THOUGHTS FROM THE PASTOR

As we look forward with anticipation to Ash Wednesday and the beginning of the Lenten season, I thought it would be good for us to reflect on the message of our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, which he has written for Lent this year. As often is the case, Benedict writes in a scholarly way but gives good direction to our Lenten journey. I would suggest that each one of us try to take some quality time to digest what he has written and then to apply it to our specific circumstances, leading to a few concrete resolutions that we will attempt to live during the next six weeks.

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

The Lenten season offers us once again an opportunity to reflect upon the very heart of Christian life: charity. This is a favorable time to renew our journey of faith, both as individuals and as a community, with the help of the word of God and the sacraments. This journey is one marked by prayer and sharing, silence and fasting, in anticipation of the joy of Easter.

This year I would like to propose a few thoughts in the light of a brief biblical passage drawn from the Letter to the Hebrews, “Let us be concerned for each other, to stir a response in love and good works.” These words are part of a passage in which the sacred author exhorts us to trust in Jesus Christ as the High Priest who has won us forgiveness and opened up a pathway to God. Embracing Christ bears fruit in a life structured by the three theological virtues: it means approaching the Lord “sincere in heart and filled with faith” (v. 22), keeping firm “in the hope we profess” (v. 23) and ever mindful of living a life of “love and good works” (v.24) together with our brothers and sisters. The author states that to sustain this life shaped by the Gospel it is important to participate in the liturgy and community prayer, mindful of the eschatological goal of full communion in God (v. 25). Here I would like to reflect on verse 24, which offers a succinct, valuable and ever timely teaching on the three aspects of Christian life: concern for others, reciprocity and personal holiness.

1. “Let us be concerned for each other”: responsibility toward our brothers and sisters.

This first aspect is an invitation to be “concerned”: the Greek verb used here is katanoein, which means to scrutinize, to be attentive, to observe carefully and take stock of something. We come across the word in the Gospel when Jesus invites the disciples to “think of” the ravens that, without striving, are at the center of the solicitous and caring Divine Providence (cf. Lk 12:24), and to “observe” the plank in our own eye before looking at the splinter in that of our brother (cf. Lk 6:41). In another verse of The Letter to the Hebrews, we find the encouragement to “turn our minds to Jesus (3:1), the Apostle and High Priest of our faith. So the verb which introduces our exhortation tells us to look at others, first of all at Jesus, to be concerned for one another, and not to remain isolated and indifferent to the fate of our brothers and sisters.

All too often, however, our attitude is just the opposite: an indifference and disinterest born of selfishness and masked as a respect for “privacy.” Today, too, the Lord’s voice summons all of us to be concerned for one another. Even today God asks us to be “guardians” of our brothers and sisters (Gen. 4:9), to establish relationships based on mutual consideration and attentiveness to the well-being, the integral well-being of others. The great commandment of love for one another demands that we acknowledge our responsibility towards those who, like ourselves, are creatures and children of God. Being brothers and sisters in humanity and, in many cases, also in faith, should help us to recognize in others a true alter ego, infinitely loved by the Lord.

If we cultivate this way of seeing others as our brothers and sisters, solidarity, justice, mercy and compassion will naturally well up in our hearts. The Servant of God Pope Paul VI stated that the world today is suffering above all from a lack of brotherhood: “Human society is sorely ill. The cause is not so much the depletion of natural resources, nor their monopolistic control by a privileged few; it is rather the weakening of brotherly ties between individuals and nations” (Populorum Progressio, 66).

Concern for others entails desiring what is good for them from every point of view: physical, moral and spiritual. Contemporary culture seems to have lost the sense of good and evil, yet there is a real need to reaffirm that good does exist and will prevail, because God is “generous and acts generously” (Ps 119:68). The good is whatever gives, protects and promotes life, brotherhood and communion. Responsibility toward others thus means desiring and working for the good of others, in the hope that they too will become receptive to goodness and its demands.

Concern for others means being aware of their needs. Sacred Scripture warns us of the danger that our hearts can become hardened by a sort of “spiritual anesthesia” which numbs us to the suffering of others. The evangelist Luke relates two of Jesus’ parables by way of example. In the parable of the Good Samaritan, the priest and the Levite “pass by,” indifferent to the presence of the man stripped and beaten by the robbers (cf. Lk 10:30-32). In that of Dives and Lazarus, the rich man is heedless of the poverty of Lazarus, who is starving to death at his very door (cf. Lk 16:19). Both parables show examples of the opposite of “being concerned,” of looking upon others with love and compassion.

