Archive for February, 2011

Eighth Sunday of Ordinary Time

Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Isaiah 49:14-15                        1Cor. 4:1-5               Matt.   6:24-34

The three Sunday readings do not always have a clear connection. But there is always a message for us in each one.  This week we clearly see a tender loving God with an understanding heart who calls us to trust.

Many of us have favorite images of who we think God is. Interestingly enough, God is so great and wonderful that we cannot limit God to one, two or three images.  Many of us see God as Father, for instance, or as judge.  In Isaiah 49, God says he loves us like a mother, a mother who will never ever forget her child.  “Even should she forget, I will never forget you,” God says. What tremendous tenderness that implies.  What great love and attention!

The second reading from 1 Corinthians reminds us not to judge, not even to pass judgment on ourselves.  Leave the judging to God who knows all things, who knows the innermost depths of our hearts and understands our motives. Jesus has also told us about his Father’s mercy. These should be consoling thoughts if we do the best we can in spite of the results, in spite of what others might think and say.  God knows our heart even better than we know it ourselves.

The Gospel seems to have a threefold message. I will put it in the form of questions.  Who or what is my priority?  Is my lifestyle a simple one? Do I trust God?

Jesus says you can’t serve two masters, for instance, God and material things… We might ask ourselves which of the two is my priority?  Or are things more important to me even than people are?  In today’s society the greed for money and material things are often what causes cheating and violence, ruins relationships and even families. These do not necessarily bring happiness. Jesus calls us to examine our priorities.

Then Jesus uses several images to speak to us about a simple lifestyle and about trust. He says the lilies of the field do not spin and yet they are clothed with immense beauty.  Imagine those brilliant orange tiger lilies! The birds of the air do not sow or reap or gather food into barns, yet God feeds them all.  Again God knows our hearts and knows that we worry about all sorts of things, be it food, clothes, money, health, etc.  Worrying implies a definite lack of trust.

I read this saying recently: Worrying does not take away tomorrow’s troubles; it takes away today’s peace.” The message is that God does not want us to live in useless anxiety and worry ourselves sick about so many things.  God is our Father and Mother and watches over us with love and concern.  We must do our best to provide for ourselves and our families, but we are also invited to live simply and to place our trust in the God who loves us. What does it mean to live simply?  We can make the effort of asking ourselves the question “Do I need this?” or “Do I want this?” An honest answer might lead us to more simple living.  The attitude of “enough” rather than “more, more and more” could lead us to adopting a simpler lifestyle. Being content and satisfied with “what is” instead of always seeking more is a key to simple living.

Our God is a God of peace and love, not of fear and anxiety. We who work in the healthcare field need to remind ourselves about Jesus’ closing statements: “Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself.  Sufficient for a day is its own evil.”  We can help our patients, residents and one another by remembering that the way to go is “taking one day at a time.”  That’s all any of us has, one day at a time, whether we are healthy or suffering from disease, young or old. It’s a rather good reminder to put our trust in God.

Sr. Suzanne Beaudoin, SSCh
Director of Pastoral Care


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Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

Monday, February 14th, 2011

Sunday, February 13, 2011    
1 Cor. 3:16-23            Matthew 5:38-48

In today’s reading, St. Paul says: “If anyone among you considers himself wise in this age, let him become a fool so as to become wise.  For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in the eyes of God.”  St. Matthew says the same thing this way: “But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil.  If someone wants to sue you over your tunic, hand over your cloak as well.  Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go for two miles.  I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who are against you.”

I have read these passages often in my life and, way down deep, I’ve always believed that “off beat” point of view.  One day my belief was tested.  In the late 1960s, I was invited to preach a parish retreat in one of our Oblate Fathers parish in Plattsburg, New York.  I was known as the “hippie-priest” with long flowing hair and a full brown-reddish beard . . . but I was a good storyteller and a decent preacher.

I was driving from Rhode Island to upper state New York; and on my trip, I picked up a hitch- hiking sailor who was going to Plattsburg to visit his family.  About an hour into our ride, he said: “Would it surprise you if I told you I had a gun?”  “No,” I answered.  “What if I robbed you?  What would you do?”  “Nothing,” I said, laughing.  “You wouldn’t get rich robbing me of about $45 of travel money.  I’m a priest and responding to an invitation to preach a parish mission in Plattsburg.”  “Well,” he said.  “I could leave you on the side of the road and steal your car.”  “Yes, you could,” I sighed.  “But robbed or alive or dead, I’d still be more of a man than you would be!  I’m stopping for lunch.  Do you want to eat?  My treat.”  “Sure,” he said, somewhat puzzled.  We had lunch together and he reassured me that he was just kidding when he talked about the gun.  I drove him home to his front porch and we parted with friendly goodbyes.

