic questions: Who are we: How do we see ourselves: How do others see us: Where do we want to be: How do we get there. He also provided a short list of guiding principles. The goal was to build a church where everyone feels welcome, and a church that is in-tune with the world around us. Sadly, he doesn’t feel that it has been accomplished. It’s not true yet because so many feel unwanted.
 
Jesus taught us that love tops everything, so kindness, compassion and love should be our guiding principles: “Harshness is the ‘vice of barbarians”. Do we feed the hungry, cloth the naked, and welcome the stranger? Our mission is to create a church where everyone is in the service of others, a church that is joyful, a church that is not afraid to dream, and most importantly, a church that is witnessing the hope of Jesus Christ. The mother of our Pastoral Plan was the Second Vatican Council which asks each of us to take up our rightful place in the Church.

Saturday, November 24, 2012

One Day at a Time

I’ve always believed that, “Our greatest possession is health, our greatest gift is grace, and our greatest legacy is our children”. Here are some other thoughts for my list;
 
The greatest joy is giving
The most useless thing to do is worry
The most prized possession is integrity
The greatest loss is loss of self-respect
The most worthless emotion is self-pity
The ugliest personality trait is selfishness
The most satisfying work is helping others
The greatest problem to overcome is fear
The most important being in your life is God
The greatest "shot in the arm" is encouragement
The most endangered species is dedicated leaders
The most powerful form of communication is prayer
The most effective sleeping pill is peace of mind
The two most power-filled words are I can
The most contagious spirit is enthusiasm
The most dangerous past time is gossip
The most powerful force in life is Love
The worst thing to be without is hope
The most crippling failure is excuses
The deadliest weapon is the tongue
The most beautiful attire is a smile
The greatest asset is faith
 
Everyone needs a list to live by. Please feel free to comment with ideas for the list, and pass this one along to others.

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

The Big Question

We called them Hobo’s when I was a kid. They weren’t tolerated by communities and governments of course, and so you never saw them on the sidewalk or begging at a street corner. They preferred to be invisible and they stayed on the move, mostly on foot I suppose despite the romanticized stories. I remember that occasionally we would see one walking alongside the road and my Dad would say, “There goes a retired ag-pilot”, which is what my Dad did for a living so it always seemed funny. Eventually we called them bums and today we call them homeless, but although the number and makeup of these people has changed dramatically, who they are hasn’t. We are they (or they are us) and we are all the children of God. In fact we are all just a couple of pay checks away from being them literally, so be especially thankful for what you have and for what you can share.
 
In my first class on Catholic Social Teaching, we were introduced to social justice (again) and presented with a historical look at the Church’s understanding of the poor, exploited, and underprivileged. All through this lecture I was nodding my head “yes” because I “get it”, while at the same time I was thinking “no” because so many people don’t “get it”. I have a difficult time understanding why there is so little being done about this problem given that we are commanded to love our neighbor as our self. Near the end of this first class I asked “why is it that so many seemingly bright people, many of whom are in every other way Christian so against the idea of social justice?
 
Those of us that get the message of charity are nodding our heads during the homily and those that are unsure listen carefully, but some quietly get up and leave. What scares me is that this isn’t just a small fringe group of miss-informed Catholics, but rather it's a large main stream group of Christians who firmly believe that it’s all a big lie created by liberals to force re-distribution of wealth and more big government. Since that first night my bewilderment has developed into a more complex question. Is it possible that we’ve been deceived by the messenger as some would claim? Are we our neighbor’s keeper, and if so who is our neighbor? What does Scripture really say about this? Our instructor suggested that I might try to understand the other view and present it as a paper for this class, which you can find in the Written Assignments section on the right titled Good Enough.

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Food for life

Remember what your Mom always said, "Drink 8 glasses of water every day and eat plenty of fruit and vegatables". I'm sure that Mother Teresa would probably have agreed with your Mom, but she also had a different idea about the fruit in our lives which she expressed this way;

The fruit of silence is prayer
The fruit of prayer is faith
The fruit of faith is love
The fruit of love is service
The fruit of service is peace.
 
From Mother Teresa, Come be my light. The Private Writings of the "Saint of Calcutta" Edited by Brian Kolodiejchuk, M.C.

 


Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Catholic Social Teaching - Class 8

Tonight’s instructor preferred a more intimate setting and asked us to gather our chairs into a small circle. This always makes me cringe, even though we're a small group and I like the other people in my class; and despite my initial discomfort and the fact that I couldn't take notes on my tablet, I did learn something important. It turns out that like a lot of people, I suppose, I've confused social justice with charity. Wikipedia defines Social Justice as "justice exercised within society, particularly as it is exercised by and among the various social classes of that society". Not much help there, but it goes on to say that "A socially just society is based on the principles of equality and solidarity, understands and values human rights, and recognizes the dignity of every human being", which is much more helpful. Charity on the other hand is defined by Wikipedia as "the practice of benevolent giving and caring", and "the Christian theological concept of unlimited love and kindness". The Hebrew concept literally means righteousness (Genesis 18:19) but is commonly used to signify giving to worthy causes or people in need". Even within Islam, the concept of mandatory and voluntary alms-giving is often translated as "charity".
 