What hinders this humane and loving gaze towards our brothers and sisters? Often it is the possession of material riches and a sense of sufficiency, but it can also be the tendency to put our own interests and problems above all else. We should never be incapable of “showing mercy” toward those who suffer. Our hearts should never be so wrapped up in our affairs and problems that that they fail to hear the cry of the poor. Humbleness of heart and the personal experience of suffering can awaken within us a sense of compassion and empathy. “The upright understands the cause of the weak, the wicked has not the wit to understand it” (Prov 29:7). We can then understand the beatitude of “those who mourn” (Mt 5:5), those who in effect are capable of looking beyond themselves and feeling compassion for the suffering of others. Reaching out to others and opening our hearts to their needs can become an opportunity for salvation and blessedness.

“Being concerned for each other” also entails being concerned for their spiritual well-being. Here I would like to mention an aspect of the Christian life, which I believe has been quite forgotten: fraternal correction in view of eternal salvation. Today, in general, we are very sensitive to the idea of charity and caring about the physical and material well-being of others, but almost completely silent about our spiritual responsibility towards our brothers and sisters. This was not the case in the early Church or in those communities that are truly mature in faith, those which are concerned not only for the physical health of their brothers and sisters, but also for their spiritual health and ultimate destiny. The Scriptures tell us: “Rebuke the wise and he will love you for it. Be open with the wise, he grows wiser still, teach the upright, he will gain yet more” (Prov 9:8ff). Christ himself commands us to admonish a brother who is committing a sin (cf. Mt 18:15). The verb used to express fraternal correction—elenchein—is the same used to indicate the prophetic mission of Christians to speak out against a generation indulging in evil (cf. Eph 5:11).

The Church’s tradition has included “admonishing sinners” among the spiritual works of mercy. It is important to recover this dimension of Christian charity. We must not remain silent before evil. I am thinking of all those Christians who, out of human regard or purely personal convenience, adapt to the prevailing mentality rather than warning their brothers and sisters against ways of thinking and acting that are contrary to the truth and that do not follow the path of goodness. Christian admonishment, for its part, is never motivated by a spirit of accusation or recrimination. It is always moved by love and mercy and springs from genuine concern for the good of the other. As the Apostle Paul says, “If one of you is caught doing something wrong, those of you who are spiritual should set that person right in a spirit of gentleness; and watch yourselves that you are not put to the test in the same way” (Gal 6:1).

In a world pervaded by individualism, it is essential to rediscover the importance of fraternal correction, so that together we may journey towards holiness. Scripture tells us that even “the upright falls seven times” (Prov 24:16); all of us are weak and imperfect (cf. 1Jn 1:8). It is a great service, then, to help others and allow them to help us, so that we can be open to the whole truth about ourselves, improve our lives and walk more uprightly in the Lord’s ways. There will always be a need for a gaze which loves and admonishes, which knows and understands, which discerns and forgives (cf. Lk 22:61), as God has done and continues to do with each of us.

(to be continued next week)

TWO SPECIAL LENTEN OPPORTUNITIES

Beginning on Ash Wednesday and continuing through Holy Week, the 1:15 Mass on Wednesday will be bi-lingual, e.g., parts will be in both English and Spanish. We did this on the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe in December with many compliments. This also is a recognition that more and more people in Chicago have their first language as Spanish, although many have learned English and can get along quite well in their second language. If you do not wish to participate in Mass in this way, please make plans to attend one of the other Masses on Wednesday.

Secondly, we will have the devotion of the Way of the Cross at 4:15 P.M. every Friday afternoon in Lent. During this service you may either join the leader by going from station to station in the church or you may stay in the pew. When the Stations are finished, we will have Benediction and then follow with the regular 5:00 P.M. Mass. We hope many will take advantage of these two Lenten opportunities.

SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Jesus spoke with authority, and people gathered to be healed. Because of the crowds, some individuals were unable to bring their paralyzed friend to Jesus. But that did not stop them. They lowered the man through the roof, right to the feet of Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the ailing man, “Your sins are forgiven.”

That surprised everyone, but Jesus knew how our sick bodies can affect our spiritual well-being. To show his power over body and soul, Jesus said to the man, “Rise and walk!” The people were astounded and gave glory to God—the real purpose of any miracle.

