Blog Archives - Articulating Hope

Parish Mission in Green River, Wyoming

2/27/2015

After months of planning the time has arrived. My Lenten calendar is in full swing. Last night I spoke to the "Theology on Tap" group here in Cheyenne. Tonight I will enjoy the inspirational presentation and musical talent of "Tajci" at the Cathedral. Then I head to Green River tomorrow for this year's Lenten Parish Mission.

The attendance and participation from the parishioners last year was phenomenal, and I am looking forward to spending these days with all of them again this year. It is a powerful experience to witness the movement of the Holy Spirit within our midst, and I certainly anticipate some tremendous blessings in the days ahead.

In addition to preaching at all of the weekend Masses and presenting an hour-long presentation each of the three nights of the mission, I am also eagerly awaiting the opportunity to visit all of the religious education classes as well. It is good to see catechesis in action. Last year I also had the opportunity to join Fr. Denis for Mass at the local nursing home and visit with parishioners there. I hope to have the privilege of doing that again this year.

I pray that your Lent is off to a fantastic start. As you hear the account of the Transfiguration of Jesus this weekend, ask for the grace to allow that transforming love of God to touch every aspect of your life. Be a person who prays fervently, studies diligently, and acts with courage, conviction, and compassion. Be an intentional disciple. Be a faithful witness to Jesus Christ!

Sometimes The Cross Can Seem Heavy

2/26/2015

Have you ever noticed how "clean" our crosses and even our crucifixes are? We have frequently turned them into pieces of art rather than depict them as the instruments of death for which they were actually used. Is that because we are unable to cope with the gruesome reality of a brutal execution? Mel Gibson's movie years ago The Passion of Christ certainly provided a vivid depiction of the horrendous sufferings Jesus endured at the time of His death. Today, "YOUTUBE" videos provide the gruesome images. Torture and death are certainly not clean.

Watching the evening news just makes my stomach churn. I want to be an informed individual, and yet, each time I learn of more awful events happening around the world, I want to throw up my hands in despair. It can seem like there is no hope. Life in our world today is not clean. Actually, has it ever been? I guess we can go all the way back to Adam and Eve to watch the trend begin. Cain and Abel certainly gave us a taste of brutality in action.

As more and more Christians are taken hostage in the Middle East, my heart breaks for them and their families. Is there not something we can do to stop these atrocities? Is it my imagination, or is the whole world just sitting by watching these things happen with more and more frequency? There are many Christians carrying some heavy crosses.

Frequently, we don't have to look across the globe to see people carrying their crosses. There is a lot of pain and suffering close to home as well. It may not be the cross of martyrdom that Middle East Christians are facing, but it can be painful nonetheless. How do we find the strength to carry the crosses in our lives? I don't simply want to throw out a casual response, but I think we essentially pray and seek God's grace, strength, and perseverance. That can be easier said than done at times. I am good at the first part of Jesus' prayer, "Father, let this cup pass from me." It's the second part of the prayer that I have difficulty offering. What was it again?

Today, I offer a prayer for all who are carrying the cross of aging and/or failing health. I clearly remember my own struggles through multiple surgeries, chemotherapy, and a plethora of tests throughout the last three decades in my two battles with cancer and open heart surgery. That is not to mention the WAITING FOR RESULTS from those tests and the anguish that accompanies that process. It is not easy to cope with the reality of suffering and the loss of one's independence. I see that clearly in my mom's own recent experience. Today marks three weeks since her surgery to repair her broken hip. Life has changed immensely for her in literally the blink of an eye.

Yes, my mom still rode with my brother on his motorcycle just a few years ago. (At least I think that is her underneath that helmet.)

In March of 2014 my mom wanted to visit the Holy Spirit Adoration Sisters in St. Louis. They are known as the "Pink Sisters." Years ago when my mom and dad were first married they made novenas at the chapel with the sisters praying for a variety of intentions. Our visit less than a year ago was very nice.

In October of 2014, just four months ago, mom and I made a trip to EWTN in Irondale, Alabama. On the way we stopped at a few other places such as the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville.

