Holy Family Statue at the Guardian Angel Cathedral in Las Vegas, Nevada
Tomorrow, (Friday, December 30) the Church celebrates the Feast of The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. This feast should give all of us hope and courage as we strive to become holy families as well.
We may experience problems in our families, but I can only imagine some of the discussions that went on in this Holy Family starting from the beginning. The mystery of the Incarnation was very real for Mary and Joseph and had practical implications. Mary’s explanation to Joseph that she had become pregnant by the power of the Holy Spirit was not a small matter for Joseph to digest. Joseph and Mary both walked by faith. They have given us a tremendous example to follow.
Our families aren’t perfect. We each have our areas of struggle and sin. The tensions and stress in our day-to-day lives can also take a toll. There are financial difficulties, addictions, anger issues, mistrust, suspicions, communication difficulties, and broken relationships. The potential pitfalls in developing healthy relationships are many. We need fervent prayer and a rock solid commitment to do our best to make our families holy. Even then, we still stumble and fall from time to time. That is why we are in need of grace and redemption.
I offer my prayers today for all families–small families, large families, cohesive families, splintered families, nuclear families, extended families, merged families, healthy families, and shattered families. May each of you experience the profound love, mercy, and healing touch of Almighty God!
What is your purpose in life? The week between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day is when many people begin to think about making resolutions for the new year. I read a statistic today that says about 38% of people make resolutions and about 2% of those resolutions are actually fulfilled. I did not verify these statistics from the original source, but it sounds like a realistic possibility that these numbers are accurate.
During the Christmas holidays I have been spending some time reading a couple of books. One book that I am re-reading is by John C. Maxwell entitled, “Your Road Map for Success.” His material always reminds me to get my priorities in line with what I want to accomplish. It begins with knowing my purpose in life. Thankfully, John Maxwell helped me understand this many years ago when I was first introduced to “Developing the Leader Within You.” I want to add value to the lives of other people by teaching and preaching God’s love for them. That is my purpose.
As John Maxwell describes success I am challenged to ask myself some difficult questions. Am I growing to reach my maximum potential? This can cover a multitude of areas in my life. Am I growing in holiness? Do I pray with frequency and fervor? Am I growing in my ministry? I strive to be a continous learner because I never want to be content with the status quo. However, it can sometimes be an uphill climb to stay motivated. How do I keep a positive attitude amid the struggles?
The answers to these questions, and many more, give an indication of the fruitfulness of my ministry. Am I truly sowing seeds that benefit others? This includes my words, my actions, and my inactions. Do I model Christ’s love for others in my behavior? Am I a credible witness when I teach and preach?
I typically don’t make resolutions for the new year beginning on January 1. I prefer to examine my conscience and my life at the beginning of Advent, Lent, and during my annual retreat. This provides a foundation for daily reflections throughout the year to be aware of whether or not I am truly “walking humbly with my God.” If there is not a consistent time of meditation and reflection each and every day it is easy to get off track.
I simply close by asking three questions utilizing John Maxwell’s definition of success.
1. Do you know your purpose in life? 2. Are you growing to reach your maximum potential? 3. Are you sowing seeds that benefit others?
(I highly recommend that you read any of John Maxwell’s books. You won’t be disappointed.)
This is my eighth Christmas in Cheyenne, Wyoming. It has been my privilege to always assist the bishop at Midnight Mass. I decided to keep up the tradition this year even though our diocese is curently without a bishop. The rector of the cathedral was the main celebrant and gave a compassionate message to God’s people. The choir was vibrant, the liturgical environment was beautiful, and it was a prayerful celebration of the Incarnation of the Word of God.
It is a cold and blustery day in Cheyenne today. I am grateful to be at home where it is warm and comfortable. I am always a bit tired on Christmas Day. Going to sleep right after I get home from Midnight Mass is usually not in the cards. Today was no different. As I watched the clock turn 3:00 A.M. and I was still wide awake, I knew a nap would be on the agenda for today. It is strange to see how our bodies react to different circumstances. I could not hardly stay awake waiting for midnight to arrive, but then I was wide awake when it was time to go to sleep after Mass. (I must be geting old!)
Social media has been filled with Christmas greetings, videos, pictures, and warm wishes. Would it not be wonderful if we could embrace such sentiments all year round? That is the grace which we celebrate today for “God so loved the world that He sent His only Begotten Son.”
I am grateful for the many good people who have been part of my life through the years. (I will admit that I am a bit jealous of my friends and relatives living in places like Florida. I could use a litle heat and humidity right now.) I am grateful for the many people with whom I have had the privilege of being a co-worker in the vineyard of the Lord during these last eighteen years in Missouri, Colorado, and now Wyoming. I am especially grateful for the group pictured below–the Chancery Staff of the Diocese of Cheyenne.
