Ministry and Liturgy Magazine: March 2015

Posted on March 6, 2015 by Ronald Patrick Raab, C.S.C.

Here is my monthly column called, “Bridge Work” for the March 2015 issue:

Easter Sunday: Preaching from a liberated voice

I dig deep into my gut in order to preach on Easter morning. I am usually emotionally exhausted from the liturgies of Holy Week and my voice is hoarse from singing and preaching. I struggle to interpret our faith in Christ’s resurrection on Easter morning to many people who have not accompanied us in prayer during the Triduum. I find preaching Christ’s liberation very difficult when people have not touched or ritualized their own suffering. My voice is often raspy from trying to convince people they are loved on Easter morning. Continue reading →

Lent 2015: “Civil Rights Revolution” from Fr. Hesburgh, CSC

Posted on March 5, 2015 by Ronald Patrick Raab, C.S.C.

Most revolutions have two phases. The first phase of the civil rights revolution in America is, I believe, largely over. It accomplished and wrote into federal law the broad lines of what I would call a national conscience on civil rights, a broad national consensus on what every citizen could and should expect of his country and his fellow countrymen in the areas of voting, education, employment, housing, public accommodations, and the administration of justice. Many may still disagree with the consensus, but the national ideal, the law of the land, is clear and is becoming ever more positive.

The second phase of this civil rights revolution is still largely before us, and is more difficult, because it requires the passage from national to individual conscience in recognizing all these rights, and also involves the assumption by all Americans, whatever their color, of the long-range responsibility of living what we profess: to make full, responsible, and intelligent use of these rights, to do in the privacy of each of our lives what we profess in public as Americans. The second phase is largely educational, while the first phase was largely protest. The first phase gave quick results. The second phase will call on all our religious, educational, and social resources to come to full fruition. And it will call for much more courage, patience, perseverance, and understanding. The second phase must move family by family, neighborhood by neighborhood, city by city, state by state to accomplish on the local scene what has been proclaimed on the national scene. This is where each of you comes in, as responsible, educated, individual human beings. This is why each of you is so terribly important. You may or may not have been among the chosen few who moved the first phase of this revolution. The second phase cannot move without each of you. You must become involved or the second phase will fail. —Rev. Theodore Hesburgh, C.S.C.

“no matter the color”
Painting: Ronald Raab, CSC

Lent 2015: “Loving and Serving,” Fr. Hesburgh’s funeral is today

Posted on March 4, 2015 by Ronald Patrick Raab, C.S.C.

Today, Fr. Theodore Hesburgh, CSC will be laid to rest in our cemetery at the University of Notre Dame. A simple stone cross will mark his grave, the same kind of cross that marks the graves of generations of Holy Cross priests. His mission was broader than the Church, yet his goal was to become and remain a priest. Even now he calls us to remain faithful to loving and serving those who most need us.

“All human beings are our brothers and sisters, all are our neighbors especially when in need. It matters not whether they are black or white, red or yellow, men or women, Eastern or Western, Northern or Southern, young or old, intelligent or dull, good or bad, attractive or repulsive. I believe that since we are all created in the image of God, I cannot love God without loving and serving them as best I can.” —Rev. Theodore Hesburgh, C.S.C.

Pope John Paul II

Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Lent 2015: “Women in Poverty”

Posted on March 3, 2015 by Ronald Patrick Raab, C.S.C.

“Women in Poverty”
Charcoal: Ronald Raab, CSC

Pope Francis’ intention for evangelization during the month of March is:“That the unique contribution of women to the life of the Church may be recognized always”. I want to add to his request that we especially pray for elderly women in poverty during this Lenten season.

Click here to learn more about the rise of elderly women in poverty.

Click here for an article from CNN Money about elderly women.

Click here for a radio interview on homeless women. (Please take seven minutes to listen to this radio interview about homeless women in San Francisco)

For women who live on the streets, the circumstances are even more dire. Women experiencing homelessness are vulnerable and invisible. Women tend to hide and sleep during the day and stay awake at night no matter their age, so not to get robbed or beaten or raped. Women also become caretakers of children, grandchildren or great grandchildren no matter where they live. The burdens put on women in poverty in our country are breathtaking.

Today, remember the strong and vital women that keep the Church alive but also learn more about the invisible women who are surviving longterm poverty.

Give a hearing to the poor, and return their greeting with a deference; Deliver the oppressed from their oppressors; right judgement should not be repugnant to you. Be like a father to orphans, and take the place of a husband to widows. Then God will call you his child, and he will be merciful to you and deliver you from the pit. (Sirach 4:7-10)

Lent 2015: “Perseverance”

Posted on March 2, 2015 by Ronald Patrick Raab, C.S.C.

“Perseverance”
Drawing: Ronald Raab, CSC

I sketched this image yesterday before the morning Masses. I am really struck by this face because he represents a man who has spent this lifetime doing the work of prayer. The hard work of living every aspect of life shows on his face. His wrinkles reveal discouragement and sadness and the weariness of his perseverance. However, there is also a real and authentic trust that settles into his expressions. I see myself in him but he also reveals to me the many faces of people who struggle to make ends meet, those who work so hard to forgive themselves, those who are unsettled in their life decisions, and those who are looking to God for help because they finally realize they cannot fix their unfortunate situations. He reminds me that we all need God.

