When I was 15, I had my first official tennis match as a member of the Varsity team. I looked fabulous, of course, in my uniform with matching colored striped socks, and wrist and bandana head band. But, I was scared to death of actually having to play. I even threw up before the match, but my coach would not let me sit out the match. I played! I ran, I hit, I served. I LOST. But, I played and was ready to play and do better next time.
"I
am fearful of what I am for you, but I draw strength from what I am
with you. For you I am a bishop, and with you I am a Christian. The
former designates an office received, the latter the foundation of
salvation."
These are the words of St. Augustine of Hippo on the occasions of his anniversary of ordination as bishop. He did not want to become a bishop and fought for a long time against the moves that were made to make it so. He had great fears about that office of ministry. He finally accepted out of obedience and a sense of love for the people to whom he was asked to serve. Love was always the bottom line for Augustine. Loving God whom you can not see, by loving those whom you can. He played and played well as history recounts.
Tomorrow I am to be ordained to the office of bishop for my Order of Augustinians of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and the Church community we have formed. This comes at a time when I was seeking to find ways to slimline my ministry, focus more on my religious life, and engage in less administration and more personal one-on-one/small group ministry. As my long time friend, and co-founder of the Order, Bp. Christopher always says, "If you want to make God laugh, then tell him your plans." Well, God must be getting quite a belly laugh at me right now. I for my part feel like I did before that first tennis match. But my brothers and sisters in community, like my first coach, won't let me sit out this match.
And growth and new life always comes with pain and a cost. The growth of our Order necessitates us leaving the church in which we found ourselves and some good people there. But, in the season of Advent and hope, you go where the Lord leads and trust in his providence to get you to where he want you to be. Now it is Christmas, and we must become the Word made flesh to others. This in fact is the motto I have chosen to govern my term of office. We must be pregnant and ready to birth the Word of God, the Good News of salvation, in what we do and say wherever God leads. God is found in our incarnate existence, the day to day life in which he formed us, It is in making that existence holy that he grants us a share in his divinity and life.
So, I and our Order/Church go forth now trusting in God's Holy Spirit in our midst, impregnating us with the Word, as he did Our Immaculate Mother of Grace, whose example is always in the forefront of our minds and prayers, to give birth to the Good News to those who have no hope, to be a voice of justice to the voiceless, a center of prayerful calm to the disturbed, a source of resource to those whose means are few. We go now inflamed with the love of God, one in mind and heart into His life made flesh here among us, and in the life promised us to come. It's time to play the match, we need not win, just play with our whole heart, mind and soul, for love of God.
Friday, December 26, 2014
Friday, August 31, 2012
Monday, August 20, 2012
Puting Mary in Your Living Room...
The following are some thoughts from my homily on the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary as given at our St. Joseph Mission in Lancaster, PA this past Sunday, August 19.
"Do as I say, not as I do." Was something my father often said to me growing up. Yes, I know that is contorted. I guess my father was a humble man aware of his own limitations. In fairness, he had a lot to imitate in his behavior as well. We have all heard this saying at some point in our lives, often as children.
Today we have a mother, and model who can say both, "Do as I do and as a say!" That woman is Mary, the Mother of Jesus, the Mother of God. So, let us see what Mary said and do as she says.
1. Mary said, YES! More specifically, she said to the angel Gabriel, I am the servant of the Lord, let is be done unto me as you say." Mary's fiat to the angel expressed her deep faith and trust in God's promise that she grew up learning about and in which she professed her faith.
2. Mary said, all her greatness was due to God's promises and goodness. Always mindful of God's deep love for her she was able to do great things. and so can we.
3. God has a special place for those who are poor, outcast, and marginalized. Mary says that God needs to be the center of our lives and those free of the world's clutter more easily know this and live this.
4. Mary said at the wedding in Cana, "Do whatever he tells you." Mary again the servant of the Lord, knows that all of life's plans are in God's providence so we can let go and trust in following God's plans, no matter what the cost. Not that life will be easy, but that life will not be lonely without God's walking with us.
That is what Mary said, but what did Marry do?
1. Mary raised Jesus in the Jewish faith as a devoted mother and wife, and later widow and single mother. Yes, how do you like that...Mary was a single mother!
