What About the Joy?

Posted on September 22, 2012 by Deacon Bob

One of my readers put the question to me in my last posting about diaconal suffering, “Is there not joy?”

Joy is one of those human experiences that often gets confused with pleasure. Somehow in the minds of many, you cannot have joy unless there is a certain experience of pleasure. There is some truth to that, as joyfulness is pleasurable. But I would assert that joy and pleasure are not identical. I would also assert that suffering and pain are not identical. Nor are they unrelated.

Many deeply spiritual people and all the saints in history attest that they have found deep joy in the midst of suffering if the suffering is embraced, not for its own sake but for the sake of the greater common good. In other words, if embraced that others may live. That is why it can be said that Blessed Mother Teresa was a woman of great joy even though we now know that she suffered terribly on a daily basis.

Joy is the mark of a man or woman who is close to Jesus Christ. No one who draws close to him will walk away without profound joy. This may or may not include physical, mental or emotional pleasure (although God does grant that to many when they come close to him). Joy comes from embracing that which is good and holy and loving.

I am not denigrating the physical. God made us physical and spiritual beings. Physical pleasure is one of his gifts to us. It is good when oriented to life and love. In our desire for deep joy, we embrace life and love even if it entails suffering. To draw close to the good and holy and loving, we ought not seek out suffering. Suffering is not ours to create or to pursue. Suffering is ours to redeem when it comes our way, but turning it toward God and offering it to him. We give it away to God who alone ensures suffering never has the last word on anything.

Look at the crucifixion. Look at the example of Jesus. He accepted the suffering and offered it to his Father. The joy of the Resurrection broke into the world.

Joy is the goal, suffering often is the means. Suffering in this life is meant to give way to the inexpressible joys of heaven.

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Congratulations, Diocese of Orange!

Posted on September 21, 2012 by Deacon Bob

The Holy Father has appointed Bishop Kevin W. Vann as the bishop of the diocese of Orange, in California. You may have been hearing of that diocese recently, as they purchased the “Crystal Cathedral” from the Robert Schuller ministries this past year, and it will become the new cathedral for the diocese.

Bishop Vann first obtained a degree in Medical Technology, then became a seminarian in 1976. He did his theology at Kenrick Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri and was ordained a priest in May, 1981. He was ordained a bishop in 2005 and until now has been the bishop of the diocese of Ft. Worth.

Congratulations, Diocese of Orange!

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“We Sang You a Dirge and You Did Not Weep. We Played You a Flute and You Did Not Dance!”

Posted on September 19, 2012 by Deacon Bob

Today’s Gospel reading from Luke is one of those unusual head scratchers.  “What is the message here?” we ask.

I like to think that Jesus, in reciting what must have been an idiom to the Jews of the time, was telling us that we must take the chance and go for both the heights and the depths of life. I think he is telling us that we cannot play it safe, that we cannot be just spectators listening to the song or the flute without deeply responding.

The first reading today is from the well-known passage in 1st Corinthians where Paul extols the virtue of love. He tells us that without love – which impels us into the depths of human experience – we will be empty and hollow even if we have faith. He calls love the “more excellent way.”

Just as Paul beckons us to the way of excellence, Jesus in a more cryptic way call us to go the distance, to move beyond our hesitations, to respond deeply to the promptings of God in our lives.

God will provide the song and the instruments; we must dance and  weep; we must rejoice heartily in the Lord and weep with those who are lost.

Mediocrity is not an option that leads us to excellence.  It is an unwise choice.

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Diaconal Suffering

Posted on September 18, 2012 by Deacon Bob

A good meditation for deacons on suffering is to place yourself next to St. Stephen as we find him in the Scriptures.

In a nearby church in the apse over the sanctuary is a fresco of the martyrdom of St. James the Less. Legend has it that he was clubbed to death and the brightly colored painting in the church named after him simply demands that you bring yourself into the depicted scene. When I look at it, I not only think of St. James, but I am drawn into visualizing the stoning of St. Stephen.

A deacon’s suffering is a slow stoning. It isn’t a quick blow to the head that brings about disengagement from the world. It is a slow pelting. One after another, some small, some large. Each blow is a reminder that we are mere servants, configured to Christ in that way and dependent on him. Each time we feel the sting, the opportunity is there for us to look heavenward, as did Stephen, and see the heavens opening a bit – ever so slightly it may seem – and the glory of God shining upon us and those who strike us.

