Bishop Bambera’s Homilies 2024

Rosary Rally Homily
75^th Anniversary of Father Peyton’s First Rosary Rally
Saturday, November 16, 2024 – Luke 1:26-38

Fifty-two years ago, on a Sunday afternoon in Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome, a typically large crowd of pilgrims had gathered in a back corner of the great church to admire, among so many other works of art, Michelangelo’s famed Pieta. They marveled at the craftsmanship and skill of the Renaissance sculptor. They were touched and stirred to their hearts, like so many of us have been, by the image itself: Mary holding in her arms the lifeless body of her son, Jesus.

Suddenly, from the midst of the crowd, a man leapt over the altar rail and began smashing the statue with a hammer. By the time the attacker was subdued, he had struck the statue fifteen times, leaving behind some fifty large pieces of marble and over 150 fragments scattered about. The virgin’s arm was broken, fingers were destroyed, and her face was badly damaged.

News of the attack quickly spread throughout the world that the statue was damaged beyond repair. But Vatican art historians and conservationists weren’t ready to give up that quickly. They collaborated with experts in the arts and sciences to repair the statue and to restore it to its original beauty. Painstakingly, they labored for over a year until the day when the statue was finally put back on display in St. Peter’s Basilica, albeit now behind protective glass.

Their work was so meticulous that to the naked eye, no one could detect the areas of the statue that had been damaged – with one exception. At the request of then Pope Paul VI, one scar on the back of the virgin’s veil remains as a reminder of the attack and the brokenness of our world. Yet, the restored statue is far more a symbol of the goodness of creation when we set aside differences and work together as brothers and sisters to restore lost beauty.

Beauty and goodness lost because of the brokenness of our world and miraculously restored through faith. … In so many respects, this story of the Pieta serves as a metaphor for our journey of faith, for the life-giving presence of Jesus and for the role played in salvation history by Mary, the Mother of God.

What is Mary’s appeal? Why do we turn to her so often as we seek to navigate the complicated stories of our lives? Why was Father Peyton so intent on nurturing devotion to her through the praying of the rosary? … The answer is found in her life’s journey with God, conveyed so powerfully in today’s gospel. Listen to her words. “I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” … Let’s reflect a bit on this incredible woman of faith. She speaks to us most poignantly not from her heavenly throne, but from the joys and struggles reflected throughout her journey of life and faith.

When we first meet Mary, she is the object of an ugly rumor. She is pregnant without a husband. That she was innocent and touched by the Holy Spirit simply wasn’t believed. … Isn’t Mary a source of comfort for all who have suffered from rumors and have had their reputations tarnished?

During our initial encounter with Mary in the scriptures, she reveals her anxiety and fear. When invited to become the Mother of God, Mary’s response is no different than what ours would be. “How can this be?” … Isn’t Mary like any of us who have ever wondered: “What does God want from me?”

And when her new-born son was sought after by those who wanted to destroy him, isn’t Mary like any mother who worries about her child and wants to protect him or her from all those individuals who trample souls and break hearts – drug dealers, child molesters and countless preachers of false values.

After Jesus’ birth, Mary and Joseph fled with their son to Egypt – a foreign land – like the millions of refugees and immigrants who wander our world in search of a better life for their children and are often, sadly, turned away.

When Jesus was a young man and appeared to be lost in Jerusalem during the Passover feast, the scriptures tell us that Mary and Joseph “did not understand.” … How many of you don’t understand your children’s decisions or choices?

As Jesus’ ministry grew, Mary heard rumors about him. She worried about his well-being and sought him out to protect him, only to discover that he was betrayed by one whom she had undoubtedly welcomed into her home many times.

She saw her son mocked and beaten as he hung on a cross, even while she was told to keep her distance. … And suddenly, every parent who has seen a child carted off to prison – or burdened with addiction – or confronted by divorce – or forced to endure some sort of “crucifixion” – understands that, like Mary, sometimes all we can do is pray and suffer in silence.

