In the Present Tense

The Australian Jesuits recently published a 2018 poem of Caleb Ryan. Mr. Ryan is a religious education teacher; he “was part of a Jesuit Leadership Pilgrimage that saw him and a group of his peers walk in the footsteps of Ignatius through France, Spain and Italy.”

“A Basque Man Who Came to Know God” describes St. Ignatius of Loyola conversion story. It also considers the life-pilgrimage of Jesus as well as contemporary people with the goal of becoming “suitably free.”

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Image of O.L. of Montserrat at Manresa Jesuit Retreat House, Bloomifield Hills, MI by PDP

Hand in Glove

Humans are embodied spirits. Age-old wisdom—which includes wisdom of holy people in all spiritual traditions—contains truth for future ages. Containers of the wisdom may need to be exchanged to receive the wisdom; or, moderns may have to reconsider old containers and not trash them with wisdom they contain.

Sue Do’s contribution to America Magazine reaffirms that old and new are not opposed and offers much encouragement.

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How Ignatian spirituality enhanced my cognitive behavioral therapyhttps://t.co/uOuGjo76CD

— America Magazine (@americamag) August 2, 2021

Needed Tonic

Catholic program director at Faith in Public Life John Gehring reminds himself: “I buck myself up with a reminder that Catholicism is much bigger than the latest scandal or headline.” 

His reminder to himself is a much needed tonic for Catholics when “media coverage of the Catholic Church can sometimes feel like a bad weather system that settles over my soul.”

“Renewing Faith, Hope and Love”

Francis’ earlier published “Message for Lent” is a good help to chart one’s way into the season. Lent has both a personal side and a communal one. Both can be acknowledged in the Sacrament of Baptism.

Lent is a time to prepare for baptism or to recall it and deepen it. Access this year’s “Message for Lent” here.

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Photo by Pro Church Media on Unsplash

On Movements, Education & Poetry

The Presidential Inauguration let millions meet Amanda Gorman, the Young Poet Laureate. Vatican News posted a brief interview. Ms. Gorman’s poem may be found here.

Amanda Gorman, who captivated the US with her poem recited at President Biden's inauguration ceremony, shares her thoughts on the importance of education, the power of poetry, and the movements launched by the dedication of young women. @AGisotti https://t.co/PpRHRtz07d

— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) February 13, 2021

Jesuit Perspective

The global Society of Jesus tweeted the statement, Jesuit College & University Presidents Call for End to Violence, regarding the tragic events that marred the Electoral College certification on 06 January in Washington, D.C. Several links to the individual colleges and universities are available at the statement. Related statements are at some of those sites.

"We call for a recommitment to the ideals of fairness, justice, racial equity, and inclusion to which our nation aspires today."https://t.co/jpmI0r83nx

— Society of Jesus (@JesuitsGlobal) January 8, 2021

To Navigate What 2021 Brings

"We’re entering another year, one that I hope is marked by less volatility, uncertainty and chaos. But if it’s not, we can navigate it soberly if we learn the way of St. Ignatius: Cultivate a bonded attachment with the Giver instead of the gifts.” The words close Seth Haines’ 01 January 21 article in America Magazine. That “bonded attachment” is not limited to a few. 

St. Ignatius helped me get sober as a Protestant—and stay sober in 2020 as a Catholic @sethhaines https://t.co/GqOCkszs9X

— America Magazine (@americamag) January 1, 2021

Two Mists

Christmas Day (25 Dec 2020) Is 52. 7-10; Ps 98; Hb 1: 1-6; Jn 1. 1-18

Homily of Fr. Paul Panaretos, S.J.

Two Mists

A venerable Jesuit observed that “gospel words, are in their effect upon us, like window panes that have become misted over.”¹ Words in John’s Gospel expressing the Incarnation  can leave a heavy mist. Permit me to spray 3 spritzes of homiletic Windex to remove the mist: 

• why we are here;
• we are a new creation; and
• the daily gift we offer.

Poll each of us, and we would hear various responses to why we are here. One thing that Christmas conjures fuels its celebrations: emotion. Aromas, sights, sounds, rituals, the very thought of Christmas stir us. I used to discount emotions in years gone by because I mistrusted them. Many helped me trust and accept emotions. Through emotions God communicates to us that we are alive, that God creates us each moment. 

Like Christmas worship of God is emotion-rich. Christmas memories stir people to reach beyond themselves—in memory and in acton. St. Augustine was eloquent about memory, emotion and reaching beyond with love. About revering martyrs at their shrines and graves, he preached, “the memories that cling to those…altars [and places] where these holy bodies rest will stir our emotions and encourage us to greater love both for the martyrs whom we can imitate and for God whose grace enables us to do so.”²

By graciously empowering us to reach beyond ourselves God makes us a new creation. That phrase opened mass in mid-Advent: God…through your Only-Begotten Son [you] have made us a new creation.³ How? By being born in time and our human nature. “This wonderful blending”⁴ of divine and human John’s gospel assured us empowers [us] to become children of God. “Jesus Christ was born for this!”⁵ we sing. On the birthday of Christ Jesus in time and our human nature we recall God’s daily gift to us: God’s gift of becoming children of God.

God’s transforming gift is for every day. God gives it to us to share with others. No share in God’s healing life is given to keep. What can we offer? With his finger on the pulse of human living Pope Francis suggests kindness is the best daily gift we offer. In his recent encyclical Francis urges us to recover kindness. “Those who [cultivate kindness] become stars shining in the midst of darkness.” Christian kindness outshines good manners. It is a fruit of the Holy Spirit for us. Practicing kindness “involves ‘speaking words of comfort, strength, consolation and encouragement’ and not ‘words that demean, sadden, anger or show scorn.’” Indeed, acting kindly “opens new paths where hostility and conflict would burn all bridges.”⁶

This year has been painfully dark:: dark for all. Others feel it more intensely: survivors of Covid19; exhausted health-care workers the world over; the heroic people who allow us to carry on living day to day; those who survive loved ones, friends and colleagues who have died. They prove that the darkness of pain and exhaustion are unable to overwhelm kindness.

By offering kindness as our daily practice we help kindness become a culture. Francis reminds us a culture is a network of a people’s “desires, their interests and ultimately the way they live their lives.”⁷ In addition to easing others’ burdens giving kindness daily “transforms lifestyles, relationships and the ways ideas are discussed and compared.”⁸ The eyes of those who receive kindness may mist with tears; that mist does not obscure vision; it helps individuals see themselves more clearly: possessing dignity; enjoying respect; and living as a new creation. Resolving to offer kindness more readily imitates God’s kindness to us; it is the timely gift our world sorely needs; and each of us is empowered to offer it everyday. Merry Christmas! 

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1. Karl Rahner, “Christmas, the Festival of Eternal Youth,” Theological Investigations, vol. VII, (NY: Herder and Herder), p. 121.
2. From his Treatise Against Faustus used in the Office of Readings of the Liturgy of the Hours.
3. Third Week, Tuesday, Collect, Roman Missal.
4. Leo the Great, Letter 31.2, also in the Office of Readings.
5. 2^nd verse of “Good Christians All Rejoice,” Lyrics, John Mason Neale (1818-1866).
6. Fratelli Tutti, ##222-224.
7. Fratelli Tutti, ##216.
8. Fratelli Tutti, ##222.

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Wiki-images by Asurnipal Simple Christmas crib in a hollow tree in Frastanz, Vorarlberg, Austria & Detail of same CC BY-SA 4.0.