From the Friars: The Lowest Place

We wish a warm welcome to all who are visiting Holy Rosary Shrine for the Feast of the Three Saints. This festival celebrates the heroic fidelity of three young brothers who sacrificed their lives rather than betray their faith. It is rooted in the devotion of Sicilian immigrants who came to Lawrence seeking a better life. The Immigrant City has been, and still is, the home of people from so many countries who came here in hopes of living more in accord with human dignity.

In the Gospel today, Jesus tells us to seek the lowest place. Because He is God Himself, He is the greatest psychologist. He knows us better than we know ourselves. And so, He is keenly aware of how our fallen nature can lead us to seek our own glory, apart from God. Original Sin cut us off from the source of our authentic self-worth, the Father’s unconditional love. This wound leaves us grasping for something that makes us feel we have value.

Does a poor man from Sicily, or Portugal, or Ecuador, or wherever, go against Jesus’ exhortation by leaving his country to seek a higher place? No, but neither is he immune from the danger of seeking a false self-worth in worldly possessions or success. The son of an immigrant myself, my own pursuit of self esteem and happiness in abusing the good things of the world led me to the brink of despair.

The list of rich and famous people who have died young and tragically is painfully long; Elvis Presley, Marylin Monroe, Freddie Prinze, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, John Belushi and Robin Williams to name but a few. May they rest in peace. Their lives and deaths remind us that the American Dream can easily become a nightmare. When Jesus tells us to seek the lowest place it is not to degrade us but, paradoxically, to help us find the peace and joy of our infinite value as adopted sons and daughters of God.

Saints Alfio, Filadelfo and Cirino were offered worldly glory and wealth, but at the price of betraying God and themselves. They chose the lowest place and have been raised up to eternal glory.

May we also.

God bless you.
–Fr. Peter