Blog Archives - Articulating Hope

Pro-Life Banquet In Riverton, Wyoming On Saturday

4/27/2016

I am scheduled to be at St. Margaret's Parish in Riverton on Saturday for a pro-life fundraiser. The Knights of Columbus are raising money to purchase an ultrasound machine for the local pregnancy care center. They are hosting a banquet on Saturday evening and I am scheduled to be the keynote speaker. It is always an honor and a privilege to share the message of life at events like these.

Unfortunately, our county is under a winter weather advisory again. The forecast for snow ranges from five to eight inches in lower elevations and as much as 12 to 15 inches in higher elevations between Thursday at 6:00 P.M. and Friday at 6:00 P.M. We have a chance for snow every day from Thursday through Monday. Seriously? It is the end of April. I am starting to think we have the possibility of being the third year in a row to get snow on Mother's Day.

Please pray that I can make the trip to Riverton on Saturday. May the snow end on Friday afternoon, the winds remain calm, and let the snowplow drivers be effective in their snow removal endeavors. Note to self--stop scheduling events during the month of April.

The Trees Look Pretty But Can We Turn To Summer?

4/26/2016

My twenty minute drive to work turned into a nearly one hour commute this morning. The pounding rains and thunderstorms overnight abruptly changed to snow this morning causing significant travel delays. I had almost made it to the office when I approached a steep overpass going over the rail yards here in Cheyenne. Cars tried to make the climb, but the bridge simply became a parking lot. A city snowplow sat at the bottom of the overpass with no place to go. Until the cars were able to back down the hill there would be no plowing.

The thunder and lightning put on quite a display of activity all through the night hours. This gave my mind plenty of time to wander from one thought to another as I laid there wide awake. I covered a lot of topics through the night. A sense of exhaustion filled my being upon waking after a brief segment of sleep in between thunder booms. It looked to be another long day.

The storms and dark clouds are sometimes present during the day in our waking hours as well, both literally and figuratively. I have certainly felt that darkness in a prevalent way over the last week. It is with deep sadness that I am going through the process of assisting a parish and its leadership close a Catholic school. I was hoping to never have that experience. St. Laurence O'Toole Catholic School in Laramie, Wyoming will close at the end of this academic year. It is difficult to see an institution close after 61 years of service to the local community. My thoughts and prayers are with all who are impacted by this turn of events.

On a more joyful note, I congratulate Bishop Edward Rice, an auxiliary bishop of St. Louis, upon today's announcement that he has been named bishop of the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau. He will be installed on June 1, 2016. I was extremely impressed with the diaconate community of the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau last September when I led their annual retreat. I am happy for them as they move into this chapter of ministry under their new bishop's leadership.

We continue to move through the joys and sorrows of life. Through it all we remain blessed. Give thanks to the Lord--for His mercy endures forever!

When The Storm Clouds Roll In

4/25/2016

As I sat down to write at 7:30 P.M. (Mountain Time) a flash of lightning struck and the thunder rolled. A huge ball of smoke rose into the air just north of our home. I am guessing the lightning struck something. It looks like we may get a thunderstorm first and then turn into snow. We are under a winter storm warning again beginning at midnight. I am ready for summer.

The storm clouds of life seem to roll into all of our lives. My heart has been touched in the last few weeks by so many people sharing their hardships with me. Even though we are in the Easter season there are still crosses to carry in our lives. The good news is that we walk in the power of our Lord, Jesus Christ. The victory has been won.

Due to the continued lightning striking near my home, I am going to conclude and turn my computer off. Please know of my prayers for any and all of you bearing crosses right now. May the peace of Christ which is beyond all understanding be with you!

Those Moments When Social Media Posts Are Honest

4/21/2016

One day I walked into the cathedral for a brief visit with our Lord and was struck by the light permeating the sanctuary onto the crucifix. It was the right time of day for the angle of the sun to burst through the stained glass windows directly onto the image of Christ on the cross. It made me pause and reflect. Christ is truly the Light of the World. I could not escape the message being communicated in the depths of my being at that moment.
God is love!

I pulled up a familiar social media site this morning to give a quick glance at what my family and friends had recently posted. I choose not to post a lot of things, but I am glad to see updates and photos from family members who live far away. Although I am a bit taken aback by the superficial nature of much of what is posted, being on the site has been a good way to stay at least a little connected. I have friends who travel extensively and they post pictures of beautiful beaches and other tropical vistas. I will admit I am sometimes a bit jealous as I endure the harsh winter reality of Wyoming.

As I scrolled through my social media site this morning the first two posts that I saw were from friends stating how much they miss their dads. The first one has been without her day for less than a year. The second one posted on her timeline that today is the six year anniversary of her dad's death. The grief and sadness expressed in these posts were genuine. There was no attempt to conceal the pain of missing "dad's hug." It presented an opportunity for friends to reach out with consolation and love. I don't think a "virtual hug" will ever be able to replace an "in-person" hug, but a couple of kind words can go a long way when someone is hurting.

Much of what is posted on social media sites create an illusion of utopia--or at least the perception of a lot of fun. The glamorous pictures of the night life with an abundance of alcohol, the plates of food delicately presented to give an impression of elegance, and the many other facades created by photos and captions which strive to demonstrate the achievement of success and happiness are not always honest depictions. Sociological researchers in the future will have a field day as they look back on the initial years of social media dominance. What have these technological connections done to the genuine human interactions we all need? Time will tell.

I invite you today to reflect upon the love of Christ, the Light of the World. In those areas of your life where there is pain and struggle, ask God to let the rays of His love permeate every fiber of your being. The Light of Christ will bring you warmth, healing, and hope. God's love is genuine. If you know someone who is hurting today, take a moment to lift them up in any way you can--a phone call, a visit, an e-mail, and definitely a prayer.

Nature Can Be Harsh And Unpredictable

4/18/2016

It turned out that my decision to cancel the retreat was the right one. While we did not get a lot of snow in my immediate area, northern Colorado did receive significant snowfall. Furthermore, we had enough precipitation and wind to close off many of the major roadways for hours. It would have been a slow process to return home on Sunday if we had gone forth with the retreat.

A quick perusal of the news shows that the fury of nature can be unleashed in dramatic fashion. Huge earthquakes in Japan and Ecuador have caused extensive devastation. According to The Weather Channel flooding in Texas has generated more than 600 calls for help. I also read an article yesterday that said the seismic activity in Yellowstone Park is really "heating" up. What would happen if there was an eruption worse than Mt. St. Helens?

St. Francis may have tamed the animals, but a zookeeper in Florida found out that wild animals are just that--wild. Stacey Konwiser was doing what she loved, but the end result is truly heartbreaking. May she rest in peace.

Numerous people in Yellowstone Park were injured by bison last year. Trying to take a selfie with a bison is probably not a good idea. There is great beauty to be enjoyed in the landscapes, the bodies of water, and the animal kingdom. God has blessed us abundantly. However, respecting the power of God's creation is also a wise thing to do.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were thrown into a white-hot furnace. The fire did not harm them, and while in the furnace they sang with one voice, glorifying and blessing God. May we do likewise as we keep all the people suffering from natural disasters in our prayers. Please pray from Daniel chapter 3 verses 52 through 90.

How Could The Forecast Be This Wrong Again?

4/16/2016

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!"

How Greatly Is Your Life Impacted By The Bible?

4/15/2016

"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!

Cancel Because Of Snow? It Is Almost 70 Degrees!

4/14/2016

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?

Looking Toward The Celebration Of Pentecost

4/11/2016

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.

Feed My Lambs. Tend My Sheep. Feed My Sheep.

4/10/2016

"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!