Be like Henry! (Sunday homily)

Today we celebrate the patron of this church, Saint Henry.

That makes today a solemnity for this church!

And that’s why the readings and prayers for this Mass 

are different from what they will be at neighboring churches.

Henry was born in 973; he died on this day, in 1024 – 1,000 years ago.

The Benedictine Order reveres Henry as one of its patron saints.

Henry was taught by a Benedictine, Bishop Wolfgang,

And his wife, Cunigunde, lived in a Benedictine convent 

when she became a widow.

Henry may have felt an attraction to the religious life, 

but his family duties meant he would succeed his father as a Duke, 

and then become King of Germany and the Holy Roman Emperor.

He certainly devoted himself to building up the Church in his realm.

And he gave his support to a reform movement 

that had begun a century earlier 

at a Benedictine monastery in Cluny, France.

It is striking – if you read church history – 

to see how regularly someone was calling for reform.

But, given human nature, this is no surprise.

In each of our own lives, do we not wake up periodically to realize: 

I’ve gotten lazy, I’ve developed bad habits, I’ve let things slip?

Whether it’s John the Baptist, or a Benedict or Catherine of Siena, 

or Pope John XXIII, or the Emperor Henry, 

the Body of Christ on earth continually needs 

those who sound the alarm and call for housecleaning.

This is why our Catholic Faith has always included a focus on penance, 

meaning both including acts of self-denial in our regular routine, 

and of course, observing Lent each year,

and then, regular use of the sacrament of penance.

And that process of reform isn’t only about moral renovation.

Henry reorganized church structures to serve his times.

Our Archdiocese is doing the exact same thing in our time.

In Henry’s situation, they were trying to share the Gospel 

with the Slavic tribes to the east.

In our time, our parish family must go out 

and seek our families and neighbors and re-present Jesus to them.

Another striking detail from those times: it was anything but calm!

There were constant wars and political struggles.

Henry’s father was called “Henry the Quarrelsome”!

One of the wise decisions his father made 

was to entrust Henry to be educated by the bishop Wolfgang, 

who was later recognized as a saint. 

We might notice that not many politicians become saints!

Why did Henry? Maybe because of the seeds of faith planted early.

If you did the math, Henry lived only 51 years on earth – 

fewer years than this parish has been here in South Dayton –

And yet the light of heaven that shined through his life 

reaches forward a thousand years to us and beyond.

Think about that whenever you say, what difference can I make?

So many kings valued their wives solely for giving them heirs.

He and his wife Saint Cunegunda did not conceive any children. 

Other kings would abandon their wives; Henry remained true.

As king, Henry commanded armies and faced wars; 

but he was notable for seeking paths of peace and reconciliation.

There was one neighboring King who Henry would make peace with – 

then war would break out again, then peace, then war – 

It took a lot of patience before peace finally took hold.

Where did Henry learn these things? 

Was it when he got together with other kings and dukes?

Or was it when he attended Mass, 

or in the habit of prayer that he learned as a youth?

Perhaps as he and his beloved wife contemplated 

how to make a difference for eternity?

Again, it’s all about what you and I make a priority.

We always find time for what matters most. 

As St. Henry Parish comes together with Our Lady of Good Hope 

and St. Mary, as we work together, as we build together,

you and I can be just like Henry, as we:

Share our gifts with our community, not hesitantly, but confidently;

Be messengers of reconciliation, even repeatedly;

Don’t be discouraged as we plant seeds of faith; 

they will sprout, even if it takes a thousand years!