Putting the pieces back together

For many of us, this week is just like any other week. We routinely leave the house, go to work, school or whatever other routines we have. We make plans for the weekend, for social outings, for visiting with friends and family .... life goes on. But for some, life will never be the same again.

It was Sunday morning in Canada when the news first was heard about the cyclone that hit Myanmar the previous evening. News reports that began pouring out of that south-asian nation on Sunday and which have continued to the present recount the pain, devastation and loss of countless thousands. In the rubble that once was their home, survivors are now not only looking for lost relatives, but searching for the most basic of necessities: food, water, some kind of order which will someday be restored.

On one hand, it might be easy for some to stand by and watch. From a distance, we might be able to offer some meagre assistance but truth be told, aside from prayer, there is not much else we can do from this distance, or is there? Nature is not the only force capable of generating a cyclone, yet many of the devastating storms of life seem to go relatively un-noticed until it's almost too late to do anything about putting the pieces back together.

Ought we not be at least somewhat solicitous of the erosion that is caused to families, to relationships, to perceptions about the truths we profess when we choose to water them down, all in the name of professionalism or tolerance? Sometimes it takes a major disaster in order to waken within us the realization that things need to be tended to. At other times, miseries can actually help us to jettison that which is no longer needed in favor of that which is truly worthwhile, beautiful and valuable.

Sometimes, if we're truly lucky, wise and astute, we manage to identify the crumbling walls around us, and tend to the cracks before it's too late. The pieces having been put together still reflect the ravages that have been endured, but the scars become part of a new design to the template which themselves bear the makings of true beauty.

A new superhero

Something magical happens in the heart of a child (no matter what age) when a good story is told. The ageless themes of good vs. evil have a way of tugging at the core of us all, for deep down we all believe that the fairy tales of our youth, and all they have to say about love and goodness does really come true in the end.

In recent years, Hollywood has really gotten into the business of weaving tales around some of our favorite childhood superheros, and done very well as a result, thanks to the dream of goodness that still lives in the hearts of us all. If one has the eyes to see it, there are many lessons of faith, even Christocentric faith, to be found in these flicks.

One of the most recent additions to the pile is the newly released Ironman. I had a chance to screen it this week along with some of my collegues, and we all agree that there are all kinds of references to be uncovered in the plot of this neophyte offering. There is of course the original struggle of the protagonist with the age-old battle of earthy vs other-worldly riches, and only when this battle is well underway do we see the truth that blossoms. Seeking the truth of the matter is not an easy task, for there are always those who are more than willing to pose roadblocks, all in the name of self-advancement, and all because these latter are blinded by their own greed to see the true effect that their actions are having.

Ironman assumes a double itentity reminiscent of Superman and only reveals this truth to his closest friends ... until he is forced to face the demons and overcome the ultimate battle, the one that rages within.

This movie may indeed make Hollywood proud and many of the former Marvel Superhero officianati will rush to see how this newest addition to the line of superheros is transformed from the pages of history to the silver screen. Even though at the end, they will leave knowing that all is right with the world and that there is something warm and fuzzy like all good films manage to capture in the short span of their run time, I'm not convinced that the majority of the viewers will truly grasp the deeper meanings behind the characters, their actions, their decisions and the effect of all this on the wider world, but then again, that's the story of faith, a story that we have been living for thousands of years. The physical surroundings may be different, but the battle continues.

Life on the street

Even in the early hours of morning, there is life on the streets. I'm in Toronto this week for meetings and had a chance to take a walk this morning in some of the old haunts I once called home. During the days of my seminary training, these were the places where friends would gather for social time, or to rush off to another class.

Many laughs were shared, and stories told while we sampled the many various cuisines which are readily found within these blocks of downtown. Some of the teachers who formed us are still living in the area, and I found myself thinking about them today too, with a thankful heart.

Even though the sun had only just come over the horizon, and therefore was not visible thanks to the myriad highrises that dot the downtown core, there is a constant din of traffic as taxis mingle with other vehicles, all competing for the same space on the same rather narrow streets. Combine that with the bicyclists and the pedestrians who no doubt will become more voluminous as the day goes on, and the result is what some would call the heartbeat of the city ... while others would run screaming for the nearest place of quiet.

There are signs of true beauty to be found too. In some parts of the country one would be convinced that we are still in the depths of winter, and yet flower boxes and planters of all varieties are in full bloom here, a sure sign of spring and the new life it brings.

This is the place where life teams and yet souls seem to be lost in the throng of life that surrounds them, but then again that's what many people come here for - to get lost in the crowd. Even the newly installed security cameras which dot the major intersections, signs of concern for individuals' safety, don't seem to deter the automatons who move blindly through the city. Yet each of these faceless ones is a person with dreams and hopes, with family and friends, with a life to be lived.

Here we are at the intersection of anonymity and the quest for identity ... in these parts, that's life on the street.

