Watching women jump up and down with glee at the ruling of the U.S. Supreme Court striking down the 2013 Texas law regulating the safety of abortion clinics was truly disheartening. We have become a society that celebrates the legality and the ease of killing unborn children.
The Kermit Gosnell scandal prompted this law to be passed. Apparently, five un-elected justices of the U.S. Supreme Court think they know what is better for the people of Texas than the elected legislators and governor of Texas. Actions like this should concern all U.S. citizens as state’s rights are trampled upon by the federal government once again.
We cannot continue to turn our backs on God without consequences. There is a need for serious prayer and fasting for our nation. Learn the faith. Study the Sacred Scriptures. Grow in holiness. Allow God’s love to permeate every aspect of your life. If chastisement comes upon the earth may each of us be found with joyful hope watching and waiting in fervent prayer!
The second reading in today’s liturgy is filled with wisdom regarding the gift of freedom. “Serve one another through love.” What changes would we see in society if we all lived by that single admonition? I think we would soon experience a freedom beyond our imagination.
The last couple of days have provided some beautiful skies here in Wyoming. I appreciate the opportunity to take in the beauty of God’s creation while walking and praying. The warmer days have been welcome and my exercise regimen has been a little easier to maintain in such conducive conditions. Since I pray while I am walking that means my prayer life has been on track too. I am grateful for these blessings. Today I pondered the gift of religious freedom as we continue in the Fortnight for Freedom.
Bishop Etienne’s homily at Mass today was phenomenal. He shared some very personal insights in regard to developing an interior life that sets the stage for experiencing freedom in a profound way. He gave a reminder that is extremely pertinent to the faith journey. We say “yes” to self-sacrificing love each and every day. Serving one another through love is not simply a commitment we make once. We make it over and over again. This type of love sets us free. How free are you?
On my way to the city of Gillette recently I came across this truck parked along the street in Wright, Wyoming. The photograph does not really capture the immensity of this machine. It was huge. I am not sure what I would do with it if I owned it, but since we are exactly six months from Christmas I decided to add it to my Christmas wish list. I have not driven a tractor-trailer truck in 16 years but the fascination with heavy equipment remains.
Each of us bring our life experiences into the spiritual journey. I grew up on a farm about forty miles northwest of St. Louis. I learned at an early age some of the responsibilities of working around animals and equipment. You respect both. Hard work was part of the equation while growing up. There were times I resented working all day on Saturday. I also didn’t appreciate feeding the hogs before and after school during the week. This was especially true during the winter months when the work was completed in the dark. I learned a lot from that way of life during my first 25 years.
We develop habits and values through our life experiences. Playing sports through high school and college taught me perseverance. Fighting cancer taught me about faith, hope, and trust. Working in law enforcement and corrections taught me about some of the harsher realities of life. Working for the power company taught me about business, corporate politics between union members and management, and the skill of driving a tractor-trailer. Loading backhoes, bulldozers, and other equipment onto trailers was a bonus that I had not anticipated. Good times!
When I entered full-time ministry in the year 2000 I had no idea just how much each of these life experiences shaped my ministry. In many ways it seems like my experiences are varied and disconnected, but in the end it has provided a multi-faceted look at life that has been extremely beneficial as I minister to and with others. I am grateful for the many opportunities and blessings all across the board.
What has shaped your spiritual life through the years? Is there a connection between your many experiences? Give it some thought. Feel free to post your comments. You only need to use your first name to post something. Some have told me they don’t like putting their full name in the comments. That is fine. As long as the comment is appropriate there will not be a problem.
Well, it is time to get back to my Christmas wish list. What do I need to go along with the monster truck? I am sure I will think of something.
The Ordo pointed something out today that I had not heard before (or I had forgotten that I heard it). In discussing the date of this feast the Ordo states, “St. Augustine found this date (near the summer solstice) appropriate for, after the birth of John, daylight begins to grow shorter, whereas after Jesus’ birth, it begins to increase.”
In the Gospel of John chapter 3 verse 30 it makes it very clear as to the role of John the Baptist when he states, “He must increase I must decrease.”
That brief line gives plenty of food for thought. Am I inviting Jesus to be the center of my life or is it all about me?
Last September I went for an early morning walk around the campus of the University of Wyoming in Laramie. The backdrop of War Memorial Stadium, the predawn sky, and spotlights illuminating the monument of a cowboy “Breakin’ Through” a brick wall made me stop and pause to take it all in for a few brief moments. The grit and spirit of the Wyoming Cowboy was captured beautifully in this piece of art.
