Open Hands Prepared to Receive

Dear Friend,

As I prepared this week’s letter, I was surprised to discover that the highly respected English Cardinal, Basil Hume (1923-1999) - a Benedictine monk and abbot when appointed Cardinal - chose this Sunday’s gospel for his funeral Mass. Diagnosed with terminal cancer in 1998, he shared the reason for his choice with his good friend and fellow Bishop, John Crowley.

Crowley says that at first, his friend told him, he was tempted to feel: “If only I could start all over again, I would be a much better monk, a much better abbot, a much better bishop…” But his thinking changed. He thought: “How much better if I can come before God when I die not to say thank you that I was such a good monk, a good abbot, a good bishop, but rather, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner.’ For if I come empty-handed then I will be ready to receive God’s gift.” 

There is wisdom here, and it’s worth noting that St. Francis of Assisi was taught by Benedictine monks early in his own conversion to a spiritual life. In fact, a picture in the St. Francis Room near the Porter’s Office shows St. Francis offering a gift to a Benedictine monk - a gift of fish offered in return for gifts received.

So much is contained in the image of open hands prepared to receive. In a homily I discovered online, Bishop Crowley - perhaps thinking of his old friend - says: “We’re not just a teaching Church. We’re a learning Church as well. Why? Because God’s Spirit is active throughout the whole world, never our exclusive property.” Each Sunday at Eucharist, we learn how to learn and how to receive. Let’s enter humbly this week, with open hearts and hands.  

Gratefully,

Fr. Dan ofm, Pastor