Articulating Hope

Category: Reflection

  • Beauty After The Storm

    Beauty After The Storm

    Although the camera didn’t capture the brightness of the rainbow quite as well as I had hoped, the scene was simply breath-taking yesterday evening.  The weather has dealt the region a few harsh blows in recent days with hail, torrential rain, and even a tornado or two, but the beauty of God’s handiwork is also quite noteworthy.

    Early this morning I opened a couple of windows in the house and the cool, crisp air quickly lowered the inside temperature to 60 degrees.  It was refreshing and invigorating.  I din’t get to do that very often in late June when I lived in Missouri.  I generally got up and lowered the thermostat so the air-conditioner would kick on.  (It’s cheaper just opening a window.  I’m all for that.)

    I hope you have the opportunity to enjoy some relaxation time during the weekend.  It is hard to believe we will enter the month of July on Tuesday.  

    Next week I will share some thoughts on freedom and independence in the light of our faith.  I am waiting to see what decisions are handed down by the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday in regard to the HHS Mandate.  The verdict which is expected to be announced on Monday in regard to Hobby Lobby and other organizations under consideration will give a glimpse into the future of religious liberty in our country.  If the decision goes against religious liberty, the ripple effect will take effect immediately on Tuesday, July 1, 2014.  Other cases currently being heard in appellate courts across the country will be impacted by the Supreme Court decision.  It will be interesting to see the direction our country goes.

    “This is the day the Lord has made.  Let us rejoice and be glad in it!”

  • Life Is Hard–Read Psalm 90

    Life Is Hard–Read Psalm 90

    Praying the Liturgy of the Hours for the last 20 years has been an interesting experience.  There are times when the psalms especially speak to me in regard to life circumstances and other times when they do not.  However, there is one psalm that always makes me pause a little longer than the others, and that psalm occurred this morning.  It is Psalm 90 verse 10 in particular.  “Seventy is the sum of our years, or eighty, if we are strong; most of them are sorrow and toil; they pass quickly, we are all but gone.”

    This passage is very sobering.  The human frailty we experience in our day-to-day lives is a reality that is spelled out quite succinctly in this one verse.  The following verses of the psalm add a piece of hope as the prayer continues.  Verse 12 says, “Teach us to count our days aright, that we may gain wisdom of heart.”  Verse 17 concludes the psalm with, “May the favor of the Lord our God be ours.  Prosper the work of our hands!  Prosper the work of our hands!”

    How blessed we are when we gain wisdom of heart!  That gift doesn’t automatically come with the passing of the years.  It is a gift given to us through the love and favor of God if we are open to grace.  The power of the Holy Spirit in our lives gives meaning to the toil and helps bring forth an abundant harvest of fruit.  “…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.”  (Galatians 5:22)

    Yesterday, my mom started questioning me about a recent post on my blog concerning the aspect of feeling defeated.  She asked if I was sick or if something else was wrong.  I didn’t know the answer to that question exactly when she asked it because there wasn’t one specific thing wrong.  It was more a compilation of a variety of issues.  Today, I know the answer to her question, and it is articulated in Psalm 90 verse 10.  Life is just difficult at times.

    In closing, I would like to point out that my mom doesn’t have a computer and did not see any of my blog postings until a couple of weeks ago.  Then, my nephew shared the post of my ordination anniversary on June 5, with her so she could see the pictures and the story.  Now a friend of my mom’s has picked up the role of sharing my blog with her on a more regular basis.  Since my mom will now be evaluating each word I write, I will simply give her a “shout out” this one time for surpassing the numerical expectations of Psalm 90.  Mom, you not only made it past 70 and 80 years respectively, but have surpassed it by a decade.  Thus, the picture above is just for you.  Do you remember doing crazy things like riding a motorcycle in your 80’s?  It makes me wonder.  What did you do when you were younger?

  • Jesus Looked at Him and Loved Him

    In chapter 10 of Mark’s Gospel Jesus is having a discussion with a rich young man.  In verses 21 and 22 it says, “Jesus looked at him, loved him, and said to him, ‘You are lacking in one thing.  Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’  At that statement his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.” 

    I often wonder what happened to the young man.  As he got older did he eventually accept the invitation?  I ask this question because I assume he spent some time in reflection after he walked away from Jesus.  The young man admitted to having observed all the commandments from his youth so he apparently had a desire to do what was right.  Would this one additional challenge keep him from growing any further in his journey toward holiness?