There were about two dozen people gathered at the historic Cheyenne Depot Plaza at noon for the brief memorial service honoring all of the homeless people that died over the past year. The first names of seven individuals were read by Pastor Rick Veit, and then he rang a bell after each name was called. Finally, the bell rang an eighth time for any of the deceased homeless of which we were unaware of their passing.
The brief ceremony was a solemn reminder of the dire circumstances that many people experience. It was thirty degrees outside with a 16 mph wind making it feel like nineteen degrees. I have stood out there for this service in much colder conditions. However, by the time I walked back to the office today (six blocks) after attending the service I was quite chilled. I was bundled up and only in the cold for thirty minutes. How would I make it if I had no shelter at all?
Each time Psalm 90 comes up in the Liturgy of the Hours I must pause a little while to ponder. Psalm 90 verse 10 lets us know that our life span is typically seventy years, or eighty if we are strong. However, the picture painted of these years is what makes me pause. Depending upon the translation being used, we see the description of these years of life as being filled with emptiness, pain, trouble, sorrow, toil, labor, struggle, oppression, affliction, misery, and vanity. Are you excited for that experience?
There is no shortage of sickness and suffering in our world. The violence that permeates much of our inner cities is featured in the news each evening. The pain and suffering in Syria continues to mount with each passing day. Our hospitals and nursing homes are filled with people who are suffering with physical, mental, and emotional maladies. How can we help alleviate the suffering in our hurting world?
Even if the psalmist is accurate in the depiction of what life looks like for our seventy or eighty years, does it mean we simply resign ourselves to that fact and do nothing to meet the needs of those who are hurting? I do not believe that is the case. Jesus came to bring glad tidings to the poor and to proclaim liberty to captives. He brought hope to people through His ministry of preaching, teaching, and healing. Shall we not do likewise?
In this final week of Advent, how are you going to love?
I received a beautiful Himalayan Salt Lamp today as a Christmas gift. I was unfamiliar with any potential health benefits from having a lamp such as this, but after reading about it I am fascinated by some of the positive effects that are possible. Will it make me smarter? Even if some of these claims tend to be less than accurate from a scientific vantage point, the lamp still adds an ambiance to my office that it did not have prior to now.
We are a few hours away from being under a “Winter Weather Advisory.” While I have several social functions scheduled for today and tomorrow, I am grateful to be in town and not on the road. If the weather gets really bad I have no commitments which demand my presence. I can stay home where I will be safe and warm. In these days of frigid temperatures and blowing snow, I do not take for granted having warm shelter. It is a blessing to have “shelter from the storm.”
On December 21, we will once again mark “Homeless Memorial Day” here in Cheyenne. This event is held in cities all across the country on this date because it is the longest night of the year. Obviously, the homeless struggle during the long, cold, and snowy nights. It is appropriate that the memorial service is held on the day with the least amount of sunlight. I have attended the “Homeless Memorial Day” service whenever my schedule has permitted. We call to mind all of the homeless people of the city who have died over the past year. A bell is rang once for each of the deceased after his/her name has been called. If you are one of my readers from the Cheyenne area, the service will be held at noon on Wedenesday, December 21, at the Depot Plaza. (Please note the location change from previous years. It is usually held at the capitol steps, but has been changed to the Depot Plaza due to the construction at the capitol.) If you are not from the Cheyenne area you will have to check the National Coalition for the Homeless website to see if there is one being held in your locale.
The cold snap will affect much of the country in the coming days. If you are safe and warm, give thanks and praise to God. Please consider giving a helping hand to those less fortunate.
As we eneter into the final days of Advent, we prepare to celebrate with the “O Antiphons” beginning tomorrow, December 17. If you are unfamiliar with the “O Antiphons” I invite you to do some research and find out why these days are different from December 17 through December 23.
It was overcast when I left the house this morning. By the time I reached the office the snow had started to fall. It did not take long for the cathedral to have a fresh dusting of snow on the roof. I am not a big fan of snow, but I realize the necessity of it here in the high plains to provide us moisture. It just makes it a little inconvenient for travel on the roadways.
Today, the Church celebrates the Memorial of St. John of the Cross. I have long been fascinated with the writings of St. John of the Cross. I tackled, or at least attempted to read, “The Dark Night of the Soul” at a relatively young age. It was well beyond my comprehension level at that time. I have pursued it a few more times in my adult life and gain a little more insight each time I read it. The wisdom contained in the writings of St. John of the Cross is phenomenal.
One thing I have reflected upon through the years is how attitude or mood impacts a person’s life of prayer. For instance, are we able to pray if we are angry, upset, or irritated? Are we able to pray if we are brokenhearted? Are we able to pray if we are suffering from a serious affliction? Are we able to pray if we are sad, lonely, or depressed? If we are able to pray in any of these circumstances, is the prayer fruitful? What does prayer look like in each of these circumstances?