This is a suffering that requires great courage and faith and self-knowledge. It is a free act of will, an active choosing the path of Jesus himself.

St. Stephen was so terribly misunderstood by those who condemned him. Are we not also misunderstood by those to whom we minister?

What is our response? What need we do?

We dare not disengage from the world. We must reach out to it and bring it into God’s glory, as St. Stephen did when he exclaimed to his executioners, “I see the heavens open and the glory of God!” In his last minutes he proclaimed the truth and was God’s witness in the midst of the broken realities of the world.

He stayed engaged; he remained faithful; he preached the faith.

Posted in Deacons, Spirituality | 2 Comments

Minnesota Marriage Minute: People are NOT turning against marriage

Posted on September 18, 2012 by Deacon Bob

Despite what the popular media may seem to portray, people are not turning against marriage as a union of one man and one woman. Each time it has been put to the people to decide (31 out of 31 times!), we the people have protected the unique relationship called marriage by recognizing it as a union of man and woman in their sexual complementarity.

Here is another Marriage Minute video discussing this. Please view it, share it with your neighbors, and this November vote “yes” on the Marriage Protection amendment on the Minnesota ballot. Remember, leaving the question blank will count as a “no” vote. In effect, if you cast a vote in the election, the law says all ballots will count to the total regarding the amendment, but only “yes” marks count yes; blank or “no” marks count no.

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Church of the Week

Posted on September 17, 2012 by Deacon Bob

 Santa Cruz Mission Church

Santa Cruz, California

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Our Lady of Sorrows and Diaconal Suffering

Posted on September 15, 2012 by Deacon Bob

Today’s memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows — that is our Lady’s spiritual martyrdom, as St. Bernard writes — brings back to mind a theme I have been pondering for many months.

The deacon’s relationship with suffering seems central to his spirituality, if he is living an integrated diaconal life. It is a suffering that differs in many ways from the suffering of  his brothers in Orders, i.e., priests and bishops. It is a silent suffering in the shadows. It is a suffering of witness, of testimony, almost a kind of vicarious suffering.

Those of us involved with caring for the marginalized in our society know what I am talking about, because inevitably we are caught in the interface between the suffering poor and the powers to be, both civil and ecclesial. There is great suffering there for the deacon. The efforts a deacon makes to bring those people to the altar as a gift to be sanctified by the priest is an effort requiring great courage perhaps even martyrdom, as St. Lawrence the deacon found out.

Our Blessed Mother suffered a spiritual martrydom as she stood by the cross, powerless to intervene for her Son, and it was her beating heart that spiritually was pierced with the lance that was thrust into the side of our Lord.

I will write more at a later date about the Theology of Suffering and the deacon’s experience of it.

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Congratulations, Diocese of Lincoln!

Posted on September 14, 2012 by Deacon Bob

The Holy Father announced today at noon Rome time that he has accepted the resignation of Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz and has appointed Bishop James D. Conley to succeed him.

I had the pleasure of hearing Bishop Conley speak earlier this year at the annual Courage conference at Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, Maryland.

Bishop Conley was born in 1955 in Kansas City, Missouri. He attended the University of Kansas obtaining a BA degree in English literature. He then converted to Catholicism, being baptized in 1975. He went on to study for the priesthood, first at St. Pius X Seminary in Erlanger, Kentucky, later at Mount St. Mary’s in Emmitsburg and finally at the Alphonsianum in Rome.

He was ordained a priest for the diocese of Wichita in 1985, ordained a bishop in 2008. He was appointed first auxiliary bishop of Denver, later becoming its apostolic administrator. He speaks English, and knows Italian, Spanish and Latin.

Congratulations, Diocese of Lincoln!

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Quote for the Day

Posted on September 12, 2012 by Deacon Bob

“Human persons and human community take on divine resemblance to the degree that they are perfected. This perfection results from living in the source of life and reality, the Trinity.” — Joseph Schwab, OFM

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The Law and Life

Posted on September 12, 2012 by Deacon Bob

Our Gospel readings at daily Mass the past week and a half have been an intense series of confrontations rendered by Jesus. The first part of last week, Jesus confronts demons and casts them out of people. Then he turns his attention to the Pharisees and their legalism. Today, he gives the finest homily ever given in oral form, the Sermon on the Mount or the Beatitudes.

