Attitude Toward Others

 Father Martin told us an interesting story today.  When he was in the seminary, there was a deacon who was very arrogant.  Father Martin used to pay deference to him in an exaggerated manner and the proud peacock would preen.  He didn't know that Father Martin was really making fun of him.

One day, Martin's spiritual director came to his room to talk.  He said that the deacon was close to a nervous breakdown because of Martin's behavior towards him.  Martin defended himself by saying that that he does nothing disrespectful, on the contrary he has only shown him the most respect.  The spiritual director agreed but told Martin that he needed to apologize and become friends.

Apologize?  Apologize!

Why?  Because of Mathew 5: 24-25.

If you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, and first be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

Note: your brother has anything against you.  Not that you have anything against your brother!  

It took every ounce of discipline for Father Martin to seek out that deacon and apologize and try to be friends with him.

Why did Martin's spiritual director require him to do this?  Broken relationships hinder our relationship with God. Our attitudes towards others reflect our relationship with God.

                                                        Father Martin A. Hyatt

What is a Tabernacle Used for in the Catholic Church?

I often like to pray in front of the Tabernacle.  My wandering is less when I'm looking at a Tabernacle.  In fact, once when I was on my Cursillo at St. Basil's in Methuen, MA, I took my pillow and blanket, and went up to the third floor altar and slept in front of Jesus, on the carpeted floor in front of the altar.  St. Basil's is staffed by the Melkite Greek Catholic Order of priests.  I use to babysit the pastor, Father Martin Hyatt.

Let me explain.  I come from Methuen, MA.  I went to high school right next door to St. Basil's Seminary. (Presentation of Mary Academy)  I grew to love the Salvatorian Fathers.  Father Martin Hyatt comes from Methuen, also.  That's how I came to know him.  

I wish I had my camera with me on that Cursillo.  The Melkite Greek's communion hosts are little cut up pieces of bread.  They are kept in a covered chalice.  It was placed in the center of the altar, where I slept.   

What is a Tabernacle? 

In the "General Instruction of the Roman Missal," under "The Place for the Reservation of the Most Holy Eucharist", we read:

314. In accordance with the structure of each church and legitimate local customs, the Most Blessed Sacrament should be reserved in a tabernacle in a part of the church that is truly noble, prominent, readily visible, beautifully decorated, and suitable for prayer.

The one tabernacle should be immovable, be made of solid and inviolable material that is not transparent, and be locked in such a way that the danger of profanation is prevented to the greatest extent possible. Moreover, it is appropriate that, before it is put into liturgical use, it be blessed according to the rite described in the Roman Ritual.

315. It is more in keeping with the meaning of the sign that the tabernacle in which the Most Holy Eucharist is reserved not be on an altar on which Mass is celebrated. Consequently, it is preferable that the tabernacle be located, according to the judgement of the Diocesan Bishop,

a. either in the sanctuary, apart from the altar of celebration, in a form and place more appropriate, not excluding on an old altar no longer used for celebration;

b. or even in some chapel suitable for the faithful’s private adoration and prayer and which is organically connected to the church and readily visible to the Christian faithful.

316. In accordance with traditional custom, near the tabernacle a special lamp, fuelled by oil or wax, should be kept alight to indicate and honour the presence of Christ.

Tabernacles have generally been made of metal (such as bronze or brass), or sometimes of heavy wood. They are traditionally lined in white cloth (often silk), and are always securely lockable and generally permanently affixed or bolted to their support. Some Tabernacles are veiled when the Eucharist is actually present in them. These veils are often of cloth and design similar to the priest's vestments (that is, to create a harmony of design), and are either white (the color of the Eucharist), gold (which may be substituted for white), or of violet, green or red depending on the liturgical color of the day or season.

[Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_tabernacle]

In summary, the Tabernacle is the place where the Real Presence of Jesus dwells within the catholic Church. While the Consecrated Host has the appearance of Bread, It is the true Body of Jesus living among us in fulfillment of God's promise during the days of the Old Testament to come and make His dwelling among His people.

And here are some examples:

Tabernacle inside the chapel inside St.Thomas Aquinas' Priory at Providence College.  

Tablenacle in Guest House
St. Joseph's Abbey
Spencer, MA

St. Mary's Church
Franklin, MA

Mother Teresa

Father Martin Hyatt celebrated the Mass tonight.  It was wonderful to see him.  I haven't seen him in a few years.  I've known him from childhood.  In fact, I call his mother, Auntie Angie.  He looked like he lost weight.  He certainly did -- 55 pounds.  He also had heart trouble.  He's had a couple of shunts put in.  Please pray for him and his continued healing.

He told us a story about Mother Teresa.  She and another sister came upon a man in the gutter.  He was disgusting, and obviously dying.  He reeked; he was lying in his own diarrhea and vomit.  A cloud of flies buzz around him.  He was covered with bugs and maggots.  Many would have walked on and let him die.  But not Mother Teresa.

She hailed a cab to take the man to their home for the dying.  The cabbie said that he'd take Mother and Sister but not the man.  His stench would permanently linger in the cab, not to mention stain the upholstery.  He couldn't do it.  So mother looked around and saw a wheelbarrow.  That's how they transported the man home.

As they got close to home, the sisters ran out to help them.  They lifted the man out and hosed him down, gently.  When he was clean, Mother said, put him in the guest room for honored guests.  You know where that was?  It was a bed at the foot of the statue of St. Joseph.

Mother Teresa fed him a little bread and water.  He died soon after.  Requiescat in pace.

Father Martin was telling us this story because the Thurs., Aug. 26 mother would have been 100 years old.