When I was young I often felt great consoolation during prayer. As I got older I experienced this less and less. This was quite disturbing until I started reading some of the works by people like St. John of the Cross. I was especially drawn to The Dark Night of the Soul as I searched for answers. While I am still a long way from grasping some of these nuggets of wisdom, I am grateful for each step forward in understanding more aspects of prayer. One thing is clear from the writings of the saints. We will not always experience consolation in our prayers.
Whether we experience great consolation in prayer or suffer from a lengthy case of desolation, we continue to pray in faith. May each of us be given the gift of perseverance!
I wrote the following blog post last year on this date. I have updated it at the end.
Last night I drove to church because there was a special ceremony at the cathedral in which the bishop was going to “open the doors to the Year of Mercy.” The snow had stopped but travel conditions were still not good. Accidents were so numerous in the Cheyenne area that the police were only responding to those accidents in which injuries were involved or vehicles were immovable. I wanted to be present at the cathedral for this special celebration but also wanted to be safe.
As I headed out of the driveway I couldn’t see the road. However, I was familiar with the territory so I knew where it was located. As I looked at it this morning in the daylight I could see that I was right on target. Familiarity can help us stay on course.
In our relationship with God we walk by faith. Sometimes we do not exactly know where we are going, but we continue to move forward in faith. That is not always an easy thing to do–especially when times are difficult. I was made very aware of this at an early age when I was diagnosed with cancer the first time at age 25. Why was this happening? What was the point? How do I continue forward when I don’t even know if I am going to survive? A thousand questions flooded my mind.
The amount of hurt and struggle that people face is overwhelming. Sickness, loss of employment, broken relationships, poverty, or the stress of living in war-torn countries and high crime neighborhoods can all take a toll on our mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being. We can become worn out by the challenges and struggles of each passing day. How do we move forward when we can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel?
Today, I read an update on Caring Bridge about a young man (19) going through a tremendous struggle. It was four years ago today on December 13 that a CT Scan revealed a tumor in his brain. His life, and the life of his entire family, was forever changed. Although progress has been made over the last four years, there is still a long way to go. How does one continue to maintain the fight to get well when the odds are so steep? It is with the grace of God, support from others, and a tenacity developed from deep within oneself. There are times when you can’t see where the road leads, but you walk in faith.
This young man was a student at the elementary school of which I served as Principal and Coordinator of Religious Education. Keeping up-to-date on his story frequently calls me to prayer. There are times it even brings a tear to my eye. Why does one so young have to suffer so intensely?
When I went through surgery and chemotherapy nearly 30 years ago I spent 52 days in the hospital over a four month period. (Who was really counting?) The recuperation took much longer, but at least I was able to somewhat get back into a regular routine after about six months. I can’t even imagine how tired, frustrated, and angry I would have been if it would have lingered for years as it has for this young man.
December 13, is the Feast Day of St. Lucy. There isn’t much known about her life; we mainly have legends handed down through the ages. However, I offer my prayer to God and seek St. Lucy’s intercession for all who are hurting. Today, I especially offer my prayer for Sam and his entire family. May God bless each of you with an abundance of grace, mercy, strength, perseverance, faith, hope, and healing!
“Saint Lucy, you did not hide your light under a basket, but let it shine for the whole world, for all the centuries to see. We may not suffer torture in our lives the way you did, but we are still called to let the light of our Christianity illumine our daily lives. Please help us to have the courage to bring our Christianity into our work, our recreation, our relationships, our conversation — every corner of our day. Amen” ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
A year has gone by since I wrote that piece and Sam continues his journey. His dad posted a summary of the five-year journey on Sunday and I was speechless as I read through the account. There is no way I can even imagine the many struggles, the tears, and the disappointments that have occurred in those five years. Reading the highlights of Sam’s story is nothing short of amazing. It truly demonstrates the spiritual gift of fortitude for Sam and his entire family.
I spent much of the summer writing a book about my own journey of suffering. This provided fresh memories of the struggle that I had when I was diagnosed with cancer on two different occasions and the time I underwent open heart surgery on another occasion. Even though some of this is thirty years in the past, many of the memories are quite vivid. I know firsthand some of the difficulties experienced when you are battling a life-threatening illness. However, I cannot fathom the tenacity that must be required of Sam as he continues his path toward healing for five consecutive years.
My prayers continue to be offered for Sam’s recovery. I also pray for the entire family. An illness like this impacts everyone in the immediate family immensely, and it ripples out to the wider family and friends as well. We give thanks for the healing that has occurred to this point, and we pray for even more rapid healing in the days ahead.
I especially offer a note of encouragement to Sam’s parents today. The love between a parent and a child is a bond like no other. I remember my mom and dad sitting in the hospital day after day watching me go through chemotherapy treatments when I was 25 years of age. It took a toll on them. I cannot fully grasp the anguish you have experienced these last five years, but I am grateful for your faith and hope. You have taught all of us a lesson in the art of persevering in prayer. May God bless you abundantly for your faithful witness!
