Hunger

"Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the desert for forty days, to be tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when they were over he was hungry."

-Luke 4:1-2

 

I love the simplicity in the last line of this passage. Jesus did not eat for 40 days and afterwards he was hungry. I also love what seems like a contradiction that occurs at the conclusion of Jesus's time in the desert: Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news of him spread throughout the whole region (4:14). Jesus spends 40 days in the desert. He does not eat a thing. He is tempted by the devil and He emerges from that experience in the "power of the Spirit."

 

If we are made full in our hunger, than put a fork in me.

 

I was hungry after what amounted to a 9 and 1/2 hour fast on Ash Wednesday. At about 9:30 a.m., as we finished the Eucharistic Celebration, my stomach growled. I was hungry. I'm not sure it was because of a lack of sustenance in my belly. Instead, I feel that the psychosomatics of knowing that I wasn't going to be able to eat in between meals played a trick on my body. All day long I felt hungry. Even throughout the course of Thursday and Friday, I have felt hungry.

 

Jesus made it 40 days. In the desert. With the devil tempting Him.

I had a hard time making it through day one.

 

Furthermore, I set out before the beginning of Lent to try to compose 40 blogs throughout these 40 days. I didn't even make it to day two with this one. I went to bed last night tired, empty and worn.

 

And hungry.

 

This hunger, though, is precisely what God wants us to feel. He wants our physical, temporal and earthly hungers to lead us to Him. He wants us to hand Him our yoke and burden for with Him it will be easy and light. He wants us to come to Him when we are worn. He wants to make us anew.

 

The Psalmist (51:12) writes, "A clean heart create for me, God; renew within me a steadfast spirit."

 

May this be our prayer of Lent. May our hunger remind us that we do not live on bread alone. May our tiredness amplify our desire to rest in His peace. May our emptiness allow us to recognize our incompleteness without Him. May our struggle invoke the perseverance of our Lord on His way up Calvary. Finally, may our striving humbly attempt to mimic God's intense pursuit of our hearts, and may we, this year, finally allow ourselves to be caught...and loved...and saved...and fed.   

They'll Know We Are Christians

Ash Wednesday is no longer a Holy Day of obligation. It remains, however, one of the most heavily attended Masses throughout the course of the year in Catholic Churches. Like Palm Sunday, the Church gives something in addition to the Eucharist on Ash Wednesday. Attendees process in the same fashion as Communion and receive ashes, made from the palm branches from last Palm Sunday, in the shape of a cross on their foreheads. While receiving this sign of faith, the minister of ashes says one of the following phrases:

"Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return."

"Repent and believe in the Gospel."

The readings taken from the Mass speak of returning to God with our whole hearts. They encourage us to rend our hearts and not our garments. We are to proclaim a fast and gather the assembly of people. Reconcile. Do not perform deeds so that others can see you. Give alms but don't blow your trumpet. Don't even let your right hand know what your left is doing. Go and pray by yourself. Fast in such a way that those around you would think you've had your fill. Wash your face and anoint your head.

And walk around all day with ashes on your forehead.

The message seems to be a bit mixed. Do all of these things in secret but write your commitment to Christ literally across your forehead. Don't let anyone know that you're fasting and doing penance but everyone that you see today will notice the smudge on your forehead.

Our faith is filled with contradictions, though. Be in the world but not of the world. Love your enemies. Pray for those who persecute you. Be strong in your weaknesses. Die so that you may have life.

Perhaps the ashes on our foreheads help us to remember that our true focus should be on Jesus. Perhaps they are a way to humble us, knowing that maybe we'll give up chocolate to hopefully lose a few pounds or that we'll be nicer to people to gain potentially some sort of social advantage. These are noble reasons, but like the pharisees, we will gain earthly rewards if we have an earthly focus. Instead, our purpose in submitting ourselves to prayer, fasting and almsgiving should be to return to Jesus with our whole hearts, not just the part that has something else to gain.

Perhaps this Lent we will recognize the temporal nature of our bodies and the eternal heritage of our souls. Perhaps this Lent we will repent and believe in the Gospel.

Perhaps the ashes are a challenge for us to get outsiders to know that we are Christians not by the crosses on our foreheads but by the love in our hearts.

By our love, not ashes on our foreheads. By our love.

Cast Your Net - Annual Pastoral Appeal Speech

At the risk of putting you to sleep, I want to ask you to close your eyes. I want you to participate in the Ignatian exercise of imaging yourself in a piece of scripture. I want you to think of yourself as one of the disciples on the boat with Simon Peter or even imagine that you are Simon Peter, or James, or John or an additional member of the crew that night. In whatever way you can, put yourself into today's Gospel reading as I reread and paraphrase a portion of it.