In general, Catholic Social Teaching is a body of doctrine developed by the Catholic Church on matters of poverty and wealth, economics, social organization and the role of the state, which means that Catholic Social Teaching relates to matters dealing with the collective aspect of humanity. In particular, Jesus taught that on the Day of Judgment God will ask what each person did to help the poor and needy: "Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me." One of the foundational principles is the sanctity of all human life and the inherent dignity of every human person. Specifically, we believe that through words, prayers, and deeds we must show compassion for and solidarity with the poor; but what does that really mean?
 
We've all heard or read that "The moral test of any society is how it treats its most vulnerable members", which brings most people back to the idea of charity; but this is not Social Justice. Social Justice may be based "on the concepts of human rights and equality" and it may "involve a greater degree of economic egalitarianism through progressive taxation, income redistribution, or even property redistribution"; but this is not Social Justice. Various policies may aim to achieve what developmental economists refer to as "more equality of opportunity than may currently exist in some societies, or to manufacture equality of outcome in cases where incidental inequalities appear in a procedurally just system"; but this is not Social Justice. If charity is feeding someone a fish, then you might think that social justice is teaching someone how to fish, but that's not right either. According to Pope John Paul II, the foundation of Social Justice rests on the concepts of human dignity, solidarity and subsidiarity. These concerns echo elements of Jewish law and the prophetic books of the Old Testament and recall the teachings of Jesus Christ recorded in the New Testament.
 
What I learned in tonight's class is that Social Justice isn't an action, like giving someone a fish or even teaching them how to fish, it's first and foremost an attitude. Pause here for a moment, and re-read Jesus' declaration, "Amen (or truly), I say to you, whatever you have done for one of these least brothers of Mine, you have done for Me". We've all heard or read this too, many times, but I think we're missing something very important. Jesus is directly connecting our treatment of Him in how we treat others: He isn't saying "it's like you treated me that way", or "what if you treated me that way", but rather He is saying "this is how you are treating me". While the action of social justice is charity, the attitude of social justice is solidarity. Jesus is intimately connected with everyone, especially the poor and disadvantaged, in a truly personal and deeply felt way. If we are to understand what Jesus is trying to teach us we must learn to connect with others (especially the poor and disadvantaged) in this same way. We are all called to love our neighbor as our self because (as I've said before) "we are them and they are us"! It may not be necessary to "give everything you have to the poor" but we must "follow" His example. We must recognize the dignity of every human person and become one with those less fortunate, whoever they are and wherever they are, internalizing their struggle in a personal heartfelt way.

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Friendship

A friend is someone who ...

Accepts you as you are.
Believes in you.
Calls you just to say, "Hi".
Doesn't give up on you.
Envisions the whole of you (even the unfinished parts).
Forgives your mistakes.
Gives unconditionally.
Helps you.
Invites you over.
Just wants to be with you.
Keeps you close at heart.
Loves you for who you are.
Makes a difference in your life.
Never judges.
Offers support.
Picks you up.
Quiets your fears.
Raises your spirits.
Says nice things about you.
Tells you the truth when you need to hear it.
Understands you.
Values you.
Walks beside you.
Xplains things you don't understand.
Yells when you won't listen.
Zaps you back to reality.

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Papal Audience

My wife and I just returned from a pilgrimage to Italy that was called The Shrines of Italy Tour. We flew to Zurich and then to Venice where we spent the next 11 days following our tour guide. We visited several well known cities and spent our free day in Pompeii. In Venice much of the walking was done on raised platforms, called tables, because of the especially high tides and flooding in the streets and shops. People in rubber boots were checking in and out of hotels, shopping in stores, and going about their daily lives with 8 - 12 inches of water on the floor. It made sight-seeing a bit difficult, but we had a great time anyway. In Venice we walked and shopped along the flooded streets and visited the Doge museum, including walking across the Bridge of Sighs. We also did the obligatory gondola ride through the canals one evening, complete with Champaign, a musician, and a singer with a beautiful voice. In Florence we walked across the Ponte Vecchio bridge, shopped along the streets, and visited the Doge and Piti Palace museums. In Assisi we simply walked and shopped, and ate in a small restaurant, not wanting to leave until after dark. In Rome we visited the Vatican Museum, shopped along the streets of the Vatican, and sat and ate at the small sidewalk tables of tiny restaurants. We also ate dinner one night, and listened to traditional Italian singers, in a 2000 year old Roman Bath house.
 