Stopping at Steak-N-Shake is necessary too. Recovering from a broken hip is no small task for an elderly individual. However, I am going to hold out hope that we will eventually be sitting at Steak-N-Shake where mom can enjoy her strawberry shake while I enjoy my chocolate one.

As we approach the Second Sunday of Lent, my prayer is that we will each experience the love of God as we hear the Gospel account of the Transfiguration of Jesus. May each of us experience grace as we carry our individual crosses and be able to echo the words of Peter,
"Master, it is good that we are here."

Vocation Club

2/21/2015

I had the pleasure of being the guest speaker yesterday at the monthly meeting of the Cheyenne Catholic Vocations Club. This group is dedicated to promoting priestly and religious vocations, but today was an opportunity to focus on lay ministry. How are each of us called? How do we respond to that call?

All of us are called to be saints. We are called to be witnesses of Christ out in the world. How effectively are we living up to that call? Although we look to bishops, priests, deacons, and religious for leadership, each one of us is called to sanctity in our particular state in life. Furthermore, the laity have tremendous opportunities to be witnesses out in the secular world in ways in which the clergy frequently do not.

Lay ministry is much more than performing a particular function at a liturgical service. This is certainly a component of lay ministry, but it is not the only aspect that needs to be taken into consideration. Being a faithful witness of Jesus Christ out in the world can take many forms and dimensions depending upon our particular state in life. Do people look to you for guidance? Has anyone ever asked you to pray for them? Are you approachable? Lay people have tremendous opportunities to proclaim the Gospel in a variety of settings and circumstances. Are you grasping these opportunities to build up the Kingdom of God?

We need faithful bishops, priests, deacons, and religious brothers and sisters. We also need faithful lay people. Each one of us has an opportunity to impact the world by living a life of faith. How will you proclaim the Kingdom of God today?

Friday After Ash Wednesday

2/20/2015

It has been two days since we received ashes on our foreheads and were reminded that we are dust and unto dust we shall return. What has changed in our lives during these two days? Are we committed to turning away from sin and uniting our hearts and minds to the will of Almighty God?

An old riddle asks the question: Five frogs were sitting on a log. Four decided to jump off. How many frogs are left on the log? The quick answer would be a simple mathematical calculation of five minus four equals one. However, the answer is actually five. Deciding to do something and actually doing it are two different things. What have you decided to do for Lent? Are you actually doing it?

Ash Wednesday!

2/18/2015

Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel!

Tuesday In Preparation Of Ash Wednesday

2/17/2015

The Season of Lent will help us focus our attention on repentance and baptism. Are we turning away from sin in our lives? Are we turning toward Christ? Do we have a sincere desire to unite our will to the will of Christ? These days are designed to assist us in our journey of conversion. Will we embrace God’s grace in the process?

Whether an individual is preparing for baptism at the Easter Vigil, or if one was baptized many years ago, do we understand our call to holiness? God chose us in Christ before the world began to be holy and blameless in His sight. We are called to be saints. Let us live out our calling well each and every day of our lives!

Lent starts tomorrow. Please grasp this opportunity to encounter the living God. Don't let these days pass by without growing in holiness.
1. Pray
2. Study
3. Act

Respond to God's call!

Cowboy Up! Lent Starts On Wednesday!

2/16/2015

There is a serious ruggedness to the true cowboys and cowgirls of the west. The work is hard even today; I can only imagine what it must have been like years ago. We can learn something from watching these folks who make their living by the sweat of their brow. Hard work and discipline are key characteristics of the cowboy spirit.

Lent is a time for Christians to "Cowboy Up!" Complacency and apathy need to go. We can't be soft. The murder of Christians in the Middle East should tell us that having faith in Jesus Christ may come at a price. Are we willing to stand and be counted among the faithful?

Make some serious sacrifices during these Days of Lent. Grow in your faith. Pray! Study! Act! Spiritual exercises will help you become a stronger follower of Christ. Celebrate Easter on April 5, 2015 knowing that you have grown closer to God.

"I do will it. Be healed!"

2/15/2015

In the course of my years of ministry as a deacon I have had many people ask me to pray for them, especially when they were in a time of crisis. Frequently, this has included prayers for physical healing when someone has been diagnosed with a serious illness. To be open and honest, I have sought this type pf healing in my own life when I have been facing serious illness. As I look back now and reflect through my spiritual journey which has included cancer twice and open heart surgery as well, I have come to distinguish the difference between a desire for a physical cure and a desire for true healing.

