August is a month we celebrate a variety of saints from different times and places. The month offers a short course in church history. Consider the saints we celebrate this week.

Pontian and Hippolytus are early 3rd century Roman martyrs. Sixtus II and Lawrence come from late 3rd century Rome. Clare comes from 12th century Italy , Jane Chantal from 17th century France and Teresa Benedicta and Maximilian Kolbe from our own time. Each one sheds light on the mystery of the church in time.

Pontian and Hippolytus offer a picture of the early development of the papacy in the 3rd century.

St. Lawrence was a deacon who served the poor in the latter days of that century. What does he tell us? He is a witness to the enduring mission of the church to serve the poor. He also reminds us that the church, like Jesus Christ, dies and rises again. 

Four days before his death on August 10, 258, Pope Sixtus and four deacons were seized and executed in the catacombs of St. Callistus. Following their death, Lawrence. was put to death. The Roman government killed the church’s leaders and appropriated the church’s resources, leaving it leaderless and penniless. Yet the church emerged from that critical time stronger, attracting more members than ever before. 

The church shares in the mystery of Jesus Christ, dying and rising.

What does St. Clare tell us? She founded a religious community in the 13th century that drew together women from all ranks of society; from royalty to the poorest peasants. Historians see an early advocate of women’s rights in her.

What can we learn from her? The church engages the society it lives in. It gets involved in its issues and brings it her gifts.

What does Saint Jane Frances de Chantal tell us? Like Clare of Assisi, she founded a religious community for women, the Visitandines, influenced by St. Francis de Sales and his spiritual teaching in the 17th century.. As a widow with children she wished to explore a new model for religious life, one less rigorous than older models, where women together could pursue a devout life and serve their neighbor. Though she had to settle for a more structured church model, Jane Frances de Chantel brought new life to the church.

She reminds us the church is meant to explore new ways and new structures in its path through this world. 

What do SaintsTeresa Benedicta and Maximilian Kolbe, who died in a Nazi concentration camp in 1942, tell us? The church always enters the suffering of its time, no matter how unexplainable or evil it is.

Our feasts and our saints connect us to the times we live in. Atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6th, the Feast of the Transfiguration of Jesus, and August 9, the memorial of Edith Stein, Sister Teresa Benedicta.

The saints open the mystery of the church and the mystery of our world to us.  

Pope John Paul II preached this homily on the occasion of her canonization.

4. Dear brothers and sisters! Because she was Jewish, Edith Stein was taken with her sister Rosa and many other Catholic Jews from the Netherlands to the concentration camp in Auschwitz, where she died with them in the gas chambers. Today we remember them all with deep respect. A few days before her deportation, the woman religious had dismissed the question about a possible rescue: “Do not do it! Why should I be spared? Is it not right that I should gain no advantage from my Baptism? If I cannot share the lot of my brothers and sisters, my life, in a certain sense, is destroyed”. 

From now on, as we celebrate the memory of this new saint from year to year, we must also remember the Shoah, that cruel plan to exterminate a people — a plan to which millions of our Jewish brothers and sisters fell victim. May the Lord let his face shine upon them and grant them peace (cf. Nm 6:25f.). 

For the love of God and man, once again I raise an anguished cry: May such criminal deeds never be repeated against any ethnic group, against any race, in any corner of this world! It is a cry to everyone: to all people of goodwill; to all who believe in the Just and Eternal God; to all who know they are joined to Christ, the Word of God made man. We must all stand together: human dignity is at stake. There is only one human family. The new saint also insisted on this: “Our love of neighbour is the measure of our love of God. For Christians — and not only for them — no one is a ‘stranger’. The love of Christ knows no borders”. 

5. Dear brothers and sisters! The love of Christ was the fire that inflamed the life of St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross. Long before she realized it, she was caught by this fire. At the beginning she devoted herself to freedom. For a long time Edith Stein was a seeker. Her mind never tired of searching and her heart always yearned for hope. She traveled the arduous path of philosophy with passionate enthusiasm. Eventually she was rewarded: she seized the truth. Or better: she was seized by it. Then she discovered that truth had a name: Jesus Christ. From that moment on, the incarnate Word was her One and All. Looking back as a Carmelite on this period of her life, she wrote to a Benedictine nun: “Whoever seeks the truth is seeking God, whether consciously or unconsciously”. 

