Misinterpreting Tears

Before this past Monday’s Mass, I talked with Fr. Dave in the sacristy about what is best protocol when a parish priest is anointed during Mass.  I knew already that I was not going to preside.  Should I vest and concelebrate, or simply be ministered to?  I knew that I wanted to ask him whether I could preach.  I did, and he graciously allowed me to do so.  It became apparent to me in the Spirit, that it might be good for me to preach because of tears. 

I didn’t want those at Mass this past Monday to misinterpret my tears…and from what I could tell before Mass, there was going to be a lot of tears! For, as I greeted with a hug those attending the Mass during which I was to receive the Sacrament of the Sick, I could feel the overwhelming love of Jesus and the powerful presence of the Spirit.  For me, these are sure reasons for tears!  What might lead to a misunderstanding of my tears?

Fear Causes Tears
One primary cause of tears is fear.  Even though prostate cancer is not aggressive and not typically a cause of death, cancer is cancer, a cause for fear.  Also, major surgery and a first surgery could rightly be a cause of fear.  Therefore, fear could have been the reason for my tears at the Mass.  However, assuredly fear was not a cause for the tears that were falling from my eyes and my runny nose at Mass this past Monday. 

Easter and Tears
During the homily on Monday I reminded myself that tears had to be a part of the Resurrection.  We know for example that after the resurrection in John’s Gospel, Mary of Magdala wept because she thought someone took Jesus’ body.  Those tears were likely mostly tears of powerlessness.
 
However, just moments after, as she was weeping and looking into the tomb, the two angels she saw asked her why she was weeping.  Then, turning around to see the unrecognized Jesus, he too asked her why she was weeping.
 
Why are We Weeping?
This is a fine question to ask, not just of Mary, but of all of us when we cry or tear up and to anyone we encounter doing the same.  We shouldn’t just assume we know why we or someone else is weeping.  For, truth be known, we are so fearfully and wonderfully made that we can feel several feelings at the same time, sometimes even feelings that don’t seem to go together.  For example, when Mary felt powerless, she also probably felt anger.

Tears Not Recognized
However, if Mary was weeping because of powerlessness, anger or some other difficult feeling, surely, she and the apostles must have shed buckets more tears as they encountered the risen Lord, even as that was not reported in the Scriptures.  Indeed, tears of joy at meeting Jesus raised from the dead had to have moved them to cry like babies!  That is the kind of joy that I felt at this past Monday’s Mass.

The Resurrected Lord Jesus is Here 
 Even as Mary didn’t at first recognize the risen Jesus, thinking he was the gardener, I clearly recognized the risen Jesus in the people I saw at Monday’s Mass, from Fr. Dave and staff members to every person attending.  Jesus and his love incarnated in those people and so many praying for me were the reason for my tears…and they continue to flow as I write.

Thanks to those who are praying for me and for so many others who need Jesus’ healing.  Remember, any earthly healing points to the resurrection…and far beyond.  For any miraculous and glorious earthly healing is only temporary.  Some other kind of sickness or weakness that leads to death, the cause for temporary tears, will be in Jesus our ticket to heaven and the promise of bodily resurrection, when tears will never be misinterpreted again.  Tears of fear and sorrow will be wiped away, yielding to only tears of Jesus’ love, glory and joy!

Let the Naming Begin
Thanks to those who are offering possible names for our new parish.  At least twenty names were offered so far. While I’m not sure it has been stated anywhere, common sense would say that it is unlikely the names of our current parishes will be considered for our new parish.  As well, it is unlikely the names of the parishes that merged to create COR or Holy Trinity will be considered.  Ultimately, the reasoning behind the name is going to be key.  Assuredly, names with good reasoning behind them will rank highly.

It will be no secret to anyone the name I prefer. I promised  myself I wouldn’t offer my reasons why I think St. Crescent is a great name for our parishes until someone else offered St. Crescent as their suggestion.  Now that St. Crescent has been suggested, I’ll begin to put together the many reasons I think St. Crescent ought to be a strong candidate among the final choices.

Sincerely and with Love in Christ,
Fr. Pat