Denver Catholic

2 JUNE 23-JULY 13, 2018 | DENVER CATHOLIC Archbishop's Page Archbishop's Column Most Rev. Samuel J. Aquila Published by the Archdiocese of Denver, 1300 S. Steele St., Denver, CO 80210 Denver Catholic (USPS 557-020) is published bi-weekly, except monthly in January. Denver Catholic is printed by Prairie Mountain Publishing, LLC in Boulder. Periodical postage paid in Denver, CO. SUBSCRIPTIONS: $50 a year in Colorado; $57 per year out of state. Foreign countries: $57 surface, all countries, 6-8 weeks for delivery; $135 air, all other countries (average). Mexico, $63 air; Canada, $70 air. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Denver Catholic, Circulation Dept., 1300 S. Steele St., Denver, CO 80210 or email circulation@archden.org. CIRCULATION: denvercatholic.org/circulation Editor AARON LAMBERT Business Manager MICHAEL O'NEILL T he summer is usually a time when people struggle to main- tain their spiritual momentum as routines are interrupted by family events, travel or similar occasions. Considering this, I would like to o er as an inspiration a humble, holy woman who has encouraged many in the archdiocese, the Servant of God Julia Greeley. On June 7, we observed the 100th anniversary of Julia Greeley's death with a festive Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Concep- tion, where her remains are now entombed. One of the hallmarks of Julia's life was her strong devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Indeed, by God's Providence she died on the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart. Julia knew and experienced the love of Jesus in his Sacred Heart for her, and it was this love that moved her to confi dently share the Gospel and give to those in need without counting the cost. I would like to share with you excerpts from my homily for the 100th anniversary of Julia's death, with the hope that her example will inspire you to grow in holiness this summer. KNOWING THE TENDER LOVE OF THE FATHER In our readings for this solemnity, in the fi rst reading from Hosea, we hear the Lord revealing himself as a loving Father. "Out of Egypt I called my son, … I … taught Ephraim to walk, … I took them in my arms. I drew them with human cords, with bands of love; I fostered them like one who raises an infant to his cheeks. ... My heart is overwhelmed, my pity is stirred" (Hos. 11, 1,3-4,8). And in that [reading] we hear the tenderness of God for all humanity — the love of God who created every human being from the moment of conception in his image and likeness, who has given us life and who has created us to refl ect him. As we hear in the beginning of the Book of Genesis, "In his image and likeness he created them, male and female he made them" (Gen. 1:26). It is with great tenderness that the Lord desires to be intimate with every human being so that they may come to know and to receive his love, and one can taste the tenderness and intimacy of God in the language that is used in the Book of Hosea. Have you sensed and received that type of love from the Father? Certainly, it was the love that Julia was deeply aware of in her own heart, by the way that she lived her life. She knew that she was loved by the Father. She knew herself as a beloved daughter of the Father. … What does Julia's life teach you about holiness, about what it means to be a disciple, of what it means to follow and receive the tender mercy of the Lord, to know the power of God dwelling within you through the Spirit, and that Christ desires to make your heart his home, as he made the heart of Julia his home? Julia knew the tender love of the Father because she listened to and believed the Scriptures. She also accepted God's love for her in the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, which she received daily. If you desire to know God's tender love for you, begin with seeking him in prayer, in the Scriptures and in the sacraments. LOVING DESPITE SUFFERING Jesus, who is true God and true man, reveals what true love looks like and what charity looks like — that it is deeply rooted in sacrifi ce, and it is deeply rooted in giving oneself com- pletely to the Lord, no matter what the cost may be. … And we are told by John (in his Gospel), that this testimony was given so that we also may come to believe, to put our faith in Jesus Christ, in the one alone who can forgive our sins and give to us eternal life. And it was precisely that faith that motivated Julia Greeley. It was her deep faith in Jesus that helped her to take seri- ously the words, "Love one another as I have loved you." And it was done without counting the cost. I remem- ber, during the exhumation of her body, the person who was doing it said this woman was fi lled with arthritis … And she said her su ering and pain would have been constant. By bearing this arthritic pain, she shared in the su erings of Jesus Christ, as she qui- etly went about delivering medicine, food, clothes, and other necessities to those who were poor and in need. As she did this, Julia never counted the cost. There is no testimony of her complaining about her arthritis. Nor did she complain about her su ering as she shuž ed every fi rst Friday of the month to all the fi rehouses to bring the pamphlets on the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Gratitude is an essential element of loving others when you are su ering. Julia did not love being blind in one eye, the arthritis throughout her body, or the bone spur in her heel, but she was grateful for all the blessings God gave her, and this gratitude led many people to comment on her joy despite her poverty and physical challenges. A FEARLESS, HUMBLE MISSIONARY SPIRIT She had a missionary spirit. She was not afraid to proclaim Christ, she was not afraid to invite others to come to know Jesus and his love for them … once again, in great humility and great simplicity. And we see that same humility in St. Paul. In his letter to the Ephesians, he refers to himself as the very least of all the holy ones, to whom this grace was given. She loved as Jesus loved and understood the command of the Lord, "Love one another as I have loved you" (Jn. 15:12). And St. Paul goes on, "For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that he may grant you in accord with the riches of his glory to be strengthened with power through his spirit in the inner self. And that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the holy ones" (Eph. 3: 14-18). And it was precisely that grace that was given to Julia, that she so openly received within her own heart, that she was strengthened with power through the Spirit ... … How does her life teach you what it means to be a missionary disciple? Remember, she had none of the luxury of the day or what we have today. She walked everywhere, even dragging her leg and limping, but she served no matter what the cost. She never sought out adulation, she never sought out appreciation, she never sought out power or recognition. She simply served. As each of us strives to live out our faith this summer, may we expe- rience the tender love of the Father for us, be moved to generously give to others without counting the cost, and receive the grace of boldness that Julia so clearly demonstrated. ARCHBISHOP'S SCHEDULE JULY 8: 75th Anniversary Mass, Holy Ghost, Denver (12 p.m.) @ArchbishopDen Jun 9 "The Priesthood is the Love of the Heart of Jesus"- Saint John Vianney Yesterday - World day of Prayer for the Sanctifi cation of Priests, Continue to pray that the Lord will guide our priests in their vocation & give them the courage to preach his Gospel! #PrayForPriests +sja Summer inspiration: Julia Greeley & the Sacred Heart

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