Although Edith Stein had been brought up religiously by her Jewish mother, at the age of 14 she “had consciously and deliberately stopped praying”. She wanted to rely exclusively on herself and was concerned to assert her freedom in making decisions about her life. At the end of a long journey, she came to the surprising realization: only those who commit themselves to the love of Christ become truly free. 

This woman had to face the challenges of such a radically changing century as our own. Her experience is an example to us. The modern world boasts of the enticing door which says: everything is permitted. It ignores the narrow gate of discernment and renunciation. I am speaking especially to you, young Christians, particularly to the many altar servers who have come to Rome these days on pilgrimage: Pay attention! Your life is not an endless series of open doors! Listen to your heart! Do not stay on the surface, but go to the heart of things!And when the time is right, have the courage to decide! The Lord is waiting for you to put your freedom in his good hands. 

6. St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross was able to understand that the love of Christ and human freedom are intertwined, because love and truth have an intrinsic relationship. The quest for truth and its expression in love did not seem at odds to her; on the contrary she realized that they call for one another. 

In our time, truth is often mistaken for the opinion of the majority. In addition, there is a widespread belief that one should use the truth even against love or vice versa. But truth and love need each other. St Teresa Benedicta is a witness to this. The “martyr for love”, who gave her life for her friends, let no one surpass her in love. At the same time, with her whole being she sought the truth, of which she wrote: “No spiritual work comes into the world without great suffering. It always challenges the whole person”. 

St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross says to us all: Do not accept anything as the truth if it lacks love. And do not accept anything as love which lacks truth! One without the other becomes a destructive lie. 

7. Finally, the new saint teaches us that love for Christ undergoes suffering. Whoever truly loves does not stop at the prospect of suffering: he accepts communion in suffering with the one he loves. 

Aware of what her Jewish origins implied, Edith Stein spoke eloquently about them: “Beneath the Cross I understood the destiny of God’s People…. Indeed, today I know far better what it means to be the Lord’s bride under the sign of the Cross. But since it is a mystery, it can never be understood by reason alone”. 

The mystery of the Cross gradually enveloped her whole life, spurring her to the point of making the supreme sacrifice. As a bride on the Cross, Sr Teresa Benedicta did not only write profound pages about the “science of the Cross”, but was thoroughly trained in the school of the Cross. Many of our contemporaries would like to silence the Cross. But nothing is more eloquent than the Cross when silenced! The true message of suffering is a lesson of love. Love makes suffering fruitful and suffering deepens love. 

Through the experience of the Cross, Edith Stein was able to open the way to a new encounter with the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faith and the Cross proved inseparable to her. Having matured in the school of the Cross, she found the roots to which the tree of her own life was attached. She understood that it was very important for her “to be a daughter of the chosen people and to belong to Christ not only spiritually, but also through blood”. 

8. “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth” (Jn 4:24). 

Dear brothers and sisters, the divine Teacher spoke these words to the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well. What he gave his chance but attentive listener we also find in the life of Edith Stein, in her “ascent of Mount Carmel”. The depth of the divine mystery became perceptible to her in the silence of contemplation. Gradually, throughout her life, as she grew in the knowledge of God, worshiping him in spirit and truth, she experienced ever more clearly her specific vocation to ascend the Cross with Christ, to embrace it with serenity and trust, to love it by following in the footsteps of her beloved Spouse: St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross is offered to us today as a model to inspire us and a protectress to call upon. 

We give thanks to God for this gift. May the new saint be an example to us in our commitment to serve freedom, in our search for the truth. May her witness constantly strengthen the bridge of mutual understanding between Jews and Christians. 

St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, pray for us! Amen.

For this week’s homily please watch the video below.

