We recently had relatives from Missouri visiting us so I decided to do some touristy things with them. No, we didn’t go to Yellowstone National Park or to the Grand Teton National Park. We didn’t go to Fort Laramie or Register Cliff. I splurged and took them between Cheyenne and Laramie to see the Ames Monument. Do I know how to treat my guests or what?Actually, we had been doing things associated with Cheyenne Frontier Days but decided to take a little break and enjoy a quiet ride. It wasn’t the monument that attracted me to turn off the interstate and onto the gravel road. It was the clouds. A storm was preparing to move in and I wanted to get a closer look. The monument ended up being a great place to enjoy the changing weather pattern. The cloud formations rolling in from the mountains, and the subsequent lightning strikes, were a phenomenal showpiece. As you can see in the photo above the clouds just came and covered us.While we there I read the various signs and learned a little history about the Union Pacific Railroad. However, it was most enjoyable to see the beauty of God’s creating hand. “Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.”(Psalm 48:1)
I have been to hell and back. Okay, I have been to Hell, Grand Cayman but I have not been to Hell, Michigan. I have been to Purgatory, Colorado but have not been to Purgatory, Maine. It has been more of a challenge to get to heaven. I have not been to Heaven Heights, Massachusetts nor have I been to Paradise in Newfoundland, Canada. If I want to see paradise it would probably be easier to go to Paradise, Utah or Paradise, California since they are both closer. Led Zeppelin was going to lead us on the “Stairway to Heaven,” but apparently it is a difficult road since the band “Spirit” has now sued Zeppelin for “lifting the opening notes of Stairway to Heaven.”In Wyoming we have our own piece of Hell about 45 miles from Casper. It is interestingly called “Hell’s Half Acre.” That is interesting because the area encompasses about 320 acres. (Maybe there was an attempt to minimize hell’s influence to a half acre.) According to some of the local historians the area was actually known as “The Devil’s Kitchen” back in 1833. Thus, the area has been connected to the realms of hell in one fashion or another for nearly 200 years. Interesting and odd names for towns and locations can attract attention, but do they make us stop and pause to consider the deeper realities? A parade float created to resemble a saloon with plenty of alcohol flowing creates an image in and of itself. Add a sign “Hell’s Half Acre” with a depiction of the flames of hell and the image increases in intensity. Maybe Billy Joel had a point when he sang, “I’d rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints because sinners are much more fun.” Then again, he may have never considered the ultimate consequences for living a lifestyle contrary to the teachings of the Gospel. Reflections on the “four last things” used to be a serious matter. We pondered death, judgment, heaven, and hell and recognized the significance of walking humbly with our God. In modern culture we seem to see a much more casual attitude regarding these eternal issues. It almost appears that we don’t even believe in the existence of hell although Sacred Scripture certainly refutes that proposition.
My closing questions for today are simply these:
Where do we draw the line in regard to our attitude toward spiritual things? Do we find ourselves too casual, too serious, or just right? Do we have an understanding of where to draw the line between the cultural idea of “fun” and outright “blasphemy?”
Cheyenne Frontier Days create a very unique atmosphere in the city of Cheyenne for ten days each summer. The FREE pancake breakfast, which includes “jackalope ham,” is a sight to behold. Seeing thousands of people lining up and down the street to get their free breakfast is amazing. This happens not just once, but three times during Cheyenne Frontier Days. As I made it through the line yesterday they had already served over 8,000 people in less than two hours. Did I mention it is FREE?As we weaved back and forth up and down the street making our way to the Historic Depot area, I couldn’t help but wonder about the life stories of each of these individuals. People from all walks of life came together for one common purpose–breakfast. The overcast skies did not dampen the spirits of the attendees, and i
t was an orderly and pleasant experience. So what is the huge attraction of this event?
There are many components to the success of this venture. It is well-organized. It is fascinating to see thousands of people being fed in a matter of minutes. It is interesting to see the batter for the pancakes being mixed in a concrete mixer. There is music and entertainment. It could also be that you just want to say, “I have been there and done that during Cheyenne Frontier Days.”