This can give us pause and time to reflect what role “law” plays in our spiritual lives.

Religious laws have several functions, but one of them is this: to point out our sin and our fundamental dependence on God and his grace. The law turns our attention to ourselves and helps us recognize that we are sinful people, in need of great humility, and radically dependent on God for all things. Law should turn our attention inward and not be reason to turn outward in judgment of our brothers and sisters. The Pharisees used the law as a reason to condemn others. They failed to see that the law brings death, not life. They were guilty of a form of idolatry in that they seemed to make the law a god.

God alone gives life. Life comes from our sharing in the life and love of God. We are called by virtue of our baptisms to a life of holiness, to divinization (as our Eastern rite brothers and sisters would say), to being drawn up into the life of the Trinity.

Jesus over and over again tries to impress that upon people. St. Paul was vehement about it. Adherence to the law does not give life, only faith (relationship) with God in his Son Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit brings eternal life. God is Life. He shares himself with us. He shares with us his life.

Let us not be caught up in worshipping the legalities of religious practice as if they were the God whom we must worship. Laws are important, as Jesus said. He did not abolish them, he simply fulfilled them, that is, he came to give us the life that adherence to the law alone could not provide.

So, obey the laws my friends by recognizing in them the weaknesses that are ours and our need of divine love and forgiveness. Do not worship them though for you will find no happiness in them alone.

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TV Mass for the Week

Posted on September 11, 2012 by Deacon Bob

I thought I might begin providing an opportunity for those of you who may be shut-in your home due to age or illness to watch Mass. This is a weekly service provided by the Diocese of Winona.

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Church of the Week

Posted on September 9, 2012 by Deacon Bob

Our Lady of the Pillar Catholic Church

Half Moon Bay, California

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Deacon Bob’s Homily for the 23rd Sunday of Ordinary Time – Cycle B

Posted on September 9, 2012 by Deacon Bob

Here is my homily for last Sunday.

Text:

 23 Sunday of Ordinary Time – Cycle C

September 8/9, 2012

Isaiah 35: 4-7a; James 2: 1-5; Mark 7: 31-37

 We heard this morning from the prophet Isaiah: “Be strong! Fear not! Here is your God! The eyes of the blind will see; the ears of the deaf will see; and the tongue of the mute will sing!”

 Have you ever noticed that to develop the ability to speak clearly, human beings need to first be able to hear well? Someone who is deaf or very hard of hearing almost always has difficulty articulating words, especially if their hearing impediment is from birth.

In a court of law, in order to give valid testimony, you must have been able to see or clearly hear something, otherwise your testimony is deemed unreliable and inadmissible.

 Over and over again in the Gospels, Jesus demonstrates that the blind must see, the deaf must hear, and the mute must speak.

 Jesus spends an awful lot of time in the Gospels clearing people’s ears and loosening their tongues and taking cataracts off their eyes. In a physical sense, God wants us to hear and see and speak; that is how he made us, to be healthy and whole. That is why even today he miraculously heal people at times. God also wants us to see and hear and speak in a spiritual sense; that is why he calls us all to conversion of heart and mind and body.

 So if God wills it, if he wants it, why don’t we hear, see and speak clearly about matters of our faith? Why don’t we get out there and evangelize the world? Evangelization is a scary word, right? Don’t be too afraid. This new evangelization is our mutual responsibility, yours and mine, the laity and the clergy, as the Second Vatican Council so clearly taught.

 Pope John Paul I called for this evangelization on the day of his death in 1978. Pope John Paul II took up that call and carried it forward, and so has Pope Benedict XVI. We deacons and Bishops and priests are always being challenged to go out and share the Gospel with the world, but we cannot accomplish the task alone. All of us, you the laity and we the clergy must put ourselves into this task.

 So where can you start? Today’s Gospel suggests starting with your ears. We have to hear better than we do. Hearing will lead to obedience and service. Get spiritual hearing aids if you have to do so. Amplify God’s voice in your life! You got to hear before you can speak intelligently. What are those “spiritual hearing aids?” Here is one (HOLD UP THE BIBLE) We got to study God’s Word. Here is another (HOLD UP THE CATECHISM) We got to read the Catechism. I know, “Catechism,” a scary word. Here is another (OPEN ARMS TO ALTAR AND CONGREGATION) Go to Mass every Sunday or Saturday evening and listen to the homily and the Scriptures. You got to know the faith, faith which is a gift that comes from hearing God’s Word of Truth.

