Homily: Feast of the North American Martyrs
Feast of the North American Martyrs (Lk. 12:39-48) “The Quandary of Mission”
The feast of St. John Isaac Jogues and St. John De Brebeuf takes on special meaning this year. These men were both Jesuit missionaries who lived in the early 17th century. They came to North America, and they wanted to spread the Gospel to the Native American people.
Missionary work has been very violent in the history of the church, and it has also been very benevolent. Who can forget the stories that were told this past summer by those Native Americans that were raised in mission schools in Canada and the United States.
It was thought that the best thing for Native American children was that they leave their culture behind and that they learn European languages and culture. This was the world they would have to live in. Children were separated from their parents, and they were put in boarding schools run by either the government or church groups. Sexual abuse took place and many children died.
During his past summer Pope Francis went to Canada to apologize to the people who were touched by this terrible situation. The Pope admitted that this method of evangelization was a huge mistake. He said that native cultures needed to be respected.
There was another way of going about spreading the Gospel. Several years ago, a film came out that was entitled “The Mission.” Jesuits went into the Amazon to encounter the indigenous people living there. They show respect for the people and their culture, and they gently try to introduce them to the western world. They also try to protect the people and advocate for their rights. In the end the Jesuits are killed by those who are trying to steal what the native peoples have, the timber, the gold, etc.
I like to think that Isaac Jogues and St. John DeBrebeuf were missionaries like those portrayed in movie. They were men who tried to preach to native peoples with empathy. Somehow, they were caught in the middle of two colliding cultures, and they died trying to be faithful to their Gospel Ideals.
1. Do I believe that Native Americans benefited from the colonization of the New World? What might have been done differently?
2. Did missionaries have an obligation to spread the Gospel in the Americas? Does the message of Jesus resonate in all cultures?
Dear Parishioners,
We had a Mass this past weekend where we anointed the sick. We had a nice attendance and a lot of people presented themselves for anointing. I think there was some healing that took place, mentally, physically and spiritually.
There are some clarifications that need to be made. For instance, children who have not received first reconciliation are usually not anointed. Part of the purpose of anointing is the absolution of sin. A young child who has not reached the age of reason is thought to be in the state of grace after they are baptized. The second time sins are absolved is usually when Reconciliation is celebrated.
Another misconception concerns something I heard at the hospital today. The sacrament of the anointing of the sick is not usually administered as a last rite before someone dies. Hopefully, people receive anointing well before they die because the emphasis is on healing. The final rite that a person has before death, ideally, is that the minister comes to lead the prayers of the dying.
Any time that people feel the need for the Anointing of the Sick they are welcome to approach Fr. Matthew or myself and we would be glad to accommodate this spiritual need.
May Our Lady watch over all of us this day,
Fr. Mark