Some years ago I was out on a fishing boat in Southern Maryland and I remarked to the captain  that I didn’t see any of the fancy navigational equipment on his boat that some yachts have  nowadays. “Ah”, he said, “I don’t need that. I know these waters like the palm of my hand. If there’s a storm coming up I’m back to the shore before any of those people with their expensive gadgets know what’s going on.”

I think Peter and the rest of Jesus’ disciples were like that captain. The fishermen on the Sea of Galilee were experts in what they did. They knew the waters like the palms of their hands. Historians today say the Galilean fishermen, far from being poor and ignorant, were savvy businessmen, comparatively well off; they knew their way around that part of the world. 

Probably that was why Jesus chose them. Fishermen, and a tax collector like Matthew, would  be good guides to the places he wanted to visit. They knew where to go and how to get there; the Sea of Galilee was their usual highway.

But a sudden storm like that described in our gospel today (Matthew 14,22-33) would shake anybody, even the experts. Walking on water was completely beyond their experience.

When we read about a miracle story like the calming of the sea and someone walking on water, we recognize the power of Jesus.  The wind and the sea obey him. Only God has such power. 

But we also need to recognize what this story says about us. First, like Peter and the rest of the disciples, we can easily fall into thinking that there are some things beyond God’s power–and ours– to do. These were confident men, yet their faith could be weak like ours. They believed –  up to a point. 

When told by Jesus to walk on the water, Peter believed– up to a point– then he said, “This can’t be; it’s not possible; it’s beyond my power and his.” And in fear and doubt he began to sink. 

Isn’t this what happen to us too? We believe – up to a point– and then we doubt. Our doubts about God’s power come, for example, in the major storms that seem to overwhelm our world. Like the vicious wars and threats of war today, the specter of global warming – global boiling, the president of the United Nations called it the other day. There are the political storms in our country today. How quickly we throw up our hands as if they all beyond God’s power and ours. 

The boat on the Sea of Galilee is the world on the sea of history. It’s the church in time. It’s the uncertainties of life that affect us all. Sickness, personal disappointments, failures, are all storms that affect us.

 We believe –up to a point – and then we doubt. How quickly we dismiss God.  There’s nothing God can do, there is nothing we can do and we sink into fear.  God doesn’t care; God doesn’t hear. God can do nothing. We may pray for awhile but that doesn’t help and we give up.

Life can sometimes be like being in a boat in a storm; it’s like walking on water. Life is not always easy, but when we call for help God hears. Maybe not right away, maybe not by working a miracle. But God’s hand is there reaching for ours. 

Peter saw how strong the wind and became frightened. “Beginning to sink, he cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught Peter. Even through he believed –up to a point – Jesus stretched out out his hand and caught him.

Let’s not forget our first reading today about Elijah finding God. Where does he find God? Not in the wind, or the earthquake, or fire, but in a “tiny whispering sound.” What is the “tiny whispering sound” where we find God? Isn’t it in ordinary daily life. God is there every day, every moment. And we believe that too–up to a point.

When we bring our offerings of bread and wine to the altar, we bring our world in all its mysterious complexity to God:  its storms and its ordinariness. God come to us in Jesus Christ, our Savior, who takes us by the hand and walks with us, who believe– up to a point.  

The great ancient empires of the Middle East, the Egyptians, the Assyrians, the Babylonians, the Romans have a fascinating history that archeologists and historians are uncovering for us today. Their work helps us appreciate the prophets we are reading in our lectionary these days:  Isaiah, Jeremiah, Nahum, Habakkuk, who tell of the Assyrian and Babylonian invasions that destroyed the Jewish kingdoms of Israel and Judah over three centuries. 

Besides the Jewish kingdoms, the great powers crushed other smaller neighbors, adding their lands to their own. Besides Jewish captives, they brought other peoples in chains to build their magnificent cities, like Nineveh and Babylon. 

Prophets like Nahum and Habakkuk, who we read in our lectionary this week, question why God permitted these mighty empires to swallow up God’s people and desecrate his Holy Land. Yes, his people were unfaithful, but why does God permit the mighty to rule over the poor? 

