Whenever I attend a retreat or a continuing education conference or a Priest Assembly, etc., I am always looking for teachings and insights I can bring back to my parishioners. The most recent Annual Priest Retreat for the Diocese of Raleigh turned out to be a treasure trove of spirituality that I was able to share with my parish, St. Brendan in Shallotte, NC. I wanted to share some fruits of that labor with others in the diocese, along with some pictures from the retreat.
The retreat master, Father Michael Becker, a priest of the diocese of Altoona-Johnstown in Pennsylvania, began his first session with the following quote:
“Beloved, I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands.” – 2 Tm 1:6
That just happened to be the first line of the Second Reading of last weekend's Mass (27th Sunday of Ordinary Time). Therefore, I was able to use some of the notes I took from retreat and build them into the homily for that weekend.
Eucharistic Revival in the Church, in the world, must begin with the man who stands at the altar. How do we 1) prepare for Mass beforehand? 2) celebrate Mass? 3) give thanks afterward? Give time to the Lord for thanksgiving.
God enters our world through the Eucharist. God transforms our world through the Eucharist.
At Mass we celebrate the way God has entered and transformed our world. In the Eucharist there is a “river of goodness” wider than all the evil that could ever exist. If you have said one Mass, you have done more for the world than any Head of State, ambassador, etc.
“Bear your share of hardship for the Gospel with the strength that comes from God.” – 2 Tm 1:8
Resentment is the poison you drink, hoping the other person dies. I will carry it to the grave, and it will kill me. Resentment prevents us from being the person God wants us to be.
Disappointments purify us. Life’s purpose is not to gratify us, but to purify us. Does our success make us more like Christ? No. We are not called to be successful but faithful. We must persevere through our failures and disappointments. The greatest challenge to Christian life is success, not failure. In all things we should have the disposition of Christ: humility in doing God’s will.
Father Mark J. Betti is pastor of St. Brendan the Navigator in Shallotte, NC. He has been ordained for 26 years.
