Martha And Mary

Dear Parishioners,

Most of us are probably familiar with the two sisters Martha and Mary from our reading of Sacred Scripture.

When Jesus visited them, Martha was busy about the household tasks while Mary sat and listened to Jesus. When Martha complained to Jesus that Mary was not helping her, Jesus replied that “Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.” (Luke 10:42)

Without realizing it, many of us probably go through something similar in our lives. We experience the need to do things and may put off or seriously neglect the need to sit quietly and reflect. I think that there is a tension that often occurs between the need for contemplation in a world so filled with action.

While sitting in front of the Blessed Sacrament when I should be praying, I can find my mind drifting with various concerns and things that have to be done: Why are there so few people during the weekend Masses? The church roof still needs to be replaced. Will we have enough income each week to pay the bills? The air conditioning didn’t seem cold enough last weekend. I am supposed to be praying but these and other worries and concerns still pop into my mind.

I am reminded from examples of the lives of saints like St. Pope John Paul II and St. (Mother) Teresa of Calcutta that prayer needs to come first before any action is ever carried out. Despite their unbelievable schedules and workload, both of them were known to have spent hours each day in front of the Blessed Sacrament. It was from their intense prayer life and love of the Lord Jesus truly present in the Blessed Sacrament that the fruit of their labor became so rich and apparent to all.

For the past year or so I have been offering Mass for the Poor Clare Sisters in Chesterfield, NJ (near Bordentown). They are a community of contemplative religious sisters who live their vocations with much prayer and solitude. From a worldly or secular perspective, some may not see their lives as productive or useful. However, it is contemplative communities like theirs who are a source of spiritual power and strength for the rest of us. They remind me to slow down from the rapid pace and busyness to which we have become accustomed.

I find the Trappist monks, where I usually make my annual retreat, to be the same. They are a community of priests and brothers who live in prayerful solitude at the monastery. Their prayer and work (ora et labora) illustrates for me both Martha (work) and Mary (prayer or contemplation).    

So don’t ever think that you are too busy to take the time to pray and reflect. Find time to spend in front of the Blessed Sacrament. Our chapel is open weekdays for prayer and adoration. We all need quality time with the Lord and it is from the time with Him that we will find the time and strength to do the other things that we think so urgently need to get done.

The better option is spending time with Jesus. 

Just ask Mary.

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

Homily for the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time "C" - Fr. Edward Namiotka

 

The “Curse” of the Cell Phone (and/or Mobile Device)

 

Dear Parishioners,

I have a favorite statement about the use of technology in modern society: Technology is wonderful . . . when it works! Unfortunately, I have increasingly been questioning technology’s overall advantages, practically on a daily basis.

Having been one of the first to embrace various dimensions of the rapidly changing techno-sphere, I am ever weighing benefits vs. risks when it comes to the use of technology, the internet, AI (artificial intelligence), etc. It all began with such objects as a “bag phone” in my car, my first AOL account, and various types of desktops, laptops, tablets and mobile phones over the years. I had a device around my wrist to monitor my heart rate, inserted ear buds when at the gym and when commuting, configured security cameras inside and outside of my rectory, find Alexa waiting and listening for my every command, etc. You get the picture?

It is all so good? Has society been irreparably changed or damaged by these advances in technology into the foreseeable future? Let me point out a few observations from my perspective as a priest.

I dare say far too many people spend more time on their devices than they would ever give to prayer, meditation or worship of God. People are glued to such devices. They are an appendage to the body. To think such things did not even exist when I was a teenager. Now there is hardly a teenager or child who has not been raised on them!

People are on their apparatuses in restaurants, around the dinner table, when driving, when in church, when walking or exercising, when in the bathroom, when in bed, etc. We get pictures of what someone is eating, where they are vacationing, what their body looks like, who they are with, and some of the possibly questionable activities in which they may be involved. YouTube, Instagram, Rumble, Google, TikTok, Facebook, and Wikipedia are just some of the familiar terms used in most households. We have an app for everything. We can’t think or calculate without a gadget. We can’t locate a place or drive without some device giving directions. We are even encouraged to pray using an app such as Hallow.

