From the Desk of Father Martin - April 21, 2019

Happy Easter! Many of you are familiar with the game show “Jeopardy!” and probably already know that the longtime host Alex Trebek is sick with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. When he spoke to the public about his illness he assured folks that “I’m going to fight this. And I’m going to keep working, and with the love and support of my family and friends, and with the help of your prayers, I plan to beat the low survival rate for this disease.” And just to show that his sense of humor is still in- tact, Trebek added, “Truth told, I have to (keep working). Be- cause under the terms of my contract, I have to host “Jeopardy!” for three more years.” I’ve been praying for him ever since I heard and wonder if he’ll still be with us by the time you sit down to read this (I’m writing in late March, before the big Lenten rush swallows me up and chews up all of my free time). So, I’d like to dedicate this column to Alex Trebek and all of the many fans of “Jeopardy!” who will be saddened by his departure from the world as we know it. Though I’ve rarely had the time to watch the show, I always found “Jeopardy!” to be one of the few programs on TV that actually promotes education. A friend used to watch it religiously and while he found the depth of learning in the contestants to be outstanding, he always remarked that they were simultaneously very ignorant about nearly everything having to do with reli- gion. Well, let’s see you how you fare with a few easy ones: Knock knock, who’s there? It’s members of this denomination whose name references Isaiah 43:10. Answer: Who are the Jehovah’s Witnesses? It’s the act of dying for one’s faith. An- swer: What is martyrdom? Christmas is December 25th; this holiday around the same time starts on Kislev 25 on the Jewish calendar. Answer: What is Hanukkah? Pope Benedict XVI’s first of these was titled “Deus caritas est” – God is love. An- swer: What is an encyclical? Okay, now that you’re warmed up and feeling good, we’ll move into more current events with a splash of religion. If you are able to solve all of them without recourse to your phone or any weird new age divination, the grand prize is a 2016 Ford Focus. It only has 36,000 miles, is completely paid for and insured, and has been in the shop twice in the first year I owned it. It’s now two-toned blue and has been recalled for a faulty gas valve that results in nearly stalling every time I back out of the garage and start up the little incline on Chestnut. I’d like to trade it but I’m assured I’d only get a new pair of pajama pants and a rancid box of Swish- er Sweets in exchange. So you can have it if you get a perfect score . . . . good luck! 1) Formerly known as the Baron of Blenker, he’s tall, mean and not nearly as funny as he thinks. Answer: Who is Father Burish? 2) Possibly the nicest of my former associates (which really isn’t saying much), he stopped eating Big Macs and instantly dropped 50 pounds. Answer: Who is Father Kuhn? 3) He drove a car named “The Great White Hope,” and was frequently forced to walk because it was a Chevy. Answer: Who is Father Sedlacek? 4) He was born in 1940 and thinks he’s pretty smart. Answer: Who is Father Barry? Oops, sorry about that . . . . the answer is actually Who is Alex Trebek? Well, how did you do? By the way, I love my Ford Focus and was only kidding when I said you could have it . . . . the people who sold it to me might be reading this and I don’t want to jeopardize our friendship! Now to end this East- er special, the bonus round: He wore a yarmulke, spoke fluent Aramaic, knew the Psalms by heart, was accused of blasphemy and crucified for claiming to be God’s Son. But He was Who He claimed to be and when Alex Trebek dies and you die and I die, we will meet Him and be judged by Him. Answer: Who is Je- sus Christ?
May God fill your heart with the hope and healing of Easter! Your friend in Christ, Father Martin 

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