I am a former college athlete. Through my many years of playing sports I had quite a number of different coaches. Some were extremely good at teaching fundamentals but lacked charisma. I had other coaches that were less sound in teaching the fundamentals but were very inspirational. Rare is the coach who possesses both of these attributes in abundance. If you find one, cling tightly to him or her. You are in for a winning experience.
In my adult life I have spent years studying leadership, motivation, salesmanship, communication techniques, public speaking methodologies, marketing, and general business etiquette. Dr. Denis Waitley inspired me to study the “Psychology of Winning.” Norman Vincent Peale convinced me of “The Power of Positive Thinking.” Napoleon Hill taught me about the “Law of Success.” In the last seventeen years I have been striving to apply what I have learned from these authors in a very tangible way to build up the Body of Christ. I yearn to know the most effective ways to take what I have learned from the Sacred Scriptures, Church Teaching, and the writings of the saints and apply it in a practical way in my day-to-day life. I then want to be able to teach and preach effectively for the good of others.
Ben and Kelly Decker of Decker Communications make it clear that people in modern times are craving inspiration more than information. I firmly believe that this is especially pertinent to the Church. We can teach doctrines and dogma all year long, but if it fails to inspire what has been achieved? In particular, the clergy have a responsibility to inspire the flock. This is done through a variety of avenues. First and foremost, we want our spiritual leaders to be models of holiness. Secondly, we want them to be effective communicators of the Good News of salvation. We desire preaching that is substantive and delivered with charisma. We want inspiration.
Statistics continue to show sharp declines in church attendance. In many areas of the country only 25% of registered parishioners are in church on any given Sunday. A lack of proper catechesis is obviously part of the problem. If people understood the Eucharist they would make it a point to be there to participate and encounter the living God. However, it is not just a matter of passing on more catechetical information. There must be inspiration.
A crisis in faith can be sparked from a variety of sources. Unfortunately, the main cause seems to be an onset of complacency and apathy. Do you know of a particular parish that is brimming with life? If not, I am sorry for your loss. If you do know of such a parish are you able to articulate what sets it apart from others? What gives life to a parish?
I have been responsible for religious education in one capacity or another for the last sixteen years. I serve as a resource person to parishes striving to enhance their religious education programs. Through the years I have come to realize one very important factor in this equation. If a religious education program is going to be successful there must be inspiration.
Parish programming of any kind will rise and fall with the level of leadership. If a parish has a vibrant liturgy there is an enhanced hope for a more far-reaching outreach with other endeavors. The parish that prays and worships well together will do other things with zeal and fervor too. A burden of responsibility rests on the shoulders of the pastor to be sure that the Eucharistic Liturgy is celebrated well. The preaching MUST inspire. That is a vital component of developing an amazing parish.
Other components are necessary to nurture a congregation into health and holiness, but if the preacher fails to inspire, good luck with trying to accomplish anything else. If we make Jesus boring by the way we utter the Good News, we have done a disservice to God’s people. The King of Kings and Lord of Lords is not boring. The first question that must be asked of the one preaching–whether it be a bishop, priest, or deacon–is quite simple. Do you really believe the Good News yourself? If we who are preaching are not filled with the power of the Holy Spirit our words will be dull and lifeless because they stem from our own making. In 1 Peter 4:11 the message is clear. “Whoever preaches, let it be with the words of God.” If we follow that admonition we will be delivering inspiration.
The Church exists to evangelize. Each and every baptized individual is called to proclaim the Good News, but this admonition to go out to all the world is especially pertinent to the ordained. I am not talking about developing a slick marketing program. I am asking for genuine preaching and teaching that is faithful to the Gospel and delivered with love, compassion, energy, and enthusiasm. I want inspiration in addition to information. Vibrant worship is a beautiful starting point to enrich and empower all of the other ministries in the parish including catechesis.
Please pray for all of us who have the responsibility of teaching and preaching. Composing an inspirational message that is constructed in a methodical and coherent manner while keeping it short enough to be charismatically delivered in eight to twelve minutes is no easy task. With God’s grace all things are possible.
May each of us take our share of the responsibility of building up the Body of Christ. It is long past time for us to truly be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. My question for you today is simple. How will you let the light of your faith shine today?
I had been to the Grand Canyon in 1983 and I really did not have much of a desire to go back. However, my wife and I had asked our son where he wanted to go on vacation and this was his choice. Since he had never seen it I was happy to give him the opportunity. The trip was amazing.
