Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them,
—If anyone wishes to be first,
he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.—
Father Andrew, honored guests, my brothers and sisters in Christ,
Today we celebrate Spójnia Sunday, a day on which we reflect upon the connection between faith and works, a day on which we celebrate the insight and common sense of our Church’s founder, Bishop Francis Hodur, and of all our ancestors.
Indeed, this weekend we, in New York’s Capital Region, celebrate a great festival highlighting Polish and Polish-American culture. We highlight a people of faith, determination, and common sense.
These two celebrations flow from our unique heritage, from the strength of our traditions and from our commitment to the truth and honesty found in Catholic-Christianity.
Bishop Hodur and our ancestors understood Jesus’ lesson. They understood Jesus’ instruction regarding our place and our service.
They focused on faith.
Their strong Catholic faith was not an aside or a pastime; it was the center of their existence. From this center, from this grounding in Catholic-Christian ethics, they worked tirelessly for freedom, freedom from tyranny, freedom of expression, and freedom to worship God in full faith. They held to a dream that transcends national borders, while holding fast to a culture that joyously celebrates, and strongly defends the faith.
Through their hard work, they integrated themselves into the dream that is America. They put that dream into action in organizations like Spójnia, understanding the connection between faith, hard work, and the values enshrined in Our Country’s Constitution
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity…
They struggled.
Bishop Hodur and our ancestors realized that the struggle was not just of the moment, but of eternity.
This week’s reading from the Book of Wisdom foretells the suffering of Christ —“ and of all Christians bound to Him.
Let us see whether his words be true;
let us find out what will happen to him.
For if the just one be the son of God, God will defend him
and deliver him from the hand of his foes.
With revilement and torture let us put the just one to the test
that we may have proof of his gentleness
and try his patience.
This is the judgment of the worldly. Let us put God and His Church to the test. Let us gather evidence. Let us see if God is real and if His people hold the truth.
God Himself was put to the test in more than the philosophical sense. God Himself condescended to be mocked, dragged, beaten, whipped, and killed on a cross.
What the world didn’t realize was that the very test it subjected Him to would be His vindication. He proved Himself, not because He had to, but because He loves us.
His vindication was the raising of His Son from the grave to life. Jesus stood victorious over death and separated all of us from the snares of the world. Jesus showed us that the struggle is only a prelude to eternal perfection in His kingdom.
Our ancestors understood that well.
They set to work.
Last week’s second reading from James focused on the connection between faith and works. James took a very common sense approach to describing the fullness of the Christian life. Anyone can say they have faith in Jesus, but without the corresponding works, by which their faith is exhibited, their proclamation means nothing.
Today St. James tells us that:
Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist,
there is disorder and every foul practice.
As Catholic-Christians our responsibility must correspond to and come from the teaching of Jesuis Christ. These responsibilities have been delegated to us by our ancestors and our fathers in faith. We are to avoid all semblance of the disorder created by self interest, ambition, and jealousy. We, like Bishop Hodur, and our ancestors, are to engage in work for the common good.
That is why Spójnia, the Polish National Union of America is more than just an organization. It is a symbol and a public witness to our work. It is a symbol and a witness to our working together for the common good, setting ourselves as servants of each other, and of all people.
Bishop Hodur and our ancestors understood Jesus’ lesson very well, and by faith, work, and struggle they lived His word.
We, our families, our community, our organizations, and the Church are all called to struggle against evil. We are to uphold the banner of truth —“ the only truth there is —“ God’s truth. And, we are to work diligently on our salvation and for that of our brothers and sisters.
Amen.