You've been out fishing all night, which means you've been up all night. You also haven't caught a thing. You're tired. You're damp from the crashing waves and maybe even a bit sweaty from casting and collecting your nets, which have grown heavier and longer as the night has continued.

You're just about to cut your losses and head back home when Jesus tells you, “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.”

Simon says in reply, “Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets.”

So, one more time, even though you think it completely pointless, you go back out into the deep water and cast your net.

You catch a great number of fish, so many that your nets are actually tearing from the weight. You call to your partners in the other boat, "We need some help with this catch! You won't believe it! Come quickly!" 

Your companions hurry to where you are and assist in reeling in this abundant catch. Your excitement turns into giddiness and for a second you imagine that you must be dreaming. You haven't had a bite all night and now, exhausted, you yield the biggest catch of your life.

Both boats get filled with so many fish that they are in danger of sinking.

You and the entire crew are absolutely astonished at the number of fish. You hear Peter say something but you're too overwhelmed to process what he's saying. You hear Jesus respond, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.”

You return to shore. You unload the boat, still amazed at the enormity of what has happened. In this moment, you commit yourself to following this man named Jesus wherever he may lead you.

Now I want you to consider this story in light of our Annual Pastoral Appeal. I want you to consider that your emotion about hearing me speak this morning is probably similar to what the disciples felt when they heard Jesus tell them to put back out into the deep one more time and cast their nets. You've been asked for money from so many different people in so many different ways. You're tired of it. You figure that nothing good will come of it or that what you can give won't make enough of a difference so why bother. 

If I'm correct in this assumption, or at least close to hitting the mark, I want you to also consider that casting your net by making a donation to this year's annual pastor appeal will yield such an abundant harvest that you will be overwhelmed by the catch. You may not be met with the giddiness that the disciples experienced on the morning of that record setting catch, but you will make a difference that extends far beyond the walls and property of Incarnation and is far greater than any monetary amount you can offer.

The German poet Goethe writes, 

"Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back-- Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth that ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves, too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.”  

Cast your nets. Give Him two fish and five loaves. Bring Him six jars of water. Commit and let Providence, that is Jesus, move.

Today, Incarnation Catholic Church is asking for your commitment in this year's annual pastoral appeal.

With the help of APA funding last year Catholic Charities helped over 14,500 clients; 3,600 children and over 11,000 adults. Shelters of Hope programs provide safe living environments for families and individuals facing a limited income, disability, crisis, or other situation that causes them to be without housing. Over 4,000 families received this service thanks to APA funds last year. Pinellas Hope, a facility that provides temporary housing for up to 250 people, has helped over 1,000 individuals since opening in 2006. 67% of APA funds go for services for our parishes, Catholic schools, and social services such as those previously mentioned. APA funds support the education of our 30 seminarians and it supports 17 men and their wives who are in formation for the permanent diaconate. The other 33% of the funds go to support Parish and diocesan ministries such as the migrant apostolate, prison ministry, Spirit FM, Scouting, and the Marriage Tribunal which helps people going through difficult process of a divorce and potential annulment.

This year our APA goal is $211,180. This assessment must be paid through your generosity. Otherwise the funds come out of Incarnation's normal collections or savings, cutting into the ministries and services offered here at Incarnation.

If you are prepared, you can make a donation today. There are envelopes and forms in your pews. If you're writing a check, please just ensure that you put Incarnation in the memo line. You can decide to spread your donation out over the course of the year making monthly payments instead of one lump sum. You can pay via credit card. You can apply match grant funds if your company or business performs this charitable service.
Above all else, right now, we are asking for your commitment. In just a moment you'll be afforded some time to pray, reflect and even dialogue with your family about making a commitment. It is my prayer that the Holy Spirit will come into your hearts and inspire you to cast your nets.

You may be tired of giving. You may think that what you have to give doesn't matter or isn't enough to make a difference.

But today, providentially, Jesus is telling us to "Put out into the deep waters and lower our nets for a catch." He's telling us to commit so that Providence can move, too. Jesus is encouraging us that whatever we can do, or dream we can do, to do it.

Cast your net and allow Jesus to turn it into something amazing.  

The Summons

"As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen. Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
Then they left their nets and followed him. He walked along a little farther and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They too were in a boat mending their nets. Then he called them. So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and followed him."