Have you ever imagined why our churches don’t have lines like this? Our churches provide us with much more than a free breakfast. We have the opportunity to encounter the living God through the proclamation of the Sacred Scriptures. Why aren’t we seeing our churches flooded with an over-flow of people desiring to be nurtured by the Word of God and to be nourished by the Body and Blood of Christ in the Eucharist? We will walk blocks and blocks and stand in line for nearly an hour to receive free pancakes, but our enthusiasm to meet Jesus Christ in Word and Sacrament can sometimes be less than stellar. How have we arranged our priorities in life?
As I see stadiums filled with people at sporting events or concerts I sometimes wonder what we have missed in church leadership. Is there something from a sociological viewpoint that we have neglected in regard to building a faith community centered in a common purpose and guided by God’s grace and the power of the Holy Spirit? Why are there so few truly vibrant church communities? Obviously, Cheyenne Frontier Days are about entertainment. The parades, the breakfasts, the rodeos, the concerts, and a multitude of additional events set the stage for an enjoyable time. (There is also no doubt that the economic boost to the local economy is immense.) I don’t want our churches to be entertainment venues, but it would certainly be nice to see this type of energy, life, and vitality among the body of believers. Can you imagine the impact we would have on the world if we would bring the transforming love of Jesus Christ to others with such zeal and exuberance? “Do not grow slack in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer.” (Romans 12:11-12)“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
This picture makes me grateful for the modern ambulances we have today. The response time to an emergency call would be a bit on the lengthy side using genuine “horse power” as shown here.
Where are we in our spiritual journey? Are we novices in our faith walk? Are we like the colt trotting alongside the mature horses just beginning to “learn the ropes,” or are we confident and steady like the seasoned horses in the parade knowing full well where we are headed on this route?
How do we feel about our prayer life? Is God’s timing our timing? Sometimes I get a sense that God’s response time is about as quick as the horse drawn ambulance. Answers to my prayers aren’t coming nearly as quickly as what I would prefer.
On the other hand, maybe I am a little slow in turning to prayer. Is prayer a last resort or is my attention drawn to God first and foremost in all things? Am I praying fervently and faithfully or simply going through the motions?
The more I think about this the more I realize that I have another picture which could depict how slowly I offer my prayers to God.
“He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken!” Luke 24:25
The rodeo clown has an important role to play in the safety of the participants. It isn’t always an easy task and I am sure there are times when the heart rate of the clown must skyrocket. Getting a bull’s attention at close range is not necessarily what I would call fun. I could see myself having a great desire to jump and hide in the barrel at the first sign of danger. (Thus, I sit in the stands as a spectator rather than as a cowboy or a clown.)I am not a rodeo clown, and yet, there are still times that I would like to jump in a barrel and hide. The difficulties and anxieties of life can take a toll and weigh me down. Although running away and hiding can seem appealing, it is generally not the most effective means of coping. There has to be a healthier and more productive manner in which to address the problems of day-to-day life.One thing I was taught years ago was that I am responsible for my joy. If I believe that I am a child of God I should be filled with joy. If I allow my joy to be taken away by others or by the difficult circumstances of life, I am walking in the flesh and not in the Spirit. It took a lot of years before I started grasping the real depth behind that thinking. I finally started to understand a little bit of it when I distinguished the difference between happiness and joy. Problems may be filling my days and I find that I am not necessarily happy about the way things are going. However, I should still have the joy of the Lord despite the difficulties.I am grateful for the gift of prayer. The older I get the more I realize that God really does speak to us in the depths of our being. There is grace; there is strength; there is peace and contentment when we engage in the act of prayer. Let us walk boldly in faith. “For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control.”(2 Timothy 1:7)
