Blog Archives - Articulating Hope

New Life

4/17/2018

Do you see signs of new life in your personal faith journey as well as your local church community? Did your Lenten journey provide the groundwork for a vibrant celebration of Easter?

The liturgical calendar assists us in celebrating the faith well. However, we can simply go through the motions year after year without truly experiencing that "life in abundance" which Jesus offers (John 10:10). If we find ourselves in a rut, how do we get out? How do we cooperate more fully with God's grace? It starts with prayer. We must make time each day to be alone with the Lord. There needs to be some quiet time so we can just listen to the Lord.

I invite you to look honestly at your prayer life. Have you grown in the last five years? Look at the frequency of your prayer. Has your one-on-one time with God grown through the years? What kind of fervor is present when you pray? Are you loving God with your whole heart, mind, soul, and strength? Or are you giving honor to God with your lips while your heart remains far from Him? Has your awareness of the presence of God grown in your day-to-day life? Do you truly get a sense of how God moves in your life?

What will it take for you to truly experience "new life" in your spiritual quest?

Blending Into The Environment

4/16/2018

Take a look at the critter above on the brown surface.

Do you see a change in the critter as it moves toward the greenery?

I was amazed at watching this simple little transformation from brown to green right before my eyes. The beauty of nature never ceases to demonstrate the power of God's creative hand.

I use these photos today for a very specific purpose in reflecting upon our own journey of life. Do we change "colors" depending upon where we are? Do we behave one way at work and another way at home? Does our demeanor change when we go to a church function as compared to a social gathering on a Saturday night with friends?

In reflecting upon our own behavior, I simply pose this question.

Are we authentic and genuine--with ourselves, with others, and with God?

What (Or Who) Guides You In Life?

4/15/2018

There is a question in today's Gospel that may resonate with many of us. Jesus asked his disciples, "Why are you troubled?" We are obviously in different circumstances than the disciples, but how frequently are our hearts troubled? Do we recognize the presence of Jesus in our own lives?

Think back to the importance of a lighthouse many years ago before all of the GPS technology came into play. Navigating treacherous waters could be aided by the signal from a lighthouse. It provided necessary guidance. What, or more importantly, who guides you in your life's journey?

At the Easter Vigil the deacon raised the Paschal Candle and sang, "The Light of Christ." Then the light spread to everyone in the church. Are we allowing ourselves to be guided by the Light of Christ? Are we fully cooperating with God's grace?

I encourage you to continue to celebrate Easter well.

Where Is Everybody?

4/14/2018

This goose was swimming alone last week when I visited St. Peters Municipal Park. As I approached the water to take the photo, the goose just looked at me. (Maybe the goose had been fed by previous visitors. If that is the case I was surely a disappointment.)

With all of the means of communication at our disposal, loneliness seems more prevalent than ever. Will you brighten someone's day today by taking time to pay an unexpected visit? It can be a family member, a friend, or even a stranger. For example, when was the last time you visited someone in a nursing home? You will be amazed at how good you end up feeling too.

What Does The Church Teach About Superstition?

4/13/2018

Would you walk through this park on Friday the 13th and step on one of the cracks in the sidewalk?

Read St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians (especially chapter 6). Put on the armor of God. Guard your soul. Protect yourself from the occult by avoiding the near occasions of sin. Don't dabble in New Age things. Learn what the Church teaches about superstition, palm reading, tarot cards, etc.

Have you truly put on Christ?

Does Seeing A Waterfall Remind You Of Baptism?

4/12/2018

Taking pictures for my blog has helped stir my creativity. There are many instances in which I take a picture and have no idea how I am going to use it. Connecting my photos to our faith journey has been helpful in my own reflection processes. For example, seeing moving water makes me think about the Sacrament of Baptism. That probably would not have happened so quickly a few years ago.

How do events, places, or things in your day-to-day life draw your thoughts to God?

A Little Touch Of Spring Can Be Seen Here And There

4/11/2018

While visiting back in Missouri last week, I took some time on a cold and blustery day to get little exercise in St. Peters Municipal Park. The cold wind made me keep a faster walking pace than usual, but I did stop to take a few photos along the way.

Flowers starting to bloom, trees starting to bud, and grass turning green all give the cue that spring is approaching. As we witness new life spring forth in a myriad of ways, are we witnessing new life within ourselves as we continue to celebrate the Easter season?

