Reflection by Fr. Mike Ignaszak on his visit to Sabana Yegua (Dominican Republic)
Father Mike Ignaszak, pastor of Saint John Paul II in Milwaukee, visited the La Sagrada Familia Parish in Sabana Yegua, Dominican Republic a few months ago, and here we share a reflection based on his homily in the small chapel at Kilometer 8 on his last day in the parish. It is based on the Gospel reading of the day.
The story of Lazarus and the rich man always makes me take stock of my life. It makes me admit something that makes me uncomfortable: in many ways, I am rich. When I was a child I didn´t think that my family was poor, but we definitely were not rich. My dad worked hard to provide for us and sometimes my mother worked too. I knew there were people that had much more than we did. Now I know that I have always been one of the richest people in the world. Even though there are many people who have far more things and much more money than I, I have never known hunger and never been without. Even after my father died when I was eleven years old, my mother went to work and provided for us. Compared with much of the world who has far less than me, I was still rich. It is difficult to be in that position, to be rich, and read this Gospel.
When I pray with the readings it challenges me to redefine what makes one truly rich. Having the chance to preach on this reading while visiting your beautiful parish, you have taught me to see riches in a new way. Your community has been greatly blessed, and you are a blessing to me and to all who visit. During this week and a half, I witnessed true riches in the what I used to think of as the poorest of situations. People who live day to day off the land have shared generously with me. People who have none of the conveniences that I as an American take for granted each day, have shown me a joy. Too often when we have more, we want more. Too often when we are lucky, we want more luck. Too often when we take things for granted, we feel entitled. You have taught me that true riches come from being blessed. Your community is blessed and is a blessing for others. I give thanks to God and to you for the time I have spent with you for it has changed me.
I am now proud to be rich, but not in things. I am proud to be rich in the blessings God has showered upon me – in all of you. You have taught me that the heart of true riches is when you recognize that you have been blessed. Material wealth has nothing to do with it. It is simply that joy of life, knowing God is with you, that makes us all truly rich. For this insight I thank you. I thank you also for your hospitality, warmth and generosity. I thank you for your patience with my Spanish in conversations and for the warm greetings as I have passed you in the streets.
Contrary to the great divide that separates Lazarus and the rich man, I get to cross the great divide between Sabana Yegua and Milwaukee. I am allowed to return and tell my brothers and sisters at St. John Paul II parish that I have discovered how beautiful and blessed our brothers and sisters in La Sagrada Familia are.
This pilgrimage has served me to visit friends and make new ones, to meet you and to learn about your wonderful country and the strength of your faith. These riches can never be counted in a bank account, but they worth far more than any gold. In this sense, you have helped this poor man to be richly blessed by you.