The world certainly has enough problems these days. The Middle East seems to always be an interesting location, the Ukraine and Russia has become a hot-spot once again with the Malaysian airliner being shot down, and according to one news report there are over 40 wars being fought at the current moment across the globe. Violence is a way of life in much of our world, and even in our own country the violence in some of our cities is absolutely astounding.As I watched the parade on Saturday in Cheyenne I was struck by the contrast of what was being experienced in our town compared to the horror and devastation that war-torn countries were enduring at the same time. The excitement of children watching the parade was heart-warming and the community spirit was a sign of hope. However, the realities of the fragile existence we share could not be missed. The military always has a commanding presence in the parade and this year was no exception. As parade watchers applauded our men and women in uniform for their service to our country, one couldn’t help but wonder what the future holds in regard to war and peace. Will we enjoy tranquil days or be ravaged by conflict and violence?Seeing pictures on the news this week of people who were killed in violent attacks in a multitude of locations made me stop and pause. What am I personally doing to create a culture of non-violence? How am I building up the Kingdom of God? I may not be able to solve the world’s problems, but I have a responsibility to pray and act in my little corner to promote peace and justice. Am I doing my part? One float in the parade each year makes me a little sad. This year it hit me even harder than usual. Some of the deceased in the airliner disaster were children. It was sad to see their stuffed animals and other belongings laying on the ground. Behind each of those belongings was the life of a child snuffed our prematurely. The float (pictured below) with the small casket was a stark reminder of the shortness of life and the length of eternity. Let us give thanks to God for the gift of life and fervently pray for peace.
All is quiet in front of the capitol building today, but the parade days will create a completely different scenario tomorrow, Tuesday, Thursday, and next Saturday. Cheyenne Frontier Days bring a festive atmosphere to the city with parades, free pancake breakfasts, big star musical entertainment, shopping, games, rides, and of course, “the daddy of em all” rodeo.
The Missouri River in St. Charles, Missouri has long been a point of interest for me. I have enjoyed walking in Frontier Park soaking up the solitude along the river, and I have also participated in some of the festivities in which thousands of people have gathered in that same location. The power of the river can be fierce when flooding, and it can seem quite tranquil at other times. Regardless of the circumstances, the river demands respect. This weekend I experienced only the heat, the humidity, and the bugs. Other than a few other tourists and a couple of joggers all was quiet on the riverfront. I appreciated the opportunity for a little reflection time without a lot of distractions. I have written about my personal journey before, but being back in St. Charles this week brought back the memories a bit more vividly. It was on July 17, 1986 when I was diagnosed with cancer the first time. I spent 52 days in the hospital over the course of a four month period. St. Joseph Health Center looks out over the Missouri River, and many times I stood in one of the lounge areas of the hospital and watched the river flow. I was angry at even the river. It seemed like a replica of my life because it was flowing right on by and there was nothing I could do about it. The frustration of such a predicament was beyond my understanding and the bitterness within me continued to grow. It got to the point where I watched people walking on the sidewalks below and resented them for being healthy. I could not believe this was happening to me.
Thankfully, God is patient. I spent a lot of time in the simple chapel at the hospital. Slowly, God touched my pain and brought the healing that can only be found in Him. I was broken in so many ways, but nothing is beyond the scope of the Divine Healer. It is difficult to imagine that I eventually would come to the point where I would help start a support group for patients and their families coping with a life-threatening illness. Our group met successfully once a month for more than ten years. I even became part of the hospital staff as a chaplain for a short time as well. God certainly moved me from a place of despair to a place of hope, and then threw me into an arena completely out of my comfort zone. The end result was a tremendous learning experience and a powerful blessing to my eventual ministry as a deacon many years later.
I had no idea back then where the road would lead. I wasn’t even sure I would survive the cancer–or the harsh chemotherapy treatments. It was a lesson in perseverance, but more importantly, it was a lesson in trust. The setbacks, the infections, the loss of a paycheck, the loss of independence, the loss of dignity, and so much more bombarded my mind. I probably wouldn’t have been ready to hear the question at that time, but 17 years later when the question came, I needed it then too. “Are you still praising God?” Life is not always easy, but it is blessed.
