Bulletin Board with News and Events

A story in the last issue of the Jesuit periodical America reported that Vatican officials announced on December 11 that the tomb of St. Paul had been discovered under the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome. An end of the tomb is now open to view. If Pope Benedict XVI gives permission, archeologists may try to open the sarcophagus to see if the great Paul’s relics really are there. The discovery sent me to my book case to retrieve Michael Hart’s controversial book The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History (Citadel Press, 1978). Hart, an American astrophysicist, purposely called his work “a ranking”, not “the ranking.” He never claimed to be an expert; he was just starting an argument. He admits a bias toward scientists by including 37 in his top 100. He awards Sir Isaac Newton the rank as second most influential in all of history. Among those who did not make his cut were Lincoln, Gandhi, Aquinas, and Da Vinci. He disqualifies claims at divinity in choosing to make his judgments on human influence alone. He also ranks “influential” persons, not necessarily the greatest or the most virtuous. Therefore, he includes just 11 religious figures in his 100. How does this relate to St. Paul? Paul is ranked in the book as the sixth most influential human being of all time! Where is Jesus? Not first. Remember, Hart disqualifies Christ’s divinity. Hart gives Mohammad the title as most influential human. Muhammad was both a powerful religious figure and a military champion, that later title never belonging to Jesus. Perhaps today, almost 30 years after Hart wrote his book, Muhammad would be even more secure in his number one ranking. The argument goes that Jesus obviously is the key and essential figure in Christianity, in all its varieties, a most influential world religion. Hart points out, however, that Christianity at the time of Jesus’ crucifixion was just a sect of Judaism, itself a minority religion. Then came Paul. The combination of Jesus and Paul, at least in human explanation, eventually established Christianity as a world religion, for centuries the official religion of the Mediterranean world. Paul was Christianity’s greatest missionary; his three voyages presented Jesus to the classic western civilization. Paul wrote almost half of the New Testament – 13 of the NT’s 27 books. Paul shaped Christian theology in his relationship with Christ. If you believe that Jesus was divine, that Christ died for our sins, that all of humanity was affected by the original sin, that faith precedes good works, then you were and are influenced by St. Paul. That is why he is ranked sixth among the world’s most influential humans. On our personal list, he may be higher. Jesus certainly must beat Muhammad and Newton. Then again, we accept Him as Son of God and Son of Mary. For your curiosity, here are Hart’s top 10 – (1) Muhammad, (2) Newton, (3) Jesus, (4) Buddha, (5) Confucius, (6) Paul, (7) Ts’ai Lun (inventor of paper), (8) Johann Gutenburg, (9) Christopher Columbus, and (10) Albert Einstein. Let the argument begin. For Christians, Jesus always must be first. We also honor the great saint who continues to influence us from beyond a grave that has no more finality than any other Christian grave, the great St. Paul.

On Tuesday, January 16, Francis Cardinal George will celebrate his 70th birthday. He told a gathering of priests recently that the birthday really meant something to him because it was the milestone of another decade; but also because, during the past year, he was not certain he would live to be 70. His foreseeable intention remains resolute – to retire as the Archbishop of Chicago, the first of our ordinaries (chief bishop of Chicago) to retire from the post (the previous twelve Chicago ordinaries moved away, ran away, died, or went insane). His ultimate intention remains just as solid – eternity with Christ in Heaven. This past year has not been easy for Cardinal George. Let’s offer our prayers on his birthday for the pastor of all Chicago’s Catholics, our friend, Cardinal George.

I am grateful for your patience during these six weeks of construction at Holy Name Cathedral. We are installing a new terrazzo floor, some of which already is visible on the south side of the Church. The ramp enabling the disabled to enter the Cathedral sanctuary was essentially constructed this past week. Eventually, our pews will return with a new finish and with new kneelers. Comments last weekend were almost universally positive. Parishioners realize that the new floor will be beautiful and will be much easier to clean as we welcome over 5,000 visitors each week. “Overflow Masses” are scheduled to be said in the parish center’s auditorium (across the courtyard on the north side of Holy Name) until mid-February at the most crowded Masses – 5:15pm Saturday, 9:30 & 11:00am on Sunday. For your flexibility and encouragement, thanks.

Thanks are extended to several special parishioners who made last weekend’s first construction Sunday so hospitable. The Parish Pastoral Council, the Liturgy Committee, the regular ushers, and others acted as friendly greeters, explaining where the pews had gone, welcoming all to Holy Name Cathedral, steering Mass goers to the open chairs, answering questions, and fulfilling our trademark identity as Chicago’s Church. I really was proud of what those great volunteers did. I also thank Associate Pastor Father Paul Stein, Staffer in charge of Special Events Pat Still, Administrative Chief/Deacon Stan Strom, Head Usher Rich Costa, the sacristans, the security personnel, and anyone else who helped us make the Cathedral a friendly place even while undergoing surgery.

A Mass-going friend had a helpful suggestion last Sunday. He noted that we announced at the beginning of Mass that it would be proper to stand during the Eucharistic Prayer, the center of the Mass that includes the consecration. We made that announcement because we realized that most were accustomed to kneel, a difficult posture for many on a concrete floor in winter. If you want to kneel, feel free to do so. The friend, however, suggested that we announce that those unable to stand for extended time, especially the elderly, should feel free to kneel. Good idea! It might also be good for those who arrive before Mass and who can handle stairs to consider taking the extra chairs in front of the Cassavant organ on the south part of the sanctuary. Those who sat there last weekend got a rare peek at the work of a Cathedral organist. I was fascinated by the looks on the faces of the RCIA candidates at last Sunday’s 9:30 watching Associate Music Director David Jonies work the keyboard and pedals. Other priests told me of similar experiences among those who took advantage of the sanctuary seats at other Masses. You must get here a little early to claim one of those rare seats. The sanctuary seats are waiting for you.

Fr. Dan Mayall