Who Am I?

The second batch of green beans came in from my garden, and I went downstairs to get the steaming pot to prepare them for freezing.  While looking on the shelves, I noticed a dust-covered, unopened case of Mason jars --- 1976 Bi-centennial commemoratives.  Out of curiosity, I went online to see if they had any value, and saw individual used jars for sale.  I briefly thought of auctioning them, but decided to give them to a neighbor for his weekly garage sales.  But my curiosity was aroused.

Digging through many other basement items --- and tossing most --- I found a few antique plates that will also garage sale.  And then I saw the large package wrapped in dirty plastic leaning against the basement wall.  They were art drawings (“modern” art) by my ex-brother-in-law.  Now dead, he had lived as an artist in Brooklyn.  Beginning with paintings and drawings, then carving stone statues and wood (one custom-made cabinet carving for a movie star was featured in a magazine) and finally gizmo art --- mechanical devices which represented scientific or philosophical ideas.  Reading online about some of his later work was interesting.  One of his pieces was bought by a friend of George Soros at a considerable price.  Among New York’s art elites, he had some degree of recognition.  And of course, I then wondered if the drawings I had were of any value.  I spent some hours researching and talking to art auction experts, and concluded that their value, if any, was not certain, and self-auctioning on Etsy would entail more time and effort than I was willing to give.  So, this morning I gave the drawings to a nice old man at a local antique store, who said he had some customers who were from New York, who might be interested.  If they sold, I said, make a donation to charity.  And I was done with it.

But I still had thoughts about it, which were distracting me.  And then I read today’s Morning Prayer Hymn:

Lord, how your wonders are displayed,
Where e’er I turn my eye:
If I survey the ground I tread,
Or gaze upon the sky!

There’s not a plant or flower below,
But makes your glories known,
And clouds arise, and tempests blow,
By order of your throne,
While all that borrows life from thee
Is ever in they care,
And everywhere that man can be
You, God, are present there

.

Those words brought some sense and focus to my mind’s wanderings.  For a few days, I was fascinated with a man’s life, and how he had gone from drawing what he saw to drawing what things made him feel (the “modern” art) to creating 3-dimentional images of it to creating mechanical devices, art which moved to illustrate his thoughts on reality and how he was part of it.  The works DID make you think, which is what the artist intended.  But, after reading the Morning Hymn, I saw a deeper reality than the artist did.  The man intended his art to display his being, who he was in relation to the universe, and what he thought.  Nice, but God was not mentioned or displayed in his thoughts about reality.  His answer to “Who am I?” seemed to be displayed in physical art, and --- at best --- philosophical representations.  I did not see God displayed in that reality.  The artist had once described his religion to me as “Utilitarian,” which could describe a stone doorstop. 

While all that borrows life from thee
Is ever in thy care,
And everywhere that man CAN be,
You, God, are present there.

Who am I?  I am an earthly life borrowed from God, who created it.  And like the Master Artist, he watches over His work (none is ever stored in the basement).  And then the grand summation: “You, God, are present there” --- always, for I am a spiritual life also.  His creation is not on display, He is part of it, and always will be.  If we display who we are, starting with our thoughts, we miss the real starting point, and no explanation of who we are is complete without that.

Not to judge anyone, but I felt a little sad for anyone deeply concerned about the “what” of himself and his relation to reality, without ever and more deeply, pondering the “why”.

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Of course, my morning didn’t stop there.  I listened to Bishop Barron’s Sunday sermon online.  He said how Paul had gone to Athens and engaged the Athenians in philosophical discussion, which greatly interested them, for discussion purposes only.  No church grew there.  But when Paul went to Corinth, he preached Christ Crucified, and the Church was established there, and quickly grew.  And Paul never preached in philosophical terms again.  You cannot explain who we are and why we are here without explaining why God came and died for us.

 

Love Includes Service

 

I wrote on this blog about the Plymouth Right to Life dinner, featuring Fr. John Riccardo, Jim Harbaugh, and Dr. Ray Guerendi.  Most recently, I wrote of the events in Poland, where the Polish people are taking into their homes millions of Ukraine refugees, who are mostly women and children.  I reflect on those things as I now sit in front of the Blessed Sacrament this morning, and consider today’s further events.

This Friday morning men’s Bible Study started with men speaking of retirement and changing homes.  One said he might consider keeping his Michigan home, as a place to visit some months.  I briefly mentioned how the Polish people took refugees into their homes --- but no one got my thought, or didn’t want to think about it:  why not offer for him and his wife to stay in your homes when they visit?   The conversation moved on.

Later, on my way to mass, I heard a radio interview with Jim Harbaugh, speaking about his Right to Life talk.  He said how at age 5 he heard of people who had left their babies outside to die, and he was shocked.  At age 9, he heard of a dead baby found in a dumpster, and he recalled in his bedroom thinking “me and my brother could have taken care of that baby and raised it.  They didn’t have to throw it away.”  Coach Harbaugh then said how he had counseled his football team and associates that should they ever find themselves or a loved one with an unplanned pregnancy, they should come and talk to him.  He and his wife, Sarah, would gladly take in and raise the child.  He further spoke of the 2 million people in the U.S. seeking to adopt, and of Dr. Ray Guerendi, who had adopted 10 children.  Harbaugh strongly expressed his understanding and respect for those holding other opinions on controversial topics, but he felt that with discussion and respect we can live together in peace.  And then I thought again of what the people of Poland are doing, in peace.

At mass I prayed: “Lord, have mercy on us, and on the whole world.”  And I thought: But how willing are WE to have mercy?  The people of Poland are showing us how to live in love and mercy.  They are taking in women and children in need.  Would we?  Would our church in the United States, our diocese, our parish --- or us --- say that troubled women and children can come to our house; I will care for them?  I believe this could (should?) be our answer to those who say abortion is the only answer.  If we believe in what Jesus did, this should be our living out of that belief; we will take them in and care for them.

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I read my Morning Prayers, starting with this Hymn:

Lord, whose love in humble service
Bore the weight of human need,
Who did on the Cross, forsaken,
Show us mercy’s perfect deed:
We, your servants, bring the worship
Not of voice alone, but heart,
Consecrating to your purpose
Every gift which you impart.

As we worship, grant us vision,
Till your love’s revealing light,
Till the height and depth and greatness
Dawn upon our human sight;
Making known the needs and burdens
Your compassion bids us bear,
Stirring us to faithful service
Your abundant life to share.

Called from worship into service
Forth in your great name we go,
To the child, the youth, the aged,
Love in living deeds to show,
Hope and health, goodwill and comfort,
Counsel, aid, and peace to give,
That your children, Lord, in freedom,
May your mercy know, and live.

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I know there are countless arguments against taking anyone, strangers, into YOUR home, but the Polish people gave example that it CAN BE done, in love, which includes service.  I wrote once about a charity in my community which matched lonely seniors with people willing to visit and talk with them.  That charity, as does my Meals on Wheels charity, runs a background check on volunteers, to prevent abuse.  The same could be done on any efforts to help pregnant or new mothers.  Jesus demonstrated that our wants, even our safety, are not number one; loving God and neighbor is.  He is number one.

And I also know there are some who would change the discussion:  Well, then why can’t we ask Catholics to take in all the refugees crossing the border?  There is a difference in taking in my neighbor, or those in my parish or in my community versus some stranger sneaking across the border.  Helping pregnant moms versus helping refugees (who may be crossing to border to become prostitutes or slaves) is not the same thing.

Oh, and I WILL send a note to my Bible study friend, that he and his wife are always welcome to stay with me when they visit in the future.

Do You Feel Trapped?

I am aware of the high rate of depression, sadness, and suicide in our country.  I see many people who think, and act, as if they were alone, so what they want is the most important thing; it makes them feel they matter.  And they can’t ever seem to get what they want.  They feel trapped.  I understand, but in one recent day I heard some things which caused me to reflect:  perhaps things are not as bad as I thought.  Maybe I can do something great with my life.

If you feel trapped in some way, read, listen, and pray over what follows.

Sunday, I heard three new things.  The first just informed me of events around me, events I was aware of but never fully considered.  Fr. Ed, our pastor, mentioned his attendance at the ceremony where men from the diocese were being accepted into the formation programs for deacons and priests.  “We are one of the smallest parishes in the diocese,” he said, “but half of those men were from this parish.”  He went on to speak of what makes our parish yield such good fruits.  It’s all actions:  to love God and to love neighbor.  The focus of the mass and all our adult and youth training programs is not about fun or preaching, but learning how to love.  And then we act on what we have learned, and we have learned what is most important --- each of our lives matters.

The next two things were an EWTN radio program re-broadcast of Al Kresta’s 2-hour show of August 18, 2022.  The first hour contained an interview with a man who lives in Poland, right on the Ukraine border.  Talk about a depressing situation!!  But, …. Why haven’t you heard about the millions of Ukrainians who fled across the border to Poland, the refugee tent cities, the starving children, and (or course) the need for so much money?  Why haven’t you read about the tons of refugees seeking to come to the U.S.?  Why? ---- because it is not happening, and so it is not news in our country (which only seems to report when Satan appears to be winning).  As the Kresta interviewee explains, in Poland the key is love; the people of Poland show love to their neighbor.  Listen to this interview yourself; our press doesn’t report this beautiful story.  The Ukraine refugees are not trapped at the border, trapped in Poland, or trapped in fear.  They feel loved, live with the Polish families, and await their return to their homeland.  Listen to their faith.

The second Kresta hour is his interview with Fr. John Riccardo, speaking of ACTS XXIX’s Rescue Project.  Fr. Riccardo explains how Adam and Eve chose Satan over God, and man became trapped in Satan’s world.  We all are trapped here, but God always loves us, and He sent His Son to rescue us.  He fought the war to free us, and He won.  And so now we are the refugees, still living in the land of Satan, but we can cross the border to His love.  We may feel trapped, we may be afraid of the unknown and not want to move, but He is waiting for us.  The border is open; He rescued us!!  He loves us, each one of you, you and me.  We are not trapped, unless we choose to be.  Fr. Riccardo explains the heart of the Gospel is: You matter.

This is the link to listen to the First Hour of the Kresta program:  Kresta in the Afternoon – August 18, 2022 – Hour 1 - Ave Maria Radio .  (The interview with Poland starts about minute 22.)

This is the link to the Second Hour of the Kresta program:  Kresta in the Afternoon – August 18, 2022 – Hour 2 - Ave Maria Radio .  (The first 20 minutes are a good summary, but Riccardo explains details the entire hour.)

All three of these Sunday events, the sermon, and the two Kresta interviews give me --- and you --- hope.  Look how people can love.  Think of what those people in Poland are doing --- loving.  You can do that.  Think of how those Ukraine refugees are feeling.  You can feel that way --- because you are loved.  As Fr. Riccardo explains, you were a prisoner of Satan’s world, but Jesus rescued you; He went to war for you; He died for you.  But He didn’t lose the war; He rose again, and freed you.  Walking with Him, you are not a POW to this world.  You are free.  You are loved.

Listen to, think about, pray about --- not me, but what He is saying to you through these things.

May God bless you.