Memorial of Saint John Neumann, bishop
I was initially confounded by the readings, especially in trying to ascertain their connection with today’s Saint. St. John Neumann is one of those saints that you admire from the outset. He loved being a server at Mass and entered the seminary at age 20. While there, he became fluent in eight languages and well versed in theology and botany. After seminary, John Neumann left for the United States as there was an overabundance of priests in Europe. He was ordained in New York City. Later, John went to Pittsburgh where he joined the Redemptorists. Pius IX appointed him the fourth Bishop of Philadelphia, a position he reluctantly accepted under vow of obedience. John Neumann is well remembered for the 100 parishes and 80 Catholic schools he founded. He may best be remembered for his humility, perseverance and his untiring work to build the Kingdom of God.
In many ways, John Neumann took very seriously the call of today’s responsorial psalm. His tireless work in this nation helped many of the lowly and the poor. It also challenged all whom he came in contact with to adore the Lord. In Neumann’s faith journey, he encountered many obstacles. These obstacles would have stopped many a believer but instead he kept persevering. That is why reflecting on this Saint’s life and the readings of this memorial help us to not only better understand John Neumann but more importantly Jesus.
Jesus worked tirelessly to build the kingdom with varied results. Today’s gospel finds Jesus and the disciples immediately following the feeding of the five thousand. Although everyone had eaten and was satisfied, the disciple’s hearts were hardened. The miracle had not nourished their soul; it had only fed their bodies. Is this why Jesus needed to go off and commune with his Father since his friends seemed to miss the whole point of communion? Is this why he “made” them get into the boat? Was he frustrated? During this Christmas Season, have we focused more on the secular holiday causing frustration for us and the Lord?
Most of the things we do that may frustrate the Lord involve allowing our hearts to become hard like the disciples in today’s gospel. This happens when we fail to trust in God’s love for us. Is it possible that at the root of all sin is fear? Ironically an act by Jesus caused the disciples fear to turn into awe. Jesus walked on water to the disciples, got in the boat and calmed the storm. Do we let fear leave us alone and adrift or like John Neumann, do we allow Jesus into our boat to calm our storms? Spend some time in prayer today reflecting on how to let go of fear and let God, who is love, get even deeper into our hearts.
-Michael Montgomery