Fr. Glenn: Parting Ways

By Fr. Glenn Jones

Now we come to another Memorial Day weekend in remembrance of all those who have died in our service, not only to our nation, but to our states and all local communities … those who volunteered to go in harm’s way. Though they may cite different reasons for entering their various occupations, the soldier, the firefighter, the policeman, the emergency responder of every stripe knows in the back of his mind that he may be called to that ultimate sacrifice for his fellow Man. 

And so this weekend we honor all who have done just that, for as Jesus so beautifully says: “Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13) May all such rest joyfully in the arms of God. And … great thanks to all who continue to put themselves in danger during this time of epidemic, especially you medical personnel who, despite the danger, dedicate yourselves to the care of others. May God bless you all.

Moving on to happier thoughts, we congratulate this year’s graduating classes! Someone was kind enough to send a video of this year’s high school graduates, and watching face after face scroll by, I could not help but remember some of them as little children seemingly yesterday; how rapidly the years fly by.  And yet … there is also envious remembrance of the excitement of youth … the stepping out into the new world of opportunity of seemingly endless horizon. Alas, young people, those horizon will approach all too quickly, so make the most of your lives in the few years that we have them.

But be warned as well: along with the opportunity for good, the opportunities for the bad will be ever dangling tantalizingly before you—the lower hanging but bitter fruits ready to poison lives and relationships with family, friends … and with God. Such vices are most succinctly listed as the “seven deadly sins”, and are which virtually every culture warns against: pride (vainglory), envy, gluttony, greed, lust, sloth, and wrath. All are slippery slopes which can so easily lead to all types of ruin—both for yourselves and for others—slopes upon which we, your elders, have seen so many slip and fall. Beware of these, for they can be not only approved, but often even promoted by those who care naught for your good, but rather only for their own profit. To this end, hearken not to the fashionable nor to the popular, but remember the wisdom imparted by those who love you unconditionally; theirs is the trustworthy word.

Scripture emphasizes the danger of many of the things of the world, even in its beginning verses with the Creation story. After having been warned by God against eating the forbidden fruit which would lead to sorrow, Eve is nonetheless tempted by the voices other than God/the Good: “But the serpent said to the woman, ‘You will not die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.’ So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband, and he ate.” (Genesis 3:4-6) The serpent can represent voices which pressure us to do that which is wrong or destructive, and it is in her curiosity that Eve—representative of all mankind—works to justify her desire … a willed forgetfulness to the voice of God and goodness. Thus all must develop courage, strength, wisdom—self-control … those virtues without which there can be no successful or happy life. 

Do not worry so much, dear graduates, about having a long life so much as having a good and virtuous life. Note that at funerals no one eulogizes of the wrongs that a deceased had done, but rather only the good things; these are the things for which anyone will be remembered. And yet … neither work so much for recognition and praise, but rather in doing the right and charitable in all circumstances, whether praise is forthcoming or not; this is the mark of true honor. Only by maintaining integrity of personal life can a person lay his head down nightly in peace and clear conscience—an incomparable gift to oneself.

So, remember St. Paul’s exhortation: “…the works of the flesh are plain: fornication, impurity, licentiousness…enmity, strife, jealousy, anger, selfishness, dissension, party spirit, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5:19-23) And not only Christians, but all faiths … all cultures … treasure these virtues in mankind’s collective wisdom in the millennia of coming to know itself. 

And so, good lads and lasses … to borrow a naval benediction: May you go into the future with fair winds and following seas. Your elders implicitly wish you all the best, for you are the future; make it a good one—for yourselves, your families and for the world. And may happiness be yours now and forever. Fare well … and Godspeed.

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things…and the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:8-9)

Rev. Glenn Jones is the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe and former pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Los Alamos.

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