Finally, Mary cradled the dead and broken body of her only son in her arms and sobs uncontrollably. … Once more, she speaks to every parent who has ever lost a child – or someone we dearly love.

Mary has known all of life, as you and I experience it. And we called her blessed – not because she reigns today as Queen of Heaven – but because she walked our world and embraced it fully as a woman of faith and a disciple of her son, Jesus. Mary never believed that faith would somehow provide her with a perfect life, free from suffering and pain. Rather, her faith enabled her to see life in a hopeful way because of the life of Jesus, her son – and her Savior and Lord!

While each of the mysteries of the Rosary invite us to consider Mary’s place at a particular moment in salvation history, every mystery quickly yields to Jesus, through whose life, death and resurrection we are saved. In that movement, we discover Mary’s greatest gift to us: her example of faithful discipleship. She was the first to believe. And she is the model of all that the People of God, should be.

Mary is that instrument of God through whom beauty and goodness – lost because of the brokenness of our world – are miraculously restored through faith. Mary is a woman for all ages through whom God’s grandeur shines forth.

Pope Francis captured the gift of Mary in words that he shared during his visit to Mongolia in 2023, one of the smallest gatherings of the Church with barely fourteen hundred members. “Look to Mary, brothers and sisters, who showed that being little is not a problem but a blessing. Why? Because God loves littleness, and through it loves to accomplish great things, as Mary herself bears witness. … This is not how God works. Let us keep our gaze fixed on Mary, who in her littleness is greater than the heavens, for within her she bore the One whom the heavens cannot contain. So let us entrust ourselves to her, asking for a renewed zeal and an ardent love that tirelessly and joyfully bears witness to the Gospel. Go forward! God loves you. He has chosen you and he believes in you.” Amen!

HOMILY
Mass for the Presidential Inauguration of Lisa A. Lori
Marywood University
November 8, 2024
(Sirach 50:22-24; Philippians 1:4-6; 8-11; John 1:1-9; 14)

In late 2020, as our world was just beginning to heal from the ravages of the coronavirus, Pope Francis offered a blueprint of sorts for building a better world for all of humanity. The Holy Father’s personal reflections in Let Us Dream challenge us to develop a vision for society that places the dignity of all people at the center of our lives supported by a new logic of mercy and care.

In addressing the impact of the deep polarization that has enveloped our world and assessing its impact on the most vulnerable among us, Pope Francis lamented the suffering of so many at the hands of those who have been called forth to lead. “The only time it is right to look down at someone is when we are offering our hand to help them get up.” The problem is not reaching out to care for those on the margins of life, but rather recognizing that they “have the dignity to sit at our table, to feel ‘at home’ among us, to feel part of a family. This is the sign that the Kingdom of Heaven is in our midst.” The Holy Father went on with words of challenge to each of us, “To set yourself above the People of God is to ignore that the Lord has already come close to His people, anointing them, raising them up.”

The Pope’s reflections speak powerfully to the gospel selected for today’s celebration of the Eucharist for the inauguration of our new president, Lisa Lori. It’s references to the light of Christ shining amid the darkness reflect so beautifully the theme of these inaugural days, Ignite the Light. Perhaps more precisely, however, reflecting the Word of God, we’re called not so much to ignite the light, for it has hardly been quenched even by the darkness of our world, but to peel away the obstacles that prevent it from illuminating our world with its rays of hope, promise and peace.

With echoes from the Book of Genesis that chronicled the very dawn of creation, Saint John’s prologue exalts Christ as the creative Word of God that comes as the new light to illuminate God’s re-creation. In the original Greek text, the phrase “made his dwelling among us” is more accurately translated as “pitched his tent” in our midst. God is here among us – right here on this great campus – here in my life and in yours. … It is the Word made flesh that brings light, grace, truth and the very life of God to our world!

The gospel goes on to tell us that those who are humble and wise enough to accept God’s gift are given the grace to become children of God. That privilege, however, comes with a responsibility to “testify to the light, so that all might believe through him.” … Simply put, following Christ carries with it the task of being light for others – of illuminating the darkness with the flame of faith – the light of Christ entrusted to all who seek to walk as disciples of the Risen Lord.

