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“For The Common Good” For the ‘Common Good’. There has been a lot of discussion about this lately, especially with regards to safe-guarding our communities during the pandemic; and it isn’t surprising given that contributing to the Common Good is perhaps the greatest expression of selfless love, particularly Christian love. Indeed, such contribution is the cement which binds the blocks of possibly our greatest and noblest Christian ethic: the giving of one’s self, one’s talents and skills to others, while sometimes being called to even make sacrifices, great or small, of one’s time, perhaps even ideology for the safety, welfare, security, health and well-being of others. It is possibly our greatest Christian ideal, because it satisfies what Christians are called to do – to love God who also dwells in our neighbour. Today we see possibly the greatest example of this giving of one’s self, that of Jesus to the couple being wed at Cana. He gives them the gift of himself expressed by his divine ability to change water into wine, filling, not just their glasses, but the marriage celebration with his grace. But even Jesus, perhaps still caught up in the rapture of his youthful humanity, and seemingly fully focused on his ‘future’ obligations, needed a gentle push from his mother, Mary, to share his miraculous abilities for the ‘Common Good’. Of course, this small event would also launch the beginning of Mary’s advocacy for all humanity; a woman whose loving preoccupation on earth and, clearly, also in heaven, has been and always will be for the ‘common good’. Apostle Paul would not have survived without the contributions to the ‘common good’ of his newly formed Christian communities, and he expresses this by taking stock of the unique and spiritual gifts of those in his communities, something far ahead of his time which did not respect the individual as much as community. It is of such importance to him that he details these ‘charisms’ which we have received which help us contribute to the ‘common good’, not just in today’s reading, but also in other letters: Romans 12.6–8, 1 Cor 12.28–30, and Ephesians 4:11. Apostle Peter’s first letter also underlines these gifts: 1 Peter 4.11. Theologians often categorize these charisms between those which give us inner grace, and those which give us grace through using them outside of ourselves, in essence, for the ‘common good’. For example, the Sacrament of Confirmation bestows 7 specific gifts of the Spirit on our youth for their inner ourselves, for those outside themselves, and to glorify God: 1) Knowledge, 2) Understanding, 3) Wisdom, 4) Counsel, 5) Courage and Strength, 6) and a joyous Fear or Awe of the Lord, 7) with Piety or Humbleness. Clearly, we are spiritual beings first, and physical beings second, therefore given these gifts to prepare ourselves to make our world community a better place. But maybe ‘fear’ is the culprit? Perhaps it interferes with our diving into icy water to save 3 children who have fallen through the ice like Dusti Talavera did, a 23-year-old young woman in Denver. “Before I even realized it, I was out there on the middle of the pond, pulling three kids out,” she said this Monday. That same day, a pilot was pulled to safety by police officers in Los Angeles after he crash-landed his plane onto railway tracks, the plane demolished in seconds by an advancing train. Or maybe it’s fear of getting involved, of getting hurt, or even litigation? A friend and I came upon a car hit by someone who had abandoned it on the country road we were on. My friend went for the police while I tended to the sole occupant, the driver pinned behind the steering wheel. Wiping away blood from his eyes and face, but careful not to move him, I continued talking to him to keep him conscious. Soon he was taken away safely by ambulance. Later some thought I had taken chances ministering to him, since I could be sued for ‘tampering’. But, thankfully, the gifts toward the ‘common good’ were alive and well in both my friend and I. This week, I’d like us to record seven gifts, perhaps even very unique to ourselves, which we have been given. They can be skills, talents, certain life experiences, perhaps mental strength and acuity, or a 6th sense somewhat like prophecy. Maybe it’s just being extremely good at doing the smallest things or being truly responsible and dependable to ourselves and others. Then, next week we will examine how they give us grace, how they give others grace, and how they make God proud of us. – Rev Fr Christopher Tracey, Saint Joseph Parish, Saugeen Shores, Ontario
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“Washed With Holy Spirit And Fire” While on a summer parish assignment, some church volunteers and myself organized a three-day Vacation Bible Camp for the children in our local families. One of the planned activities was presentations on the seven sacraments which I gave to the little ones. The sessions were very interactive, involving some role-playing, stories, tours of the church and sanctuary, even trying on vestments. Standing on a chair, the children would get to try on a real stole and chasuble. To demonstrate Holy Communion, they gave each other little pieces of bread they cut out from sandwich loaves which they flattened with a spoon. Later, they used baby-oil to ‘anoint’ each other on their foreheads and wrists. So, it was a very real experience for them. The day baptism was presented, I asked first what different things we use water for? Someone said “to drink when I get thirsty”. “Very good”, I said. “Someone else?” “To wash our hands with after we come home from the park.” Another, “To wash my hair, which I really don’t like!” “My fish are in a glass bowl with water in it.” Someone else said, “To make lemon aid. My mom made some for me, and then my dad said I could sell it on the street in front of our house and make lots