Does that look like eight to fourteen inches of snow to you? Why did I cancel the retreat? The retreat center is located in Northern Colorado at an elevation of about 7,000 feet. The forecast was for two to four feet of snow there. I hope they at least received a little bit more than we have received in Cheyenne.
The frustrations of life can come from many different angles. I waited as long as I could before making the decision to cancel. The forecast had remained the same for days. I wanted to be prudent and not put anyone’s life in jeopardy by traveling in treacherous conditions. I guess the bright spot is that I got the weekend off. The downside is that I had all of the preparations completed, the ladies were all signed up and ready to go, the Benedictine sisters at the Abbey were ready for us, and it is simply disappointing for all involved after more than six months of waiting for the date to arrive.
Modern technology has made great advances. However, weather forecasting is still not an exact science. I am going to trust that the hand of God had other plans for this weekend. Ladies of Northern Colorado, please know of my desire to reschedule the retreat. I am working with your coordinator and the Abbey to line up some possible dates. We will still: “Stir Into Flame The Gift Of Faith!”
“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you.” That is a promise made to us in Acts 1:8. Do you believe it? If you are fully initiated into the Church through Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist you have that power within you. Is it evident in your day-to-day life?
Last night I had the opportunity to join the Bishop’s Guild to reflect upon the Easter Season and Pentecost. We took time to focus on the grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the communion, fellowship, and power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We spent time delving into the first two chapters of the Acts of the Apostles to examine the ways we grow as a community of believers. I challenged the attendees with one short statement. “Don’t live a small life!”
We are called to be saints. We are equipped for the journey through the outpouring of God’s grace in our lives. Jesus said, “I have come that you may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10) If we believe that statement there is no way we can settle for living a small life. We are destined for greatness. We are called to sanctity.
In Acts 2:42 we are reminded that we are a learning Church. We never cease pursuing knowledge of the Lord as we continue to devote ourselves to the apostles’ teaching. As we join together in fellowship it becomes clear that we are a caring and nurturing Church. Finally, as we share in the breaking of the bread and prayer, we grow together as a community of persistent praise and faithful worship. These components come together to prepare us to be sent forth on mission to evangelize the world.
During this Easter Season I encourage you to read the Acts of the Apostles. See how the grace of God moved in the early life of the Church. How will the grace of God move in your life today? You are destined for greatness. You are called to be a saint. Don’t miss the opportunity!
The women’s retreat has been fully booked for over a couple of months with a good number of names on a waiting list. It has been exciting preparing for this weekend and waiting for it to arrive. Now I sit and ponder whether or not we should cancel the event as a major snowstorm heads to the area. It is difficult to grasp that reality as we enjoy nearly 70 degree temperatures today. How can it be possible that two to three feet of snow could fall from Friday through Sunday in Northern Colorado just across the Wyoming border?
This has been my seventh winter in Wyoming. Fortunately, in all of my travels across the state, I have only had to cancel a few events during those years due to inclement weather. If I remember correctly, all of those cancellations have occurred in the month of April. Here we are again facing another possible cancellation in mid-April. (We have had snow on Mother’s Day the last two years. I hope this isn’t the third consecutive year for that too.)
I know Florida endures hurricanes, but there are times when I can envision my ministry taking place in The Sunshine State. While I sit and dream about that possibility for a little while, I will pray for guidance in what to do for this weekend. I want to be prudent in keeping everyone safe, but I don’t want to cancel unless it is absolutely necessary. I have known a time or two when the weather forecasters have been wrong. Could this be one of those times? Did I mention, it is almost 70 degrees outside right now?
Are you still celebrating Easter with gusto? We generally put a lot of effort into the Season of Lent with a tendency to hit the peak during the Triduum and Easter Sunday. However, the Easter Season is 50 days long leading us to the great Solemnity of Pentecost. On this Third Week of Easter we should still be celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ with fervor and zeal.