The prophet tells us, “Remember not the events of the past.” How weary we become when we dwell on our past sins and failures. Burdened with our wrongdoings, we can barely stand, let alone walk. God makes living water spring forth from the dry wasteland of our lives. God’s word is true. Like Jesus, our word to God should always be yes. Happy are those who stand in God’s presence forever.

For Reflection: Does the sacrament of reconciliation help me to stand and walk? Am I willing to overcome obstacles to bring others to Jesus?

ASH WEDNESDAY

We celebrate Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent this week. The season of Lent is one of the greatest opportunities we have to reassess our lives, to put things into perspective, and to re-evaluate what is truly important and essential for now and eternity.

Ash Wednesday, although not a holyday of obligation, is still one of the most attended services throughout the entire liturgical year. It is a day that encourages us to receive ashes as a sign of our repentance and of our intention to enter into the season with hearts of love. It indicates first of all to ourselves and then to others that we realize our time on earth is transitory, that each day is an opportunity to grow in love of God and neighbor, and that God truly is the source of all good.

Below we offer a summary of services at St. Peter’s on Ash Wednesday so that you can plan and prepare for this very important day:

Masses: There will be twelve Masses celebrated on Ash Wednesday: 6:00, 6:45, 7:30, 8:15, 9:00, 10:00, 11:15, 12:15, 1:15, 4:30, 5:15, and 6:00.

Confessions: Confessions will be heard continuously in church from 7:00 A.M. until 6:00 P.M. At all times this day there will be two confessors, and during the midday there will be three confessors. What better way to begin Lent than to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation on Ash Wednesday?

Ashes: Ashes will be distributed in the St. Clare Auditorium continuously from 6:00 A.M. until 7:00 P.M. Just take the stairs going down from the lobby to the lower level or the elevator to the right of the lobby. We ask that you observe a respectful silence in the auditorium to preserve the sacred atmosphere as you approach to receive ashes and then leave by the exits on both sides of the stage in order to avoid traffic jams.

Gift Shop: The Gift Shop on the lower level will be open from 6:30 A.M. until 7:00 P.M. for your convenience.

Mezzanine: The Mezzanine will not be open on Ash Wednesday since all the friars will be busy with these many other services throughout the day.

Please let your friends and co-workers know of this schedule of services on Ash Wednesday so that they can partake as well. You might consider inviting someone to come to St. Peter’s with you on this day. One does not need to be of the Catholic faith to receive ashes.

2012 ANNUAL CATHOLIC APPEAL

Last weekend was Commitment Sunday at all the parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Chicago. Many of the people who participated at Mass at St. Peter’s made a pledge or gave a one-time gift toward the Annual Catholic Appeal. We are extremely grateful to everyone who responded in this way as well as to those who felt they could not make a financial contribution but who promised to pray for the success of the Appeal. This weekend we are asking anyone who might have been out of town or who was prevented from getting to church to respond with a gift or pledge.

While funding a number of Archdiocesan ministries, the Appeal supports parish ministries that provide a religious education to children, youth and adults in economically disadvantaged communities. It is also one of the largest philanthropic sources of financial assistance for Catholic schools in the Archdiocese. Please remember that the Annual Catholic Appeal campaign is much different than a one-time special collection. It is a pledge campaign where you can make a gift payable in installments.

As you review the work enabled by your contribution to the Annual Catholic Appeal, please reflect on God’s gifts to you. He has given you all that you have. Your gifts to our parish, to the Archdiocese, and to the work of the Church throughout the world are given in gratitude for the continuing gifts that God gives you.

Sometimes it is difficult to envision how one pledge can help an organization the size of our Archdiocese, how it can make a real difference. But each pledge does make a difference because all parishes participate in the campaign, and the gifts of many enable our Archdiocese to deliver needed ministries and services.

Our combined gifts not only signify our gratitude to God; they fund a significant portion of the work of our Archdiocese. After St. Peter’s goal of $12,452.00 is reached in cash received, 100% of the additional funds given come back to our parish to help fund our needs. Our generous people from St. Peter’s responded so well in last year’s appeal that we anticipate receiving almost $30,000 from the amount given over our goal. It would certainly be great if we could match such an amount again this year.

ADULT CONFIRMATION

Are you an adult who has not celebrated the sacrament of Confirmation? Adult Confirmations will be held during the spring months throughout the Archdiocese of Chicago. Preparation groups are forming now.

To register or for information about this program of Adult Confirmation, please contact Javier Castillo at 312-534-8032 or go to www.catechesis-chicago.org.

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