BISHOP MENGELING’S HOMILY AT THE 24TH ANNUAL RED MASS

Dear Friends in Christ -

Honorable members of the Judiciary, Government Offices, Attorneys, Law Professors, Legal Professionals, Law Enforcers and First Responders -

With respect and gratitude, I warmly welcome you, your families and guests, clergy, religious and all present to St. Mary Cathedral for our annual Red Mass.

At the close of the Mass, Judges and Members of the Bar, will continue a noble tradition - the renewal of their Oath of Commitment.

The Red Mass was inaugurated 750 years ago. In 1248, the Jurists of France assembled for Mass in the Sainte Chapelle of Paris in the presence of the King - St. Louis IX.

In England the first Red Mass was in 1310. Twelve Judges of the High Court in red robes opened the Judicial Calendar at the Red Mass.

The Votive Mass of the Holy Spirit called for red vestments thus the event quickly became the Red Mass.

The first Red Mass in the USA was celebrated by Cardinal Hayes in St. Andrew Church, New York City on October 6, 1928.

We are united spiritually with many across the centuries who sought divine blessing on the evolution and practice of law in their universities and Halls of Justice.

Like those who inaugurated the Red Mass and their contemporaries at Bologna, Oxford, Paris, Salamanca, we too need divine assistance.

As we continue this ancient tradition, I thank you, in the name of our diocese for your commitment to a society directed by just laws founded on truth and freedom and applied with mercy.

Since his martyrdom on July 6, 1535, participants in the Red Mass commemorate and invoke St. Thomas More.

From a merely humanistic and secular perspective, More is the Man of the 16th Century. He was a principal player in a time of monumental upheaval, turbulent change and dynamic renewal. It was the height of the Renaissance, the emergence of Greek-Roman civilization, an explosion of ideas, learning and culture - given momentum by the invention of printing and a deluge of easily available books.

It was a century of discovery and exploration of immense continents that changed nations, politics, science and commerce. The century in which the unity of Christendom in Western Europe was splintered by contrary biblical, theological and moral opinions.

The Man of the century had immense influence in England and the continent. As a thinker with a profound grasp of theology, philosophy and history he was a leader in the company of scholars called Humanists especially with his close friend Erasmus.

He was a prolific writer whose ideas shaped the times. His Utopia is popular today. He was a brilliant and impeccable lawyer. As member of parliament, foreign ambassador and chancellor of England were all secondary to God and family.

He was truly 'Man of the Century' but much more he was 'Saint of the Century'.

By Divine Grace he integrated all dimensions of his life into a unity enlightened and unified by faith. More's Catholic faith and pursuit of holiness define him - the final words of the man and saint of the century - the man for all seasons at his execution echo through the centuries: "I die, the King's good servant, but God's first".

Much in our time is similar to More's time. Every age has always been the 'worst of times' and if some really are the worst, history shows that times of crisis gave birth to great things and even some of the greatest Saints.

Here's Goethe (+1832) on the 18th Century: "Every century tries to make the sacred - vulgar; the difficult - easy; the serious - hilarious".

The Bible calls crisis: a great time of opportunity; an invitation to deeper faith; a summons to greater conversion.

Heroic leaders and believers emerge in the crucible of crisis that requires choices for Christians.

Then Joseph Ratzinger said, "The Church does not offer solutions, the Church offers Saints". St. Thomas More is one.

How did More blend 'Man of the Century' with 'Saint of the Century'. His final words tell us 'I die the King's good servant, but God's first'.

The human/divine encounter of Thomas More with Christ continually illumined and transformed him. United with Christ in Word and Sacrament, he strove to be an effective and happy citizen of the world and of the Kingdom of God.

For him the Word of God was living and active. Awaiting death in the tower his prayer was about 'playing the role of Peter'. As he walked on the water to Jesus, he became frightened and began to sink, and cried out, "Lord save me". Jesus at once stretched out his hand and caught him. Jesus said, "How little faith you have".

The Bible is rich with roles for us to play. This evening's Gospel is one with Zaccheus and Jesus. Let’s play Zaccheus:

1. Zaccheus had a great desire to see the Lord. So do we. God planted that desire in our being. A hunger that is never satisfied and a thirst never quenched. Hearts that are restless until they rest in God.

2. Zaccheus had and met obstacles. He was too small and the crowd was too big. We too face obstacles that make us aware of how small we are and needy and easily become discouraged. An old adage, 'the sea is large and the boat small, but God is greater than sea and all'.

3. Zaccheus did not hesitate, he made a decision. He climbed the sycamore and went out on a limb.

4. Zaccheus was trying to see Jesus but it was Jesus who first noticed Zaccheus. So Jesus sees us and the good we strive to accomplish.

5. Zaccheus probably thought that watching from the tree was enough to get just a glimpse of Jesus but Jesus took charge and told him to hurry down.

6. Jesus said to Zaccheus: "I mean to say your house today". Zaccheus welcomed him joyfully. Zaccheus' life was forever changed. He said: "On my word, Lord, I will give to the poor half of my possessions. If I obtained anything by fraud, I will refund it four times as much. Today salvation has visited this household".

In this divine human drama, the citizen of the world and the citizen of the Kingdom became one in St. Thomas More and us. In this Eucharist we will welcome Our Lord into our house.