Recently visited the Museum of Jewish Heritage
– Exhibition on Auschwitz – “Not long ago – not far away.” First time many of
these objects have come to North America. The purpose is – so that we never
forget – so that it does not happen again.
After just a few minutes – one is speechless –
what can be said in the face of such cruelty, such evil? A question some ask –
where was God? Is there an answer? Will there ever be this side of the grave?
God does exist, but God has given us free will
– chose path of light or darkness. God chooses to work through us, his
children, to bring His light into the world, into dark places.
This is very much the role of Chris Merenda as
he begins his ministry as a Deacon for the Archdiocese of New York.
He will do this – as a human person – as a father
– as a Deacon.
1)
As a human person. At the exhibit, I was
happy to see a remembrance of St. Maximilian Kolbe. In the midst of the Nazi
terror, he and his fellow priest hid over 2,000 Jews. They were arrested. He
was sent to Auchwitz. One day 3 prisoners disappeared – Nazis said because of
this 10 will be put in the starvation bunker. One shouted out – please not me,
I’m married, I have a family. A voice was heard – take me – Father Kolbe. He
survived 2 weeks, the last one alive – led them in singing and in prayer. Light
in darkness – no greater love.
2)
As a Father – how can father bring a
light?
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Be a father who loves their mother.
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Be a father who prays.
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Be a responsible father – provide for and
protect family
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Be present to your family.
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Be a father who knows he is not perfect.
3)
As
a Deacon – Chris will do many things – he will baptize, witness marriages, lead
wakes and burial services, distribute Holy Communion, read the Gospel at Mass,
pray the Liturgy of the Hours. Particularly attentive to the poor. But what is
a deacon?
During the Nazi era, more than
2,500 priests were incarcerated at the Dachau concentration camp alone, many of
whom over the years would be assigned to cell block 26, nicknamed the Priesterblock. Now, what did they
talk about? Why wasn’t the church able to somehow influence society to prevent
all of this from happening? What can we do in the future so this doesn’t happen
again?
Immediately after the war these Dachau survivors, especially two
Jesuit priests, Fathers Otto Pies and Wilhelm Schamoni, wrote about their
conversations in a series of articles.
One of the things that they had discovered at Dachau was that the
church seemed to be missing a servant’s heart. They began to say, “We have
images of Christ the king and Christ the priest. But maybe what’s gone missing
is Christ the servant. For 100 years we’ve been talking about the possibility
of deacons here in Germany—that’s the missing piece, and that’s how this could
come together.” I come among you as one who serves!
2nd Vatican Council – German church made a push -
renewed Deaconate – so that Dachau – Auchwitz would not happen again.
To be the Light of Christ in the world, at
home, at work, in schools, in parish. That is the deacon. God bless Deacon
Merenda as he begins his ministry among us!