2. Mary placed her faith and trust in Jesus at Cana and sent him on his mission to do the will of the Father.
3. Mary stood by Jesus at the cross, with mostly other women, solid in her loving devotion and belief in his goodness and love.
4. Mary stood with and supported the early Church and apostles and was devoutly protected and watched over by them.
Mary is the preeminent model of Christian discipleship that ever lived. What did her complete devotion and trust in God's promise win her: that no corruption of sin and death befall her, she was taken body and soul to heaven in the pattern of the resurrection of her Son. She is the first to go where all the faithful will follow. She is the new Eve.
This feast is for all of us, because Mary was and is one of us. What God has done for Mary, he will do for all of us in the fullness of time. So we should really rejoice this feast. We should take Mary off the ledge, off the pedestal and place her right in our living rooms, and kitchens, and work offices. Her model of discipleship is real, her trust is real, her love for us is real, and her destiny is real for us as well.
As Elizabeth said..."Blessed are you among women!" (and men!)
"Do as I say, not as I do." Was something my father often said to me growing up. Yes, I know that is contorted. I guess my father was a humble man aware of his own limitations. In fairness, he had a lot to imitate in his behavior as well. We have all heard this saying at some point in our lives, often as children.
Today we have a mother, and model who can say both, "Do as I do and as a say!" That woman is Mary, the Mother of Jesus, the Mother of God. So, let us see what Mary said and do as she says.
1. Mary said, YES! More specifically, she said to the angel Gabriel, I am the servant of the Lord, let is be done unto me as you say." Mary's fiat to the angel expressed her deep faith and trust in God's promise that she grew up learning about and in which she professed her faith.
2. Mary said, all her greatness was due to God's promises and goodness. Always mindful of God's deep love for her she was able to do great things. and so can we.
3. God has a special place for those who are poor, outcast, and marginalized. Mary says that God needs to be the center of our lives and those free of the world's clutter more easily know this and live this.
4. Mary said at the wedding in Cana, "Do whatever he tells you." Mary again the servant of the Lord, knows that all of life's plans are in God's providence so we can let go and trust in following God's plans, no matter what the cost. Not that life will be easy, but that life will not be lonely without God's walking with us.
That is what Mary said, but what did Marry do?
1. Mary raised Jesus in the Jewish faith as a devoted mother and wife, and later widow and single mother. Yes, how do you like that...Mary was a single mother!
2. Mary placed her faith and trust in Jesus at Cana and sent him on his mission to do the will of the Father.
3. Mary stood by Jesus at the cross, with mostly other women, solid in her loving devotion and belief in his goodness and love.
4. Mary stood with and supported the early Church and apostles and was devoutly protected and watched over by them.
Mary is the preeminent model of Christian discipleship that ever lived. What did her complete devotion and trust in God's promise win her: that no corruption of sin and death befall her, she was taken body and soul to heaven in the pattern of the resurrection of her Son. She is the first to go where all the faithful will follow. She is the new Eve.
This feast is for all of us, because Mary was and is one of us. What God has done for Mary, he will do for all of us in the fullness of time. So we should really rejoice this feast. We should take Mary off the ledge, off the pedestal and place her right in our living rooms, and kitchens, and work offices. Her model of discipleship is real, her trust is real, her love for us is real, and her destiny is real for us as well.
As Elizabeth said..."Blessed are you among women!" (and men!)
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Mourning with the Sekh Community: Editorial
Below is an expanded version of my previous post which I sent as an editorial to the Delaware County Times and Philadelphia Inquirer.
Dear Editors,
Once again a tragedy, no an amoral act of hateful terror and cowardice, grips our nation. As I read more today about the shooting at the Sekh Temple in Wisconsin I grew very sad and angry. A deliberate act of hateful bigotry, ignorance, and murder was perpetrated by a person filled with hate against a peaceful religious group who seemed different. Our "founding fathers" must be turning in their graves, and certainly Our God is weeping for his children, yet again.
It seems tragically ironic that one of the founding impetuses that drove the founding of this land was the search for religious and political freedom by those who were different and in the minority. Now those today who seem religiously or ethically different are too increasingly often the victims of hate filled bigotry and violence.