My sisters and brothers, everything about this glorious day on this campus named for Mary finds its origin in baptism and the life and power that sacrament affords us all as Christians. Rooted in Jesus’ own baptism that set him apart as the anointed one of God – as the bearer of God’s unconditional love, forgiveness and mercy – our own experience of baptism compels us to assume the work of the gospel in imitation of Jesus and in service of our sisters and brothers. As Pope Francis has often reflected, “Our baptism changes us, gives us a new and glorious hope, and empowers us to bring God’s redeeming love to all, particularly the poor, in whom we see the face of Christ.”

The life of Jesus that we are challenged to embrace today is hardly the sentimental and valueless image of Jesus that is so often submitted for consideration by our culture and world. The image we are called to embrace in our lives is that of the Word made flesh – the anointed one of God – who heals the sick – who feeds the hungry – who forgives the sinner – who walks the margins of our world and welcomes the outcast – who lives the truth – who pursues justice – and who loves selflessly, giving his life so that others may find life to the fullest.

And the baptism of which we speak, sisters and brothers, demands much more than merely claiming for ourselves the name of “Christian” or calling this great university “Catholic.” Because baptism is integrally linked with the expectation of fulfilling the mission of Jesus in an authentic manner, there must be integrity in our lives as Christians and in all that Marywood claims to be as a Catholic university. We can’t say we’re one thing and then live as another.

It is hardly by accident that the values and attitudes that are so integral to Jesus’ mission reflect both the mission and core values of Marywood University. As a Catholic university founded by the Congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary 109 years ago, Marywood is rooted in the Catholic intellectual tradition and promotes not only academic excellence but leadership in service to others. It prepares women and men to live responsibly in and for our world. And Marywood seeks to achieve this noble end as a result of those values that are integral to its very existence: its Catholic identity; its respect for the dignity of the human person and for the blessings of creation; its commitment to the empowerment of students to achieve their full potential; its belief in the value of service and social responsibility; and its enduring pursuit of excellence.

While we take great pride in acknowledging and celebrating Marywood University, we do so this day because of our new president, Lisa A. Lori. And Lisa, we are well blessed by your willingness to serve Marywood’s mission.

Lisa, for all the credentials and expertise that you bring to your new role as Marywood’s 13^th president, there was one thing that you shared in a YouTube interview recently that gives us all a sense of hope as you assume the reins of this university. And no – it’s not the fact you’re your roots are in Pittston – as significant as that may be!

You noted that among the many accomplishments that you’ve achieved professionally, you are an IHM associate – a carrier of the charism of this blessed congregation of women religious. And for all that is unique and life-giving about the mission of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, you singled out their recognition of God’s redeeming love for all, as foundational to the Catholic identity of Marywood.

How providential that today’s gospel concludes with a vision of God that our Sisters acknowledged to be foundational to their charism. “And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth.” … Grace and truth – mercy and faithfulness – God’s redeeming love for all! … The foundation of this great university, rooted in the charism of its founding Sisters. … And the heart of Marywood’s mission that you, Lisa, and each of us are charged to uphold.

31^st Sunday in Ordinary Time
Mass for those in Consecrated Life – November 3, 2024

Throughout the gospels, Jesus is beset by one conflict after another, precipitated by religious leaders and others who all seemed to be intent on disrupting his mission and dismissing his teachings.

So, when a scribe approached Jesus in today’s gospel reading, it would be fair to expect that yet another trap was being laid for him. “Which is the first of all the commandments?” the scribe asked Jesus. And Jesus answered by reciting the Shema, from the Book of Deuteronomy, “Hear O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength.” … Fair enough.

But then Jesus went on to elaborate on his answer to the scribe’s question by adding a bit of an addendum. As noted in the Book of Leviticus, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

More years ago than I care to admit, while attending Saint Rose Elementary School in Carbondale, where I was taught by the Immaculate Heart of Mary Sisters, I can recall these words being posed to me and my classmates, time and again, likely in response to some unfortunate thing that we did or didn’t do. “How can you really love God whom you can’t see if you won’t get along with your neighbor whom you see every day?” … Good question!