How Are You Impacted During The Easter Season?

4/10/2018

Congratulations to all those who came into the Church at the Easter Vigil. Congratulations also to all those receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation during these days of the Easter season. Finally, congratulations to all those young people making their First Holy Communion during the Easter season. this is always a wonderful season in the life of the Church.

As we continue our 50 day celebration of Easter, I think it is a good time to ask this question. Is the joy of Easter still resonating within you?

The Annunciation of the Lord

4/9/2018

We typically celebrate the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord on March 25. (If you do the math, you see that it is exactly nine months from December 25.) This year March 25th landed on Palm Sunday. Thus the feast day was moved to today, April 9. Holy Week and the Octave of Easter brought us all the way to today, and this is the first opportunity to celebrate the Annunciation.

As I woke up this morning I enjoyed the view of fresh snowfall out my window. (Enjoy may be an inaccurate descriptor, but there was beauty in the glistening when the sun broke through the clouds.) As I try to catch up on things that piled up while I was out of the office for a few days last week, it reminded me to also share some photos with you from Holy Week. I hope the joy of Easter continues to permeate your life.

A Wonderful Visit To Old Monroe, Missouri

4/8/2018

I am grateful to the many folks who turned out for the presentation and book signing event at my hometown parish of Immaculate Conception in Old Monroe, Missouri. It was wonderful to visit with many of the parishioners who walked with my family during my first battle with cancer 32 years ago. The impact of your prayers, friendship, and outreach are beyond measure. It touched my heart to see so many of you again this past Friday night.

After I finished my chemotherapy treatments in the fall of 1986, I teamed up with one of the chaplains at the hospital to help begin a support group for individuals and families coping with a life threatening illness. This group was known as "Make Today Count." The chaplain had a "side-kick" from the oncology floor to help provide support and professional expertise as well. I don't remember her official title at the time, but I came to find out Friday evening that she is back at St. Joseph's Hospital bringing her compassion and expertise in even more profound ways as a hospitalist. It was a pleasant surprise to see both of these individuals walk in the door for my presentation.

The first two people to arrive for the event were people I had met at Make Today Count. We were able to catch up on some memories from our journey all those many years ago, and then we also discussed some heartache of the present moment. In just a few days they will mark the one year anniversary of the death of their son who was killed in a senseless violent act while he was at work. My heart ached for them as they showed my wife and I pictures of the two young children left behind--one of which their son never had the opportunity to meet.

It did not occur to me until after the evening was over that at least five of us in attendance had experienced the sorrow of having a family member being murdered. That startled me. It reminded me to be very intentional about praying for all those who experience such devastating events. God has blessed each of us with free will. Unfortunately, we can look all the way back to Cain and Abel to see that free will is not always used for the best of purposes.

It was a blessing to see some of my former co-workers and friends from Assumption Parish as well. Thank you for making the trip. It was splendid catching up with each of you.

Two of my deacon classmates were in attendance. (I spent many hours in the car with these two guys in the 1990's when we were driving back and forth to St. Louis for our diaconate studies.) They sat in the back of the church on Friday evening, but if they were a distraction to any of you sitting in the same general area, I apologize on their behalf. I can only imagine the colorful commentary they probably added to my presentation. In all seriousness, many thanks to Deacon Bernie and Deacon Jim for your for your friendship and support. You continue to inspire and bless me by your presence.

The pastor of St. Paul's United Church of Christ (a neighbor of Immaculate Conception) was also in attendance. Thank you pastor for being there and introducing yourself to me. It was an honor to have you with us.

Finally, I am grateful to Bill for patiently waiting for all of us to vacate the church at the end of the evening so he could lock up. I am sure he was ready to go much earlier, but he allowed us to visit at length and did not rush us out the door. I also thank Bill for continuing to lead First Saturday devotions. I passed that "job" onto him when I left the parish in July of 2000. He continues to faithfully serve God and His people in this role and many others. Thanks Bill.

In the midst of trials and tribulations, continue to hold tight to Jesus Christ. It is our faith in Christ that empowers us to hold onto hope because we know that Christ has conquered all. I invite you to reflect upon Romans 12:12.

"Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer."