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Homilies,

Solemnity — Christ The King
 — 2011

First Reading: Ezekiel 34:11-12,15-17
Psalm: Ps 23:1-3,5-6
Epistle: 1 Corinthians 15:20-26,28
Gospel: Matthew 25:31-46

‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did
for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me.’

The call:

Today we celebrate the kingship of our Lord and Savior.

It is time for us, as people of faith, as subjects of the one great Lord and King, to occupy main street, Wall Street, our parishes, homes, neighborhoods, towns, cities, and the nations. It is time to take on the challenge of Jesus, using all our gifts, all our abilities, our words and actions, in a struggle to live up to the King’s way.

Background:

Our gospel is interesting. Of course it speaks about Jesus’ return in glory. He takes His place upon His throne. He is ruler and judge, and all of humanity stands before Him. Interesting, because Jesus’ account of His coming in glory is taken from St. Matthew’s writing at chapter 25. In Chapter 26 Jesus is arrested. In chapter 27 He is crucified.

Jesus speaks of His return in glory just days after triumphantly arriving in Jerusalem, just days before He is carried off in disgrace. Jesus’ discussion of His kingship, and the requirements He sets forth for us are a challenge. We are called to struggle and meet the challenge.

Challenges:

Jesus arrives in Jerusalem, and His challenge fell on the authorities. For the past years, Jesus has been preaching, and building His following, out in the boonies. The Romans, the political power of the time, didn’t care. They let Him be as He was no threat to them as long as He stayed away from their centers of power. The religious leaders of the times had been regularly challenging Jesus, but He was in the outskirts and no real threat to their power in Jerusalem.

Suddenly He was in their city, arriving triumphantly, with big crowds in tow. People were recognizing Him as the Messiah. The Romans saw the threat. He could instigate a rebellion, He was a danger. The religious leaders saw the danger. If He was the Messiah, they were out of business. They didn’t matter any more, and they would be displaced.

After Jesus’ arrest, the apostles and disciples were challenged to see this beaten, tortured, mocked man as their king and to continue following His way.

The Romans, the religious authorities, and the apostles and disciples all struggled with these challenges. They all responded in the worst possible ways.

Dealing with the challenge:

The Romans and the religious authorities dealt with the the challenge of Jesus in the way they knew best. They used their power to get rid of the problem. They silenced Jesus.

The disciples, the apostles, they dealt with the challenge of Jesus by hiding. They locked themselves in the upper room, trembled in fear of the Romans and religious authorities, and shook their heads, wondering what had gone wrong.

Recognizing the King:

No one recognized Jesus’ challenge. No one understood the struggle they were called to undertake. No one saw the call to occupy and reform the world.

The struggle and challenge was not to maintain political or religious power. The struggle and challenge was not an inability to understand God’s way, and what would happen in the future. The struggle and challenge is to live the way Jesus has shown. In doing so we take charge of and change the world. If we live that struggle, if we meet that challenge, we truly honor our Lord and King.

The world today:

We face great struggles and challenges in the world today. From our homes, to our workplaces, from our neighborhoods to our parishes, from our towns and cities to the nations; at every turn we see a fight, and we don’t know how to deal with it.

Today we are reminded of what we are to do. Today we are reminded that we are not the powerful. We are not the political authorities. We are not the bankers, power brokers, the rich. We are not the religious leaders of old in Churches that commanded through power, false glory, political influence, disciplining and casting out believers, and fear-mongering.

Today we are reminded that our King spoke of His glory on the way to His death. We must die to the desire for power and glory, and give our King the glory by following His way.

His way:

His way is this:

I was hungry and you gave me food.
I was thirsty and you gave me drink.
I was a stranger and you welcomed me.
I was naked and you clothed me.
I was ill and you cared for me.
I was in prison and you visited me.

We occupy every place we visit when we do this. When we do this we challenge Bank One, JPMorgan Chase, Wall Street, Walmart, the rich and powerful who horde the majority of the worlds wealth and resources, leaving little else for the rest of us, the rest who make up 99% of the world’s population. As the Occupy Wall Street movement has called for change in the structures of power and influence, we must call for an even greater change. We must call for a change of heart. We must call all to meet the challenge of the only Lord and King, Jesus Christ.

Real struggles:

The motto of our Holy Polish National Catholic Church reminds us that by truth, work, and struggle we will be victorious. That victory comes to us in the Kingdom of Christ.

