February 19/20, 2005 - (4:30 PM Saturday, and 8:30 AM Sunday)

This is the Second Sunday of Lent, the Sunday of the Transfiguration, which is one of the most powerful of the Gospel accounts in the life of Christ.  It was   a time when Peter, James and John were given a foretaste, a vision, as it were of the Risen Christ.  The Lord knew how dark the days of the Passion would be for these three apostles who were closest to Him---so this vision was to strengthen them in what would be their darkest hours…when they may have been tempted to give up, and give in to despair completely.    This promise of the Risen Christ, His light and glory would be their lamp to light the path and to help them see, and to remain faithful.    The same is true for us.  These readings might be called what we hear some times…”WELL, I have bad news and good news for you.”   Given the news this week in the State Journal Register and on the T.V. and radio stations about Bishop Lucas’ news conference and announcement of an investigation, we might automatically jump to conclusions  about what the bad news actually is. But the Scriptures for this Sunday call us to far more than them.  Because with the Gospel, and with our Faith, always, and in every age, there is good news and bad news!  But, in the end, there is  the GOOD NEWS. 

Good news – because we have been baptized into Christ, we share in, and are invited into the same glory, and promise of eternal life that Peter, James and John experienced.  And, maybe like Peter, our responses are not always correct, and maybe we don’t get it---but we are given a share in the life of Christ, nonetheless!  Through that, we are called to life a holy life, where the grace of God will make up for our weaknesses.  And because we are not meant to travel this life solo, we are part of what Genesis calls “A great nation”  a “great family”.   In the book of Genesis this becomes what is called a “type” or  “foreshadowing” of the Church.   And, in this family, through our baptism, through the Sacraments we experience the life of Christ – his grace and mercy – to lead us to the mountaintops of life, and through the darkness of our sharing in his Passion and Death   And, the bad news, life being what it is, we know there are the hardships, the misunderstandings, the effects of evil and sin.    Being baptized into Christ, means everything, experiencing the Cross in its totality.   As St. Paul says we are beloved, and we “bear the share of hardship for the Gospel with the strength that comes from God.”

 When the hardship comes upon us, when we experience what Peter, James, and John did during Holy Week,  there will be temptation.  Following Christ always means that the forces of evil, Satan (yes, he does exist) will call us to chose the darkness and stay there, instead of turning to the light of the transfigured Christ to see the truth, and live it.  We will be called to embrace the way of the world, to give up perhaps our Faith completely, to embrace of life of cynicism, disbelief in everything and gossip.  We are called now, instead to bear hardship with the strength that comes from the Gospel, and know as our Lord himself as said, that “The Truth will set us free”, and to remember as St. Peter said in another place “Lord to whom shall we go…you have the words of everlasting life.”  That same Lord is present here, in the Eucharist, inviting us to see His glory, just as Peter, James and John did. 

These words  of the readings this weekend, and in fact, in the Church’s Liturgy of the Hours, have given me great strength this week, as I did in fact know of the events which were to unfold in the news conference of Bishop Lucas this week, which have been reported in the media.    

But the consequences of these events really came home to me last night as I experienced first hand the climate of fear, suspicion and confusion which surround us currently, especially as priests.  Father Hoefler and I were out to dinner with some friends of ours, when I had to excuse myself to use the restroom.  I was almost there when an individual said to me “Are you a Catholic Priest.”  I replied yes, that I was, and he said “we were just having a talk about you people, and we know what you are like.  So, just keep moving on Father.”  Which, I did.  On the return from the restroom,  I greeted this individual again, and returned to my table, but he did not look at me or return the greeting. Once more it came home to me the fishbowl or the microscope that priests are in these days, and how we have been brought to a place where truth would not believed, no matter how much is proclaimed.  How we have been brought to this place where mistrust abounds, and that wearing of the Roman collar has become a sign of that mistrust.  This affects not only the priests but all Catholics, all of you.  And how I am sorry for that. .   Yet, the light of Christ, the glory of the transfigured Christ, just as it showed Peter, James, and John the way to go in times of darkness and doubt , will also  show us the truth, and will set us free. 

That is why I support Bishop Lucas in what he is doing, because that will be the result.  There have been too many years of darkness and rumor, and it is time to let the transforming light of Christ, the Transfiguration, shine for us  to see the truth. 

I would  hope that you would give me just a moment more to share some personal reflection of Bishop Lucas, knowing what I have heard, and knowing well what is some of the thought “out there.”  I have known Bishop Lucas since about l978.  I would often see him as a young priest at seminary gatherings at Kenrick Seminary in St. Louis, such as alumni day.    Later on, I got to know him better when he was secretary to Archbishop May, and later on yet when he was named the Rector of Kenrick Seminary, where I studied, and where I later taught.     I knew first hand that he truly shaped the place up, and inspired the students with his commitment to the priesthood and holiness, and faithfulness to his calling as a Priest of Jesus Christ in his role as rector.  His years as rector saw a renewed emphasis on discipline, on faithfulness to the spiritual life for the seminarians and their commitment to the Lord.  He truly “shaped the place up.”  I know this first hand, because I was a frequent visitor to the seminary, because some of my parishioners from Our Lady of Lourdes were seminarians there: people like Father Chris Comerford (whom many of you know) were trained under Bishop Lucas.   He is a man of great love for the Church, holiness, and commitment to our Diocese.   I was on the steps of St.  Peter’s basilica in Rome when I heard the news that he was named our Bishop.   I can assure you, Iiterally applauded on the front steps with some friends present.   I was truly happy and grateful at his appointment to our Diocese.   I knew then, as I know now, that he would be a true shepherd that the Lord sent to us.  In fact, his name, George, meaning the one who fought the dragon, (evil) is more than appropriate for these days.  I have been privileged to work with him to face these and other difficulties head on, in a manner which not all can see. Many times this means that I have to leave the parish for some time, to try to chase down rumors and ascertain what is really going on. This means that Father Hoefler has too take over some of the administrative tasks, and that the end result is that neither of us get the spend the time in the hospitals or schools that we need to.   I see the Bishops’s strength and his integrity, and his commitment to Christ clearly daily, and his love for our people and our priests.   In his recent conference, and a letter to all of the priests, he demonstrates his commitment to the Truth, and his call for all of us (priests and people) to live a Holy Life.  His actions remind us this week  of Christ who said to us, as he said to Peter, James, and John to “Rise and do  not be afraid”  because of the Truth which will set us free.

He has asked all of the priests of the Diocese, to fully cooperate with the investigation, if we are contacted.  And he further states that “Our Diocese is to be blessed this spring with the ordination of seven new priests.  I want them to know that they are joining a presbyterate that is recognized for its virtue and integrity.  This is a moment of grace for all of us.  I believe we face a future full of hope in the Lord we cooperate with grace.”    And, that is the GOOD NEWS, not the bad!

Years ago, the Mass always ended with the prayer to St. Michael the Archangel (pictured above in our Church with the flaming sword.)  He was often invoked for protection and strength.  I would propose that we do that now.  Those who can remember are invited to join along:

St, Michael the  Archangel, Defend us in battle, be thou our strength against the wickedness and snares of the devil.  May  God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, o Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God, cast into Hell Satan and all of the evil Spirits who prowl the world seeking the ruin of souls.”  AMEN.