Feast of the Anniversary of the Dedication of the Church, 2023
What was your favorite subject at school? Or, if you are still at school, what is your favorite subject? I wonder how many of us will answer: history? At the time I was finishing school, the history of this country wasn’t something to celebrate. The focus was on the future, on what promises the future might hold. But perhaps you are someone who likes history, or who has learnt to appreciate history, as I have.
Personal history is of course distinct from the history we took at school. Personal history will inevitably include some highs and lows: people, moments, events for which we are very grateful; and some memories that leave us rather sad, or even angry. This is normal.
The history of this our parish, which celebrates its 76th anniversary today, is where our personal history and general history overlap. Some of our most significant life events take place at a parish, and for many of us they have taken place at this parish. Think of the sacraments we have received, of baptism, confirmation, First Holy Communion, and marriage. We have also witnessed several ordinations here, some for the Oratory and some for various dioceses and religious orders. There are probably some sad and disappointing moments too. This is normal in a family, and normal in our parish family too.
From my side, and I think I speak on behalf of all the priests, I’m so grateful for my association with this parish. Serving as a priest here is fulfilling and meaningful. The love and appreciation we feel from you, and have for you, has inspired us to persevere through some difficult times.
Of course, we don’t only serve you, we also serve with you. To this end we are especially grateful for the many sacrifices you make of your time, your gifts, and finances, to make this parish all that it is.
When we think of history, it is very important we go beyond recalling just the highs and lows. We need to ask: “what is the meaning of the events we recall?” “Where is God and what is He revealing through these highs and lows?” What we will discover is that history has a purpose, and that this purpose is oriented towards our salvation and our relationship with God and his church.
Think of Israel. From one perspective Israel’s history is a series of highs and lows with lots of suffering and persecution. When we look beyond the details to what God is doing and saying, we see something special. From God’s perspective, this is how He describes Israel’s history.
“When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son… It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by the arms; …it was I who healed them. I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love. To them I was like one who lifts a little child to the cheek, and I bent down to feed them” (Hosea 11:1-4).
Although our personal history is different, it is the same God and Father who calls us out of our spiritual Egypt through baptism; who teaches us how to walk by the light of faith; who heals us with cords of kindness; who ties us to one another with bonds of love; who lifts us to his cheek to console us when we are hurting; and who bends down to feed us with his own body.
Our personal history reveals God’s efforts to love and save us. Can this be our favorite subject – salvation history? It is the history of God’s intervention in our lives, calling, consoling, correcting, encouraging, and affirming us in faith hope and love, here at this our parish, our spiritual home.
Salvation history calls forth from us a response. Among the responses possible, God calls us to prayer: “My house shall be a house of prayer” we heard today. Every time we gather in this church we gather to pray. During holy Mass, we unite ourselves to the bread and wine offered to God the Father, and we receive from Him the gift of His Son Jesus, who lowers himself to feed us with His body and blood.
To this end, we can look forward to the 40 Hours Devotion that is scheduled to take place at the end of this month. Starting on Friday 27 October at 5.30pm, the Eucharist will be exposed for adoration and prayer until Sunday 6pm. During this time, priests will be available in the confessional for us. Please prioritize this weekend for God, so that we might continue to write the history of this parish and ours in prayerful adoration of God.