Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L.
Bishop of Scranton
HOMILY
Saint Patrick’s Parade Day Mass – March 12, 2011
I hope you understand just how pleased I am to be a part of this gathering today as we begin this great day of celebration here in St. Peter’s Cathedral offering in this Mass the same prayer that generations and generations of Irish Catholics – and Catholics of all sorts of ethnic backgrounds – have offered through the centuries. Indeed, it’s the very same prayer that served as the lifeblood of the great Saint whose memory we honor.
As an aside, it’s gratifying to me personally that the son of Polish parents with an Italian sounding name that actually has German roots would be so warmly welcomed by all of you on this special day. You really have come a long way! And I deserve a little credit. You probably didn’t realize that I spend each day surrounded by my Vicar General, Vicar for Clergy and Chancellor with the names Clarke, Muldowney and Osborne. It’s not easy working with that crowd!
For just a few moments at the beginning of this day, reflect with me on what we do during this hour and why we do it. We’re gathered here in our Cathedral as family and friends not for a parade, not for a family event but to celebrate the Eucharist – to give thanks to God for the gift God gave to Ireland – and to the Irish culture and people through the grace of Saint Patrick.
And why do we gather? Let’s start with a simple statement about what Saint Patrick did. He loved the people of Ireland. He loved them more than life itself, and, out of that love, he devoted his whole life to sharing with the people of Ireland the best thing he had – the good news that Christ loved them. He brought them the truth of the gospel, the truth about God and God’s love for them; about the world and their place in it; about right and wrong and how to accept from God the strength to do the one and avoid the other. He brought them the truth about the dignity of every human being and the value of every life. And he brought them the truth of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus and how that reality has the power to bring meaning and purpose to their lives – and ours.
By his work, Saint Patrick fathered a people and a culture. From a little green island on the edge of the Atlantic, in a unique way the gospel truth has spread to every corner of the earth. Lives have been touched. Our nation has been blessed. And countless numbers of lives are richer and holier because of the work of Saint Patrick.
I hope you see then, why the celebration of this Mass has its own rightful place in today’s observance – alongside of the parade and meals and countless numbers of stories told among old friends and new. We are here to thank God for the man Patrick, for what the Lord was able to accomplish through his ministry, for the blessing Patrick was to the Irish people, not only of his own day, but for all the generations thereafter.
We offer this Eucharist to sing God’s praises for what He has done for the Irish and for the world from the fruit borne from the gospel seed that Patrick planted so many years ago. And so I’d ask you to pause with me for just a moment to think about what you want to thank God for during this mass today.
Perhaps you’re grateful today for the blessing of family – young and old – all gathered together this day – right here in this sacred place. … Maybe this day reminds you of just how precious God’s gift of life really is – as you face your own weakness and frailty – or as you reflect upon someone you loved who has gone home to God since the time of last year’s celebration. … Perhaps this moment of prayer and reflection causes you to give thanks for the simple yet profound treasure of faith – that doesn’t so much provide us with a perfect world but gives us great hope as we journey through each day. … What are you grateful for today?
Trusting that you are grateful – what does that prompt you to do?
In 1979, soon to be Blessed John Paul II addressed seminarians at Saint Patrick’s Seminary in Maynooth, during his Apostolic Visit to Ireland. Although addressing future priests at the time, the words of the Holy Father still resonate to all who are the spiritual sons and daughters of Saint Patrick. The Holy Father stated: “I wish to recall to you one simple but important lesson taken from the life of Saint Patrick, and it is this: In the history of evangelization, the destiny of an entire people – your people – was radically affected for time and eternity because of the fidelity with which Saint Patrick embraced and proclaimed the Word of God, and by reason of the fidelity with which he pursued his call to the end.”
Pope John Paul II added: “What I really want you to realize is this: that God counts on you: that he makes his plans, in a way, depend on your free collaboration, on the oblation of your lives, and on the generosity with which you follow the inspirations of the Holy Spirit in the depths of your hearts.”
Are you grateful today – for the gifts of God touching your life? If you are, what are you going to do in gratitude for all that you’ve been given? Pope John Paul gives us a clue as what we should do. “God is counting on you” – on me – to be his hands and heart and voice. He’s counting on you and me to embrace the spirit of the great Saint Patrick and to love generously, to forgive often, to treasure and treat life with respect and reverence and dignity … to follow the inspirations of the Holy Spirit in the depths of our hearts.
My friends, today our celebrations in this Cathedral, during the parade and beyond will witness joyfully to the legacy of Saint Patrick – a legacy that is nothing less than the strength, power and love of Christ. This legacy, however, is not to be celebrated only once a year. Rather, it must be carried daily to our homes and neighborhoods, to our workplaces and schools, to every place where human hearts need to be touched by the transforming love of Jesus.