Our entire chancery staff gathers for prayer each day before heading off to lunch. We routinely pray for those who have requested our prayers. Today, we will be lifting Sam and his family up in a very profound way. May the healing hand of God be present in some magnificent ways in the coming days!
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.
I was informed yesterday by Tate Publishing that the official release date of my book will be February 28, 2017. After months of writing, editing, proofreading, and learning about the whole publishing process, the end product is finally coming into view. I placed my initial order yesterday and should have books in my hands by the end of December.
It is my hope to arrange some pre-release gatherings in January and February to give readers of my blog early access to the book. (Would a discount in the purchase price encourage you to attend?) I am hoping to have a few gatherings in Wyoming, Missouri, and possibly southern Colorado. My intent is to offer a one hour presentation on the virtue of hope and then have some time to socialize and give you the opportunity to get copies of my book. As I get some things arranged, I will keep you posted right here with details.
In looking at my calendar I am anticipating the first week of January as a good time to head to Missouri. It would be nice to have several events while I am there. My hometown of Old Monroe would obviously be a desired venue. Other options would include the areas of O’Fallon and Troy. If my brother has any pull in the Diocese of Jefferson City we could include someplace like Louisiana or Bowling Green into the mix. Depending upon time constraints in my travel schedule, I could also envision a trip to Ste. Genevieve as well.
In Colorado I would like to make it down to the Florence and Canon City area for a gathering or two. There will always be a special place in my heart for the people of St. Benedict’s Parish. You were my first venture into full-time ministry and I treasure those years in your parish.
Our faith in Jesus Christ empowers each of us to be people of hope regardless of the difficult circumstances confronting us at any given time. That is the message I strive to convey in my teaching, preaching, and writing. That is the intent of my book. As a 30 year cancer survivor I want to be a symbol of hope to others by being living proof that adversity can be overcome. It is not always easy, and and I realize we will not always win, but the fight is worth the effort.
My book is a brief autobiographical sketch (just over 200 pages) with a focus on some of the more serious challenges in my life. The 53 chapters of the book are very short. That is my preference as a reader so that is how I designed my own writing. At the end of each chapter you will find a reflection question or two in which I encourage you to ponder your own life circumstances. We each have a story. I am simply sharing my story to invite you to enter fully into the love, mercy, and healing of Jesus Christ as you live your story.
I was recently asked whether my book contained guidance for holding a book discussion group. I had not considered that and the book was too far along in the process to make any monumental changes at that point. However, I thought the suggestion was a good idea. I subsequently wrote an eight session study guide and have created a new page on my website to give you access to that material. Click on the “Book Discussion Guide” tab at the top of the page to download it for free. If you have difficult printing the page, simply copy and paste the information into a word document and print it that way. I hope many people find the guide useful.
The few people that have seen a picture of the cover of the book prior to this post have mentioned the similarity between my blog picture and the picture on the cover of the book. That was obviously done intentionally. It is a picture I took in Thermopolis, Wyoming of the Big Horn River. In addition to being beautiful scenery there is a question I am subtly asking you in the photo. How do you decide which way to go when the river of life splits off?
I am grateful to many people who have touched my life through the years to get to this point. My family, friends, and fellow pilgrims on the journey have all impacted my life in one way or another. The medical personnel at St. Joseph’s Health Center in St. Charles, Missouri, where my first battle with cancer was waged, are forever etched into my mind. Spending over 50 days in the hospital in the course of a four month period gives one a different perspective on life. I especially owe a debt of gratitude to the hospital chaplain during those days, Marilyn Antrobus. Marilyn asked me to write about my journey shortly after I finished the chemotherapy treatments. I was unsuccessful at that time, but after 30 years of reflection I was finally able to complete the assigned task. Thanks Marilyn.
A couple of people from St. Benedict’s Parish taught me how to praise God even when things were tough. You drove to University Hospital in Denver to pray for me on site while I was in surgery. You helped me get through my second diagnosis of cancer in ways you never imagined, and you positively impacted my prayer life ever since then. Thank you.
The medical personnel, especially the surgeon, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Chesterfield, Missouri brought me through an open heart surgery with flying colors. The expertise of the surgeon and all of the supporting staff was magnificent. I am grateful that my sister-in-law who works at the hospital was able to refer me to such a competent and skilled surgeon.
Finally, I am grateful to Archbishop Paul Etienne who graciously wrote the foreword to the book. Working with him for almost seven years prior to his recent installation as Archbishop of Anchorage on November 9, was a pleasure. His kind words at the beginning of the book are truly appreciated.
It has been quite a journey, and the story continues to be written. Thank you to each of my readers for being part of the story!
