Today in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Denver a beautiful liturgy is being celebrated. I am sure that every day the litury celebrated their raises the hearts and souls of the faithful. but today will be with singular exception as we begin our Lenten journey. Today is the funeral mass for Msgr. Michael Glenn. How appropriate, that the day of his funeral will focus on the Resurrection which comes after the passion and cross. Did you plan it that way Mike?
I met Mike when we were seminarians in Rome. He was very type A and serious. Opposites do attract! We were not really close friends. But there were a few common bonds we shared. Apart from our love of Christ and His Church, we both studied hard (he a bit more than me) and we enjoyed an occasional Black and Tan. Rome had two great Irish Pubs and at least bi-annually we would know it was time to unwind and visit one of them – the Druid’s Den or the Fiddler’s Elbow. Treasured memories.
PRAYER is one of the Lenten anchors. Today, as Michael Glenn is embraced into the loving arms of a Merciful God, I thought I would share the profound spirit that was his, even while he walked an unchosen path of cancer and its challenging treatment.
EXCEPTS from the emails of Msgr. Michael Glenn June 2016
Never put a priest on his back without something to pray for
Each weekday as I arrive for radiation, I get strapped down to the table with a Freddy Krueger-like mask of the front and back of my head. Nobody likes to go to radiation either for the short terms effects, nor the long-term effects, yet it is very necessary to fight aggressive cancers.
What a joy the ladies are who care for me, Linda and Jennifer! I joked the first day they should never put a priest on his back without something to prayer for – they took me at my word. They have blessed me almost every day with prayer requests prayers for family, others struggling with radiation, their faith communities, co-workers. I am amazed how much people want prayer if we ask. Today alone I was praying with Jesus in the Methodist chapel when a man opened the tabernacle and removed Hosts, put them into his pyx for rounds. I genuflected and then asked him if he was and Eucharistic Minster. He told me he was a deacon candidate. I thank him for his service to those who need Jesus so much; I asked the question: Can I pray for anything for you? He immediately told he me he had an exam at the seminary that afternoon and was nervous – I told him I had special expertise in praying for those in this situation. Then downstairs I went to radiation, as the mask was being put on I asked the ladies for their request: Linda asked for prayers for family– giving me details; Jennifer asked for prayers for struggles with her economics class. Strapped-in for 25 minutes on my back, I had the leisure and privilege on interceding for these needs – what an honor and incredible gift to be a priest of Jesus Christ.
Going early and wasting time
The last two-day I was late for radiation, Tuesday by 2 minutes and yesterday by 1 minute. I learned a great lessened from the witness of Archbishop Chaput, who, if he ever kept me waiting for a meeting, always apologize and would even acknowledge the time I had been waiting – what humility and respect he showed me. As many of you know, my favorite gospel is Blind Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46f). In it, we see something about a desperate blind man waiting for healing, who has only heard of Jesus from gossip around the gates of Jericho, now Jesus is drawing close. As he cries out, many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more. And then we are given the line that describes our roles in inviting others to know Jesus’ care for them: And they (“Jesus’ disciples” is assumed in the text) called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart; get up, he is calling you.” Intercession is more about connecting those in need with Jesus, than anything else. God can use well our early arrivals and lingering departures.
Sorry for the not so tiny letter – just wanted you to know I was still on the clock and ministering as a priest in the TMC.
Fr. Michael
Go Now in peace Michael…whisper in the Father’s ear for me. Matt 25:23