To those in the political realm who use words and policy proposals of division and fear to plant these seeds of hatred for their own political gain and power, I say,"Stop, remember, think! We are Americans, all of us. Americans are Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindu, Sekh, Buddhists, Pagans, and Atheists alike. We are Democrats, Republicans, Socialsts, Greens, Independents. We have settled this land with ancestors from all the inhabited continents. That is the unique greatness, glory, and ministry of this great country to the world community. This is what has always made us a shining light to the world."
We, as citizens responsible for the continuing struggle and this great experiment of freedom, democracy, and human rights, must hold our leaders and our communities responsible for living up to and fostering this ideal, and confront those who distort it and abuse it for power, fear, or control. We are the very seeds of the future, and we can do this. We can meet this challenge of our time in the same greatness that gave birth to this nation of liberty and people-power.
To any religious leaders who distort and abuse the tremendous power of people's faith entrusted to them by using this faith and their religion to oppress others beliefs, or place their own religion as superior to another, I say, "Shame on you. Would the God in whom you believe countenance such words or behavior? NO! We may understand the Divine differently, but it is the same Spirit that draws us to seek out that which is beyond our human imperfections to the light of the perfect love, and that which can bring us together."
Whether committed citizen, or devoted faithful believer, we should mourn together, make the tears of the Wisconsin Sekh community our own, draw strength from them, and vow to commit ourselves to fighting and resisting these subtle and overt acts of hatred and division. That which binds us is far greater than that which divides us!
Fr. Joseph Augustine Menna, AIHM
Pastor
St. Mary of Grace Independent Catholic Church
Media, PA
www.inclusivecatholics.org
Dear Editors,
Once again a tragedy, no an amoral act of hateful terror and cowardice, grips our nation. As I read more today about the shooting at the Sekh Temple in Wisconsin I grew very sad and angry. A deliberate act of hateful bigotry, ignorance, and murder was perpetrated by a person filled with hate against a peaceful religious group who seemed different. Our "founding fathers" must be turning in their graves, and certainly Our God is weeping for his children, yet again.
It seems tragically ironic that one of the founding impetuses that drove the founding of this land was the search for religious and political freedom by those who were different and in the minority. Now those today who seem religiously or ethically different are too increasingly often the victims of hate filled bigotry and violence.
To those in the political realm who use words and policy proposals of division and fear to plant these seeds of hatred for their own political gain and power, I say,"Stop, remember, think! We are Americans, all of us. Americans are Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindu, Sekh, Buddhists, Pagans, and Atheists alike. We are Democrats, Republicans, Socialsts, Greens, Independents. We have settled this land with ancestors from all the inhabited continents. That is the unique greatness, glory, and ministry of this great country to the world community. This is what has always made us a shining light to the world."
We, as citizens responsible for the continuing struggle and this great experiment of freedom, democracy, and human rights, must hold our leaders and our communities responsible for living up to and fostering this ideal, and confront those who distort it and abuse it for power, fear, or control. We are the very seeds of the future, and we can do this. We can meet this challenge of our time in the same greatness that gave birth to this nation of liberty and people-power.
To any religious leaders who distort and abuse the tremendous power of people's faith entrusted to them by using this faith and their religion to oppress others beliefs, or place their own religion as superior to another, I say, "Shame on you. Would the God in whom you believe countenance such words or behavior? NO! We may understand the Divine differently, but it is the same Spirit that draws us to seek out that which is beyond our human imperfections to the light of the perfect love, and that which can bring us together."
Whether committed citizen, or devoted faithful believer, we should mourn together, make the tears of the Wisconsin Sekh community our own, draw strength from them, and vow to commit ourselves to fighting and resisting these subtle and overt acts of hatred and division. That which binds us is far greater than that which divides us!
