France Ars Retreat Update 9/29/09

How do we experience God's mercy? That was the theme of today. After we were dropped off by our bus in front of St Jean Vianney's basilica, many of us filed into the upper church before the morning prayer began in the crypt church underground. Many priests were kneeling by the incorrupt body of St Jean Vianney displayed in a glass reliquary. The saint died in his advanced age, and his body showed effects of his extreme ascetic practices--fasting, lack of sleep, long hours of confession (12 hrs daily). You could sense that these men desired to emulate the very heart of St Jean Vianney--a humble instruments of God's mercy and love. In fact, his incorrupt heart is placed in the sanctuary where 1200 of us hear the talks and celebrate mass together. As his heart lasted beyond its natural span of life, we want to be tireless like him in administering God's love through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Cardinal Schonborn began this morning's talk with his observation about the state of the Sacrament of Reconciliation in Europe. He pointed out that with exception of few places, the sacrament has withered or vanished completely in many parishes. He told us about an elderly priest in a tiny country parish in his own diocese of Viena, He just retired at the age of 85, but he is still keeping his daily confession hours at 4:30pm. He has kept this hour for so long that folks from out of town would often drive through that little village to go to confession. The cardinal reminded us that we the priests need to frequent the sacrament ourselves so that we know what it is like to be forgiven and to appreciate God's forgiveness that we are imparting on the faithful. He mentioned how in Medjugorje millions are going to confession and receive God's mercy. He encouraged priests to accompany pilgrims to Medjugorje as a shepherd leads them to the refreshing streams and grass.

He gave a beautiful reflection about the woman in the gospel who approached Jesus and implored him to heal her daughter. He ignored her. While the disciples asked him to give in so that she won't annoy them any longer, Jesus seemed stern and lacked compassion, even mentioning that food for the children of Israel cannot be given to dogs. With great faith the woman replied, 'Lord even dogs eat scraps falling from master's table.' Amazed at her faith, Jesus tells her that her request was heard. Why was he so hard on her when he readily dispensed to others? Perhaps he is telling us that God's mercy costs. To approach God's mercy without appreciating what it cost to receive such mercy is common place. The Cross was the cost. For Padre Pio and Jean Vianney, the cost of being instruments of God's mercy was long, arduous hours behind the confessional, taking onto themselves heavy penance that penitents were not able to bear (St Jean Vianney, like Padre Pio, was frequently attacked by the evil one the night before a serious sinner arrived). Yet God is not so stingy in giving his mercy. The cardinal quoted extensively from the diary of St Faustina, particularly the dialogue between the merciful God and a sinner. In this dialogue, the sinner doubts whether she can approach God for mercy for the weight of her sin is unforgiveable. God, on the other hand coaxes the sinner to approach his infinite mercy. The cardinal gave the image of bucket and mercy. The size of our bucket which we'll contain God's mercy depends on our degree humilty and trust we have of His mercy, Pride which says 'I cannot be forgiven' is obstacle to receiving His mercy. In that same dialogue God reminds the sinner that the only thing that sinner owns exclusively (that which was not given by God) is her misery. God reminds her to give that misery to her and trust in His mercy.

Around 5pm, I visited the Carmelite monastery where a large traveling relic of St Therese was brought from Lisieux for the benefit of the priests attending the retreat in Ars. The cardinal reminded us that Therese was a great mentor to many priests in her life time, and she will continue to do so through her teaching on confidence and trust in God's mercy. I was reminded of his comment when the Discalced Carmelite sisters began chanting the evening prayer behind the 'grill' or the cloister. Ten of us priests were there enrapt by the beauty of their voices. Here they are fellow sisters of Therese continuing the work that she did for priests when she was on earth. She indeed fulfilled her vocation to be the love of the Church, for priests who are the dispenser of that love are glad to have a sister who looks after them.

Fr Paul