 In the Gospel, Jesus first opened the man’s ears, and then he loosed his tongue. Jesus will do the same for you if you let Him touch you. So Read, Reflect, Listen and Pray!

 After your ears have been cleared, then work on your eyes. Remove the cataracts from your eyes by looking squarely at God. Here are two simple ways to do this: First, for every hour you spend in front of your computer or TV screen, spend five minutes looking up into the sky and the hills and the river and take in creation. Creation isn’t God, but it does reflect his grandeur.  Second, spend one hour a month in front of the Eucharist at the holy hour we have here the first Thursday of each month. If you can’t make it then, come to the church. It is unlocked and spend an hour a month before the tabernacle, looking at God.I guarantee you your life will change if you do this.

 Finally, loosen your tongue after your ears and eyes have been healed. Speak to others about what you heard and what you saw. Witness to others, and when you do, speak boldly, speak with confidence, and as the Gospel today indicates, speak with joy. How can you do this in a simple way? Pray out loud before every meal, both at home and in restaurants. Refuse to say the words, “God” and “Jesus” unless you are praying or blessing something. Wear a symbol of your Catholic faith such as a cross. Cast your vote after you have been informed by the teachings of the Church, especially in regards to abortion, marriage, and war.

 My friends, it is up to us now to speak the words that Jesus spoke. It is now up to us to give witness, to testify before the world to the Truth of God’s love and justice. We are the ears and eyes of Jesus today. We are his voice and we must speak with confidence and with joy. Do not be afraid to welcome Christ. Do not be afraid to accept his power! Do not be afraid! “Be strong! fear not!” as the prophet Isaiah said. And, as Blessed Pope John Paul II said early in his papacy, “Open, open wide the doors of your life to Christ!”

 Audio:  23 Sunday of Ordinary Time – Cycle B

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New Challenges and Wonderful Opportunities and a Deacon’s Reflection

Posted on September 8, 2012 by Deacon Bob

My life took another unexpected turn this week with the request from my bishop that I become the Assistant Director of the Diaconate for the diocese. I accepted and have now added this to the list of other responsibilities I have at home and at my office in the clinic.

It is a wonderful opportunity to serve the diocesan Church in a new way, and in a particular manner to serve my brother deacons and their families. With a new aspirancy class to begin next year, a lot of work needs to be done.

The diaconate is a vocation that so many think they understand but so few actually do. It is a multi-faceted calling, drawing deeply from the well springs of marital love (if the deacon is married) or celibate love for all of God’s people. In that sense, it draws from the  very nature of genuinely human love through which God’s love is revealed in the particular circumstances of the deacon. It is an earthy calling for brave men that draws them up into the mystery of the Trinity. In the diaconate, one must be ready to be placed in the crucible of the Paschal Mystery….. the Protomartyr Stephen the deacon showed us this. Deacons suffer in many ways, but theirs is the task to take that suffering, humanize and divinize it as the sacramental presence of Jesus the Servant to those who in their lives are suffering. In this way, the deacon works not only for justice in society but shares in the Altar of Sacrifice at Mass.

The suffering of the deacon and the suffering of Christ are united in that both are the mark of obedience… obedience of the deacon to his bishop and the obedience of Christ to the Father….. and a sign of filial unity…. the deacon to bishop, the Son to his Father, so as no division be possible. The deacon, his bishop, the deacon being sent forth into the world to sanctify it, to suffer for and with it, to bring the world to the altar to be given to God for divinization… all of this is a reflection of the love and relationship that is the Trinity.

My friends, pray for me as I undertake these new challenges and new opportunities for my diocese.

A diaconal blessing on all of you!

Deacon Bob Yerhot

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What Do Common Men and Women Say About Marriage?

Posted on September 8, 2012 by Deacon Bob

Here is a wonderful video clip of what men and women say about protecting marriage in Minnesota from redefinition. Enjoy, learn and in November, vote “yes.”

Thank you!

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