The gospel today (Luke 6: 36-38) gets to the core of our Lenten journey:

Jesus said to tis disciples: “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and your will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give and gifts will be given to you; good measure, packed together, shaken down and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.”

The work of forgiveness is real. The work of mercy is God’s work within us. However, I am not saying that any of this spiritual work is easy. In fact, the work of forgiveness might just be the most important job we will ever have. This work may even settle into every wrinkle on our skin. Persevere in you spiritual tasks of forgiveness in all of your relationships. Persevere in this Lenten journey. Your rewards will be authentic and everlasting.

Second Sunday of Lent 2015: “Wisdom Matters”

Posted on March 1, 2015 by Ronald Patrick Raab, C.S.C.

“Wisdom Matters”
Drawing: Ronald Raab, CSC

The Second Sunday of Lent 2015

In Mark’s gospel (9:2-10) today, Jesus takes Peter, James and John up a mountain. Jesus is transfigured before them. Moses and Elijah appear. Then the Father’s voice breaks through a cloud and claims Jesus as the beloved Son. In this text, we are connected to the many sources of wisdom. We capture a glimpse of Jesus’ resurrection, the ancient prophets and our Heavenly Father. On this journey, wisdom matters and those who are wise have something to teach us. Wisdom is not something we sit back and enjoy as the disciples did when they wanted to build three tents. Instead, we are called to live that beyond the mountaintop, in the darkness of daily life, in the muck of our inept decisions, in the chaos of what it means to be truly human. On this journey of Lent, Jesus continues to lead us but we are called to live the wisdom of followers of Jesus, to become peacemakers, the doers of forgiveness, the prophets of new life for people who are poor or neglected or imprisoned. Be wise. Live the truth. Follow Jesus. Listen to the Father. Befriend your ancestors. Be the voice of hope for all people. Let wisdom show on your face.

On The Margins – Mark 9:2-10

Posted on February 28, 2015 by Ronald Patrick Raab, C.S.C.

Listen to “On the Margins”. This broadcast comes from KBVM 88.3, Catholic Broadcasting Northwest. (Due to technical difficulties, the opening and closing are absent today) This gospel takes us to a mountain top, an image of our journey to Calvary. Jesus becomes transfigured. He is connected to his ancestors, his is part of the history of salvation.. Second Sunday of Lent, March 1, 2015.

Listen now: [audio https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/75239779/On%20The%20Margins/March%201%2C%202015.mp3]

Stream live On The Margins on KBVM 88.3FM on Saturdays at 8am and Sundays at 8am.

Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh, CSC, 1917-2015

Posted on February 27, 2015 by Ronald Patrick Raab, C.S.C.

Fr. Ted Hesburgh, CSC
1917-2015

Fr. Ted, CSC
1917-2015

Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh, CSC, president of the University of Notre Dame from 1952-1987 has died. Priest, civil rights leader, named one of the countries most influential religious leaders, on the cover of Time magazine, university president for 35 years, recipient of a record number of honorary doctorates listed the Guinness Book of World Records. Click here for an obituary from the New York Times.

His dedication to Mary the Mother of God and the power of the Holy Spirit will always inspire me. His life as a priest and religious in the Congregation of Holy Cross will inspire generations to come.

Pray for his soul this day.

Mary, Mother of God, pray for us.

Come, Holy Spirit, Come.

“I say, My God, do not take me away before half of my days are complete, you whose days last from age to age.” Psalm 102

Lent 2015: “Hearing Voices”

Posted on February 26, 2015 by Ronald Patrick Raab, C.S.C.

“Hearing Voices”
Sketch: Ronald Raab, CSC

Thursday of the First Week in Lent:

“Lord on the day I called for help, you answered me.” (Psalm 138)

“Ask and you will receive; seek and you shall find; knock and the door will be open for you.” (Matthew 7)

Today’s gospel is so beautiful and consoling. There is a profound richness in the realization that God hears us and is willing to give us good and fulfilling things. However, if we are poor, if we are ill throughout our lives, if we have yet to be satisfied by God, we can hear this gospel and believe that God does not listen to my concerns.

Today, I also want to focus your attention on people who ask God for relief and hear other voices in return. Many people hear strange and violent voices in their minds. These voices lead to despair and unimaginable suffering.

I invite you today in the Lenten season to learn something new about schizophrenia. This disease is severe and lifelong. We need one another to become educated about this disease so to learn about people who are marginalized, especially among people who cannot afford medication. During this Lenten season we are all called to extend our awareness into areas of life that challenge us.

Here are some links to further our conversations:

Click here: On hearing voices

Click here: video from a woman who was treated for hearing voices

Click here for an article from Mayo Clinic on schizophrenia.

Lent 2015: “A Humble Heart”

Posted on February 25, 2015 by Ronald Patrick Raab, C.S.C.

“A Humble Heart”
Drawing: Ronald Raab, CSC

Wednesday of the First Week of Lent

“Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness; in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense. Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me.” (Psalm 51)

Broken But Not Divided

Connecting Sacraments and Service