    “Jesus looked at him and loved him.”  I can only imagine the impact of receiving such a profound glance from the Savior.  The penetrating eyes of Jesus must have surely struck at the depths of the young man’s heart.  Would that look eventually bring him back?

    Scripture demonstrates a variety of responses from people who received a prominent glance of love from our Lord.  This young man walked away.  Judas Iscariot experienced deep despair and went out and hanged himself.  Peter accepted the look of Jesus, proclaimed his love three times, and became the “Rock” upon which the Church was built.  Thus, when Jesus looks at us and loves us, we each have the free will to respond in our own unique way.  We may experience this look in our prayer life, our worship, our joys, and in our pains and hurts as well.  How often do we miss this look of love?  In those times when we capture the look and experience the impact deep within our being, how do we respond? 

    Knowing we are loved by God to such depths should fill our hearts with joy.  Let us live as people of hope!

  • World Day of the Sick

    In 1992, Pope John Paul II designated February 11, as World Day of the Sick.  The Church also celebrates the Memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes on this day.  Obviously, these two events have much in common when we consider the many miraculous healings that have been recorded at the shrine in Lourdes.  This is certainly a time to reflect and pray for all those who suffer and struggle with illness, but it is also a time to give thanks and praise for the many blessings that have been bestowed upon us through medical progress as well as those supernatural occurrences of healing.

    “Why do bad things happen to good people?”  This is a question that has been pondered in one way or another for centuries.  The philosophical and theological extrapolations on the topic are immense, and the psychological and sociological components add an even more complex twist to decipher the meaning of life in the context of suffering.  It was for more than a decade that I worked with a support group for individuals and families coping with a life threatening illness. The question was posed many times in one capacity or another, “Why is God doing this to me (or my loved one)?”  

    I became a student of suffering by necessity, not by choice.  Being diagnosed with cancer at the age of 25 provided an opportunity to learn some things I would have never learned in textbooks alone.  The awareness of my mortality at such an early age shaped my adult life in a way that I could have never imagined.  There was a cycle of fear, anger, bitterness, resentment toward healthy people, and a whole list of other emotions that I need not elucidate.  Suffice it to say that it took quite a while for me to come around to seeing anything positive in this experience we call suffering.

    I remember being in the hospital and looking out the window at the rest of civilization with contempt.  I could see the Missouri River flowing by and I felt that was a depiction of my life.  Life was flowing by and I was not in control of where I was going.  I watched the people walking by on the sidewalk and was enraged at their lack of concern for my well-being.  It was incomprehensible as to how life outside the hospital walls could keep going on without me.  To put it mildly, I did not take up my cross willingly.

    More than half of my life has now been lived as a cancer survivor.  One of the greatest gifts that I finally received through this experience was the virtue of empathy.  I know what it is to hurt, to suffer.  It has enhanced my personal life and it clearly has affected the way I minister to others who are hurting.  This is not the path of learning that I would have chosen for myself, but I am convinced that it is a path allowed by God in my journey toward understanding, and hopefully, holiness.  The learning did not come quickly or easily, but it continues to grow deeper with the passing of years.

    In the last quarter of a century I have had the privilege to enter into relationships with many individuals and families coping with serious illnesses.  Some have recovered, some have succumbed to the battle, and others are still maintaining the fight.  The one thing that each relationship has demonstrated to me is that these are sacred moments.  There is an opportunity to encounter God in the midst of the pain and suffering.  It may not always be easy to recognize those opportunities when one is in the midst of the challenges, but they are present nonetheless.

    Although World Day of the Sick may focus our attention on physical suffering, it does not diminish the fact that many people are suffering from mental, emotional and spiritual ailments as well.  Broken relationships between spouses have brought an abundance of suffering to innumerable homes, and the ripple effect is detrimental to the lives of a multitude of children who bear the burden of this rampant discord in our culture.  The economic downturn and subsequent job losses has affected a large percentage of households and caused serious mental and emotional anxiety.  There simply is no shortage of pain and suffering in contemporary society.

    If you are currently in the midst of serious suffering and pain right now, I hope you find strength in knowing that the Church is praying for you in a very significant way on this Memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes.  For you and your loved ones I simply offer this prayer from the Rite of the Anointing of the Sick.

    “God of compassion, you take every family under your care and know our physical and spiritual needs.  Transform our weakness by the strength of your grace and confirm us in your covenant so that we may grow in faith and love.  We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.”