Churches are decorated and adorned in their unique styles. This is especially noticeable at Christmas and Easter. Some churches are overflowing with flowers on these big feasts while others are more subdued in the approach to festive decorations. The one thing I have noticed in recent years as I have placed more emphasis on this 50 day celebration of Easter is that flowers wilt and fade. Yesterday, on the Third Sunday of Easter, I noticed that we had about half the number of flowers adorning the sanctuary that we had at the Great Easter Vigil. Furthermore, the flowers that were remaining looked a little less festive than they did two weeks ago. If we do not replace the flowers with new ones, our sanctuary will be relatively bare next weekend as we celebrate Good Shepherd Sunday. Will the sanctuary remain bare for the rest of the Easter Season?
It costs money for flowers and I am all about being good stewards of what God has entrusted to our care. My question is one of timing and proportion. Would we be better off having less flowers at Easter so that we could afford to replace and replenish our sanctuary with fresh flowers through the entire Easter Season? Is the celebration of Easter about Easter Sunday, and possibly the Octave of Easter, but not really about the entire fifty days? Where should our priorities be placed when attending to the environment of the worship space?
I want to celebrate Easter well and prepare for the great feast at the end of the season. As we move toward the Solemnity of Pentecost I recall the words of Acts 2:42. “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” If we follow their example we are reminded of four simple things in that one verse.
We are a learning Church. We never stop delving into the teachings of the Sacred Scriptures and the magisterium of the Church. It is necessary for us to continue to grow in knowledge, wisdom, and grace. We are people of study to become better Christians. We aren’t just studying to become academic professionals. We are studying to become more rooted in Christ’s love.
We are a caring Church. We do not live our life of faith in isolation. We are joined together in fellowship. Are we taking time to truly be with one another in our walk of faith?
Catholics take the “breaking of bread” quite seriously. The Eucharist is the “source and summit” of our faith. Everything flows from the Eucharist and back to it. We are truly a body of believers joined together in profound worship. Once again, I encourage you to read chapter 6 of John’s Gospel to be renewed in your love for the Eucharist.
Finally, we are people of prayer. Everything we do must begin in a spirit of prayer for this is what will empower us to grow in holiness ourselves. Then we are more fully equipped to be faithful witnesses of Jesus Christ to others. An evangelizing Church is living up to the mandate we received in Matthew’s Gospel “to go out to all the world and tell the Good News.”
Our attention to detail during these fifty days is important. We want to enter as fully as possible into the the paschal mystery recognizing that the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus is the story of our salvation. If we are not sensing the power of the resurrection when we enter into the celebration of the Eucharist during these days of Easter, there may be more missing than just the flowers.
“Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Today’s Gospel reading serves as a reminder that sin has consequences. Peter denied knowing Jesus three times prior to the crucifixion. Today, Peter is asked three times if he loves the Lord. Mercy and forgiveness are evident, but there is also a calling for Peter to move deeper into relationship with the Christ. Peter has a mission to fulfill and he needs to be fully equipped for that purpose. Cowardice must be replaced with trust.
There are times in each of our lives when we deny the Lord. We choose sin over grace and holiness. We often tend to do this while completely ignoring any potential consequences of our actions. The values of the world may even encourage us to get away with as much as we can without getting caught. The bottom line is that when it comes to judgment day nothing is hidden from God.
In Church circles there has already been much discussion about the Apostolic Exhortation issued by Pope Francis last Friday. Delving through more than 250 pages of material within a couple of days has been somewhat of a daunting task. However, I wanted to read the document for myself and not simply rely on the interpretations of others. I would advise you to do the same. Without commenting directly on the text of Amoris Laetitia, it has stirred these thoughts in my mind.
Compassion and mercy are wonderful attributes. Jesus modeled this way of life and frequently taught these principles utilizing parables. However, we cannot forget that Jesus also encourages us and invites us to “sin no more.” We are constantly drawn to holiness by the movement of grace within our lives. True conversion rests in our desire to turn away from sin and unite ourselves more fully to the will of Almighty God. If we settle for anything less than a desire to be completely united with God we are fooling ourselves.