During our trip we were able to celebrate Daily Mass in some of the most beautiful churches we’ve ever seen. In Venice we celebrated in the crypts below San Marcos where Saint Mark is buried, and in Santa Lucia, where Saint Lucy can be found in a glass coffin. On our way to Florence we celebrated in La Basilica del Santo in Padua, and then again early the next morning in Santa Maria Novella, with frescos depicting scenes from the life of Saint Thomas Aquinas. In Assisi we visited both the upper and lower churches of the Basilica of San Francesco d’Assisi, where Saint Francis is buried with a few of his followers, and we celebrated in a side chapel at the Basilica di Santa Chaira, that contains the remains of Saint Clare of Assisi. In Rome we celebrated in a side chapel in the Basilica Papale di San Paolo fuori le Mura (Saint Paul’s Outside the Wall), where Saint Paul is buried, and in the Lithuanian Chapel below the Basilica Papale di San Pietro in Vaticano (Saint Peters Basilica).
 
For me however, the highlight of the trip was attending the Papal Audience this morning, in the square at Saint Peter’s. There is something very comforting about being in a city where everyone around you is Catholic, knowing that everyone shares your faith and beliefs, and who also believe that faith itself is important. During the audience I was moved by the thousands of people sitting and standing in the square, waving small flags and listening to every word. It seemed to me that there were people from every nation, representing faith in all its variations, where I felt very connected to the community of saints throughout the world. Prior to the readings Pope Benedict XVI made his way through the crowds in his little white car and I found myself within about 10 feet of His Holiness.
 
He continued his series of teachings on faith by observing that although secularism is on the rise, everyone has a desire for God, and this can be seen in the experience of love. “Even in today’s secularized society, this desire for God continues to make itself felt, above all in the experience of love”, he said. The Pope quoted St. Augustine’s famous words about hearts remaining restless until they rest in God, and he noted that love is the way to begin satisfying that longing, which finds its fulfillment in faith in God. Love by its very nature means encountering others, noting that this can be another person or in God himself. The essence of love is “seeking the good of the other,” and by loving we “find ourselves by giving ourselves away.” Pope Benedict explained that when people go beyond themselves it nurtures their built-in sense of a greater reality beyond them, even beyond fellow human beings. “Thanks to this innate religious sense, we can open our hearts to the gift of faith which draws us ever closer to God, the source of all good and the fulfillment of our deepest desire”. Noting that this is the Year of Faith, he invited Catholics to pray for all sincere seekers of the truth, “that they may come to know the joy and freedom born of faith.”
 
The Pope delivered a greeting in Arabic for the first time as part of an effort to reach out to Muslims and Arabic-speaking Christians in the Middle East. After acknowledging groups of pilgrims from different countries in their native tongues, including Saint Clare's from the Diocese of San Jose, the Pope sung the Our Father in Latin. We've each been strengthened and encouraged to return to our respective countries with a renewed mission to carry out God’s plan in our lives, as individuals and as part of His Church. Of course my new rosary was in my hands during the general blessing, which he extended to our family and friends back home.

Saturday, November 3, 2012

Stuff Happens

I used to say, "If Life was easy everyone would want to do it". I was trying to acknowledge that things were "as they should be", while also trying to ignore the fact that the struggle itself was depressing. I couldn't understand why I had to struggle with absolutely everything. I'm not sure if I was trying to keep up with others, or if I was just trying to be what appeared to be normal. Now I understand that normal isn't normal and those imagined others are struggling just as much as I am. Today, probably because I'm a lot older and a little bit wiser, I also understand my own struggles better and see them in relation to the world around me. Some people have cancer, some have lost loved ones, and some have money worries. I realize that these are "not the same", but the point is life is not easy for anyone. Being normal means that I struggle, you struggle, we all struggle!

I've also been known to say (quite often), "Life is hard and then you die". I realize that it sounds a bit harsh, but it is one of my favorite sayings because what it means to me has changed over the years; for me it is no longer pessimistic, it's optimistic. Life wasn't intended to be easy and no one owes us anything; struggle is simply part of what it means to be alive. It isn't our fault, or God's fault, or our neighbors fault. When we realize that life isn't easy for anyone we can stop being negative, and once we accept that our struggle is in itself good for us, we are open to appreciate the gifts that we have been given. Everyone, or at least the 99% of us that are aware of what's going on around us, are doing the best that we can.

There is a popular song that says, "sometimes blessings come through raindrops" and "healing comes through tears". We humans are emotional creatures; we connect with the trials and joys in life, whether it's ours or our neighbors, and we must understand that God's mercy can sometimes be "disguised" as hard nights. We humans can also be slow learners, which is why it sometimes takes years for us to know that God is near. "Sometimes honest cries of heart felt pain are better than a halleluiah". Let us be thankful that while we pour out our individual miseries "what God hears is a melody": Take a moment to gather courage, accept the struggle, and know that He is near.