Look at the Occupy Wall Street movement. Their call for reform, which has been wholly peaceful and collaborative, has been met with arrest, beatings, and pepper spray. Churches that have offered sanctuary to these protesters have had government spies infiltrate their congregations. Simple calls for change are met with strong resistance. Things haven’t changed much in 2,000 years.

But what will happen when we meet Jesus’ challenge and occupy the nations? What will happen when our work and our words call for a change of heart? Don’t get it wrong. The world sees the Holy Church as operating in the boonies. We are no real threat to the centers of power, yet!

It is up to us. The King is calling us to a revolution. This is a revolution of hearts. It is a revolution that will be plain and apparent when every heart steps up to give food and drink, to open doors in welcome, to clothe and care for, and to spend the time with all who need.

We face an enormous challenge and struggle. With Jesus as our King we can do these things and so much more. Hearts will be changed because of us. We will not be defeated, we will not be shut down. Our King is with us. Amen.

Christian Witness, PNCC, , , ,

From the Consecration of the Rt. Rev. Paul Sobiechowski

On the Feast of Saint Luke the Evangelist, our Holy Church entered into a new reality. The Very Rev. Paul Sobiechowski was consecrated to the office of bishop in the Holy Polish National Catholic Church. Bishop elect Paul chose Rev. Stanley Bilinski and Rev. Raymond Drada as his chaplains. The principal consecrator was the Most Rev. Dr. Anthony Mikovsky, Prime Bishop of the PNCC. All bishops of the PNCC, active and retired were co-consecrators. Prime Bishop Mikovsky celebrated the Holy Mass assisted by Rev. Bruce Sleczkowski as deacon and Rev. Gregory Młudzik as subdeacon of the Mass. The readings and Holy Gospel were proclaimed in English, Polish, and Spanish. As part of the consecration rite, bishop-elect Paul chose to sign the Declaration of Scranton, which was first signed by our organizer, Bishop Francis Hodur, and signed by every bishop candidate ever since. Over 400 faithful participated in the Holy Mass.

Significant not only in its ritual and celebration, the Holy Rite was witnessed by ecumenical clergy from various jurisdictions from around the globe: Bishop TIKHON of the Orthodox Church in America; Most Rev. James C. Timlin, retired bishop of the Roman Catholic Church, Scranton diocese; Rt. Rev. Richard W. Lipka, from the Anglican Church of North America (ACNA), with whom we have recently sought dialogue; and Abbot-elect Luis A. Gonzalez, OSB, also of ACNA, whom Bishop Paul will witness his installation at St. Benedict’s Abbey in Bartonville, Illinois. These present were significant in showing the viability the PNCC has within the ecumenical world, as well as its place in the community of Christian Churches.

The ritual was performed with the utmost dignity and jubilation. It was my personal honor to be of assistance to the National Liturgical Commission helping in procession and sanctuary logistics.

Following his consecration, Bishop Paul becomes the Diocesan Ordinary of the Eastern Diocese. He plans to be in residence sometime prior to the Christmas holiday.

Please continue to pray for him, his family, and his ministry.

Christian Witness, Events, PNCC, , ,

The Consecration of the Very Rev. Paul Sobiechowski

By determination of the Prime Bishop, with the concurrence of the Supreme Council, the Consecration of the Very Rev. Paul Sobiechowski to the Office of Bishop in the Holy Polish National Catholic Church will take place on the Feast of St. Luke the Apostle and Evangelist, Tuesday, October 18th.

Fr. Senior Paul was elected to the Office amidst the work of the Church’s 26th General Synod last fall.

Very Rev. Paul Sobiechowski was born in Detroit, Michigan’s East Side. His father was an autoworker and his mother was a homemaker. Fr. Senior Paul spent his formative years at All Saints Polish National Catholic Church. He graduated from Wayne State University with a degree in history and Polish Language, completed his studies at Savonarola Theological Seminary, and was ordained to the priesthood in 1979. Father Paul served All Saints Cathedral Parish in Chicago for 4 1/2 years as assistant to Bishop Joseph Zawistowski.

