WINFIELD – Father Jerry Schweitzer offered his listeners some food for thought on the eve of Lenten fasting and abstinence at a Pre-Lenten Retreat hosted by Holy Spirit on Feb. 22.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life,” quoted Father Schweitzer from John 3:16. “He did his part, but what is our part?
“Think in terms of what will happen in a week-and-a-half – Ash Wednesday and then 40 days of Lent … and make a personal commitment to reconciliation,” urged the senior priest and scripture scholar.
Watching the white pall being spread over the casket at a funeral, he added, “How well are we reminded of our baptism into Christ, and how well have we worn that white garment?”
As an exercise, Father Schweitzer once asked a group of students to write their own obituary, and after several volunteered to read them aloud, he pointed out that none of them included any mention of their faith in Christ except maybe a reference to their church membership.
“How well do you or I present Christ to others in my example?” he asked. “It must be much deeper than ashes on my forehead. Someday, I will return to ashes, but am I ready today? Will others say, ‘That person was a person of faith as shown by their life?’
“If you find a text in scripture that you really love, take it to heart,” recommended Father Schweitzer, who shared his favorite quote, from Colossians 3:12-17, that he recites each morning: “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection…
“It is so important for us to be spiritually oriented. Read your verse in the morning and try to follow it, and read it again at night and consider how you followed the passage, or how you did not fit into His clothing today,” Father Schweitzer advised. “Think, ‘I need to get my spiritual life into practice; make an appointment, like you do for a haircut or a pedicure. Go to a Lenten service, and think of holiness. How well do we put on Christ for our children, and our grandchildren.
“(Following Christ) is more than just the Ten Commandments,” he added, “We need to look at The Beatitudes. As Christ raised his eyes to his apostles … How was Peter a gift to the Lord, how was Judas a gift to the Lord, and when you go to Sunday Mass, how are you a gift to Christ?
“Blessed are you who are poor, for the kingdom of God is yours. Blessed are you who are hungry, for you will be nourished.
“As I become closer to God, I begin to see the goodness of the Lord,” said Father Schweitzer.
When at Mass, he noted, “we are taking care of each other, like in The Beatitudes, and every Sunday we share in the Eucharistic meal. We challenge one another, and I think that is the best kind of homily. The more you become aware of your sinful condition, the more you can ‘Love your enemies’ and ‘Do unto others as you would have them do to you.’
Father Schweitzer, noting that 40 parables appear in the Gospels, explained that Jesus used them to help his apostles and followers understand what he wanted them to know. Focusing on the story of the Good Samaritan, he told about the traveler who stopped to help the victim of a robbery and beating, using his own time and money to help him heal.
“Everybody is my neighbor, whether I know him or not,” he said. “Someone you see as a burden can be your salvation.”
Nancy Witt and Kathlee Hosni were members of a meditation group from Nativity of Our Savior in Portage who attended the retreat together. “Anytime you sit in a room with people of faith it’s good, but with the goods Word and food, it’s even better,” said Witt.
Hosni said the retreat will open the way to Lenten practices at her parish that will include the Stations of the Cross from the Blessed Mother’s view on Shrove Tuesday, March 4, as well as a book study, women’s rosary and Bible study series for Lent.
Bernie Bernard, of St. John, came to the retreat at the suggestion of his wife, Jane Bernard, “as a positive way to prepare for Lent, as opposed to giving up something.”
Trish Alt, of St. John, who was formerly a Holy Spirit parishioner before moving to Florida some time ago, said Father Schweitzer “is very inspirational and explains the Bible in a way we can understand. I was happy to be with my ‘sisters’ from Holy Spirit as we focused on how Jesus loves us and encourages us to love others.”
Caption: Speaker Father Jerry Schweitzer had the perfect one-liner for a clever listener who asked him, "What is the meaning of life?" during a Pre-Lenten Retreat on Feb. 22 at Holy Spirit in Winfield. His answer likely resulted in a smile from God above. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
