Category: Reflection

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.”

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!