Archbishop Wilton Gregory's Installation Mass and Great Homily in DC

Now that Archbishop Wilton Gregory has been installed as the 7th Archbishop of Washington perhaps healing can begin after the confusion, disappointment and turmoil that archdiocese had to go through. Sin and evil cause chaos and disruption and no where is that more apparent than there.

  I loved Archbishop Gregory's homily and his delivery of it.  It was heartfelt, real, Christ-centered and touching. Everyone seemed to love it, there was clapping when he finished and the bishops in attendance seemed to rejoice in it as well. 

...."Pope Francis has now summoned the Church-and by that I mean all the baptized to leave our comfortable confines and to encounter and welcome the poor, the marginalized and the neglected and to place them at the very heart of Christ's Church. Beginning today that is my task here in the Archdiocese of Washington. 

He pledged his fraternal affection for Pope Francis, who has given the Archbishop a great call and opportunity. 

He had kind words for Archbishop Pierre (the Pope's representative in the U.S.)who he called a "friend to our nation and a brother to the bishops of the United States. " I heard Archbishop Pierre speak at the installation Mass of Bishop Richard Henning (Auxiliary Bishop of Rockville Centre), which I attended,  and I was impressed with Archbishop Pierre as well. He seems genuine and likable. 

But my favorite part of the homily was when Archbishop Gregory spoke about the gospel. ....."He wisely chose his first disciples from among those who made their living on the sea, selecting individuals adept at handling their boats and nets certainly but also at using their wits....He recognized their fierce tenacity to get the job done and eventually redirect their focus from fish to families......"

He spoke about trusting in Jesus and how when the squalls came and the wind picked up, they became afraid, as we all would. 

"We too, like those frightened disciples tossed about by the wind and the waves have cried out, 'Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing? Jesus' questions to them are also meant for us: 'Why are you terrified/ Do you not yet have faith?'

This was the part I loved the most......."In their anxiety they had discounted that Jesus was literally in the boat with them. ...That very One was in the boat with them and in a breath, He calmed the wind and the sea and He restored their composure."

All good. I'm sure the Archbishop will be a blessing to that diocese. 

And the gospel singers were the best. I hope they put their songs on You Tube. The song at the end of the Mass left me uplifted and hopeful.

NJA

Keeping Eyes Fixed on Jesus-Newly Baptized in the Church-2019

Jesus, his message, his powerful words and actions continue to have great appeal into the 21st century.  I read with interest a hopeful religion article in the New York Times today titled, "Becoming Catholic as the Church Grapples With Scandal," by Rick Rojas. It tells about the thousands of newly baptized Catholics who entered the Church at the Easter Vigil this year and that's just in the Tri-State area. There are thousands more throughout the country. They were aware of the Church scandals and the horrific stories but they choose to look past that, to realize the Church and the teachings of Jesus are so much more than the failings, as horrific as they are.  They yearned for the beautiful rituals, the sacraments which can heal and help in this uncertain world, reverence for Mary, the Mother of God, the saints and their wisdom and witness and to be part of the Holy Roman Catholic Church founded by Christ.
Today in the gospel reading, Jesus proclaimed that He is in the Father, and those who saw him, saw the Father. Considered by some to be blasphemous talk in His time, he was laying the foundation for the knowledge and teaching of the Trinity, through Divine revelation. Three Divine persons in one God. The Trinity, the greatest mystery that has ever existed, was formulated over centuries by Church theologians, scholars and interpreters of Scripture.
People of every age yearn for truth, they yearn to be a part of something greater than themselves. The teachings of Jesus are timeless and can fill a great void, in one's life, as these newly baptized in the Church can attest to.  Also belonging to a faith community is a great gift.
May the Holy Spirit continue to guide them and give them Christian hope and love.  As Cardinal Tobin, archbishop of Newark told those who had entered into the Church at the Easter Vigil Mass, "You'll always have a home here with us." Very powerful words indeed.
NJA

John 14:6-11
"Jesus said to Thomas, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, then you will also know the Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.' Philip said to him, 'Master, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.' Jesus said to him, 'Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ' Show us the Father?' Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me or else believe because of the works themselves......."



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