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Written by Msgr. David Ratermann
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Sunday, 08 June 2008 |
Msgr. Ratermann is a Saint Louis priest missionary, serving in Bolivia since 1956, and is a founder of the Latin America Apostolate.
 Tenth Sunday in Ordinary Time – June 8, 2008
(“I DESIRE MERCY AND NOT SACRIFICE,” SAYS THE LORD)
Hosea, 6:3-6 – For God, any sacrifice is empty unless it includes love and compassion for the neighbor.
Rom. 4:18-25 – Abraham is model of Faith; he believed the Promise even though it was apparently impossible.
Mt. 9:9-13 – Matthew, the publican, answers Jesus’ call and Jesus celebrates with him and the “sinners.”
God’s Word invites us to practice Mercy: “I desire Mercy and not Sacrifice!”
The merciful love of Jesus works wonders in Matthew, the tax collector and enemy of his own people. In the twinkling of an eye Matthew becomes a disciple of the Lord, and later on, apostle and evangelist. So strong and so wonderful is God’s mercy. And that mercy is alive and well today!
Let me share with you a personal example: You, my dear sisters and brothers in Bolivia, treated me with patience and mercy when I arrived here 52 years ago. I spoke no Spanish; your customs, your food and your wonderful way of celebrating were all foreign to me. I did not know how to live in Bolivia. With much patient love you accompanied me and, little by little, I became “Bolivianized” through many, many encounters and experiences. So today we are really celebrating two wonderful gifts: Your gift of kind and loving patience reflects and imitates the goodness and mercy of the Lord. And I have been wonderfully enriched by half a century in this marvelous adventure.
And it is even more marvelous that our desire to live and work together has increased to such a point that we truly are brothers and sisters with profound mutual confidence and love. I am marvelously blessed and enriched by these years in which God has allowed me to live and love among you. What can I say? Simply I say: Thanks to God and thanks to you! And within this relationship I have also been blessed with a desire to grow in the virtue of God’s merciful love along with all of you; so, on both scores: Blessed be God and blessed be all of you!
At the same time, we all know that every great blessing from the Lord includes the CROSS. After much prayer and discernment, I come to the conclusion that it is time for me to return to my native country in order to share the countless blessings I have received from living with you here in Bolivia. The gifts that the Lord gives us are meant to be shared as far and wide as possible. Yet we all know that they carry a sharing in the CROSS. Leaving you and leaving Bolivia will not be easy. It will be a heavy CROSS. Yet the Cross is totally fruitful. It is Jesus’ way to redeem the World. Paul tells us that “we need to glory in the Cross of our Lord and Savior, Jesús Christ, in whom is our life, salvation and resurrection!”
I remember as if it happened just yesterday, that I did indeed glory in the Cross when my mother died. It was Holy Saturday morning, April 17th of 1976, when I got the news from my sister who was doing the all night vigil at my mother’s death bed. Joanie called me by phone and said: “Mom has gone to the Lord!” I cried but also said: “Alleluia!”
I know that we too can do the same: accept the pain and sorrow of separation that is very real. We must not cover it up and act as if it were not so. Rather we must accept it and make it part of our sharing in the CROSS that is always fruitful. We ask that the fruit be a continual growth and development of this parish of Mary, Queen, and of our mission to all of Bolivia and beyond. This is what the Lord, Jesus, wants. He said as much very beautifully at the Last Supper with his disciples:
“You have not chosen me; rather I have chosen you so that you may go forth and bear fruit; fruit that will remain.”
Finally, my dear sisters and brothers, I ask that you accompany me with your prayer in this new chapter of my life and mission which will be a difficult challenge. And, for my part, I ask your mercy for my sins and failings and I promise to remember you also in prayer every day.
THANKS A THOUSAND TIMES TO GOD AND TO YOU!
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