of money.” I then explained water was used in baptism to wash away something from inside us called ‘original sin’, a part of us which needed cleaning because it wasn’t very nice. They had also been asked to bring their favourite doll or stuffed toy to demonstrate with. So, one after the other, each child came forward with their baby doll or bear, on whose heads I poured water using a basin for our pretend ‘font’, while saying the Trinitarian formula. Each child would walk away wide-eyed, all smiles and giggles, holding their ‘dear one’ close to them; all except one child! She said I hadn’t done the baptism right. I said, “Oh, No! Did I forget to say the right words?” She said, “Oh, No! What you said was ok, but you got water in Betsy’s eyes, and now she can’t see anymore.” It was true. Unfortunately, Betsy’s opening-and-closing eyes were fast shut! Thankfully, a hair-dryer restored Betsy’s eye sight and she began to wink at us again to the joy of her little mother. Adults learn from demonstrations as well. Jesus certainly knew this. After he had reached maturity in his human environment, learning and working alongside his father, and most certainly studying the tenets and foundations of his Jewish faith, he was ready to answer ‘the call’ of his heavenly Father. Christ had no need of baptism. He was free from all sin. But he knew the act of being baptized himself would signal and initiate key aspects of his ministry: 1) His baptism would be a ‘sign’ to others of the formal beginning and establishment of his ministry, and as a formal answer to his Father’s call, to which his Father responded very favourably. 2) His ministry would not just involve the ‘forgiveness’ of sin, but ‘emancipation’ or ‘freedom’ from sin by his guidance and ultimate sacrifice on the cross. 3) He would wash away not just ‘hereditary’ or ‘original’ sin, peculiar to our ancient human condition, but also the ‘behavioural’ sin all too common to his Father’s creations who were born with the freedom of will and choice. 4) He would wash us with the actual power of the Holy Spirit and Fire which water could only symbolize. Water, the source of life, is invisible, yet of substance, able to assume whichever shape it is held within, transforms to ice or steam in whatever temperature it engages. Water is, indeed, a miraculous element, but it is still only ‘reminiscent’ and ‘symbolic’ of the true, excellent, invisible power of Spirit. This baptism would mark the turning point in Christ’s life. Likewise, baptism also marks the turning point in our lives, even if we don’t recall it. Baptism was also the presentation of the gift of Jesus himself to the human race, our Saviour, who is now fully matured in ‘grace and wisdom’, ready to face the desert of temptations and challenges which now awaited him in the material world. We, too, are called to mature in ‘grace and wisdom’, as we journey forth from our baptisms to face the challenging desert of life. The temptations and challenges await us there, too. But now, we can endure with a bolder, stronger, more capable spirit, having been restored to our true magnificence as God’s most beloved creation, washed by the waters of the Holy Spirit. Lord, you set us on the right path. Now lead us home and bathe us in the peaceful, still waters of your joyous kingdom. – Rev Fr Christopher Tracey, Saint Joseph Parish, Saugeen Shores, Ontario “Grant Us Peace” Yes, a New Year has begun! And with it usually comes the desire for change, for new approaches to things, ‘resolutions’ to commit to this and that, maybe lose weight, maybe get a new job, maybe start a new business or start a family.
But what is it each one of us is seeking right now in our daily lives, in our communities, in our world at large? For what are we truly yearning: is it money? Prestige? Perhaps something we think money and prestige could give us like safety and security or the ability to say ‘no’ without fear and do what we please. The starving would say they want resources of food, water, shelter and clothing. The ill among us would say they want good health, physical and mental healing. The overworked and stressed want relief from physical and mental exhaustion. The bewildered and lost want to see clearly again, to find freedom from addictions. And then there are the labourers who would say they want fair wages and benefits. Teachers would say they want safe environments for their students and themselves. Parents would say they want opportunities for their children to grow and learn. Many would simply say they want equality and mutual respect for who they are. The human condition is far too often characterized by its needs, wants and often demands. Soon after birth, the human being finds itself a stranger in a strange land. Self-preservation becomes the order of the day. Nourishment, protection and love become paramount. Once these needs become intertwined with wants, then desires, the problems begin to arise. Because we lose sight of what we are truly seeking for ourselves, our communities and our world at large. The childhood mantra, “I want, I want, I want … ” can sadly embed itself into our adult lives, until we have simply strayed too far away from what truly matters, and cannot recognize it anymore. The Magi were looking for what we may have forgotten truly matters most in our lives, communities, and in our world at large. But first, let us look at these ‘Three Kings’ or ‘Three Wise Men’ or ‘Three Magi’, or whoever they actually were. The story of these three ‘inquisitive, curious’ men has gone through many revisions, almost mythologized from what they truly were. First of all, historic, archaeological clues seem to tell us there would have been many men, not just three, and even women among them, ‘daughters’ to cook and mind the children. This makes sense if we look at Isaiah’s prophecies: “they all gather together, your sons shall come from far away, and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses’ arms.” And clearly, they are coming from all over the then known world, from sea to sea, bringing with them the wealth and treasures from their nations. “A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba”, bringing gold and frankincense to proclaim their Lord.” Many, he says! Over the centuries, the story became more symbolic. For awhile there were 12 men; then four; then three. Because they seemed to be bringing three gifts, it became natural to think there were only three men. They soon became associated with the three known continents: Asia, Africa, and Europe. Early scholars determined their gifts were symbolic: Gold, in honour of Christ the King; Frankincense and its invisible but pungent scent in honour of Christ’s divine, mystical, invisible nature; Myrrh, used for embalming, as an indicator of his mortal sacrifice. Matthew knew these men were actually scientists or astronomers, magi being the ancient term for this, but along the way they were given names: Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar. This is why we dig deep into scripture for the truth, not taking things too literally. Stories enjoyed by the ancient world were often dramatized and embellished, even distorted to emphasize a point, so the truth can sometimes be hard to determine. So, what was it these men were seeking? Quite apart from what they planned to ‘give’, what were they hoping to ‘receive’ from this child whom the stars and their mystical science had drawn them to? It is what we, ourselves, our communities, our world, are all truly seeking: Peace! It is peace which the lord brings us. Nothing brings us closer to God, nothing frees our troubled minds and hearts like peace. Some may say, but what about ‘love’? The answer is: love ‘fosters’ peace! It gives ‘birth’ to ‘peace’, nourishes ‘peace’, protects ‘peace, just like it does the new born, and every adult. We should be chanting: “What do we want? We want peace, Lord, and we want it, need it now. “Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us, and grant us peace.” – Rev Fr Christopher Tracey, Saint Joseph Parish, Saugeen Shores, Ontario “Mary, Mother of Love and Peace” A New Year has begun! And as it begins today, it is especially wonderful that we celebrate this new beginning with a focus on the World Day of Peace as beautifully honoured and emphasized by our Liturgical Celebration of the Solemnity of Mary as the Holy Mother of God, she who has been the fervent, divine advocate for peace on earth since the birth of her Son, Jesus. Mary, Mother of God, Mother of Love, like her Son, is ever present to us. She kindly responds as intercessor for our petitions; is ever joyful with our thanks and praise; is so full of love for humanity she has even made herself visible to us many, multiple times to promote peace in our world. In the early years, the Eastern Churches celebrated ‘The Feast of the Congratulation of Mary’ on Dec. 26th as tribute to the Mother of God, still celebrated today. Rome formally adopted the same Feast at the Council of Ephesus 451, but on Jan. 1st to counter competing pagan events. But Mary was not always celebrated on Jan. 1st. In the 6th and 7th Cs, Spain and Gaul, honouring Luke’s words (2.21): “After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child,” celebrated the sacred Jewish ritual. In the 12th C, again according to Luke’s scripture, “and he was called Jesus, the name given by the Angel,” a Celebration of the Holy Name was approved by Rome for the Franciscans, Jesus which means “to save or to rescue” in Hebrew. It was such a popular event, Pope Clement VII in 1530 instituted it for all orders, then later for the entire church in 1721 by Pope Innocent XIII. By 1913 Pope Pius X had even moved it closer to its original date on the Sunday between Jan 2nd and 5th. In union with Pope XII’s 1950 declaration the ‘Immaculate’ Mary was the Mother of God, the bishops of Vatican II, true to bringing the Church back to its original sacred practices, restored the Feast to its original purpose and date: celebrating the Holy Mother of God with the themes of circumcision and Christ’s holy name referenced within the overall celebratory context. The liturgy would also include Apostle Paul’s first and only reference to Our Lady, the ‘woman’ who was prophesied to bear the Messiah according to the Law, in his Letter to the Galatians, before the Gospels were even written. It was especially fitting when Pope Paul VI would later reference Mary, the Mother of God, our greatest Advocate for Peace, to inspire the first day of the New Year as of Jan. 1st, 1968, to be the World Day of Peace. His historic proclamation would become an inspiration to the United Nations who themselves formally instituted celebrations of the International Day of Peace in 1981. And so, we should rejoice in a day of celebrations which is like no other: a celebration of the first day of a new year, a celebration of all earnest promotions of peace, and of a celebration of Mary, the Mother of God, the Mother of Peace, the Mother of Love Incarnate. The late priest, poet and speaker, John O’Donohue, once wrote how to welcome the first day of a new year, if not everyday of the year, in his book of blessings: I arise today, Blessed by all things, Winds of breath, Delight of eyes, Wonder of whisper, Intimacy of touch, Eternity of soul, Urgency of thought, Miracle of health, Embrace of God. May I live this day, Compassionate of heart, Clear in word, Gracious in awareness, Courageous in thought, [and] Generous in love. Throughout the rest of this first day of 2022, as it comes to mind in our thoughts, let us honour our beloved Mother by asking her Son: “Peace, Lord, give us peace.” – Rev Fr Christopher Tracey, Saint Joseph Parish, Saugeen Shores, Ontario |
Father's Blog
Rev. Fr. Christopher Tracey
St. Joseph Parish Pastor Archives
January 2022
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