August 24, 2008

Dear friends in life and in ministry . . .

It is a sweltering Sunday afternoon, the second to last day of my brief and very full working/vacation at Chautauqua. The programs this week were both mind expanding and entertaining. On the historic Chautauqua amphitheatre stage, world renowned scientists, anthropologists, teachers, authors and even a National Geographic photographer shared their insights on the work of Charles Darwin and Carl Linnaeus (a Swedish scientist who began the immense task of categorizing and giving Latin names to the natural world and all its species). That same stage welcomed pianist and recording artist Jim Brickman, country singer Vince Gill, and comic, philosopher and television star and creative genius Bill Cosby.

Our chaplains at Catholic House, Monsignor Michael Becker of Johnstown, NY and Fr. Jim McKarnes of the Youngstown Diocese and Isaiah Ministries were outstanding preachers as were Basilian Fathers Norm Tanck and Paul English, who served as chaplains the previous week.

But essential to the richness of Catholic House are our guests, who throughout the summer have traveled from Florida, Arizona, California, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New England and New York to these hallowed and beautiful grounds.

On Saturday, I drove to the Buffalo area to attend a picnic reunion with several friends from the mid 60s at the Buffalo State Newman Center. Have you ever noticed how everybody you went to school with look so much older than you think you look? That very expensive "delusion mirror" I bought at Disneyland sure comes in handy.

On Tuesday, I'll return to the office in Bath, ready - if not rested - to meet head on the challenges and joys of my ministry at St. Mary's, Bath. Thanks to Barb, Paula, Mary Carol, Dan and Fr. Jim who allowed me to get away for a full week and two weekends without daily phone calls and updates. Just to remind them that I still existed, I called mid week, only to discover that things were coming together quite well in my absence. No surprises there, only a lesson in humility.

My column this weekend is inspired by memories of a long ago visit to Caesarea Phillipi, the site of today's gospel. It was at Caesarea Phillipi near the base of Mt. Hermon that Jesus asked his disciples - "Who do you say that I am?"

Have a great week in the sun. Winters coming all too soon.

TRAVEL WITH US IN 2009
Pat and I invite you to join us on a "Lands of the Bible Cruise" that we've scheduled for November 11, 2009. Follow the link below to download our itinerary. Then, if you are interested, drop me an email and I'll send you a brochures and registration form. http://www.deaconray.com/travel.htm

This Week's Column: August 24, 2008 - The Gates of Hell Will Not Prevail

Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to travel in the Holy Land on eight occasions. Today’s gospel brings back a powerful memory of a visit to the place where Jesus spoke the words that are recorded in the reading. Caesarea Phillipi is a Roman town built on an ancient site of pagan worship. It is partially restored today and you can see remnants of the former imperial city as well as the more ancient sacred place of pagan worship.

When I hear the gospel reading I can see Jesus standing there before the shear wall of stone against which the pagan temple was build. At the foot of the rock face is a cave out of which mysteriously flows a stream. (It comes underground from Mt. Hermon to the north). The ancients believed that this was the entrance to the underworld of darkness and evil.

It was with his back to this huge rock cliff that Jesus looked at Peter and said “You are Peter, Petros, (the rock) on which I will build my church.” It was not to the rock wall of the ancient temple and belief system that Jesus spoke, but the living breathing human being, Cepheus, whom Jesus renamed “Peter.” And, Jesus went on to say, “the Gates of Hell shall not prevail against it.”

His listeners knew immediately that Jesus was making a geographical reference to the very place where they were standing. Jesus was telling his followers that the false idols and fears of that generation would be superseded by his followers, lead by Peter.

From that time on “Peter” has lead the church into the future on uncharted ways, inspired by faith and trust in the Lord only. We know how the church spread from that humble and powerful beginning, but we continue to live in the joyful expectation that Jesus Holy Spirit is guiding our journey in faith through the ages. The challenges of our times are not small, but neither are they the first ones that people of faith have had to experience. We stand in the long tradition of faith filled people who read the signs of the times and, with the guidance of the same Spirit and the inspiration and commitment of “Peter” travel into the future with faith,confidence and hope in the Lord. The ministry of Peter is as important today as it ever was. We are blessed with his example and leadership.

Our parish community here at St. Mary’s is but one of many hundreds of thousands around the world which listen to the voice of the shepherd and give praise and thanks for what God is doing in our hearts and in our midst.

Occasionally, in the history of most every faith community, there are struggles and even internal conflicts that cause great hurt. But healing and reconciliation happens when people concentrate on keeping their minds and hearts on the Lord and the work God has entrusted to us. We dare not give into discouragement, doubt or despair? The Gates of Hell will not prevail against us.

Lands of the Bible Cruise

Speaking of the Holy Land, Pat and I, along with several pastoral leaders from throughout the Diocese invite you to join us in November 2009 on a “Lands of the Bible” Cruise. Our itinerary includes an overnight flight to Athens where we will visit the Acropolis and the biblical city of Corinth before boarding the mv Cristal, a new 471 passenger cruise ship. We’ll dock at Port Said for a visit to Cairo (the Egyptian Museum and the Pyramids at Giza) then on to the port of Ashod in Israel. For two days we’ll visit sites in Jerusalem and Bethlehem returning to the ship each evening for dinner and overnight. Our next port is Haifa where we’ll disembark to tour the Galilee with stops at the Mount of the Beatitudes, Tabgha (the site of the miracle of the loaves and fish), a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee and renew our baptismal vows at the Jordan River. After a day at sea we’ll visit the Isle of Patmos where John wrote Revelations and then to Ephesus, Turkey where St. Paul established a Christian community on his first missionary journey. After a visit to Piraeus we’ll return to Athens for our return trip home.

I’ll have brochures available shortly. Pleased let me know if you’d like more information.

Deacon Ray

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Bulletin: August 24th, 2008