Fr. Joseph Augustine Menna, AIHM
Pastor
St. Mary of Grace Independent Catholic Church
Media, PA
www.inclusivecatholics.org
Monday, August 6, 2012
Mourning with the Sekh Victims and Families
Brothers and sisters,
Once again a tragedy, no, an amoral act of terror and cowardice grips our nation. As I read more today about the shooting at the Sekh Temple in Wisconsin I grew very sad and angry. A deliberate act of hateful bigotry, ignorance, and murder by a person filled with hate against a peaceful religious group who seemed different. Our "founding fathers" must be turning in their graves, and certainly Our God is weeping for his children, yet again.
Let us together, again, make a show of unity for religious freedom, human love, and respect for innocent martyrs. Please make Wednesday a day of special prayer, offering the Office of the Dead for the victims and commending their families and friends, and the Sekh community to the comfort of Our Mother of Consolation. We may understand the Divine differently, but it is the same Spirit that draws us to seek out that which is beyond our human imperfections to the light of the perfect love, and that which can bring us together.
In the midst of this sad, evil, and frightening event, let us draw strength from our faith in Christ who takes this division, hate, and bigotry to the cross and CONQUERS it with LOVE! This is our strength, this is our comfort, this is our hope, this is our life in the passion, death and RESURRECTION of Our Lord!
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory Forever!
Joseph Augustine+
Once again a tragedy, no, an amoral act of terror and cowardice grips our nation. As I read more today about the shooting at the Sekh Temple in Wisconsin I grew very sad and angry. A deliberate act of hateful bigotry, ignorance, and murder by a person filled with hate against a peaceful religious group who seemed different. Our "founding fathers" must be turning in their graves, and certainly Our God is weeping for his children, yet again.
Let us together, again, make a show of unity for religious freedom, human love, and respect for innocent martyrs. Please make Wednesday a day of special prayer, offering the Office of the Dead for the victims and commending their families and friends, and the Sekh community to the comfort of Our Mother of Consolation. We may understand the Divine differently, but it is the same Spirit that draws us to seek out that which is beyond our human imperfections to the light of the perfect love, and that which can bring us together.
In the midst of this sad, evil, and frightening event, let us draw strength from our faith in Christ who takes this division, hate, and bigotry to the cross and CONQUERS it with LOVE! This is our strength, this is our comfort, this is our hope, this is our life in the passion, death and RESURRECTION of Our Lord!
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory Forever!
Joseph Augustine+
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Hearing the Gospel today at Occupy Philadelphia
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor...to let the oppressed be free." (Luke 4:18) were the words Jesus spoke in the synagogue referring to himself stating, "today this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing." Well, today those same words of the Good News of Jesus were fulfilled in my hearing and seeing as I visited the Occupy Philadelphia community at City Hall with my sister in community, Sr. Lyngine.
We went bearing a box of coffee from Dunkin Donuts, which we had to refresh, with the intention of meeting people, speaking to them, understanding them better and maybe offering some spiritual encouragement and prayers. And, we did just that, but so much more was done unto us in return in hearing and seeing the Gospel alive.
We arrived at the camp site outside City Hall and immediately heard two men in their mid thirties, driving a large SUV, heckling the protesters by shouting, "get a job" and "get a life hippies." I turned giving them one of my famous "nun looks" of disapproval, but before I could say anything, I heard a response from the protesters, "I would love a job, got one for me?" and "Put a little hippie in your life." Lesson one from the Gospel: forgiveness and compassion.
Then, we met a wonderful man who acted as a sort of tour guide of the community. He was an artist, a painter, who has been out of work and homeless. He directed us towards some people who were in most need of some warming coffee. Lesson two: all people are dignified in their being God's creations.
A little while latter when we had run out of coffee, two people from the movement who had just gotten coffee from us taught us lesson three: charity in community. One of them gave her coffee to another outright and the other poured half of hers into another's cup. These protesters are so much more than that. They have become a real community of prophets sharing their struggles, their fears, and their hopes, trying to awaken the conscience of a nation to economic justice for all.
I did have the opportunity to pray with a few members of the community who asked, and anointed one who was in need. Also gave a few blessings to others, but mostly, we poured coffee, we listened, and were were taught the message of the Gospel today from some wonderful prophets from a community of hope.
