Category: Advent

Today’s Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is not just a celebration for the people of Mexico.  This feast reminds all of us that we have a Mother who loves us.  The story of St. Juan Diego, the tilma, the roses, the bishop, and the sick uncle all create a masterpiece of Mary’s love and concern for each of us. We are blessed indeed.

This feast is a day in which I am reminded to maintain my diligence in standing up for the sacred dignity and value of each human life–conception through natural death.  As society continues to slide down a slippery slope of of moral decadence, it is imperative that people of faith stand strong in being proponents for life.  Many individuals in our culture remain committed to securing abortion on demand and without apology.  Others are insisting that we need to legalize euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide.  There seems to be no end to the desires of those yearning for a culture of death.  We as Christians have a responsibility to resist at every level.

If society refuses to stand up for the rights of those most vulnerable among us, why are we surprised when other heinous acts of violence occur around us?  If I am unwilling to speak out on behalf of the helpless child in the womb, how can I ever have credibility in speaking out against any other injustice taking place in society?  We cannot simply pick and choose which violent acts against humanity will offend us.  Until we are willing to stop the killing of millions of children in the womb, we will never effectively address the other societal problems that afflict our world.

Abortion proponents have been very effective at communicating their message.  Unfortunately, many women and men in our churches have been dramatically impacted by their decision to believe the message of abortion proponents.  Statistical evidence would seem to indicate that a significant percentage of women within our church congregations have had abortions. There is one simple message I have for anyone who has been directly or indirectly involved in procuring an abortion.   There is healing, hope, and forgiveness in Jesus Christ.  If you are post-abortion and struggling with grief, please reach out to your local pastor or pregnancy care center for help. There are resources available to assist you.  

     Our Lady of Guadalupe–pray for us!

“Let us then throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.” These words from St. Paul in his letter to the Romans (today’s second reading at Mass) remind us of the necessity of living a moral and upright life.  We each have a purpose in this life.  It is to walk humbly with our God.

I have tried to escape politics during this four-day weekend.  However, a simple glance at social media can quickly draws one’s attention to the rantings and ravings that continue to flourish in this post-election season.  I am beginning to wonder if it will be perpetual bashing of people from this day forward.  Civil discourse on ideas no longer seems possible.  Attacking people generates more headlines than quietly putting forth a good, solid idea to improve the country.

I read an article today about the sheriff from Franklin County, Missouri humbly serving the people of that county for 24 years as sheriff.  According to the article he has never spent more than $7,000 on a re-election campaign. The sheriff said he has tried to stay out of politics.  That is quite a feat when you hold an elected position.  I give a tip of the hat to Sheriff Gary F Toelke and others like him who strive to serve the people entrusted to their care.

franklincountymosheriff.com/command-staff

Obviously, the death of Fidel Castro sparked a lot of discussion over the weekend.  The celebrations in Miami indicate the sentiment of people who came to America to escape oppression in Cuba.  Meanwhile, some leaders around the world and some celebrities here at home offered words of praise for the deceased.  That difference in worldview says a lot about the challenges facing freedom across the globe.  

As we embark on a new liturgical year on this First Sunday of Advent, let us heed the admonitions in the Scripture readings.  Throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.  The world needs your faithful witness to Jesus Christ.  Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

  Have a blessed and holy Advent Season!  

Going for a walk when it is 16 degrees with an 8 mph wind making it feel like 3 degrees may not appear to be the ideal conditions one would desire. However, it was quiet, just a little mist of snow still falling, and the beauty of the fresh powder made it a picturesque setting to reflect, ponder, and pray as I walked. 

In preparation for the beginning of Advent tomorrow (or this evening if you attend the anticipatory Saturday evening liturgy), I spent some time reflecting on the Joyful Mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary.  

The Annunciation–Can you even imagine what must have been going through Mary’s mind during the interaction with an angel of the Lord?  How can this be since I know not man?  The Sacred Scriptures only give us a small glimpse into the story of the Incarnation, but it would be interesting to know the breadth and depth of all the things Mary kept and pondered in her heart.

The Visitation–This scene would have to be the ultimate family reunion.  The joy being experienced by both Mary and Elizabeth must have been overwhelming.  The magnitude of the role these women were to play in salvation history is phenomenal.  How much of this did each of them fully grasp at the time?  Obviously, the Holy Spirit was actively at work in each of the women preparing them for this moment in history, but it still would be fascinating to know the variety of thoughts that were bouncing around in each of their minds.

The Nativity–We know the story of the Lord’s birth quite thoroughly.  Has familiarity with the story dampened our enthusiasm and awe?  Do we truly grasp the magnitude of God taking on human flesh and coming to earth as a helpless child?  It is not just about decorated trees, a clean and sterile manger scene, and waiting for Santa Claus.  It is the incarnation of the Savior.  Our redemption is at hand.  Do we understand the gift of salvation?  Do we even care?