  • Reflecting Back–Looking Forward

    New Year’s Eve is a time for looking back over the last year as well as looking ahead to the upcoming year.  Resolutions are frequently made with good intentions, but for the most part, the eloquence of philosophical ponderings near the end of the year quickly evaporate into the harshness of tangible realities we face in day-to-day life soon after the calendar page is turned.  Does this mean we shouldn’t reflect upon life?  Not at all!  It is important for us to reflect upon where we have been to determine where we want to go.  So, what is in store for 2014?

    I have frequently started a new year with the intention of getting more physical exercise.  It was at the point when someone informed me that walking from the couch to the refrigerator on New Year’s Day did not count as exercise that I abandoned that endeavor completely.  This year I’ll have to see if I can devise another plan of action to get in better physical shape.  I am guessing that rolling over from my right side to the left side while I am in bed won’t count either.

    On a serious note, I appreciate the opportunity that the New Year brings in regard to setting serious goals.  This is especially relevant in regard to spiritual undertakings.  What will I set out to do to grow in virtue through my prayer, study, and action in 2014?

    My prayer life can always use an extra dose of faithful discipline.  “Pray without ceasing.”  Okay.  I have a long way to go yet.  What will I do to more effectively open myself to God’s grace through my life of prayer?  What steps will be necessary for me to be more faithful and fervent?  One thing is certain.  I can become discouraged by the lack of fortitude in the past or I can once again seek out the power of the Holy Spirit to guide and strengthen me in my renewed endeavors.  I think I will go with the second option.  I know the changes I need to make in my daily habits to create a better opportunity for faithfulness on my part; I will have to trust God’s grace for the other part of the equation.

    I enjoy studying and learning about the faith.  I am required to do a significant amount of studying to prepare for preaching and teaching.  However, I would like to spend more time in study as a component of my prayer and meditation.  My experience with this has been very beneficial in the past, but I make time for it too infrequently.  Study conducted as a prayerful pursuit can reap wonderful insights and instill some faith-filled resolutions.  This bears fruit in abundance for a greater depth of wisdom and understanding as differentiated from a simple academic and intellectual pursuit.  This will have to be specifically placed on my list.

    Action can be looked at from a multitude of directions.  How will I effectively put my faith into action on a daily basis?  The responsibilities of my position as the Director of Pastoral Ministries certainly lends itself to creating opportunities for action, but this year I want to focus specifically on putting forth effort in both charity and justice.  I want to offer support to alleviate immediate concerns in a spirit of charity while not forgetting the systemic problems inherent in some of our structures and policies that need to be addressed to promote justice.  What are the opportunities for me to be generous in charity and effective in my advocacy for justice?  This will require further reflection throughout the year as issues arise.

    Looking back over my personal calendar for 2013 fills me with a deep sense of gratitude.  God certainly blessed my life and ministry over these last 12 months.  I had the opportunity to preach at the weekend Masses in 10 different parishes over the course of the year.  I conducted 17 catechetical workshops, led Days of Recollection for seven different groups, and gave two parish missions which consisted of preaching at the weekend Masses and having three evenings of presentations and prayer.  The other day-to-day responsibilities like organizing pro-life events, promoting opportunities such as Marriage Encounter, supporting our Catholic schools in a variety of ways, and a whole list of other activities simply adds to the sense of gratitude.  It has been a fruitful year in ministry.

    Looking at my calendar for 2014 fills me with great anticipation and excitement.  It is a wonderful privilege to minister in a wide variety of settings and parishes, and I have quite a few different events already scheduled.  I will be leading a three night parish mission in Green River in February, preaching at three different parishes in March and April, and finally, conducting several different workshops on catechesis and the proclamation of God’s Sacred Word.  

    It is also fun to look ahead quite a few months down the road.  In August I will be leading the Wyoming Catholic Men’s Retreat.  That will be a fantastic weekend and I am sincerely grateful for the invitation to facilitate such an awesome event.   http://catholicmensretreat.org/deacon-vernon-dobelmann

    What is my New Year’s Resolution?  After reflecting upon last year and looking ahead to the next, it is clear that the number one priority is to live my life in a spirit of gratitude.  God has blessed me abundantly.  May I never forget that or take it for granted!  If I can accomplish this one resolution, the others will fall into place.

    Happy New Year!