By Barb Arland-Fye
Editor
“Isn’t that comforting?” Father David Steinle asked, referring to the Gospel reading from John (14:1-6), which includes this familiar, reassuring phrase: “In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?” Father Dave, a retired diocesan priest, raised the question during his homily at Mass last Friday evening (May 16) in the chapel of Sacred Heart Cathedral in Davenport.
His homily, reflecting on the Gospel reading, seemed like a nudge from God to get my attention. God’s preparation of a place for each of us requires reciprocal hospitality. We must prepare the house of our hearts to love God, as demonstrated through our thoughts, words and deeds. Father Dave encouraged us to engage in interior reflection to examine how we are preparing ourselves.
Some of the rooms in the house of my heart could use a bit of dusting or maybe remodeling! The temptation to pass judgment, to suspect others’ motives in today’s culture is an intruder that must be barred from entering. Father Dave’s homily came a week after Pope Leo XIV’s election as pope. In his introductory speech May 8 from the Loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Leo said, “Help us, one and all, to build bridges through dialogue and encounter, joining together as one people, always at peace” (Vatican News). Another nudge from God.
Then, during his inauguration Mass May 18, Pope Leo said, “We are called to offer God’s love to everyone, in order to achieve that unity which does not cancel out differences but values the personal history of each person and the social and religious culture of every people” (Vatican News). Inspiring words! Now, I face the challenge of putting them into action in my daily life!
A reflection by Bishop Robert Gruss of the Diocese of Saginaw, Michigan, also spoke to me this past week as I contemplate preparing the house of my heart. On the ninth day of a novena for St. Isidore, Bishop Gruss (a priest of the Diocese of Davenport) wrote about the love that St. Isidore and his wife, Maria, shared with others. His reflection appeared May 15 in the digital publication of Catholic Rural Life, whose board of directors he chairs.
“St. Isidore and Maria had a true friendship in Jesus. Remember that true friends bring out the best in us and make us a better person. In other words, they make us greater,” Bishop Gruss reflected. “This is what Jesus did for St. Isidore — and this is what Isidore did for others — because ‘No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.’ It is how St. Isidore gave praise to God!”
The following evening, during Saturday night Mass at Our Lady of the River Catholic Church in LeClaire, Pastor Father Apo Mpanda gave a homily that reinforced the messages I have been receiving for the past couple of weeks. The Gospel reading from John (14:7-14) picks up where we left off in the reading from Friday (May 16). This time, Philip asks Jesus “to show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.” Jesus responds, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.” Again, God invites us to interior prayer and reflection, so that we can build on our relationship with God and with others. The nudges keep coming!
(Contact Editor Barb Arland-Fye at arland-fye@davenportdiocese.org)
