April 21, 2024

Dear Parishioners,

A friend shared with me the other day this quote from the poet Rainer Marie Rilke:

“Death is our friend precisely because it brings us into absolute and passionate presence with all that is here, that is natural, that is love… Life always says Yes and No simultaneously. Death (I implore you to believe) is the true Yea-sayer. It stands before eternity and says only: Yes.”

               The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone. It’s a line we’re all familiar with. St. Peter quotes it in his sermon from Acts of the Apostles in our second reading. It’s from Psalm 118 and appears elsewhere throughout the scriptures. The rejected stone symbolizes death. Jesus died. The cornerstone doesn’t vanish into nothingness. It becomes the cornerstone of some new and fantastic building. Jesus rose from the dead.

               If we are called to be like Jesus, and Jesus is the rejected stone, then we too are called to be the rejected stone. We are the Rejected Stones (maybe a good name for a Rolling Stones cover band?). That is, we are called to face death and embrace it. When we die, we are raised.

               Sure, I’m talking about our literal deaths. Whether you are in your 20s or your 80s, it’s always a good idea to have your life in order and meditate on your death. Are you ready for it? Why or why not? Are you afraid? All things to pray and talk to Jesus about.

               But there are other deaths we are called to face everyday, smaller “deaths” then the final death, but as important nonetheless. If we can embrace those deaths, becoming the rejected cornerstone, we will be saying “yes” to something great and opening ourselves up to a new horizon.

               For example, I think of a married individual who is experiencing the “seven year itch” or a mid-life crisis. The honeymoon has worn off, they are tired or bored or frustrated with their spouse or job or home, and the temptation is to leave: find a new partner or change scenery somehow. To indulge that temptation is to avoid death, to avoid becoming the Rejected Stone.

               Rather, the invitation in this situation for the struggling partner/parent is to acknowledge the pain of the relationship and remain with the Lord in it. Don’t give up on your marriage or your home. It’s generally not the other spouse’s fault or a problem with the current landscape. It’s generally about us growing, surrendering, letting go of an old way of living. If we can let go of that old way of living, then we will become a cornerstone for something newer and better.

               This is counter-cultural. The world tells us to always be happy and to change or eliminate that which brings us pain. This is why St. Paul says the cross is a stumbling block for many. The world would not have us die. Ironically, the world’s way will cause us to die. “He who loses his life finds it, and he who preserves his life loses it,” said our Lord.

               There are many other examples we could give. The point is death is facing you in some way you’re probably not recognizing immediately. Make friends with it. As Rilke says, death is the ultimate “Yea-sayer.” And know that you’re not alone in your struggle.

+

               The Word on the Street event will take place at Harp and Fiddle this Tuesday, April 23rd. Fr. Tim Anastos, the previous associate pastor at Mary Seat of Wisdom and current assistant at the Newman Center at UIC, will join me for the discussion. Our topic will be “Does the Church need to update?”

               Our weekly Wednesday Scripture Seminar will take place this Wednesday at 9am in the Holy Family Chapel. Please note, there will be no seminar next Wednesday, May 1st.

               We are currently giving out a free book, Jesus and the Jewish Roots of Mary by Dr. Brant Pitre. We thought this would be helpful in our understanding of Mary and in enhancing our devotions for the month of May. We have 500 copies of the book. If you would like an advance copy (or two) before we put it out for the general parish in another week, please call or email the parish office. You can email Nick Testa (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). We will then have a parish-wide book discussion and lecture on Mary at the end of May, though there is no commitment to attend if you sign up for the book. We hope you will read and enjoy the book.

Yours in Christ,

Fr. James Wallace