Today, I celebrate 28 years of survival since the first diagnosis of cancer. It was an expedition I didn’t choose, but it resulted in quite an adventure. This week when I looked at the statue of Lewis and Clark in Frontier Park, I had a deeper appreciation of their courage. How do you stand at the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers and embark on an unknown journey? Sometimes, we step out in faith. Let the glory of God shine forth!
Living most of the first 40 years of my life in Missouri I guess it will always be considered home regardless of where I hang my hat. It is 850 miles from my current home to my old stomping grounds, and this weekend I made that trek once again.
As I get older the trip gets a little harder, but if I can get other states to follow Wyoming’s lead it could be quicker. On some of the rural areas of Wyoming the interstate speed limit was raised to 80 MPH on July 1, 2014. I got to enjoy a little less than 30 miles of that in Wyoming before hitting the Nebraska border. Nebraska officials–I enjoy your state. However, I could still enjoy it at 80 MPH rather than the current 75 MPH. It’s just a suggestion.
I made the 14 hour drive on Friday and then the whirlwind of activities began the following day. I presided at the graveside service on Saturday morning where we buried the cremains of my brother-in-law Jerry at a small rural cemetery in Millwood, Missouri.
Then it was on to my mom’s house. I picked her up so we could go to the 5:00 P.M. Eucharistic Liturgy in which good friends were celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary. Congratulations JOANNE and ROSCO! It was a marvelous celebration and your family is simply a delight to be around. It was enjoyable to catch up with so many people I had not seen in years. The picture below is out of focus. That is due to the guy working the camera–not due to the subjects in the picture. (I should have taken more than one picture.)
It was an honor and a privilege for me to offer the invocation and prayer of blessing before dinner. Thank you Boone for the invitation to do so. Eventually, the festivities closed on Saturday and I took my weary mother back home so she could get some rest for the next day.On Sunday morning I picked my mom up and we headed to O’Fallon for my cousin’s 60th anniversary as a Precious Blood sister. Sr. Rose Marie Dobelmann is my first cousin, but she has also been a mentor to me. After I was ordained a deacon in 1999, I went to school for an additional year receiving specialized training in the administration of religious education programs. In 2000 I landed my first job as a Director of Religious Education. Although I had completed the schooling, I was scared as I entered into my first role. Sr. Rose Marie provided me with the guidance and support I needed to eventually become competent (I hope). Her years of experience and wisdom were a tremendous blessing to me as I began this new ministry.
Sr. Rose Marie has touched the lives of many people in her 60 years as a sister. She continues to lead faith discussion groups with women at All Saints Parish in St. Peters, Missouri. Based upon the number of those women present at her celebration, Sr. Rose is still touching lives and sowing seeds of faith. Thank you for your faithful witness to Jesus Christ. (Thank you Fr. Pat Ryan for your generous hospitality in hosting the dinner for Sr. Rose. Thank you also for inviting me to offer the invocation and prayer of blessing prior to dinner. It was a privilege to do so, and it was also a pleasure to serve as a deacon at Mass with you.)On Monday I spent time catching up with some work and clearing up a few e-mails that needed attention. I did get a little rest before heading back to Wyoming early this morning. As you probably know, vacation is not always restful. In closing, I simply offer my thoughts and prayers to the farmers along the Mississippi River. I saw some beautiful looking crops, but unfortunately, many of them were standing in flood waters. I know the difficulties of farm life and the costly venture of farming bottom land. Getting a flood in July is certainly devastating. Please know of my prayers for you.
Independence Day takes on more and more meaning each year as I get older. Maybe it is wisdom incrementally growing in my heart and mind, or maybe it is simply the cold, hard reality of recognizing what we seem to be losing right before our eyes. The precious gift of freedom is intimately linked to our faith—unalienable rights bestowed upon us by the Creator—and as faith declines so does our freedom.I feel a sense of relief today as the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of Hobby Lobby in regard to the HHS Mandate requiring employers to provide birth control and other abortion related services. The split decision of 5-4 clearly indicates the divide in our court system and in our country as a whole. It is sad to think that “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” can be under such attack in our time.
