Author: Vernon Dobelmann

Building a room around a boulder adds an ambiance you don’t frequently see in buildings.  The plants hanging from the rods along the wall add another dimension of feeling like you are enjoying the great outdoors while being inside.  Even though there was an attempt to create a particular setting utilizing the boulder, it still seems to me that the boulder is out of place.

I have watched very little of the Republican National Convention so far and I will probably watch very little of the Democratic National Convention next week.  Like the boulder, these events just seem to be out of place.  Our world is hurting in a multitude of ways and the political climate in our country tends to make things worse.  It does not matter which side of the political aisle you are on when it comes to listening to speeches or interviews among the candidates and their supporters.  The overall methodology is the same.  The one speaking is part of the powerful elite explaining to us how they are able to connect with the average folks.  Do they honestly expect us to believe such rhetoric?

Watching the political shenanigans day after day has made it clear to me why Jesus did not come into the world as a powerful political or military figure. He demonstrated servant-leadership to the point of giving his life.  Was Jesus out of place during his time on earth or were the ruling elites out of place?

Please don’t look for your salvation among the Democratic or Republican Political Parties?  There is no need to look toward the Libertarian Party, the Constitutional Party, or any other party as well.  Our salvation is in Jesus Christ.  We may look out of place with the rest of the world as we make our pilgrimage of faith.  That is okay.  If the world hates us because of our belief in Christ, we are blessed indeed.

I stood outside this afternoon and watched a storm develop.  The wind picked up and the clouds got darker.  I could not help but think that the storm was indicative of the mood in our country right now.  A dark cloud hangs over law enforcement in particular, and the rest of us in general.

One of the spokespersons in Baton Rouge said it well, “This isn’t about gun control.  It’s about men’s hearts.”  Evil has been allowed to thrive in our nation due to a variety of factors.  The term “separation of Church and State” has been used as a means to completely squelch the voice of the Church.  The progressive movement has pushed for the concept of freedom FROM religion rather than freedom OF religion.  The moral decadence that follows from such an endeavor is what we are witnessing in our time.

While we may be tempted to lay the blame for our national woes at the feet of the politicians, I think each of us may need to do some real soul searching within ourselves.  How have we contributed to society by our words and actions on a daily basis?  Have we been a positive influence?  More specifically, has the Christian faith been evident in our lives for others to see? I am not saying that we are to flaunt our Christian values in an arrogant self-righteous manner.  I am simply asking if we have been a faithful witness to Jesus Christ in our words and actions without hiding our light under a bushel basket.

Apathy and complacency among Christianity leads to agnosticism.  If we are not filled with zeal and fervor in our walk with the Lord why would we expect other people to be excited about the journey of faith?  The Church needs to experience the fire of the Holy Spirit in a profound way.  If we succumb to functioning in a dull and lifeless manner within the Church, we will continue to see more and more people drift from a life of faith.  The repercussions of that can be seen in our society today.

Those of us in Church leadership positions bear a heavy burden of responsibility for the current state of affairs.  Let’s be honest.  There are frequent occasions when the preaching and teaching of the clergy is less than power-packed.  In 1 Peter 4:11 we are reminded that our preaching should be the Word of God.  If our preaching is motivated and inspired by the Holy Spirit it will contain power.  Our congregations desperately need that type of preaching on a regular basis.  This is a task that must be taken seriously by all members of the clergy for the salvation of souls.

Even though the Church is sometimes not welcome in the civic arena of discussions about issues that impact our communities, it is important that we are present.  Although our credibility as an institution has been damaged by the scandalous behavior of a few, it is time for us to regain the trust and confidence of the people by working diligently to proclaim the Gospel and live it faithfully in our own lives.  Being content with the status quo is unacceptable.

My dear people, be serious about your faith journey.  Pray with intensity and fervor.  Pour out your heart before God.  Turn away from sin.  Strive to live a virtuous life.  Be a saint.  The world needs your witness.

         “When the Son of Man returns, will he find any faith on the earth?”
                                                                         ~Luke 18:8

In Chimayo, New Mexico one can see many signs of answered prayer requests.  Crutches, braces, and other articles speak eloquently of physical healings that have been experienced.  I don’t know about the claims of “holy dirt” from this site, but I do know of the power of prayer.  Upon my recent visit to this shrine I witnessed people in prayer.  That is a sign of hope.

Individually and collectively we are in need of inner healing.  Msgr. Charles Pope said it well yesterday in the title of his blog.  “The Darkness is Deepening in a Land Overshadowed by Abortion.”  In one paragraph deep into the article he lists many immoral activities that would have been almost “unimaginable sixty years ago.”  Our nation is in need of serious healing from the overwhelming darkness of sin.

Maintaining hope in the midst of chaos, confusion, and rampant carnality is not easy.  It is quite plausible to become disillusioned and dismayed when it seems like there is no real hope for our nation.  The added dimension of ambiguity and questionable statements by Church leaders in regard to some of these issues only serves to heighten the frustration and concerns of many Catholics.  What does the Church really teach?

Pastoral outreach by Church leaders is essential.  However, it cannot be accomplished effectively without having sound doctrine and solid theological understanding as a foundation from which to begin.  Genuine mercy preaches the Gospel with clarity in a spirit of charity.  If we do not call people to holiness in our outreach we are offering counterfeit compassion.  Pastoral ministry must include an invitation to conversion.​   

The darkness of our age is real.  Spiritual warfare is real.  I am clinging to Christ tightly.  He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life!

I was reading an article today about the Order of Preachers (Dominicans) marking their 800th jubilee.  Saint Dominic Guzman introduced the grace of Dominican life into the world in 1216 to preach for the salvation of souls.

​Religious orders bring their unique charism to the service of the Church.  The Dominicans have blessed us with their preaching charism.  I give a tip of the hat to all Dominicans today, and I give a special “shout-out” to the Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis, Missouri.  May God continue to bless your work in abundance!