[Salvation]

Squeaky Shoes

Pastor’s Column

Ascension Sunday, 2012

 

Men of Galilee, why are you standing there, looking up into the sky?

                                                            Acts 1:11

 

Seeing things in our lives beyond the three dimensions that are natural to us takes practice—and grace. When I was in the seminary we were periodically asked to lector in the abbey church on Sunday. No problem, I thought: I have done this for years.  Perhaps I was overconfident, but who knew what disasters awaited? We seminarians sat a long way from the ambo, and in between our seats and that podium was a very long row of Monks on both sides, watching and listening!  I began to walk the gauntlet that fated Sunday morning. And then the worst possible thing happened. 

          It was horrible. It was ugly. It was embarrassing. Everyone talked about it. What was the problem? Squeaky shoes: horrible, new, squeaky shoes, echoing in the silence and perfect acoustics of the abbey on that long walk. Brrrack! Brracck! Finally, I made it up there and delivered the reading. Ah, but now we confronted problem number two: how to get back? I think I must have looked like twinkle-toes, walking like a ballet dancer in a vain attempt to stifle a repeat concert of squeaks. When it was over I was so mad at God! But looking back at it, the moment, and the embarrassment passed. I grew in humility. The world did not come to an end. To me, this was a humiliating disaster. From God’s point of view, it was a learning experience. And no one remembers this but me anyway.

          I know that is a trivial example, but don’t we all find ourselves in situations wearing the equivalent of squeaky shoes, when it seems like everyone is looking severely upon all we do? God wants to shine the light of his perspective on everything. If you are in a squeaky shoes situation at the moment, is there another point of view? Not by looking up at the clouds; not by looking down. Don’t look up! Don’t look down! Look to Jesus. We invite Jesus and his Holy Spirit that he promised us to the table, and the church and her guidance that he promised to be with until the end of time.

People see Jesus every day. They just don’t recognize him. This is because we are not allowing the Holy Spirit to inform our choices and our vision; but if we use his glasses, we can see beyond the three dimensions of everyday existence and God will begin to show us the connections and solutions to our problems, the reasons we suffer and what to do about it. He didn’t ascend to abandon us, but so that he could give us his heavenly vision from “up there.” But we see this by living our lives as Christ wishes them to be lived.

          Do I invite the Holy Spirit into my decisions, my problems? He is waiting to give us a new perspective on everything. Don’t look up! Don’t look down! Instead, look to Jesus and his Church, and he will guide you to see your problems and challenges in a new way. He will give you his divine perspective on squeaky shoes and everything else.

                                                                       Father Gary

[Salvation]

A Feast of Goodbye and Hello

 

Copley: The Ascension of the Lord

"Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel . . ."



Acts 1: 1-11

Eph 1: 17-23

Mk 16: 15-20

In a recent conversation with a brother priest we both admitted that one of the hardest things about our life is leaving an assignment that you have really enjoyed.  We find ourselves sent to not just one parish for a lifetime but to many. Then, there may well be other tasks you are asked to do in addition to your parish assignment.  Although there is a term of office for a pastor, the greater needs of the Diocese may interrupt what you thought would be a determined number of years.  Things are going well.  You’ve made some great friends. Certain projects have begun.  Then, in the midst of this environment, the greater needs of the Diocese come forth and you’re asked to move on. I know because I’ve been there myself.  Although we do have some say in our assignments, there is no absolute guarantee that life will go the way you hope. Like St. Paul himself, we must learn to say both “hello” and “goodbye.” Yet, the goodbyes are not final.  You can and do often stay in touch with past parishioners but life goes on.

The above experience is, I think, not unlike what the Apostles must have felt themselves as our Lord returned to heaven in his Ascension.  This Sunday’s beautiful Feast is a turning point in the story of salvation.  I don’t doubt the Apostles were incredibly energized and filled with new hope as they became witnesses to the risen Lord. In the first reading (Acts 1:1-11) this Sunday they ask: “"Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel? . . .” 

Rather than just say outright, “Don’t you guys get it yet?” Jesus sends them out on mission in the Gospel (Mk 16: 15-20): “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel everywhere . . .” And so begins the mission not just of the Apostles but of everyone who would come to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.  The mission of the Church is our mission as well.  Saying “goodbye” to Jesus at this moment was only the beginning of something greater – the age of the Holy Spirit.  A new “hello” of Christ in which we now live.

As we prepare for this Sunday and the Feast of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost next week, we might wonder about our mission and how we have lived that out.  People come to the Church for a variety of reasons: They feel welcome.  My spouse is Catholic.  I have studied the history and theology of the Church so I have an intellectual reason. I have attended Mass for a number of years as a non-Catholic and now I feel I need to go farther.  I have felt an attraction to the Church for a number of years and I am here to explore that. 

What are your reasons for remaining in the Church?  What holds you here?

More will come of course . . .

Fr. Tim