Jesus cured people of physical illness during his ministry on earth; the accounts of these episodes are laid out for us in the Sacred Scriptures. As I have studied the Scriptures lately I seem to be more drawn to the healing component of a variety of these encounters depicted for us. The healing touch of Jesus goes much deeper than the physical cure of a particular malady. God wants to bring us the fullness of healing; we are blessed indeed.

As we prepare for the season of Lent, let us reflect upon our baptismal call to holiness. Are we responding to God's call with zeal and enthusiasm? Do we seriously yearn for the light of Christ to shine in our lives? My concern is that we can easily grow complacent if we are not diligent in making our relationship with Christ a priority in our lives. There are plenty of other things that scream for our attention. If we are not watchful, the devil will not only prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls, he will pounce upon the opportunity when we are not alert. Turning away from sin and remaining faithful to the Gospel requires diligence on part so that we walk in God's grace.

The picture above was taken on Valentine's Day in front of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Fort Collins, Colorado. It almost appears that the clouds opened up at the right time for the picture to be taken. In reality, the love of God dispels the darkness each and every day of our lives. We are children of light. Let us live faithfully in that light!

President's Day Weekend

2/13/2015

I am going to run the same post I ran last year for President's Day with just a few edits. I will adjust the number of years abortion has been legal and also mention Brittany Maynard under the part about physician-assisted suicide. I believe the experiences of this past year have simply solidified the thoughts I expressed last year. We are losing our religious liberties one step at a time at all levels of government. It seems to me that one of the greatest blessings of this holiday weekend is that the state legislators didn't meet today and they adjourned to enjoy a four day weekend. Our liberties are much safer when the legislators are not in the capitol building.

As we approach another celebration of “President’s Day” on Monday I can’t help but wonder what President Washington, President Lincoln, and all of our Founding Fathers would think about the current state of affairs in our country. It is evident that Christianity in Colonial America served as the foundation of everything the early settlers set out to do. The collapse of Christian virtues and values in our modern culture shows just how far we have strayed from the original intent of our country’s founding.

The Rhode Island Charter of 1683 begins, “We submit our person, lives, and estates unto our Lord Jesus Christ, the King of kings, and Lord of lords, and to all those perfect and most absolute laws of His given us in His Holy Word.”  Fast forward nearly 100 years to 1779 and look at what Samuel Adams wrote in a letter to James Warren. “A general dissolution of principles and manners will more surely overthrow the liberties of America than the whole force of the common enemy. While the people are virtuous they cannot be subdued; but when once they lose their virtue, they will be ready to surrender their liberties to the first external or internal invader. How necessary then is it for those who are determined to transmit the blessings of liberty as a fair inheritance to posterity, to associate on public principles in support of public virtue.”  It seems that Samuel Adams had in mind in 1779 what we would witness in our current generation.

Noah Webster (1758-1843) published a textbook in 1832 entitled, History of the United States. In this book he speaks at length about the value of religion, the Bible, and Christian principles. One line serves as a prominent reminder to all public servants today. “Almost all the civil liberty now enjoyed in the world owes its origins to the principles of the Christian religion.”  Compare that statement to the reality of today in which there appears to be an all-out assault on Christianity from the powers that be. How did we as a nation allow ourselves to be led astray from such convictions?

The moral decline of our nation is evident. The refusal to believe in Eternal Truth has brought about rampant relativism in which each individual creates his/her own truth. The consequences of such a belief system seems to become more and more obvious with each passing day. We have been legally killing unborn children for 42 years; there are times when this includes infanticide as depicted in testimony at the trial of Dr. Gosnell. Physician- assisted suicide and euthanasia clearly establish that the value of life is determined by functionality. Brittany Maynard may have considered it to be "Death With Dignity," but a close examination of this type of process reveals some major flaws in that way of reasoning. The dignity and sanctity of human life is ignored in each of these actions, and yet, it has become accepted and even welcomed in contemporary culture. Brittany Maynard has put the discussion front and center once again. It will simply be a matter of time before more and more states welcome this practice into their boundaries.

