October - 2004

October 2004

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ’s Divine Mercy:

As we once again approach the feast day for St. Faustina on October 5, I wanted to write to you with a few reflections. As you know, I write to you in what is meant as a “conversational tone” about some of the things that I am thinking of and praying about in my own life. In this letter I want to focus on persistence in faith, prayer, and works of mercy.

Persistence is an extremely important virtue to cultivate. We might be more familiar with the fault associated with persistence: “stubbornness.” Yet, persistence in faith is a kind of stubbornness. It is a “holy stubbornness.” How many people are quick and generous in their response to God’s call, but lose their enthusiasm rapidly when adversity comes? St. Faustina had a “holy stubbornness.” When she finally responded to God’s call, ran away from home and rang the doorbell of the convent, the Mother Superior met with her. She concluded that Helen was “nothing special” and sent her home. Helen waited a year before returning to try again. Reading her diary is to come to understand the many trials and persecutions that she suffered. Her trials were even increased because she was so humble and obedient! Yet in the face of the trials that she encountered St. Faustina’s response was to persevere in her efforts and increase her trust in Jesus.

In the last few days we celebrated St. (Padre) Pio’s feast day. What a model of persistence in faith he was! The Church unjustly disciplined the Padre because his holiness was drawing crowds and the Church was concerned about the source of some of his mysterious gifts. Rather than give in to feelings of bitterness, Padre answered in a spirit of serenity: “It is God’s Will.” He knew suffering that few of us could imagine, yet he not only endured it He embraced it with gratitude! It was Padre Pio who said: “if we knew the value of suffering it is all we would ask for!” The saints are great examples of “holy stubbornness.” Our enemy, satan, wants very much to help us find the excuses that make quitting easy. Satan loves to capitalize on our hurts, feed our bitterness, and to turn us against ourselves, one another, the Church, and our Lord.

I think of the “holy stubbornness” of so many of my prayer partners. Last week I was at a Mass and Holy Hour in Hyde Park, Massachusetts. If you ever need a spiritual “shot in the arm” I would suggest that you come to these services. Even if you cannot come to these services I would suggest that you park outside any Church and before entering just watch the people walking in and maybe “see” them for the first time. Notice the woman walking in carrying her oxygen. See the man or woman in the wheelchair. Watch the young child in braces and crutches making their way up the stairs. See the pale face and the deteriorating frame of someone battling cancer. Watch the widow finding the courage to “keep going.” Look at the young adult going in by themselves and the harried mother trying to drag in three children under the age of five. There are heroes all around us. People who are battling and struggling in obvious and hidden ways. They serve as witnesses to us and should serve as inspirations to us as well.

As a priest in public ministry it is a grace to look out at the congregation and to know some of the crosses that people are carrying. Some are very obvious; some crosses are very deep and hidden. Life is not easy for any of us and our faith journey is not easy either. One of the most common errors that people make is to look at others and assume that their lives are easier than their own. That is almost always an error. We do not know the burdens people carry, nor are we grateful enough for the grace that God gives us to carry ours. That is also why being positive, kind, and gentle to others is so important. Many times we have judged people in our hearts only to find out later some burden that they were carrying and being ashamed for our previous attitudes toward them.

In times of trial we must stay strong and stay the course. Be stubborn about continuing your discipline in prayer, Mass attendance, confession, and works of mercy. There are many around us who are using the current difficulties in the Church to lightly excuse them from doing the right thing. There is no good excuse for us to push away from Jesus and the Church - to follow our own way; in times of crisis we need to draw even closer to Jesus. I am humbled and sobered at times to realize that people are counting on me to “stay the course” and to give them an example of faithfulness in the face of trial. Even if I was tempted to quit or to “rest for a while” it would be hard to let down so many good, faithful people who are counting on me to walk with them and to lead them. While the above is true of me it is also true of you. Remember that people are looking at you for an example and counting on you not to quit! Pray more, read more, draw closer to God in prayer, and redouble your efforts in being merciful. In times of darkness the light of a candle is of the most strength and value. The power of your witness now is more valuable to the Lord than it is during better times. While you may be dealing with your own difficulties and hurts from the Church or in your life, reaching out to others in their need can help put a lot in perspective. When I start to feel sorry for myself I find that a visit to a hospital, nursing home or prison can change my perspective. We must avoid at all costs the temptation to become spiritually self-absorbed. Prayer leads us to apostolic action; and our work done in the Lord leads us back to prayer. The two reinforce one another and give witness to the other. Our “work” need not be dramatic or attention drawing, but it must flow from our life of prayer.

On a personal note I had the opportunity to go to Hanceville, Alabama to concelebrate the Mass at which Sister Marie St. John made her perpetual vows on October 1 (also Sister’s birthday). It was such a joy to be there with “Molly” on her special day. Also, please remember in your prayers some of the oblates that will be traveling to Greece and Turkey this month to walk in the footsteps of St. Paul.

Keep up the good work that you are doing. Never, never, never, never quit! Remember, the more bitter the battle the sweeter the victory. Persist in prayer and in doing good even unto the day of Christ Jesus Second Coming!

God Bless you,
Reverend Richard F. Clancy