Jesus understood human nature very well. He understood that like the scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees, we can easily feel justified by claiming that we scrupulously fulfill the command to love God. … Why? … Because it’s not that difficult to follow rules, regulations and religious practices if that’s all we believe is necessary in loving God. And because most of these practices can be measured externally, one could appear to be quite righteous in the process.

Jesus, however, knew that what really mattered in fulfilling the great commandment to love God was less about externals and far more about the movements within one’s heart. And for that reason, he linked to it the more challenging commandment of love of neighbor, the place where the true test of a person’s commitment to God could be determined. … It’s easy to fulfill a ritual, isn’t it? It’s quite another thing to love in a selfless and authentic way.

To love as God calls us to love – not in empty rituals or religious practices but in flesh and blood amid the muck and mire of human existence – demands every fiber of our being – heart, soul, mind and strength. It is in our love and compassion for one another that humanity most closely resembles God. And it is in our charity and selflessness that we participate in God’s work of creation.

In joining together during this time of prayer to celebrate the Eucharist, we would do well to pause and reflect upon this great commandment that Jesus offers to us in today’s gospel. For at the heart of the Eucharist itself – a gift that we have reflected upon deeply during these past few years of revival and devotion – is nothing short of the very essence of how we are called to live the great commandment.

In the Eucharist, we come to understand why we are commanded to love God above all things. We love because God has loved us first in giving us his son for our life and salvations. As such, our only response to such a gift, is to love in return – to love that part of creation made in the image and likeness of the Creator – the life of every living soul that God places in our midst and in our care.

The great Saint John Chrysostom put this in perspective when he spoke of the bond between reverence for the sacramental presence of Christ and our relationship with his mystical body: “Would you honor Christ’s body? Then do not permit him to be despised in his members, that is, in the poor who are in need of clothes. Do not honor him here in church clothed in silk, while outside, you neglect him when he is cold and has no clothes. … What advantage is it to Christ if the altar is covered with gold vessels while he himself is starving in his poor? First, feed those who are hungry and only then, adorn the altar with what remains.”

Today, we gather to celebrate the gift of consecrated life in the Church. We reflect upon women and men who understand these words of Saint John and have shown us how to live the great commandment that Jesus calls us to embrace.

We join today with woman and men celebrating anniversaries of 50, 60, 70, 75 and 80 years in religious life. Quite honestly, as I look at all of you who gather today in our cathedral – you are amazing! You are living testimony of the power of faith and its ability to carry us through life with peace at our center, despite the ups and downs that we all endure. … And for the record, collectively, our jubilarians represent 1,390 years of service to the Church in Consecrated Life. What a blessing you all have been and continue to be for all!

My sisters and brothers, we celebrate your lives and we give thanks this day for your unique and singular contribution to the Church. More than you realize or appreciate, you continually challenge us to fulfill in our own lives the great commandment of loving God and doing so most authentically through the love and service that we extend to one another.

Your openness to listening to the needs of God’s people – your willingness to dialogue and discern how we can best walk together as sisters and brothers – and your determination to engage and serve the entire people of God – especially through your commitment to work for justice for the marginalized – immigrants, the poor, and all those oppressed by far too many who deem themselves righteous – provide us with a unique and powerful witness to the presence of God at work in our world – especially today.

In words that he recently shared, Pope Francis offered these thoughts regarding your commitment to the Consecrated Life: “God calls us to encounter him through faithfulness to concrete things – God is always encountered in concrete things: daily prayer, Holy Mass, Confession, real charity, and closeness, especially to those most in need spiritually or physically.”

My sisters and brothers in Consecrated Life, thank you for opening your lives to the blessings of God’s grace. … Thank you for challenging us to live the great commandment in concrete ways, most especially through our love and service of the least among us. … And thank you for reminding us of the treasure that is ours when we live not so much for ourselves, but for Christ, in service of our sisters and brothers.