We arrived early in the morning and I am grateful that we did. Enjoying the view with a few hundred people as opposed to a few thousand was a blessing. A young boy started to run around and make noise and his sister (about 10 years old) said to him, “Shhhh.” It was then that I realized we were enjoying a sacred moment. Even a young child was able to grasp that there was something special in this experience. Adults were talking to one another in hushed tones. We were not in church, but we were encountering the sacred in this view of majestic splendor.
Enjoy the pictures over the next few days. I am unable to convey the feeling of being there, but I nonetheless want to give you a glimpse of the handiwork of Almighty God.
Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi in Santa Fe, New Mexico (Outdoor Stations of the Cross)
“Without morals a republic cannot subsist any length of time; they therefore who are decrying the Christian religion, whose morality is so sublime and pure…are undermining the solid foundation of morals, the best security for the duration of free governments.” ~Charles Caroll (Signer of the Declaration of Independence)
I saw the above quote this morning in The American Patriot’s Bible. As our nation celebrates Memorial Day and honors those who have given their lives in defense of our country, I cannot help but wonder how long our country will survive. We have been blessed beyond measure with the gift of freedom, and it has come at quite a cost. That is what we commemorate on this day. We recognize the sacrifices of those who have gone before us to give us the opportunity to live in freedom. Are we in the process of throwing it all away?
I do not fear the external threats to our country although these are very real. I am concerned that we will simply implode due to turning away from God and creating our own idols. We have taken the gift of freedom and turned it into license. Our society is in for some dark days as we turn a blind eye to the moral decadence surrounding us. Sadly, many in our society aren’t content with just corrupting the moral values of our own country. There is an organized and well-funded effort to export our immorality throughout the world. The convictions of our founders were clear. We could use some of that clear thinking among our governmental leaders today.
There is a statement attributed to Patrick Henry (Governor of Virginia) which says, “It cannot be emphasized too clearly and too often that this nation was founded , not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religion, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” Can you imagine what would happen today if a governor made a statement like that in public regarding the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
Daniel Webster (Statesman, Lawyer, and Orator) said, “If we abide by the principles taught in the Bible, our country will go on prospering and to prosper; but if we and our posterity neglect its instructions and authority, no man can tell how sudden a catastrophe may overwhelm us and bury all our glory in profound obscurity.”
To all who have served our nation in one capacity or another I simply say, “Thank you!” For all who lost their lives in service to our country we pray for their eternal rest. For all who suffered physical, mental, or emotional injuries we pray for your healing and peace. For all family members who have suffered because of injuries or death to their loved ones serving our country, we hold you up in prayer as well. For all those who have endured lengthy separations due to deployments we thank you for your sacrifices.
Today is a day to pray for our nation. For all who made the ultimate sacrifice we pray, “Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace.”
I apologize for the absence this last week, but I have been on a pilgrimage and vacation. My wife planned out a very beautiful pilgrimage (in honor of our son’s graduation) to southern Colorado and northern New Mexico where we visited numerous churches and shrines. We then headed to Arizona to see the Grand Canyon (at our son’s request) for the vacation portion of our week. I was pleasantly surprised that this also became part of the pilgrimage as the majestic beauty was simply captivating. The trip culminated with a visit to my brother’s house. We had not seen each other since my mom’s funeral last fall and this gave us a brief opportunity to catch up on the latest happenings in our families.
I will share more details and plenty of pictures in the days ahead. However, I did not want The Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ to pass by without sharing some thoughts of this beautiful sacrament. As I have mentioned to you on numerous occasions, please take the time to read the Bread of Life Discourse in John’s Gospel. It is in chapter 6 and is well worth spending time in prayer and reflection on this magnificent passage.
The Eucharist is the “source and summit” of our faith. If we fail to grasp this aspect of our faith it is difficult to grow in holiness. Since a high percentage of Catholics wander from the faith it is obvious that there is a need for greater catechesis. Do we believe that the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ? Can we exclaim as did Thomas the Apostle, “My Lord and My God!”? What do we need in our lives to grow deeper in our understanding and belief in this precious sacrament?
The stained glass window (pictured above) is in the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi in Santa Fe, New Mexico. In all of the color note the symbols of the Eucharist. Allow God’s grace and love to touch your heart this week. Seek the gift of faith in the Eucharist. “This is the Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those who are called to the supper of the Lamb.”