How about some truly evil aspects of technology? Pornography has directly penetrated many households. People with addictive behaviors can become dependent on gambling or betting apps. Dating apps can provide hookups for people looking for casual sexual encounters. Narcissists, perverts and sociopaths can even attempt to post their evil deeds for all the world to see!

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is already revealing how someone’s voice or image can be replicated, having the person apparently say or do something that is blatantly false. What is real or what is fake becomes harder and harder to discern.

Yes, there are those (including myself) who try to promote the Gospel message through the internet. I have a blog, YouTube and Rumble channels. I use Facebook and occasionally X (formerly Twitter). Mea culpa.

With much, much more to reflect on with time, I currently ask one important thing of all of you. Please silence your cell pones and devices while in church. We request this at the beginning of Mass week after week. Signs are posted as you enter the chapel. As a priest, I am trying to escape the world for a time and offer a sacrifice to Almighty God. The ringing of the phone is not meant to be part of the worship of God and it distracts from the lifting of the heart and mind to God. It is a most unwanted distraction that can and should be prevented and eliminated during Holy Mass. 

Thank you.

Enough said for now.

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

Homily for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time "C" - Fr. Edward Namiotka

 

Being "Catholic" and "American"

Dear Parishioners,

As a nation, we celebrate our Declaration of Independence on the Fourth of July.  I think it is important to consider a few things as Roman Catholic citizens privileged to live in this country.

First, we have the freedom and the right to practice our Catholic faith.  We acknowledge that we are “One Nation, Under God” in our pledge of allegiance.  “In God We Trust” is printed on our currency.  While it is not specified who that God is, our nation has conceded a dependence on a Higher Power greater than all of us.  As Catholic Christians, we see this through the prism of our faith in Jesus Christ.  He revealed to us most fully who God is.  Our Bill of Rights (First Amendment) says clearly that congress shall make no law prohibiting the free exercise of religion.  Every time we walk into a church, go to Mass, attend a baptism, witness a church wedding, etc. we should be thankful for the wisdom of our founding fathers.

          

Second, we have the right to speak freely when we disagree with government policies or laws.  However, this must be done civilly and respectfully.  Inciting violence, spewing hatred, exhibiting bigotry, and being anything other than Christ-like is simply far removed from the teaching and example of Jesus.  Could Jesus be critical of authority?  Absolutely!  Consider how he called out the Pharisees, elders and religious leaders as a brood of vipers (Mt. 12: 34), whitewashed tombs and hypocrites (Mt. 23: 27).  His words could be piercing and could foment resentment and even hatred by his opponents.  His cleansing of the temple (Jn. 2: 14-22) shows how he could be passionate and forceful in what he said and did.  Yet, ultimately, he submitted to civil and religious authority even as it culminated in torture and death on a cross.

Should we, as Catholics, speak up against the atrocity of legalized abortion, condemn racism and discrimination, denounce sexual abuse, and decry all forms of injustice and evil in our society?  Unequivocally, yes and without the fear of reprisal from our government.  Again, the First Amendment protects us here.

         

Third, while we do not live in a theocracy, our Catholic faith can and should have an influence on public policy.  Our First Amendment does not establish any one religion as the acceptable or correct one.  God is not our king.  We have an elected president and elected government officials.  However, as Catholics, we have as much of a right as anyone else to try to influence and shape public opinion and policy.  Are we a Christian nation?  Technically, we are not.  This does not mean that we should not be willing to be that light of the world (Mt. 5: 14) as Christians were within the Roman Empire or within other government systems throughout history.

      

I have said many times that I am not committed to any political party.  This is because I hold that my soul belongs to Jesus Christ alone and not to any political party.  At times, I have disagreed with both major parties on issues.  Most likely, I will continue to do so.

Rather, I strive, imperfectly, for holiness of life.  My goal is eternal life.  As a Roman Catholic, I am very proud to live in this country and to be an American.  

However, I try not to forget this important thought from St. Paul:  Our citizenship is in heaven and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. (Phil. 3: 20)

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor