By Archbishop Thomas Wenski - The Archdiocese of Miami
Archbishop Thomas Wenski preached this homily during a Mass Oct. 22, 2014, marking the 40th anniversary of Our Lady Queen of Heaven Parish in North Lauderdale.
Today, this parish community celebrates its 40th anniversary! Forty years might not seem too long in a Church that is almost 2,000 years old, but in our archdiocese, which is 56 years old, 40 years is something to celebrate. And as we gather this evening, I welcome Father (Gerald) Morris and Father (Fermin) Solana, both former pastors here at Queen of Heaven. Your presence along with that of other long-time parishioners this evening helps us to remember the past with gratitude; at the same time, thanks to the work of your pastor, Father Kidney St. Jean (who also has a new kidney), we know that you, parishioners of Queen of Heaven, can live the present with enthusiasm, and look forward to the future with confidence.
Of course, the history of this parish – like any history forged by fallen human beings – is full of lights and shadows. We should not be surprised that the Church which Christ founded to save sinners is – well – full of sinners. Yet, the Church is holy – and she is holy not because of us but because of the Spirit that is given to her.
Despite the shortcomings and foibles of her human members, the Church of God has continued to grow here along State Road 7. Thanks to the presence of the Holy Spirit, who could say that these past 40 years have not been years of great growth in faith.
“Catholic” is a Greek word that means “universal”. Jesus came to offer salvation to all the nations. In other words, salvation is “universal” or “catholic”: thus, if Jesus came to offer salvation universally to all, then the Church that he founded must necessarily be “Catholic”. Today’s Mass – with readings and prayers in the three languages used in this community – indicates how “catholic” this community of Queen of Heaven is.
Photographer: TOM TRACY | FC
Miami Archbishop Thomas Wenski speaks to the community of Our Lady Queen of Heaven Parish in Fort Lauderdale during the 40th anniversary Mass and celebration for the parish, held Oct. 22.
Mo “katolik” vle di: pou tout moun. Jezi vini pou sove tout moun; sa vle di, delivrans li se yon delivrans “katolik”. Konsa, fòk Legliz Jezi te fonde a pou preche delivrans li bay tout moun, fòk legliz sa a katolik tou. Nou fè youn sèl – pa paske nou soti nan menm ras, oubyen paske nou pale yon menm lang, nou fè youn sèl poutèt nou genyen yon sèl lafwa, yon sèl batèm, yon sèl Granmèt. Difèrans nou yo pa fèt pou divize nou; okontrè li dwe anrichi nou. Se peche sèlman ki kapab divize nou.
Kom yon pawas k ap fete 40 rekòt kafe sou tèt li, nou genyen misyon pou nou sèvi Jezi temwen. Nan yon sosyete divize, kote moun yo viv dozado, fò nou montre moun yo kouman patizan Jezi Kri ka viv frè poutèt gras a lanmò ak leve li leve byen vivan li fè nou tounen vin byen ni avè l ni ak tout frè n ak sè n yo.
God made us all – with all our particular gifts and with all our diversity. Sometimes, people see diversity of cultures or languages are a cause for division. But diversity should enrich us, not divide us. What does divide us is sin. But Jesus has come to conquer sin – in him we are reconcile to the Father and to one another. The Spirit of God is a spirit of unity that makes us sons and daughters of one Father with Mary, mother of Jesus and Queen of heaven, our mother.
What unites us is not a common language, ethnicity, or national origin. What unites us is Jesus Christ. Our identity is founded on one faith, one baptism, one Lord. In this evening’s second reading, St. Paul tells the gentiles to remember that without Christ, they were alienated from the community of Israel – but he tells them and us: You are strangers no longer.
En la segunda lectura San Pablo nos dice que ya no somos extraños y forasteros. Por Cristo, en su sangre, tenemos una nueva identidad. La Iglesia católica es muy rica en su diversidad – diversidad de lenguas, de naciones, de culturas. Esta diversidad no nos divide sino nos enriquece – pues solo el pecado puede dividir. Nuestra Señora del Cielo, como una parroquia católica tiene una misión – como fieles que compartimos una misma fe, un mismo bautismo, y un mismo Señor, debemos ser testigos ante el mundo que somos una comunidad reconciliada y reconciliadora. Que seamos hombres y mujeres de esperanza. Y el odio, la sospecha, la envidia construyen muros – muros que nos dividen. Que sepamos construir puentes de amor, de comprensión, de misericordia y de paz.
Christ came to make us citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven. In Christ we all belong. Christ has made us one by his blood breaking down the walls that divide. Today, we live in a world of fragile peace and broken promises divided by ethnic, political and ideological walls. We see these divisions played out each day on the evening news. In Christ we have been reconciled. And because of this, the mission of this parish – and of every Christian community – to give a witness of hope to our world by being a reconciled and reconciling community.
We are called to be disciples of faith and missionaries of hope. A Christian is a man or a woman of hope. He or she knows the Lord will come. We do not know when, we do not know at what time, but He will come and He must not find us divided. We must become what baptism has made us: "friends of Jesus living together in peace.”
