Today’s Reflection from Father Dave

Friday was difficult. Saturday came, and I did not take my morning walk to open the churches and could not write. Yes, at times darkness descends and I forget those words of Monsignor Clem McKenna: “A priest must be a man of HOPE!” Monsignor had been the Director of St. Vincent’s School for Boys and then a mentor and confidant of mine as I began my ministry at the same Treatment Center.

I began these writings on the Ides of March when the church was closed to public celebrations of the Eucharist. At the time, my intent was to write hopefully uplifting reflections to chronicle this period in our lives. I used the great Thumper’s advice in that classic film, Bambi: If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.” Saturday I could not find anything “nice” to say.

When I did not send my early morning blog, my editor checked in and then responded to my reply: “Hope is the antidote.” (Aren’t you impressed that I have an editor?) A little later I received an email from another about the parable of the Four Candles which concluded “the greatest of these is Love, but the flame of Hope should never go out of your life.” Trying to clear my head, I walked outside and wondered why so much dirt, leaves, and twigs were on the doorstep. Looking up I saw a newly made bird’s nest over the doorway, which I am told is a sign of hope and new life. My comment to the Lord: “Enough already, I get it; I must be a man of Hope.”

So today as we begin the holiest of weeks a little reflection on a painting by Holman Hunt, The Light of the World. In this painting the artist depicts Jesus standing outside a door with a lantern in His raised hand. If you look closely, you realize there is no doorknob. It seems to suggest that Christ the Light desires to enter our homes, our lives, but you and I need to open the door for Him. This my friends is not the faith we profess.

If there is anything we learn during these next days and weeks ahead is that a closed and locked door does not stop the Lord from entering. When the disciples would hide away in fear behind locked doors, the Risen Christ still came to them. The Lord’s first words, “Peace be with you.”

When times are difficult, when we find we can no longer help ourselves or open the door to let the light in, God can still come through and breathe peace into our lives. We will walk through some difficult times together this week, but we are fortunate for we know the end of the story. Jesus stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.”

In Faith, Hope, and Love,

Father Dave

Today’s Reflection from Father Dave

Dear friends can you help me? I am stranded in London; my credit cards, currency, and passport were stolen, and I need to get home. Would you be so kind to send some financial help until I can get back to the United States and straighten things out?

Blessings, Fr. David Ghiorso

Many of us have received messages like this; our computers have been compromised, and some email addresses have been used to try and solicit funds. My staff and friends who received this message notified me and commented: “We knew it was not you by how you ended the note.” It seems that “blessings” was a dead giveaway the email wasn’t from me.

When I began these reflections almost three weeks ago it was to try and speak about my experiences of the presence of God during a very unique period of life. I wanted to focus on those wonderful virtues of Faith, Hope, and Love. This week has proven to be a challenge because a great deal of conversation has been about finances: how to keep the parishes of St. Matthias and St. Charles going as our revenue streams are but a trickle? Our preschool and K-8 programs continue but have their challenges as families are also in a state of limbo, with employment and incomes in question. I was being encouraged by our parishes’ Finance Councils to write or speak to our fiscal needs, yet I have felt uncomfortable to ask for help during these uncertain times.

So my morning walk was not as peaceful, and to top it off my new headlamp started to blink for some reason. It had been so dependable these last few weeks. Then as one would say, “the light bulb went on in my head.” I hadn’t put it in the charger since this all began almost 3 weeks ago, and the blinking was simply a reminder that it needs a charge. Sometimes the Lord gives me little nudges, and sometimes I think He uses a Mack truck to make His point when I am a little slow to comprehend.

On Sundays we build the ability to share our resources through the collection. It is not a payment for mass; it is an offering back to God from what we have received in life. I do appreciate those who have continued to support our parishes, and some by very unique and funny ways. So with this reflection, I do make an appeal to you, my friends, for assistance in this time, asking each to consider what you are able to give to your parish.

When times are difficult we make choices that reflect what we truly believe. We give in Faith that things will get better. We give in Hope that we come out of this time stronger and more the person God wants us to be. We give in Love for one another.

Blessings, The Wandering Padre

Father Dave