Accepting mediocrity in any area of life will reap minimal results. Accepting mediocrity in our spiritual journey can have eternal consequences. The four last things were preached upon numerous times when I was a child. Hearing this teaching left an impact on me. Some would say it was a detrimental impact. Preaching about death, judgment, heaven, and hell was simply a “scare tactic” to get people to fall in line. It was a tool of indoctrination at its worst. I would have to disagree with that assessment.
Fear of the Lord is a gift. This fear needs to be properly understood. If we never move beyond the fear of hell as a consequence of sin, we may be stuck in our spiritual and moral development. That type of fear can be a good starting point, but eventually, we need to move from the fear of going to hell to a fear of offending God because of God’s great love for us. In my opinion, the teachings I learned in my early years about the four last things helped me to focus my life in a way that always kept eternity in mind.
A solid foundation of catechesis aids in the process of moving from servile fear to filial fear. As we move through adulthood we continue to learn about our faith. Our growth in Christ depends upon fervent prayer, diligent study, and consistent Christian action. We cannot grow complacent and apathetic as mere consumers of religion. We are called to discipleship. We experience conversion in our own lives and then we bring that transforming love of God to others. Each of us has a role to play in the building up of the Kingdom of God. How will you answer the call? Feed my sheep!
I have been in Wyoming now for my seventh winter, but it still seems like an unending season each year. While I do not miss mowing the lawn in late March and early April and tolerating the flare-up of spring allergies that I experienced in Missouri, I do miss the milder temperatures and the fresh green growth. Since we had snow on Mother’s Day in Cheyenne the last two years I know that we are still a long way from being finished with winter. April can bring significant snowfall. I will continue to wait with great expectation for warmer temperatures and signs of new growth.
The virtue of patience can be at play in many different areas of our lives. Patiently waiting for spring is just one example. As I was pondering the arrival of spring I began to think about God’s patience with me. How frequently does God wait for me to display new growth? Do I seem to be growing spiritually at a snail’s pace–stuck in perpetual winter? I am grateful for God’s patience and the constant invitation to go deeper. The grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit is a gift indeed! Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Mother Angelica died yesterday on Easter Sunday. She founded the EWTN organization which now has a global audience. The impact of her ministry has been immense and will continue long after her death.
Yesterday evening I turned on the television to EWTN to see what was being said about Mother Angelica’s death. One of Mother’s shows from 1996 was being aired at the time. It was a blessing for me to hear her discuss the challenges of her own suffering.
Earlier in the day my wife had asked how I was feeling. (I recently had another bout with atrial fibrillation and was placed on an additional medication.) I told her that I could tell my heart was beating in rhythm but that I was extremely fatigued. I flippantly added that the last time I felt good was almost 30 years ago prior to being diagnosed with cancer the first time.
Obviously, my body has never been the same since chemotherapy treatments, but I have been able to lead a productive and full life. It hasn’t always been easy, but it has been blessed. Mother Angelica reminded me of the power of suffering when we unite ourselves to the cross of Christ. I have done a lot of reflecting through the years on the role of suffering in our lives. The attitude with which we approach these challenges and struggles can make a huge difference. Mother Angelica’s words from 1996 were pertinent to my mindset yesterday, and I am grateful that I turned her program on at the right time. I needed a reminder of the value that can be present in the midst of our sufferings. Less grumbling and more uniting would be wise.
Mother Angelica was not viewed in a favorable manner from the “liberal” wing of the Church. In many circles she was seen as someone who was blocking progress. It was interesting to watch as she directly addressed her critics in the episode that I saw last night from 1996. She was covering some of the sins listed in Paul’s letter to the Galatians. As she covered them one by one she mentioned that some people would think she is being harsh. She said, “I love you too much not to tell you the truth.”