Staring at the sky

Today the Church celebrates the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord. Actually this Feast was celebrated last Thursday in Rome and in some other parts of the world, but Ascension Thursday has been transferred, by means of the decision of the Canadian Conference of Bishops, to today.

The scriptures for today speak of Jesus giving some special directions to his disciples, and then departing from them, leaving them gazing with wonder at the place where he once had stood. I wonder whether we sometimes gaze in wonder as well at all the God-given beauty that surrounds us, and whether we take the time to appreciate all that is around us.

We often hear stories of people searching today for answers to questions about things spiritual, about the truth regarding the afterlife, about the debate between science, evolution, faith and creation ... and I can't help wondering whether in the midst of all that questioning, there is still room for God's truth to be spoken.

When we look longingly at the gifts of creation, and marvel at the beauty that surrounds us, we are filled with gratitude. This is a very different reality than the blank questioning look that might be present if we were merely searching for something that was lost. On starlit nights, and on cloudless days, in the midst of rainstorms and the blinding experience of a snowstorm, do we look longingly into the heavens, gazing with wonder or do we simply stare at the sky, impervious to the reality that surrounds us?

For more on this subject, read my reflections or listen to the podcast about this Sunday's readings.

Building a civilization of love

The 49th International Eucharistic Congress is only a few weeks away, so preparations are now in high gear. From June 15-22 of this year, Quebec City will welcome Catholics from all points of the globe who will be here to celebrate our faith.

A special edition of World Youth Digest, a magazine created for youth by youth has just recently been published in anticipation of the IEC. Subtitled The Eucharist: God Gives Himself, this edition outlines

• a condensed version of the Congress theological document The Eucharist - in 200 sentences
• the theme song for the Congress entitled God's Gift
• moving testimonies
• gorgeous photographs, and
• ... important texts on the theme of the Eucharist

Pope Benedict XVI has referred to the world's youth as the builders of a civilization of love. Through this Eucharistic Congress, youth can make their voices heard, and continue to deepen within themselves their understanding of the Eucharist as the Gift of God for the life of the world.

New on the block

Just a few moments ago, the announcement was made in Rome that His Holiness, Benedict XVI has named a new Eparch in Canada. What's an Eparch you might ask? Well, he's like a bishop but has jurisdiction over Ukrainian Catholics in a given geographic area.

Effective this morning, His Holiness has accepted the resignation presented by His Excellency, the Most Reverend Michael Wiwchar, C.Ss.R., who was until now the spiritual leader of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saskatoon. His Excellency presented his letter of resignation upon reaching his 75th birthday, something all bishops are bound to do.

The new Eparch-elect is His Excellency, Bryan Bayda, C.Ss.R. A native of Saskatoon, he completed his schooling in Aberdeen (SK) before entering the Ukrainian Redemptorist's minor seminary in Roblin (MB). He pronounced temporary vows in 1983 and perpetual vows in 1986. Having completed philosophy studies (Saint Michael's College, Tonroto, 1982) and theology studies (1986), he also completed a Bachelor of Oriental Studies degree at the Sheptysky Institute (Ottawa).

Ordained a priest in 1987 he has held a variety of pastoral responsibilities in Roblin, Toronto, Saskatoon, Winnipeg and Yorkton (SK).

• Media release from the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops

While the Eparchy of Saskatoon bids farewell to Bishop Wiwchar, who has served as their shepherd for the past eight years, they will now make preparations to welcome their new leader, the fifth-youngest bishop in Canada (by age) and the newest appointed to the episcopacy in the country.

Forming and informing souls

During the month of May, the Church traditionally holds a special place in her heart for devotion to the Mother of God. Perhaps by coincidence, or by some other means, this first day of the month of May is also designated as the Memorial of Saint Joseph the Worker.

There is much to be learned from these two figures who lived simple but devoted lives. The references in scripture that speak of Joseph and Mary tell us that they were both very deep persons, who pondered the realities that unfolded in their lives and always sought to live as upright and faith-filled persons. Perhaps our world would do well to pay attention to the lessons these two have to teach: lessons about openness of heart, willingness to cooperate with the Divine Plan, trust in the guidance of one who is much greater, wiser and knowledgable than any of us can ever hope to be.

Today, I was invited to celebrate a mass with a few high school students at one of the neighbouring schools. I spoke to them about the fact that there are sometimes profound realities unfolding right before our eyes, but we are blinded to the true meaning of events or occasions until we truly take the time to appreciate the seemingly hidden reality that we find ourselves in.

These words which are so fitting as we consider the example of the Holy Family were perhaps greeted by understanding hearts and minds which will ponder the reality that they contain, but I couldn't help wondering whether the souls before me truly grasp the miracle of Jesus who comes to live among us, making himself known to us in the word of life that is spoken and in the simple gifts of bread and wine which are transformed into the very food of eternal life.

Like Joseph and Mary, perhaps these students who were specially invited guests at the banquet of the Lord will come to understand the profound gift that they have been offered. Perhaps we all will someday come to appreciate the value of Christ's sacrifice, lived out in the celebration of the sacraments.