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Keeping Fit--Physically, Mentally, and Spiritually

4/30/2018

"An early-morning walk is a blessing for the whole day."
~Henry David Thoreau

As we close out the month of April today, I am indeed looking forward to more signs of spring. Let the trees bud, the flowers bloom, and the grass turn green. It is time for some warmer weather. I am more likely to do those early-morning walks if I don't have to bundle up with multiple layers of clothing.

How do you keep yourself healthy--physically, mentally, and spiritually?

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Sometimes I Am At A Loss For Words

4/29/2018

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Have you ever had a co-worker who seemed to be the glue that held everything together? I have. Her name was Carol DeLois. As we prepared for the funeral Mass of Carol this past Friday, I realized that no one will be able to fill her role as Chancellor in quite the same manner in which she did. Carol's quiet and gentle demeanor, even under times of stress, was a welcome gift to those around her. She will be greatly missed.

The changes in the chancery office over the last 18 months have been monumental. Our bishop was moved. An administrator filled in during the interim. A new bishop was named. Carol was diagnosed with a serious illness. Carol battled for months but eventually succumbed to the illness. The new "normal" seems to be constant change.

In the midst of the grief and struggle, I was grateful to have an opportunity to visit with Archbishop Etienne while he was in town for the funeral. Working with him for seven years while he was Bishop of Cheyenne created a lot of memories. We had an opportunity this morning to recall some of the more memorable moments from our years together. I am grateful for his friendship. (I am also appreciative that he took the time to write the foreword for my book before he left for Anchorage.)

Since our paths do not cross as frequently since he moved to Anchorage, I asked for the opportunity to capture today's visit with a photo after Mass.

Margaret, Archbishop Paul Etienne, Deacon Vernon

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The Funeral of Carol DeLois--Friday, April 27, 2018

4/26/2018

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Sorrow is a reality of life. Our Blessed Mother experienced this in a very profound manner as depicted in the photo above. Any of us who have lived a good number of years have probably experienced sorrow of our own in one fashion or another. The load can certainly seem a bit on the heavy side at times.

My heart grieves as we prepare for the funeral of one of my co-workers. Carol DeLois was my main point of contact nearly nine years ago when I applied to be the Director of Pastoral Ministries for the Diocese of Cheyenne. Working with her through the interview process and eventually being hired was a tremendous blessing in my life. It has been my privilege to work with Carol all of these years since the fall of 2009.

In one of my final conversations with Carol before she was diagnosed with a brain tumor she said to me, "We have to be ready to meet the Lord at any time." As I look back now at that conversation it really makes me pause. Did she have a sense of something already on the horizon?

My dear people, none of us know the time nor the hour as to when we will be called home. Do we find ourselves prepared at this moment in time?

St. Alphonsus Liguori has some great reflections in his book, Preparation for Death. I read that book many years ago and some of the points still resonate with me today. He made it very clear that the time of death was not the time to prepare. The time of death should find us already prepared. How do we do that? St. Alphonsus provided a simple answer. "Whoever prays is certainly saved. He who does not pray is certainly damned."

Carol was a person of prayer. I am grateful for the example she set for those of us who worked with her. There were times I saw her quietly slip out the door of the chancery and walk across the alley over to the cathedral to pray for a bit. She didn't know anyone was watching. This was just something she did to keep her ministry firmly rooted in Christ. I learned a lot from observing her, and I am grateful I was able to tell her that before her health declined.

Each of us can benefit from examining our conscience in regard to the quality of our prayer life. Is prayer truly a priority in our lives? Let us also remember that prayer isn't just about ourselves. Our prayer gives glory to God and it impacts the people around us. It allows God's grace and the power of the Holy Spirit to truly move among us. That is pretty powerful.

Who are you impacting in a positive way because of your life of prayer?

"Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her."

Carol DeLois
Mass of Christian Burial
Friday, April 27, 2018
10:00 A.M.
Cathedral of St. Mary
Cheyenne, Wyoming

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Feast of St. Mark, Evangelist

4/25/2018

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Happy feast day to my brother, Mark, and all who share this feast day.

In past years I believe I have mentioned the idea of reading the Gospel of Mark out loud and straight through in one sitting. You will be amazed at what you hear. We did this many years ago in one of my Scripture classes when I was studying to be a deacon. The memory of that one exercise sticks with me even after 20 years have passed.

My challenge to you today is simply that. Sit down. Read the Gospel of Mark out loud and straight through. Even with a couple of breaks, you can do it in about two hours. You will not regret the exercise.

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Caution--Temptation To Sin Is In Front Of You

4/24/2018

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The sign pictured above seems a little redundant at this time of year. Can you not see the brightly colored tree limb hanging in front of your face? Do you really need a sign to caution you?

A person was probably injured at some point in time by one of the tree limbs. Thus, we now have a sign to warn us of the impending danger. As I look at this photo, the question resonating in my mind is a simple one. If someone is walking along and completely wrapped up in their digital communications, are they any more likely to see the sign than they are to see the branches? My guess is probably not, but the sign most likely helps the defendant when things go to court. (On a side note--did anyone consider pruning back the tree limbs?)