When I left his house, I couldn’t help but think about today’s gospel reading.  Although that sailor had said threatening and scary things, I had not acted threatened or scared.  Yet he was completely “disarmed.”  This episode confirmed my “weirdness” and contributes to how I am inside and always will be.  It may be odd or “ditzy,”  but I feel wise in the Bible way.

About 15 years ago, I was confronted by three teenage punks on an Auburn sidewalk.  When I came face to face with them, they blocked my way and one of them said: “Hey, old man, we don’t move for idiots.”  They stood their ground.  I looked at them very calmly and said: “Well, today is your lucky day because I do!” and instantly crossed the street to do my food shopping.  It took the “punks” 30 seconds to figure out that I had won that confrontation.  They shook their fists at me and I just smiled at them and proceeded to do my groceries.

Now that I’m old and slow and have to walk with a cane, I think about those interesting events in my life and realize that being foolish in the eyes of people can be being wise in the eyes of God.  I may be old and slow and handicapped, but I’m facing my life’s conclusion with a smile in my spirit that nothing can erase.  Being wise in the eyes of God is not just the spiritual thing to do… it works in this life.  It’s practical and keeps others scratching their heads, wondering if I’m for real!  I have always considered spirituality practical and of-this-world.

We meet practical spirituality every day in our healthcare duties . . . in people who are suffering and don’t complain . . . in patients who hear one bad news item after another . . . in people younger than we are who are dying yet manage to smile at us . . . in people who face death with a living faith that puts us to shame.  Oh, yes, spirituality is alive and well and all around us, and it’s up to us to recognize it and be strengthened by it. 

Kenn Rancourt

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Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Friday, February 4th, 2011

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Readings:  Isaiah 58:7-10                1 Corinthians 2:1-5               Matthew 5:13-16 

“You are the salt of the earth… you are the light of the world.” (Matthew 5)

My family loves salt: my aunt used to salt all her food, even her toast!  Family legend says my love of salt comes from the fact that my mother ate an entire jar of salt pickles in one sitting while she was pregnant with me.  These days we are wary of salt; most of us consume too much and end up at risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.  In Jesus’ time, salt was a rare commodity with many valuable uses.

Why did Jesus compare his followers to salt?  The Rev. Ken Kesselus identifies these analogies that might help us understand:

-Salt was a basic life ingredient serving as a nutrient, purifier, and source of flavor.  As salt in the world, we can bring a joyful spirit to nourish all whom we encounter.

-Salt was a healing agent. As salt in the world we can promote healing through prayer, caring for others, and serving the vulnerable among us. 

-Salt was a preservative to prevent food from spoiling. If we, as salt in the world, become preservatives of God’s goodness, we can help prevent ignorance and fear from overcoming justice and mercy.

-At this time of year, we are especially aware of the use of salt to thaw ice on roads. As salt in the world, we can help melt the iciness of life.  We can make the first effort to reconcile a relationship, instill hope when someone is in despair, or offer comfort to those who are lonely or in distress.

As Kesselus states, “Jesus empowers us to purify, to heal, to nurture, to thaw the frozen, to preserve, and to season the people of the earth.”   The first reading from the prophet Isaiah calls us to share our bread, shelter the oppressed and the homeless, and clothe the naked. These acts ultimately came to be referred to as the Corporal Works of Mercy: feed the hungry; give drink to the thirsty; clothe the naked; shelter the homeless; visit the imprisoned; tend the sick; bury the dead. At St. Mary’s we are engaged in these Works of Mercy every day in keeping with our mission from the legacy of St. Marguerite d’Youville and the Sisters of Charity.  According to Isaiah, when we do these things, our “light will break forth like the dawn.”  As we prepare to celebrate the World Day of the Sick on February 11, 2011 we acknowledge the light that shines from our CNAs, hospitality associates, housekeepers, volunteers, physicians, therapists, nurses, and all who care for patients and residents with compassion and tenderness at St. Mary’s.  We invite you to attend a special White Mass on Sunday, February 13, 2011 at 10:00 am at the Basilica of Ss. Peter and Paul in Lewiston, where Bishop Richard J. Malone will preside and offer blessing and support for all healthcare professionals.

Elizabeth Keene
Mission Effectiveness

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