From December 1983 through March 2011 Father Paul served as Administrator of the Bishop Kardas Memorial Home and continues to serve as Pastor of St. Joseph’s Polish National Catholic Church, Davie, Florida. The administrative senior of PNC parishes in Florida, he has served the general church as a member (past chair) of the Commission on Mission and Evangelism and as a member of the Supreme Council. For many years he has been a member of the Liturgical Commission and the PNC/RC Dialogue. He is chair of the PNC/Anglican Dialogue. Additionally, Father Paul has been the chaplain for the Polish Legion of American Veterans (state of Florida) and has coordinated an ecumenical chaplaincy program at a local hospital in South Florida for more than 20 years. Father Paul has embraced the challenges and joys of serving a culturally diverse congregation, preparing and celebrating liturgies in Polish, English, Spanish, and most recently Haitian Creole.

Following his consecration, Bishop Paul becomes the Diocesan Ordinary of the Eastern Diocese of the PNCC. Please continue to pray for him, his family, and his ministry.

Christian Witness, DNKK, PNCC, , , ,

God bless new Fathers Tore and Roy-Olav

Deacons Tore Andreas Andersen and Roy-Olav Øien were ordained to the Holy Priesthood by Bishop Roald Flemestad for service in the Nordic Catholic Church on Saturday, August 6th. May our Lord and Savior bless their service to His Holy Church.

Additional photos from the ordinations can be found at Flicker.

O Lord Jesus Christ, great High Priest and gracious Shepherd; receive Thy servants Tore and Roy-Olav, whom Thou hast consecrated to minister to Thee in holy things and grant them such purity of heart and life and such zeal for souls, that they may bring many into union with Thee and fulfill their ministry in holiness to Thy glory, our Lord and Savior. Who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen. — A Prayer for Priests from A Book of Devotions and Prayers According to the Use of the Polish National Catholic Church.

Art, Christian Witness, ,

Art for Sunday in the Octave of Corpus Christi

Christ and the Disciples at Emmaus, Pascal Adolphe Jean Dagnan-Bouveret, 1896-97

So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He appeared to be going further, but they constrained him, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognized him; and he vanished out of their sight. They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the scriptures?” And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven gathered together and those who were with them, who said, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread. As they were saying this, Jesus himself stood among them. — Luke 24:28-36

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Art for the Solemnity of Pentecost

The Holy Spirit, Corrado Giaquinto, 1750

See how the Lord’s promise was fulfilled: “I will not leave you orphans; but I will send the Spirit, the Paraclete” (John 14:18,26) who speaks for everyone as their Advocate. Coming on behalf of the Word, he came with tongues. The tongue represents knowledge expressed in words, and the two elements cannot be separated. So the Word of the Father (that is, the Son) and the Holy Spirit are inseparable, being indeed of one Nature. “Come, spirit, from the four winds and blow upon these slain and let them live again” (Ezekiel 37:9).

And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they began to speak with divers tongues, according as the Holy Spirit gave them to speak (Acts 2:3-4). Behold the sign of fullness. The full vessel overflows, and fire cannot be hidden. They spoke with every tongue; or else, though they spoke with their own (Hebrew) tongue, they were understood by all as if they spoke the proper tongue of each. The Holy Spirit, sharing with each as he will (1 Corinthians 12:11), breathes his grace where, how, how much, when and on whom he will. May he deign to breathe it on us, he who this day breathed his grace on the Apostles in tongues of fire. To him be always praise and glory, through everlasting ages. Amen. — From a Sermon of St. Anthony of Padua for Pentecost as found in The Sermons of St Anthony of Padua translated by Paul Spilsbury, 1979

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On the installation of the Rt. Rev. John Mack, 8th Bishop of the Central Diocese of the PNCC

From The Times Leader: Keeper of the faith: Area Polish churches welcome new bishop

SCRANTON – Newly ordained 25 years ago, the Rt. Rev. John E. Mack had modest goals.

He became pastor of a Polish National Catholic Church parish in Massachusetts.

On Sunday, the 55-year-old Detroit, Mich., native was installed as eighth bishop of the Central Diocese, the church’s largest, covering Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Maryland and stretching into Colorado and Los Angeles.

“You don’t become a priest thinking you’re going to become a bishop,” said Mack after the solemn ceremony and Mass at St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr Cathedral attended by approximately 200 people and bishops and priests from other dioceses.

“It’s something God calls you to,” he said.

The church, which broke away from the Roman Catholic Church, was founded [sic] in 1897 by the Rev. Franciszek Hodur, who was pastor of the cathedral and the first bishop. Mack has been pastor at the mother church on East Locust Street since February, when he was assigned to head the diocese. He previously served as auxiliary bishop of the Buffalo-Pittsburgh Diocese for three years.

