HOMILY GIVEN BY FATHER BOB RAY
50+ 1 Anniversary of Ordination of
Father Ronald Knott
May 23, 2021
St. Theresa of Avila Church
Rhodelia, KY
Dear
family and friends of Fr. James Ronald Knott.
Fr. Ron was ordained May 16, 1970.
His 50th anniversary celebration is a year late, due to the
Covid lockdown. Ron is not one to be
outdone by such a small thing as a pandemic.
He came up with a new tradition-- 50+1 anniversary. Ron always finds a way to ignore a roadblock
and find a way forward.
Today
is Pentecost Sunday. Ron gave me strict
instructions to honor this feast of the Holy Spirit and not turn it into “Fr.
Ronald Knott Sunday.” We can do a little
of each. An idea that might tie together the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the
Church and Ron’s anniversary is the phrase “the new normal”. The Church was given birth by the
Spirit. We are living in the new normal
called life in the Spirit. That fits Ron
perfectly, whose priesthood is marked by being in tune with the surprising creative Spirit of God at
every level.
Jesus
himself brought a radically new normal to the world. Now hear this, says Jesus. God is love, not an ogre who is out to
condemn you to hell. Love your
enemies. Offer forgiveness instead of revenge. Happiness is not found in thinking the world
is all about “me”. Happiness comes from pouring
out your life for the common good of all.
This is why we call the life and teaching of Jesus, good news. The earth
itself can sing a new song of hope. We no longer have to wait until after
death, to find some joy and peace. The reign of God is already breaking into
our lives, as we speak. We are children
of God now. We don’t have to earn the
love of God. We just have to receive it
with gratitude and pay it forward.
After
the death of Jesus, his close friends and associates were paralyzed by
fear. They locked themselves away in a
room, feeling that all the dreams that Jesus had stirred up in them, were
dashed once and for all. Jesus appeared to them, alive again; his first word to
them was “Peace. All will be well. The
Spirit I promised is coming. He will
secure God’s life-giving ways among you. The gates of hell shall not prevail
against this enterprise of God.”
p.2
A
reflection on Ron’s life is a reflection on how the Holy Spirit does amazing
things in those who offer themselves to his influence. The Spirit is the One who is like fire and
wind, elements of transformation and possibility. We believe that the Spirit not only gives
general gifts to everyone, such as wisdom and courage. I also remember a priest’s
message to some seminarians who were looking to become priests. He reminded
them that each person is a unique reflection of some trait of God. Discover how
you distinctively reflect God. That piece of God in you is your life source. It’s
the place from which you will counsel others, preach to others, be a companion
to others. It is the core of where you
are permanently connected to God. This applies to priests and everyone made in
God’s image.
One
of the God-like qualities in Ron is his sense of humor. In fact, one of his
last books is entitled, “I Just Had to Laugh.”
We think of God as forever serious, never cracking a smile. Notice how laughter
is such a blessing; it must come from God. Laughter deflates our pride and makes us
humble. Laughter heals our sadness and lifts our spirits. Ron tells the story from the time he served
as pastor of Calvary Church. A woman came
up to him and said, “Hey Father, I noticed when you walked into the rectory the
other day, you were carrying a brown sack.
What was in that sack?” Without
missing a beat, Ron answered, “Two women and a fifth of whiskey. Were they kicking?” Our beloved St. Theresa of Avila herself said,
“My God, protect me from gloomy saints.”
Thanks Ron, for making life more joyful through your God-given gift of
humor.
For
many years, Ron wrote a column entitled “An Encouraging Word”, for The Record,
our diocesan newspaper. Ron encourages those who are discouraged. He does it through his preaching, his
writing, his pastoral care. While Ron
was pastor at the Cathedral of the Assumption, he built a parish of talented
parishioners, eager to grow in faith and service. He also intentionally reached
out to people who didn’t always feel welcome in the Catholic Church—people who
lived on the margins of the mainstream of life. Remembering that Jesus
preferred to eat supper with sinners despised by the public, Ron put out the
encouraging word. “Come as you are. You don’t have to wait to get your act
together, before you are allowed inside. Come into the safety and hospitality
of Christ. You have something to offer, and we too want to serve your best good.
p.3
Another
thing we are celebrating today is this village of St. Theresa Church, in
Rhodelia, Ky. Here is another piece of
wisdom from our patroness, St. Theresa. “All things must come to the soul from
its roots from where it is planted.”
Ronald of Rhodelia, loves his roots, this place where his soul was fed
and formed. Our ancestors are here in the bricks and the stained glass, but
mostly in the spirit of the present community and living alumni. We all love
this place.
From his
father, Jim, Ron was formed with a solid work ethic and an enterprising spirit.
From his mother Ethel, Ron was formed in kindness, self-sacrifice, and the gift
of laughter. Ron is devoted to his sisters and brothers who cherish each other
and love spending time together. He was
formed by Fr. Felix Johnson who raised sheep in the cemetery, and treated kids
to Sunday night movies. The Sisters of Charity taught Ron about God and also
how to clean school windows with vinegar water and newspapers. Ron grew up among people who know the value
of being good neighbors. He was among parishioners who not only support the
Church with money, but also with the sweat of their brow. These roots bear good fruit.
I’ll close
with the inscription Ron has on his tombstone that awaits him in St. Theresa
Cemetery. Simply Amazed. Forever
Grateful. Ron reflects on why he
chose these words. “I feel it was all a
gift. I didn’t do it on my own and I did
not earn it”. Fr. Ron, we are simply
amazed at what the Spirit and you have accomplished together and we are forever
grateful.
Thank you for
saying yes to God. May the Holy Spirit keep adding on to the 50 + for many more
years of fruitful service and personal contentment.
My God,
protect me from gloomy saints.
St. Teresa of Avila
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