The Presentation–The prescriptions of the law were followed.  The result is an amazing prophecy.  “Now Master, you can let your servant go in peace.  Your Word has been fulfilled.”  Do we trust that the Word of God has been fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ?

The Finding of Jesus in the Temple–We could explore this particular mystery from a multitude of angles.  Jesus was in the temple busy with His Father’s affairs.  We are able to make a number of assertions based upon what we are told in the Scriptures about Jesus’ presence there.  I want to examine it from the perspective of Mary and Joseph.  What were they thinking at this point in time?  They had just spent several days back-tracking to find Jesus.  Was there anxiety as they searched?  Was there anger or disappointment that he just couldn’t keep with the program and be in the caravan as was expected?  I don’t know.  The question I repeatedly ask myself after reflecting upon this mystery is a simple one.  Do I seek Jesus with great intensity, fortitude, and perseverance?

During my walk I finalized my New (Church) Year’s resolutions.  I have set specific goals and intentions in regard to my prayer, my study, and my action. I will evaluate and asses my progress from time to time, but specifically, I will examine things thoroughly upon the arrival of Ash Wednesday on February 10, 2016.  If adjustments are needed to the goals I will do so at that time.  If I just need a kick in the rear to stay on track I will look forward to the Season of Lent providing that particular boost in effort.  Self-discipline, mortification, and will-power are only a part of the equation.  It is through these disciplines that I hope to open myself more fully to the grace of God at work in me and the power of the Holy Spirit flowing through me.  With God–all things are possible.  I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

           HAVE A BLESSED ADVENT!!!

Advent is into the second week.  How are you doing?

My calendar has been full lately.  (Thus, the infrequency of blog postings.)  I have been making a conscious effort to stay focused on the season in the midst of the hectic pace. However, determining whether or not I have been successful is a subjective evaluation. Some days would probably score better than some other days.

On Friday I led a simple gathering of a dozen folks in an hour of reflection.  It was an amazing experience.  I had contacted everyone in the group a few days prior to the gathering and asked each person to think of a “WOW” moment in their lives.  We used those examples to move into a deeper look at how God works in our lives on a continual basis.  There was no doubt that the power of the Holy Spirit was moving in our midst as we shared our thoughts, struggles, hurts, and joys.  These intimate gatherings allow for a profound experience of the presence of God, and I am grateful for having been a part of this particular gathering.

On Friday evening I traveled to Casper, Wyoming to present a day-long retreat on Saturday and preach at all of the weekend Masses at St. Anthony’s Parish.  These opportunities to visit a parish community are always exciting.  I enjoy meeting the people and appreciate the privilege of sharing the journey of faith with them.  Although I am the one doing the presenting, I always walk away enriched in the process.  It is a fantastic experience to learn of the many ways people have been touched by the love of God.

I was reminded by the beginning of Mark’s Gospel this weekend to look at my faith journey with a sense of urgency.  God is calling me to holiness today–not tomorrow, not next week, not next month–TODAY!  Mark chose to start his Gospel with Jesus being in adulthood.  He wasted no time with the infancy narrative or the early years. The difference in his approach as compared to the other Gospel writers really struck me this year.  I don’t know if that is the message he was intending to communicate by starting his Gospel in that manner, but it is the message I took home with me this weekend.  It was something I need to ponder.

John the Baptist struck me in a somewhat different manner this time too.  As I proclaimed the Gospel at mass I was overwhelmed at the humility of John.  People were coming to him from all over the Judean countryside as well as Jerusalem to be baptized.  He was popular.  Some thought he was the messiah.  He did not bask in this attention; he simply pointed people toward Christ and the coming of the Kingdom.

     Are we pointing people to Christ in the way we speak and the way we act?

The waters of baptism have brought each one of us new life.  The Sacred Chrism has sealed us with the gifts of the Holy Spirit.  How have we been changed through these experiences?  Are we truly preparing the way of the Lord?

This Sunday (the 2nd Sunday of Advent) we hear the beginning of Mark’s Gospel.  The first line of the Gospel isn’t even a sentence; it does not contain a verb.  The line stands more as a title than anything else: “The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God.”  There is no infancy narrative in Mark’s Gospel.  He simply jumps into the story at the time of John the Baptist.  This directness cuts to the chase and reminds us of the necessity of repentance.

John the Baptist is an excellent example for Christians.  He was fueled with a burning passion to point others to Christ.  He admits that he is not even worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals.  The humility expressed by John the Baptist is refreshing, and he certainly challenges me to look at my own life.  Am I pointing others toward Christ with that same kind of humility?

           How will you prepare the way of the Lord during this Advent season?