-Mark 1:16-20

 

As part of a way to promote vocations to the priesthood and religious life, the Catholic Church in America sponsors an annual Vocation Awareness Week. This year, Vocation Awareness Week is this week, January 13 - 19, and the Gospel passage above just happens to be the Gospel reading from the first day of this week focused on promoting vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and consecrated life through prayer and education. This week of attention to vocations is also aimed at renewing our prayers and support for those who are considering one of these particular vocations. "Come after me" Jesus says, and Simon and Andrew leave their nets behind and follow Him. Similarly, He calls the sons of Zebedee, James and John, and they leave their nets and their dad and the hired men and they follow Jesus.

 

"Come after me," Jesus calls. He is hoping we will follow.

 

The word vocation's Latin root literally means a call or a summons. From a religious standpoint, a vocation formally signifies a persons' call from God to become a priest, brother, deacon or religious sister or nun. In a more generic way, though, it represents the particular plan that God has for each and every individual. Going beyond merely mentioning religious, married or single status, a vocation can be thought of as what God intends for an individual to do with his or her life. It is the specific task that can be done by you and you alone.

 

It's your authentic swing, your purpose, your calling, your meaning, your passion, your reason for living. One's vocation is the song that God places in the heart that can't be other than sung. It is the thing that sets your heart on fire. It gives you life and it is what you'd be willing to give your life doing.

 

Discovering your vocation requires prayer, discernment, study, dialogue, patience and hope. In some cases, like Simon and Saul, this discovery starts with an encounter with Jesus that is both name and life changing. It takes Peter a multitude of conversations, foot-in-mouth moments and failures in order to come to terms with his call. Paul spends time in intense study before he can regain his physical sight and gain his spiritual one.

 

Jesus calls them. He gives them a new name. His gives their lives new purpose, meaning and direction. Together these two men - one a fishermen, the other a soldier - establish the Church and account for the conversion of countless people. Their vocations had a part in the passage of faith that lives on today in those who call themselves Christians.

 

Perhaps your vocation will be responsible for the passage of faith to future generations for many ages to come. Perhaps your vocation will save even one life. Perhaps your vocation will comfort those who are brokenhearted. Perhaps your vocation will break a cycle of violence, abuse or hatred. Perhaps your vocation will set your heart on fire and give your life new purpose, meaning and direction.

 

I have heard it said that God's plan for your life is well beyond even your heart's greatest desire and that doing what He wills for you will bring you more joy than you can even imagine.

 

Getting students to have a sense of vocation is part of the vocation of Catholic educators. Getting students to be able to listen for, recognize and respond to God's voice is what we're supposed to do in Catholic schools. Having a truer sense of our own vocation as Catholic school teachers and believing that our work as Catholic educators is our life's song might actually increase the number of young people answering God's call to priesthood, diaconate or religious life.

 

Actually following Him, regardless of the nets that we have to leave behind or the people in our lives to whom we must bid farewell, is what He commands of us.

 

"Come after me," Jesus calls. It's not a question, it's an order.

 

So, let us Follow Him.       

 

*Please pray for an increase to vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and religious life!*

Finding CHRISTmas

Finding CHRISTmas

Go

Tell it on the mountain

Up on the rooftop

On the busy, city sidewalks

Over the fields, in the meadows

and everywhere

that Jesus Christ is born.

Dash through the snow

Deck the halls

Dance and prance in the frosty air

Are you listening?

Do you hear what I hear?

See what I see?

Do you even know why this jubilee?

I’m telling you why:

Follow yonder star

Shout joyfully

Throw your cares away

Sing in exultation

Bring Him laud

The Lord has come!

Let Earth receive her King!

Fall on your knees and hear the angels singing

From now on our troubles will be far away

For Christ was born on Christmas day.

Let them know it’s Christmas time

It doesn’t show signs of stopping

Joyful and triumphant

Behold Him

Adore Him

Face unafraid the plans that we’ve made

Go out in the storm

Take the road before us

Sing out in chorus:

Joy to the world!

Christmas is here!

Heavenly peace!

Heavenly peace on Earth!

Jesus Christ is born!

Go.

Tell it!

-Michael Zelenka

Christmas This Year

The recent events from Connecticut were absolutely horrific. As Gov. Dannel Malloy stated, "Evil visited this community" that day. In the days since, many questions from concerned parents flooded my inbox, my desk and my conversations. How will ICS keep its students safe? How will any school? The Newtown tragedy has sparked much debate about gun laws, school safety and security and mental health issues.