The attack on Christianity is to be expected. People with religious convictions who are guided by the grace of Lord, Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the power and communion of the Holy Spirit in their day-to-day lives are a roadblock to those with an evil agenda. The tyranny that erupted at various times in history provides us with some insight as to what is happening today. If we are prudent we will all become students of history to get a glimpse at our future. The removal of God from our public institutions, the indoctrination of students from preschool through the ultra-liberal university years, the control of the press from graduates of these liberal universities, and big time financial donors promoting their aggressive agenda paints a picture that is not too bright for Christians who value the liberty provided by God and reinforced by the Constitution of the United States of America.

The Health and Human Services (HHS) mandate is one of the latest assaults on Christianity, and on the Catholic Church in particular. Why is this relevant? The Catholic Church is a significant roadblock to those who pursue a culture of death. A book entitled, They Fired the First Shot 2012, spells it out quite clearly beginning on page 562 where the author says:

“If you study communist takeovers and dictatorships, you will see we are on this road. Mexico’s history in the early part of the last century is proof. As in Mexico, the Catholic bishops, priests and religious in the United States will be among the first to be imprisoned or killed. Others will follow. The healthcare mandate first attacks the Catholic Church. Bishops, as the enemy sees them, are generals to be eradicated to scatter the flock and are the first that must be taken down. Don’t want to believe it? Study history. Look at the French Revolution. The guillotines ran non-stop. Not possible in the United States? If there is not a radical stand now, “the guillotines,” whatever that might be in the USA, will run non-stop. History clearly shows religion is first in line to be crushed and the first major blow to smash the Church is the healthcare mandate.”

The author is adamant that the Catholic Church has to be firm in standing up against this attack on religious liberty. The writer goes on to elaborate that, “twenty-five percent of all medical health related care, totaling $100 billion, is under the spiritual authority and protection of the Catholic Church. This in itself is authority not to bargain with, but to mandate; not to request with, but to state: ‘Our goal is we will not shut down. We will not relinquish our authority to the state. We will not go to jail.’”

It appears that people of faith will need to follow the example of repentance as demonstrated by the people of Nineveh to bring our nation back to God. Prayer and fasting are key elements that people of God have used in the past and they are certainly pertinent for our needs today. May each of us truly turn our hearts and minds to God!

The words attributed to Patrick Henry so long ago may resonate once more with Americans, “Give me liberty, or give me death.”

Prepare for Lent

2/12/2015

Are you prepared to launch into Lent with gusto? We are less than a week away from Ash Wednesday. Start planning now if you have not already done so. How will you pray, fast, and give alms? There are many helpful hints on the internet and other places about how to make your Lent a holy and fruitful time. Please don't let these precious days slip by without growing in your relationship with Jesus Christ.

What does your prayer life look like right now? How would you like it to look? Spending time each day in prayer is essential for us to grow in union with God. Our earthly relationships require spending time with one another if they are to grow and mature; the same is true of our relationship with God. Plan now to enrich your prayer life during Lent. What do you need to do to more fully open yourself to God's grace? Do you have a set time for prayer each day? Do you have the discipline to maintain that commitment? What role does the Bible play in your prayer life? Do you allow God to speak to you as you read and meditate upon the Sacred Scriptures? Are you fond of any particular devotions? Will the Stations of the Cross be part of your prayer life during these 40 days?

From what will you fast? Certain items typically make the list--alcohol, nicotine, candy, chocolate, ice-cream, etc. In addition to our favorite sweets and treats, will we make a commitment to fast from gossip, profanity, and other hurtful behaviors? Will we refrain from watching questionable movies or television shows? Are we willing to seriously look at anything and everything to evaluate if it is bringing us closer to God or if it is driving us farther away?

How will we serve others during these days? Giving alms isn't simply about giving money; it also challenges us to give of ourselves. How will we build up the Kingdom of God by being a faithful witness to those around us?

Finally, the season of Lent gives us the opportunity to develop good habits that last a lifetime. We aren't simply embarking on a 40 day sprint. We are engaging in the first leg of the journey which lasts a lifetime and beyond. Plan now to rocket yourself into a splendid Lenten season!