The promotion requires him to serve in more than one role, said his predecessor, the Most Rev. Anthony A. Mikovsky, who was elevated to Prime Bishop of the church.

He must be a teacher, ensuring what is taught is in accordance with the faith, and he must be keeper of the faith, Mikovsky noted.

“Above all of these, the bishop is to be a shepherd,” said Mikovsky, pointing out the symbolism of the wooden staff carried by Mack as leader of the flock.

Mikovsky imparted some advice, acknowledging Mack had heard it before, “My brother John, I tell you something you already know, love your people.”

And to the people, Mikovsky said, “Pray for your bishop.”

Mack has made a good impression on Barbara Placek of Harding.

“I think he’s going to be good. He brings a refreshing essence to the church,” she said.

“He’s musically oriented,” she added.

Mack started taking piano lessons when he was 8 from his great aunt Laura Jaworowski of Clifton, N.J., when she spent summers with his family, according to a church biography of the new bishop. Mack and his wife, Sherry, have three children and all of them participated in the installation. Their daughter, Rebecca, 24, served as cantor. Their sons, Andrew, 17, played the flute and Phillip, 21, was a lector.

From the Times-Tribune: Diocese formally installs bishop

Three decades ago, seminarian John Mack taught St. Stanislaus children catechism, followed with a lesson on the basketball court.

At 6 feet 3 inches, Mr. Mack impressed his students with a passion for the Lord and the layup. Sunday, some of those former students looked on as the man they met as a seminarian was installed as bishop of the Polish National Catholic Church’s Central Diocese at a Mass at St. Stanislaus Cathedral

“He was very friendly and energetic,” said one of those students, Fred Aebli, after the service. “It’s neat to see him come back in such a big way.”

Yours truly as Deacon, Bishop Mack, Subdeacon Donald Wunderlich
Bishop Mack had been in the post since Feb. 1, but his era as the eighth bishop of the Scranton-based religion officially began at the Mass with the certification of the election results and passing of the symbolic pastoral staff.

Prime Bishop Anthony Mikovsky reminded those at the ceremony that the elected bishop has the authority of God and God’s people, and he exhorted them to “Unite in faith…. follow, listen and work.”

Bishop Mack had recently been auxiliary bishop in the Buffalo-Pittsburgh Diocese. He was elected to the new post after Bishop Mikovsky was elected prime bishop in the fall.

Bishop Mack will also serve as pastor of St. Stanislaus Cathedral, the denomination’s mother church.

While Bishop Mack moved on from his education in Scranton, he never really left, said Joe Nasser, president of the St. Stanislaus Men’s Association.

With the headquarters of the church in the city, he was a common sight in Scranton throughout his career.

“He’s the same as a bishop as he has always been in his career: down-to-earth, a good communicator, and easy to get a hold of,” Mr. Nasser said. “The new leadership has made this an exciting time here.”

After the Mass, the church held a reception in the parish youth center.

Bishop Mack was born and raised in the Polish National Catholic Church in the Greater Detroit area and attended Savonarola Theological Seminary in Scranton.

He and his wife have three children.

Art, , , ,

Art for the Sixth Sunday of Easter

The Baptism of the Ethiopian Eunuch by the Deacon Philip, Lambert Sustris, ca 1545

Philip went down to a city of Sama’ria, and proclaimed to them the Christ. And the multitudes with one accord gave heed to what was said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs which he did. For unclean spirits came out of many who were possessed, crying with a loud voice; and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was much joy in that city.

Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Sama’ria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit; for it had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.

But an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert road. And he rose and went. And behold, an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a minister of the Can’dace, queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of all her treasure, had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning; seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah. And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go up and join this chariot.” So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “How can I, unless some one guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. Now the passage of the scripture which he was reading was this:

“As a sheep led to the slaughter or a lamb before its shearer is dumb, so he opens not his mouth. In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken up from the earth.”

And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, pray, does the prophet say this, about himself or about some one else?” Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this scripture he told him the good news of Jesus. And as they went along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What is to prevent my being baptized?” And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught up Philip; and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. But Philip was found at Azo’tus, and passing on he preached the gospel to all the towns till he came to Caesare’a. — Acts 8:5-8,14-17,26-40

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