I will break from my usual neutral stance on politics to say I support stricter regulations on the possession of firearms. I will maintain my position (see "Safe and Sound") on the vitality of safety and security in schools. Every other school in the country outside of Sandy Hook got lucky on December 14, 2012. Sadly, evil could have walked into any of our schools and wreaked the same level of havoc. Even sadder, evil still could visit us. Any of us. And while schools were probably the safest place for kids to be on December 17 (Hillsborough County employed modified lockdowns for all schools and sent patrol cars to each location), our reaction to the events in Newtown must be more than just a shot in the arm. Our reaction must last much longer than 26 acts of kindness and one week of no outside activities. It must change our approach to our children in this country. It must awaken us to the many evils we expose them to each and every day - poor nutrition, neglect, violence, sex, drugs - and inspire us to change.

May the victims of 12/14/12 not have died in vain.

Along these same lines, my father's passing created an enormous hole in both my heart and my life. In so many ways, I have seen God's hand providentially moving me through the grieving process and have come to accept God's will, however difficult, in this situation. My father lived a good life and his life had a beautiful ending. Even though I didn't know him for the first 34 years of his life, I feel as though he died as his best self.

What a way to go out.

But, the pain and shock of his sudden passing have burdened me with wanting the death of my father to change me. The love and closeness I felt to my family during this loss are feelings that I hope will continue. My dad's death caused me to see my dad with new eyes; I hope that this graciousness allows me to be more patient, loving and forgiving. I want to pray more. I want to be stronger. I want to focus more heavily on my family and put less of my being into my career. Normal isn't normal anymore. There is no going back to a life with my father. And if I can't go back, then I want my path going forward to be different, better, truer to who God created me to be.

I want my dad's passing to inspire me to change.  

Tomorrow, Christians around the world will celebrate the moment that God broke through all of the muck and mess of humanity and sanctified it through the Incarnation. God took on human flesh and in doing so blessed our human lives with His divinity. This single moment, when Christ came into the world, changed the course of human events forever. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son so that all who believe in Him may not die but may have eternal life (John 3:16)." By this same time tomorrow, presents will be opened, services will be attended, good deeds may have even been done, but will we go back to our normalcy on Wednesday? Will we allow the commemoration of Christ's birth to change us? Will we be different, better, truer to who God created us to be?

I pray that this Christmas will put a greater emphasis on the importance of family. I pray that Christmas this year will help us to see those in need and more quickly and frequently run to their aid. I pray that it makes us more patient, more loving, holier and more willing to submit, as Mary did and as I'm trying to, to God's will. I pray that Christmas this year changes us both for the good and for good.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Life.

A Catholic Education

St. Paul writes in his letter to the Philippians:

"Brothers and sisters: I pray always with joy in my every prayer for all of you, because of your partnership for the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus. God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer: that your love may increase ever more and more in knowledge and every kind of perception, to discern what is of value, so that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God."

-Philippians 1:4-11

In mid-November, the last time that my dad hugged me, he told me that he was proud of me. These simple words and that simple embrace will stay with me forever. At the time, I had no idea it would be the final time I'd embrace him. I had no idea it would be the last time that I would hear his voice in person.

Our father’s death was sudden. It was unexpected. It was heartbreaking.

But, his passing is not without hope. My dad was a good man - one of the good guys. In a sentence, he always did the right thing. It may not have been easy. He may have at times outwardly complained about it or griped in the middle of it and after it, but he would do it. He was a man of conviction. His faith in Christ Jesus and his love for his Catholic Church was always apparent; over the past few days these characteristics of my dad have radiated ever more brightly. My dad was a good man. We are all confident he is enjoying eternal life.  

As my mom, my siblings and I have reflected on this immense loss in our life, and mourned the days with my dad that will never be, we have all expressed how much we’dlike for one more day with him, one more hour, one more minute. We have also explored the impact that dad has had on our lives. In the end, we arrived at three "ENDURING UNDERSTANDINGS" that our dad imparted to each of us. In the world of education, the term “ENDURING UNDERSTANDING” is used to describe the broad brush strokes and overarching themes that contribute to lasting and meaningful wisdom. I offer the following three as a small portion of the legacy of Robert Zelenka:  

ENDURING UNDERSTANDING 1: Working hard is a key component to finding success in anything that you do.

My dad was one of the hardest working men I have ever known. He was an ideal employee. I never remember my dad taking a sick day (my dad never really got sick anyways). He was loyal to his bosses and would go the extra mile to fulfill their desires. He was good at what he did - blessed with the gift of gab, my dad was a natural salesman. As a pharmaceutical salesman, he worked hard at developing relationships with doctors that he would visit, restaurants who would cater his product pitches, and anyone with whom he came in contact. He worked hard at his job, but even harder with this family. I don't think that my dad missed a single game in which I played, or my brother Joe played or a concert in which my sister Mary performed. He had an incredible determination - waiting for hours on end for a football practice to end, driving through the night to attend games or make family visits, or sing itsy bitsy spider for 37 straight times at the request of one of his 7 grandchildren. 

