If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and that temple you are.
St. Paul offers us the opportunity to reflect upon the dignity of the human person as he describes our very bodies as God’s temple. My first thought was that God’s temple is getting old. I am at an age when most of my peers need glasses to read. Discussions have begun to include topics of medication as well as chronic aches and pains. Even my father, who just turned 80, recently decided to remind me that I am closing in on 60! I am frustrated with any signs of aging, although I know that some of you will respond by reassuring me of my relative youth, but clearly the process is in motion.
One of my communion visits in my first parish would tell me all the time, “Don’t get old.” I wish I could follow her advice, but I don’t think I have any say in the matter. None of us do. As a priest, I have many occasions to minister to the aging. Some are of outstanding health, and many are burdened by their years. Some are able to lead active lives, and some are homebound. Some have strong faith, and others are saddened by their doubts. One thing that seems to be universal, however, is that as we get older, we question our relevance and our importance in the current world. The post-World War II era gave rise to the teenage consumer market and a youth-driven culture. That first generation of teens are now our seniors, and they are, in many ways, victims of the culture that they first created. The message of the media market is that the older you are, the less relevant and less important you become. Our consumer model cannot be our faith model.
No matter what our age, no matter what our status in life, we remain children of God and temples of the Holy Spirit. We don’t lose our relevancy nor our importance as disciples in the world. As a society and a church, we listen to St. Paul’s words, not only as an encouragement for those who feel insignificant but as a mandate to all who follow Christ; to respect the dignity and value of all people. Their prayers, wisdom, love and presence in our families and communities are constitutive to our life as the Body of Christ. St. Paul famously said to his disciple Timothy, “Let no one look down on you because of your youth.” In the same way, I think we are challenged to not look down on the aging, but as still glorious temples of God in our midst. Nor should we feel that our age or any state in life makes us less worthy to be God’s holy temple.
ST. ROSE BLOOD DRIVE – Thank you to all who participated in our Blood Drive last Tuesday. The New York Blood Center will update us on the number of gallons donated. Whatever the total is, I am very grateful that our parish and community supported this necessary life-saving effort. We are fortunate to have a blood donation center here in Massapequa. If you missed our drive, please consider scheduling a donation there or at another mobile blood drive.
CATHOLIC FAITH NETWORK TELETHON – On behalf of my friends and colleagues at CFN, I thank all who will join us in supporting this weekend’s telethon in support of the evangelizing work of our diocesan television network. The telethon continues through Monday, February 24 at 8:30 am and can be viewed on Optimum, channel 29/137; Verizon FiOS TV channel 296; and Spectrum, channel 162/471 and streaming on Amazon Fire TV, Samsung Smart TV, Roku, Android TV, and Apple TV. Joining the many guests and performers will be students from St. Rose of Lima School. Your financial and viewing support makes a difference in helping the church and our faith to be present in a multimedia world as well as connecting us with the faithful around the nation and world. You can make your secure donation at https://www.catholicfaithnetwork.org/donate
OPERATION RICE BOWL – This Lent, our parish will participate in an almsgiving effort in support of Catholic Relief Services. Eight decades ago, in the wake of a devastating world war, Catholic bishops in the United States created an international relief organization that has eased suffering and saved lives of millions of people on five continents. As a seminarian, I was given the opportunity to travel with CRS for two weeks. It was truly an eye -opening experience where I saw the direct impact the US Catholic Church had on the relief and development efforts assisting the poor and vulnerable. As a Non-Government Organization (NGO), CRS administers funds directly donated to them as well as funding from U.S. Government grants and agreements. These funds represent more than half of their $1.5 billion budget.
Catholic Relief Services is now subject to the federal government’s freeze on nearly all foreign assistance. As a result, operations in 100 countries, serving approximately 200 million people globally, will be impacted with a projected 50% reduction in staff and projects. Our Lenten almsgiving through the Operation Rice Bowl program will not only be an act of solidarity, but a necessary support to those who are in need. You can find more information at crs.org and crsricebowl.org. I will offer additional information in next week’s bulletin.
Peace,
