Living Out Loud

Remember the first ten minutes or so of "Up"? At this point, those who saw the movie are sighing, "Oh, I cried!" Come on: admit it. I did too. The story of Carl and Ellie was magical in its simplicity and universality. Without ever speaking a word, they give us a sense of their love for one another, their commitment to one another, their absolute fidelity and willingness to give anything for each other. It is a beautiful depiction of the real love of a good marriage. The joys of starting a life together, the effort they put into their home and their work, shows the blessings of marriage in the friendship of husband and wife. Even in the midst hardship and disappointment, their marital love is completely apparent. Right to the last moment of Ellie's life, that "love never fails."



This, friends, this is what a vocation is all about - and not just the married vocation. The call to follow God as the person He has created you to be is the greatest blessing we receive and the greatest gift that we can give. A person joyfully and faithfully living their vocation is a sign to others of the reality of God's love for them and of God's love for the world. It is meant to be lived - and lived out loud.

When others see us, they should see someone who wishes to know and do what God is asking of them. They should see someone who, in following their call, has found the true Source of our happiness. They should see God's love made real in the way we live our lives.

Ellie and Carl knew that gift, and they lived it out loud and clear.

And not a word was needed.

Original Innocence

Yesterday, on the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, FLIXe network aired Franco Zeferelli's "Brother Sun, Sister Moon," a tale of the story of St. Francis. It had been a long time since I had seen the film, so I stayed and watched the second half of it. What grabs me most - especially now - is the final scene, where Francis goes before Pope Innocent III for some pope-ly advice and the Order is established. The pope - played marvelously by Alec Guinness (of Obi-Wan Kenobi fame!) - receives Francis and his companions and hears their earnest desire to be "like the larks of the fields," in imitation of the Gospel.

Seeing their holy fervor, and reflecting on his position now in the Church, His Holiness tells them, "I too started my vocation long ago in much the same way as you. But with time, all that enthusiasm passed, and the responsibilities of Church governance took hold of me, as you see." In his words, I can hear that sense of regret that he feels at having lost that "original innocence" that he tells Francis never to lose. Pope or not, he needed Francis' witness to remind him of Who had called him to that life in the first place.

As a vocations director now, I see an echo of the disillusionment that priests can sometimes feel over being caught up with administration over the real reasons they entered the Priesthood - a call from the One they loved. Mind you, this certainly does not mean that they love Jesus any less; however, it does help us to remember that no one becomes a priest to be a bureaucrat. We need examples of holy enthusiasm to remind us that it is the love of the Gospel - and especially the love of Christ - that is at the heart of who we are as Christians and as priests.

To my brother priests and seminarians I say never lose that call; never lose that love. It is a noble task to preach the Gospel to every creature - a task that belonged to Innocent, to Francis, and now, to us.

Getting Ready

I love watching Ray Lewis play. He brings an intensity to the game that, despite having done this so many times before, and play after play, is as if he had hopped fresh off the bench after college. This is no accident. He is a professional football player who gets paid a lot of money to hit people and make them cough up the ball. Such intensity requires focus - and, of course, much, much practice.

In a little over a year, we Catholics are going to be praying a little differently here in the States, as the new Missal is implemented. The text, we are told, is meant to be a more faithful and accurate representation of the official Missale Romanum - the Latin text from upon which the translation is based. What does this mean? Well, for one, we all will need to relearn the Mass prayers and responses - the faithful and the priests. I, for one, am not looking forward to having to read Mass so that I get it right, but that is the way it must be. Mind you, I am not complaining, nor am I cheering. It simply is, and as faithful members of the Church, we need to adapt.

What this also means is that we will have to put more effort into preparing for that Mass as we will be celebrating it. This change will necessarily cause us to pay attention (for better or for worse) to what we say and (hopefully) why we say it. These are not random changes; they are based on sound theology. As we pray, so we believe (lex orandi lex credendi). Just as star football players cannot simply "phone in" their performance, so much the more can we not haphazardly celebrate, attend or respond at Mass. The good that could come out of this change is one that could bring us to a new level of reverence and awareness of the awesomeness of the God whom we worship.

I have already heard some priests say, "Well, I'm just not going to do it." Ouch! What is that about? Certainly, they see an awkwardness to the words and syntax that can be difficult to pray; perhaps it may even sound silly. However, how much more silly than we priest donning beautiful flowing vestments is that? What such an attitude does is, at best, cause confusion or, at worst, divides the Church, the Body of Christ. As a priest, I cannot live with that on my conscience. I appeal to my brothers to consider Whose Church it actually is, and take advantage of this opportunity to prepare all the more and better for Mass.

There are no end-zone dances in the liturgy (thank God!); there are no bone-jarring hits. However, the same excitement, focus and preparation must mark our worship. It starts with the priest who cares to prepare, and it just might electrify the pews - to the glory of God. May the Lord of our worship be with us as we prepare.

...and with your spirit!