I don’t get heavily involved in politics on a regular basis, but I have had a few occasions to testify before various committees at the state capitol on moral issues coming before the legislature. Some of the typical comments I hear after each testimony can be expected. I will leave out the colorful words used in these attacks, but the general message is simple. “Keep your religion to yourself.” Please understand that I am not advocating for a theocracy. I am simply asking for some solid Christian moral principles to be kept in mind as legislation is drafted, discussed, and passed.
If each public official has to check his/her Christian principles at the door when he/she walks into work, is it any wonder why we have seen the moral decline demonstrated in our legislative bodies as well as in the judicial system? If agnosticism and atheism are the only two world views permitted in the decision making process of political officials, we can expect nothing less than a continued moral deficit that becomes more pronounced with each passing day. The very dangers anticipated by the Founding Fathers of our country are coming to pass in our own generation. This republic form of government will not last without the guiding principles of Christianity as the foundation of our country.
Democrat or Republican, liberal or conservative, left or right—what does it all mean in the big scheme of life? Whatever happened to the common good?There are certainly going to be differing ideologies in regard to how society will best be served. A liberal mindset will typically welcome more government influence into the mix while a conservative will look to the private sector. Thus, approaches to various matters will be quite different based upon the political leanings of the individuals involved. Years ago a statesmen would typically arise from within the ranks. This individual would successfully bring parties and individuals together to reach a consensus on a particular issue after negotiations and compromises were skillfully and respectfully navigated. The current political climate would suggest that those days are over.
There are some good people with honorable motives who run for political office. Some of these actually win their races. However, it is not long before the discouragement and disappointment can be seen in many of these newcomer’s faces. The reality of the world in which they have entered can take a devastating toll on the emotional and spiritual resilience of even the strongest person. That is truly a sad commentary about the state of politics in our world today. Some of the veteran legislators smoothly navigate the churning waters of politics to hold onto their position, power, and prestige. A former legislator spelled it out clearly to me a few years ago to help me understand. He asked, “How does a legislator know when it is time to stop running for re-election?” I responded with a simple , “I don’t know.” He said, “When a legislator starts looking at things from the viewpoint of doing well rather than doing good it is time to go.”Working for the common good is an honorable goal. However, if a person starts to look at issues and events from the perspective of personal gain the legislative system spirals downward quickly. The individual legislator does well, but the good is not necessarily pursued for the people. How many of our legislators at the state and national level are doing well?
Unfortunately, the majority of the population has bought into the myth of the separation of Church and State. A clear study and understanding of the historical context of this issue is a necessity. It is too lengthy of a topic to cover in this post, but knowing the history and the writings of the early era of our country would serve us well as we move forward. Allowing the agnostic and atheistic viewpoint to completely hijack the process has not served our country well, and the consequences will be felt in dramatic ways for decades, if not centuries, to come.
The dysfunctional political machinations of our country are only a symptom of deeper societal problems. Recent surveys reveal time and again the continued cultural shift as more and more behaviors once looked upon as immoral, or even deviant, are now accepted, promoted, and celebrated. The progressives have been very successful in orchestrating a concerted effort to achieve these goals through the use of media, educational institutions, and billionaires throwing a lot of money to organizations and individuals in line with their ideology. The marketing prowess and expertise has resulted in a very complex system of individuals, institutions and structures working independently and cohesively toward a common goal of undermining the moral influence of the Church upon society. If the moral authority of the Church is diminished there are less obstacles to achieving acceptance of “alternative lifestyles” in society.
What is the bottom line? There is a profound need for a renewed call to holiness. Baptism cannot simply be viewed as a ritual devoid of meaning. It has to be etched into our hearts and minds as a call to discipleship. If we have any hope of being “one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all,” Christians will have to lead the way by faithfully living out the Creed they profess.