Nahum details the cruelties of the Assyrians and exults in the fall of Nineveh in 612 BC. It’s not Babylonian armies alone that cause Assyria to fall. God finally judges their evil.  (Friday ) 

Habakkuk openly complains to God: 

Why, then, do you gaze on the faithless in silence
while the wicked man devours
one more just than himself?

God’s answer:

 Write down the vision
Clearly upon the tablets,
so that one can read it readily.
For the vision still has its time,
presses on to fulfillment, and will not disappoint;
If it delays, wait for it,
it will surely come, it will not be late. (Saturday)

 A magnificent prayer of Habakkuk recognizing God at work in spite of everything is found on Friday morning, week 2 of the Liturgy of the Hours and on Good Friday morning. Questions of evil are Friday questions; they must be asked in the light of the Passion of Jesus.

A new documentary series  on YouTube, “History Unwalled” tells the story of the ancient Assyrians, Babylonians and Romans  using AI to reproduce their cities and times. I was fascinated by the series. Worth a look.

Today we remember the martyrs, Pope Sixtus II and four deacons who were seized while celebrating the Eucharist in the catacombs of Calixtus in 3rd century. Rome and were martyred August 6, 258. Four days after, Lawrence the deacon was executed. I’ll tell his story that day.

History has lessons for us. With the deaths of Pope Sixtus and his deacons the Roman church lost its leadership and also, as we will see in the story of Lawrence, its financial resources. That was how Rome’s emperors, like Valerian, thought they would get of annoying groups like the Christians – kill the leaders and take away the group’s assets.

In the USA and other western countries the church is experiencing loss too as churches close, the leadership of bishops and priests is weakened, and members leave. History says the church after the Valerian persecution recovered stronger than ever. Should we hope for that today?

Jesus predicted that the sheep would be scattered when the Shepherd was struck. That happened to him. Yet resurrection and a surprising birth of the church followed his death. We believe in the mystery of his death and resurrection. It’s our hope for the church today.

Church of the Transfiguration

As the world around us looks like it’s falling apart, today’s Feast of the Transfiguration is a welcome reminder  there’s glory ahead. Let’s climb that holy mountain to see far and wide.  On the mountain of the Transfiguration, Jesus revealed God’s plan for saving the world. “This is my Son, my beloved, listen to him,” God says.

“It is good to be here,” the disciples say in the gospel story, and they invite us to join them. The mystery of the Transfiguration anticipates in a transitory way the glory to come in God’s kingdom. Yes, it will come, beyond anything we know here.

When Jesus is transfigured before the eyes of his disciples on the mountain, two figures talk with him: Elijah and Moses. Why are they there?

They were prophets told by God to free others from slavery, yet they suffered to do it. Appearing with Jesus they’re reminders that glory calls for sacrifice. Jesus suffered so God’s kingdom will come.

Church of the Transfiguration

On the mountain  Jesus proclaims that all creation will be transfigured, but first the Messiah must suffer before it takes place.

Garden, Church of the Transfiguration

Years ago I visited Mount Tabor in  the Holy Land, traditional site of the transfiguration. Outside the church was a  beautiful garden with plants and flowers from all over the world. All creation waits to be transfigured, they say.

The Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord is celebrated by Christian churches all over the world, in the Ukraine, Russia, Syria and the Middle East. Can we bring to that holy mountain today places of war and violence, poverty and homelessness, where glory seems so far away? You will be transfigured too.

” Therefore, since each of us possesses God in his heart and is being transformed into his divine image, we also should cry out with joy: It is good for us to be here – here where all things shine with divine radiance, where there is joy and gladness and exultation; where there is nothing in our hearts but peace, serenity and stillness; where God is seen. For here, in our hearts, Christ takes up his abode together with the Father, saying as he enters: Today salvation has come to this house. With Christ, our hearts receive all the wealth of his eternal blessings, and there where they are stored up for us in him, we see reflected as in a mirror both the first fruits and the whole of the world to come.”

Sermon for the Feast of the Transfiguration, Anastasius of Sinai, bishop

For this week’s homily please watch the video below.