I can't say for certain that my dad never told me that working hard was a recipe for success in any area of life. He may have explicitly offered that guidance. His life, though, was a shining example of the fruits of hard work.

Working hard is a key component to finding success in anything that you do.

ENDURING UNDERSTANDING 2: Your family should always come before yourself.

It says so much about my dad that my daughter Elizabeth, at age 2, was so excited to come to Ohio because of a chance to visit Nana and Papa (pronounced Pa-pa! in what my mom and dad considered to be the cutest French accent). She absolutely adored her Papa. All of Dad’s grandchildren adored him. The adoration was mutual. 

My Dad was never big on displays of emotion, but he was never short on big displays of love. He was an impossible person for whom to buy gifts because he never wanted anything for himself. His heart's desire was to give gifts. I cannot think of a time growing up that I ever wanted for anything. We were never lavished with our every want, but my Dad always provided for his family. He put my brother and I through Catholic high school. He footed the bill for mine and my sister's collegiate educations - taking out second mortgages, keeping cars until they were both owned and unmovable, sacrificing what I can only assume were countless personal desires so that Mom, Mary, Joe and I would want for nothing. He would arrive at my house during my adult life with gifts for me, my wife and his grandchildren. He would pick up the bill at dinner. According to stories that have surfaced over the past few days as my Mom, Joe, Mary and I have mourned and commemorated our Dad, he would get home from work, quickly change clothes and clean up and then spend the rest of the evening attending to his children as we were growing up. His commitment to his grandchildren as I have already mentioned was even more intense.

He was an amazing dad. He was the world's greatest Grandfather. He was a loyal son, a dedicated brother, a present uncle, and an exemplar God-father. Most importantly, however, he loved my Mother for 40 years with a fierce, protective love. 40 years. There isn't much, let alone marriages, in our current world that lasts as long. On the night before he passed into eternal life he accompanied my Mother to a fabric store so that she could purchase supplies to make something for one of their children or grandchildren. What makes this feat, which was probably repeated hundreds of times throughout the course of their 40 years together, even more amazing is the pride in which he took over my Mom's creations. It was as if he had a hand in whatever Mom was producing.

We ate meals together as a family. We prayed together as a family. We went to Mass together as a family. When my sister, brother and I were old enough we started to celebrate holidays together as a nuclear family. We weren't and aren't perfect; but the love in our family is beautiful. It is one of my Dad's greatest gifts to me, my family, my brother and his family, my sister and hers and our mother. Just like my Father before me, I hope to be an even greater son, brother, husband, father, uncle and whatever else life has in store for me than my Dad was. I have incredibly huge shoes to fill.

Your family should always come before yourself.

ENDURING UNDERSTANDING 3: It doesn't benefit me if I gain the whole world but lose my soul - I must be a man of faith in order to honor my family and find success.

My Dad was not wealthy by earthly standards. By those same standards he was probably, at best, moderately successful. He was a beautifully imperfect and flawed man. Yet, my Father was holy. His heart may not have always been aligned with his actions, but as I've said before, he strived to always do the right thing. He prayed. He prayed with his family. He went to confession. He attended Mass and took his family with him. He was involved with his parish in so many various capacities. He prayed the Rosary. He fought to follow the teachings of both Christ and the Catholic Church. He was holy.

In return, he was blessed with a beautiful wife, three amazing children and seven joy-filled grandchildren. He got to spend quality time with all of us in the weeks leading up to this past weekend. He celebrated 40 years of marriage to my Mother. He came to Florida to meet his youngest grandchild. He visited Joe and his family during Thanksgiving. Mary and her family celebrated Dad's 67th birthday with him in his home. On the night before he passed into eternal life he not only went to a fabric store, he both went to Mass and enjoyed a steak dinner with his wife. He passed away, suddenly and unexpectedly, in his sleep. Peacefully. Joyously. Holy.

Our Dad was a man of great faith and as a result he honored his family and found true success.  

67 years ago, God started a good work in my Father that continued up until the very moment that he entered into eternal life. That good work continues on, though, in me, my siblings, my mother, our families and all who have been touched by the life of Robert Zelenka.

I will forever cherish those sweet words uttered by my Dad the last time we embraced: "I'm so proud of you."

I bet they were the first ones God said as he welcomed my Dad back home.

We love you, Dad, and we miss you. 

And we are so proud of you. 

In loving memory of my Father, Robert Michael Zelenka

December 1, 1945 - December 8, 2012