Fr. Joseph Augustine Menna, AIHM
Pastor St. Mary of Grace Independent Catholic Church
Media, PA
We went bearing a box of coffee from Dunkin Donuts, which we had to refresh, with the intention of meeting people, speaking to them, understanding them better and maybe offering some spiritual encouragement and prayers. And, we did just that, but so much more was done unto us in return in hearing and seeing the Gospel alive.
We arrived at the camp site outside City Hall and immediately heard two men in their mid thirties, driving a large SUV, heckling the protesters by shouting, "get a job" and "get a life hippies." I turned giving them one of my famous "nun looks" of disapproval, but before I could say anything, I heard a response from the protesters, "I would love a job, got one for me?" and "Put a little hippie in your life." Lesson one from the Gospel: forgiveness and compassion.
Then, we met a wonderful man who acted as a sort of tour guide of the community. He was an artist, a painter, who has been out of work and homeless. He directed us towards some people who were in most need of some warming coffee. Lesson two: all people are dignified in their being God's creations.
A little while latter when we had run out of coffee, two people from the movement who had just gotten coffee from us taught us lesson three: charity in community. One of them gave her coffee to another outright and the other poured half of hers into another's cup. These protesters are so much more than that. They have become a real community of prophets sharing their struggles, their fears, and their hopes, trying to awaken the conscience of a nation to economic justice for all.
I did have the opportunity to pray with a few members of the community who asked, and anointed one who was in need. Also gave a few blessings to others, but mostly, we poured coffee, we listened, and were were taught the message of the Gospel today from some wonderful prophets from a community of hope.
Fr. Joseph Augustine Menna, AIHM
Pastor St. Mary of Grace Independent Catholic Church
Media, PA
Friday, October 14, 2011
Augustinian thoughts on "Occupy Wall Street." Where would Augustine be?
First, let us consider what Augustine thought about the State. Commenting on Augustine's writing, particularly in City of God, Donald Burt, OSA, notes "two distinct goals for a political society:
1. the preservation of the peace by seeking to insure the harmonious external conduct of the humans in it and to protect them from external attacks;
2. the administration and organization of those material goods necessary for the continuation of life this side of death.
Augustine does not seem to believe that the state has any special obligation to provide for the welfare of those who cannot provide for themselves. Charitable work is left to the church and private individuals." (http://www41.homepage.villanova.edu/donald.burt/friendship/07.htm)
However, Augustine also takes a pessimistic and minimal view of the state as not capable of reaching that perfection of love that exists in the City of God where the well being of neighbor is a primal task of the whole society. Augustine himself noted that civil law is not the same as the law of the Creator. (http://www.augnet.org/default.asp?ipageid=329) Thus our nation which prides itself on its Judeo Christian heritage needs to ask if we are willing to accept a minimal pessimistic view of our society or demand of ourselves something more “Christian?”
Further considering what Augustine himself said about justice and his own actions:
1. Gender Equality: Augustine was quick to point out the discrepancies in Roman law in dealing with men and women, as not being the law of Christ.
2. Tax Fairness: Church sanctuary might protect a few victims of injustice; but the cities and the poor continued to be ground down by excessive and selective taxation, "while we (the bishops) groan and are unable to help," Augustine lamented.
3. Debt relief: “From Letter 268 we learn that Augustine intervened for a person who was bowed down by a burden of debts. Augustine himself had not the sum needed to help him. He borrowed the money from a rich man. However, in doing so Augustine himself got into difficulty himself when he was unable to repay the loan. He had to ask the help of the people of Hippo.” (http://www.augnet.org/default.asp?ipageid=1885&iParentid=329)
4. Dignity and Poverty: “Augustine distributed the property of the church among the poor people for them to be able to work. His deep pastoral sense assured that this help did not remain on the material level. Quite the contrary: he was committed to the authentic promotion of respect for the dignity of the poor people. Augustine became one with the poor, "making myself a beggar with the beggars" (Sermon 66, 5).” (http://www.augnet.org/default.asp?ipageid=341)
I think from the reflections above, I myself, an convinced that Augustine would be at the least encouraging to the protesters, marchers, and occupiers, with prayers and spiritual help, and even more so, would be there with them personally to lend the witness of his office as Bishop to their seeking of the justice of the perfect charity of the City of God.
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