Do you ever wish that there were clear road signs warning of you of danger on your spiritual journey? CAUTION: Potential sin ahead! Would we be likely to see the sign, or would we stay focused on the temptation in front of us? Speaking of trees, I think Adam and Eve had a pretty clear sign. Don't eat the fruit of this tree! How well did that work out for them?

It is my impression that we frequently have clear warning signals in our spiritual journey but choose to ignore them. The Bible, the Catechism, and the teaching and preaching of the Church all provide guidance in how we are to live. The Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes, the spiritual and corporal works of mercy remind us over and over to love God with our whole heart, mind, soul, and strength and love our neighbor as ourselves. Those "signs" are engraved in us if we have been active members of the Church for a long time. How well do we respond to these signs?

Pleading ignorance is not acceptable for most of us. The majority of us have access to Church teaching in a variety of formats. We can form our consciences well if we choose to do so. Following that well-formed conscience is then a matter of living our lives attuned to God's grace and the power of the Holy Spirit. We do this by being people of prayer. That prompts the question--how solid is our life of prayer at this moment in time?

CAUTION: The father of lies wants to deceive you. Be on guard. Heed the signs placed in front of you to guard your soul. PRAY! You are called to be a saint. Respond well to the call.

REFLECTION QUESTION FOR TODAY:

How do you avoid the near occasion of sin in your life? (Worded in another way--how do you confront temptation to sin?)

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Rest In Eternal Peace Carol--You Will Be Missed

4/22/2018

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I have had the privilege of working with many wonderful people through the years. My co-worker, Carol, ranks right at the top of that list. After battling a lengthy illness, she passed away earlier today. My life has been blessed immensely through her example, her life of prayer, her pursuit of holiness.

The photo above was taken at one of our annual chancery staff retreats at the Abbey of St. Walburga. (Thank you Matt for capturing this moment while we were on a break during the retreat.) It was always a pleasure to have some time to visit one-on-one with Carol. Her upbeat and positive attitude was contagious. She brought cohesiveness to our staff by her calm demeanor. There are many things I will forever miss about Carol.

Today has been a solemn reminder to be grateful for the people around us. None of us know the day nor the hour when we will be called home.

Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace. Amen.

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Ice and Snow Bless the Lord

4/21/2018

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My first glance out the window this morning revealed a little fresh snowfall. While I yearn for the warmth of summer, I am grateful for the gift of moisture that we received. Some people really enjoy the snow; I enjoy it most when I am sitting in the house and just looking at it from the comfort of my chair.

We celebrate Good Shepherd Sunday this weekend. Do we truly trust that the Good Shepherd will lead us into verdant pastures where we will have repose? I'll be honest. As I looked across the prairie this morning, I was dreaming of verdant pastures that looked a little more tropical. The pasture I pictured in my mind may have more closely resembled a beach. That works!

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I Almost Forgot The Celebration Of 4/20 Today

4/20/2018

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In case you are unfamiliar with the term 4/20, here is the definition given on Wikipedia.

"4/20 (pronounced four-twenty) is a code-term in cannabis culture that refers to the consumption of cannabis, especially smoking cannabis around the time 4:20 p.m. and smoking cannabis in celebration on the date April 20 (which is 4/20 in U.S. form)."

I would personally suggest better alternatives to spending the afternoon today. Let us keep in mind that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit.

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Zeal For Your House Will Devour Me

4/19/2018

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Rate your level of spiritual zeal between 1 and 10 with ten being the highest. Are you on fire with love for the Lord? (For a reminder about what happens to the lukewarm individual, I invite you to turn to the last book of the Bible and read Revelation chapter 3, verses 15 and 16.)

My dear readers, we cannot grow complacent in our spiritual journey. The noise of the world can drown out the call of God in our lives if we allow it to do so. If we only choose to pray when it is convenient, it will not be long before we are not praying at all. The distractions of life will squelch our desire to spend time alone with God. We must be intentional about making time for prayer each and every day. While this habit of prayer requires discipline and sacrifice, the results are immeasurable as God's grace flows abundantly in our lives.

Do you recall the words of Jesus to his closest followers, "Could you not watch one hour with me?" How would we answer if that question were asked of us? Does zeal for the Lord's house truly consume us?

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Barbara Bush--Rest In Peace

4/18/2018

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Are we able to set aside politics at any point in time? I was astounded to see some of the comments on social media following the death of Barbara Bush. Have we any sense of respect left in our country? Whether you agree or disagree with the political leanings of the Bush family is not the issue at this moment in time. Some common courtesy extended to a grieving family is an appropriate thing to do.

Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace. Amen.

Since the tax filing deadline was moved to today, maybe a light-hearted quote would be fitting to elevate the mood. I don't know who originally said it, but at one place on the internet I saw credit given to Hal Lee Luyah for the quote.

"A penny saved is a Congressional oversight."

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