The Church is divided; there is no doubt about that. The number of Protestant denominations shows just how divided Christianity is overall, but the division within the ranks of the Roman Catholic Church are just as prevalent and notable. We see the “politics” of the Church being analyzed and discussed each time there is an appointment of a bishop to a particular diocese or office. Mother Angelica may not have had a position of authority at the Vatican or even at the USCCB, but she wielded a great deal of influence anyway. Her detractors were not happy about that fact.
I had the opportunity to visit Alabama in the fall of 2014 with my mom. We were able to see the EWTN campus as well s the monastery. My mom had been an avid fan of EWTN for years and benefited immensely from the programming which included daily Mass and the rosary. During her 90th year I was able to make this “bucket list” item come to fruition. I am so grateful that we made the trip.
I don’t know what your views are on Mother Angelica and the EWTN enterprise, but I am grateful for the positive influence that the network has had in my life. Mother Angelica’s endeavors have demonstrated the limitless possibilities of proclaiming the Gospel through modern media. Even the detractors would have to admit that there is something to be learned from methodologies employed by Mother Angelica through the years.
Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her.
The Easter Vigil is a beautiful celebration with a rich array of symbolism and ritual. The Light of Christ breaks through the darkness of the night. Water is blessed and baptisms take place. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit through the Sacrament of Confirmation “seals” the initiation of the believer. We celebrate for the next 50 days leading us to great Solemnity of Pentecost. Celebrate well!
Catholic churches have a sanctuary lamp burning near the tabernacle to signify the presence of Christ. That candle is extinguished on Good Friday and Holy Saturday as the tabernacle remains empty. There is an eerie sense of sadness and isolation in my mind as I absorb the church environment with no decorations or flowers adorning the sanctuary. The open tabernacle door reveals the absence of Christ. We await the glorious celebration of the Easter Vigil.
In modern society Holy Saturday is a day like most other Saturdays. That is very unfortunate. There is a process during the Paschal Triduum as we move from Holy Thursday through Good Friday and onto the Easter Vigil which demands our attention. We don’t simply commemorate Good Friday with an hour long service and then call it good. We continue to watch and pray, keeping a fast proper for these hours until nightfall on Holy Saturday. The daytime hours of Holy Saturday are not designed for Easter egg hunts and lavish banquets. These hours are filled with anticipation and prayer awaiting the celebration of the Lord’s resurrection. We each have a responsibility to adequately prepare ourselves for this sacred celebration. It cannot be done by engaging in secular activities at the expense of ignoring our spiritual pilgrimage. The Church is called to be counter-cultural. That requires us to stand apart from the secularism which has hi-jacked our religious holy days.
The Light of Christ will fill our churches and cathedrals tonight. May this Light penetrate deep within our hearts and fill us with sanctifying grace!
“Behold the wood of the cross on which hung the salvation of the world.”
“Come, let us adore.”
“My people, what have I done to you? Or how have I grieved you? Answer me!”
“I put in your hand a royal scepter, and you put on my head a crown of thorns.”
“I exalted you with great power, and you hung me on the scaffold of the cross.”
Good Friday has always been a powerful day for me. Even in my earliest years as a child my parents marked this day with solemnity. Getting to venerate the cross, even though I had not yet made my first communion, was a chance to be like the “adults” in the church. I may not have grasped the significance at five years of age, but I knew there was something different about this day. That sentiment has continued all these years.
It has been a wonderful Lenten season for me. I truly sense that these days of penitence have borne fruit in my life. I am grateful for God’s grace that my prayer life has been enhanced through a stricter discipline embraced during these days. I was also touched by the goodness of people all across the state of Wyoming as I presented an RCIA retreat, a women’s retreat, and gave two parish missions. Seeing the faith of God’s people during these events was a real boost to my spiritual quests.
Finally, as I get older, the reality of my mortality seems to be more prevalent. Losing my mom last October, a brother-in-law last September, another brother-in-law the year before, and a number of friends in recent months, has been a sobering experience. Experiencing repeated health issues of my own reminds me that our time here on earth is limited. We are simply on a pilgrimage. We do not know the day nor the hour when we will be called home. Today’s solemn service gives us the clear message to be prepared at all times.
