"Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."
(Proverbs 4:23 NIV)

This admonition from Proverbs is a key to our success in maintaining hope.  When we neglect our interior life and allow the external circumstances to rule, it won't be long before a lack of discipline usurps the meaning right out of our lives.  Apathy and emptiness move in to claim the victory.

On this Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, we are blessed with the opportunity to reflect upon our relationship with almighty God--Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  Have we pondered the magnitude of the privilege we enjoy in being able to pray to God the Father, through His Son Jesus Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit?  

Today's feast reminds us that complacency and indifference have no place in the Christian journey.  In his book, Secrets of Super Achievers, Philip Baker states the following:
"The truth is, however, most people are not lazy; they are simply uninspired.  Motivation comes from having a goal that is inspirational.  This, in turn, causes us to focus our lives even more and gives us the energy with which we can accomplish our dreams."

When I studied that statement the question that popped into my mind was this:  Are Christians uninspired?  How could it be that a relationship with almighty God is not a sufficient enough goal to generate motivation within us?  If that is indeed the case, what changes do we need to make in our individual lives as well in our religious institutions?  

Bottom line: Do we see enthusiasm, zeal, and motivation bursting at the seams within our church congregations?  If not, why not?  Today's challenge--let each of us deepen our relationship with The Most Holy Trinity in a profound and dramatic fashion.  May we each guard our heart, the wellspring of life!

A recent article going around on Facebook exclaims that teachers are hailed as heroes during times of crisis, but are generally under fire at other times.  It is true that school shootings, tornadoes, and other disasters highlight the heroic actions of our educators under some very dire circumstances.  I believe it is also true that there are many unheralded acts of heroism that take place by our educators all throughout the school year.

I want to say THANK YOU to all of our teachers, administrators, and support staff working so diligently in our schools all across the country to make a difference.  The work you do is admirable.  We expect a lot from you—much more than an education for our children—we expect you to wear so many hats that I dare not even try to mention them.  In all of the ways you succeed at meeting our expectations, thank you!

The teaching profession has individuals who excel in their field; it also has individuals who lack the skills necessary to be effective as well as those who are simply content with mediocrity.  It is the same in any other profession.  The sad reality in education is that we often times focus our attention on the poor performers and penalize the competent individuals in the process.  As we move our educational structures to focus more and more on standardized assessments to evaluate the effectiveness of teachers, we lose much of the creativity, sensitivity, and compassion that need to be present between teacher and student to create an environment conducive to learning.  Our fixation on standardized testing leads us down a path where we can over-emphasize performance versus true learning.  Adequate assessments are important to make sure we are pursuing academic excellence, but a teacher building a bond with the students is important to be sure we are pursuing Christian excellence.

Let me focus attention on Catholic school teachers for a moment.  You have many unique challenges in your chosen profession.  First of all, it is no secret that you are frequently underpaid.  There are some locales where Catholic school teachers make only 50% of what their public school counterparts are making.  That is a sacrifice you have chosen to make because you look at your profession as a ministry.  Thank you for your commitment and sacrifice.

Catholic school teachers frequently are called upon to go above and beyond the call of duty in their parish as well.  They are expected to be seen at parish events, the sporting events of their students, fundraisers, and the list goes on and on.  These sacrifices of time are made because of the sense of commitment and the sense of family that is present in so many of our Catholic school teachers.  Thank you for your presence at these events.

Thank you for all of the work during the year grading papers, preparing lesson plans, staying in touch with parents, and creating a classroom environment with your decorations that says, “Welcome!  Glad you are here!”  The work you do behind the scenes is appreciated, and it is unfortunate that most of you don’t hear the words thank you often enough.

The one item that astounds me is when I hear people say, “Teachers only work nine months out of the year.”  So teachers, as you prepare to wrap up the current academic year and embark on your three month vacation, we won’t watch as you pursue professional development coursework over the summer, or as you work creating new lesson plans, designing your upcoming year’s bulletin boards, writing welcome postcards to your incoming students, and on and on.  We know you think all of that is fun and that is how you choose to spend your “vacation”.   (Yes, that is being said tongue in cheek.)

Although the field of education has become a political football at the national and state levels in many regards (and at the local level in some cases), I want to take a moment to look beyond all of that and see the good that has taken place in our classrooms during this year.  Teachers, thank you for the positive ways you have touched the lives of your students this year.  Principals, thank you for your leadership.  Support staff, thank you for all of the things you do that goes unnoticed and unappreciated.  To all who support the local schools with your financial support and your volunteerism, thank you!  Each of you is an important component to our pursuit of excellence on a daily basis.

Have a blessed summer!

"There is real magic in enthusiasm.  It spells the difference between mediocrity and accomplishment."
~Norman Vincent Peale

"People who are unable to motivate themselves must be content with mediocrity, no matter how impressive their other talents."
~Andrew Carnegie

"Jealousy is the tribute mediocrity pays to genius."
~Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen

"It's a sign of mediocrity when you demonstrate gratitude with moderation."
~Roberto Benigni 

I recently received an e-mail from a friend with a flyer attached advertising an upcoming event.  The headline of the flyer read, “Are you seeking to live more deeply with a greater sense of purpose?”  The subtitle in smaller print asked, “Will you help transform the world through love and service—and be willing to change in the process?”

I will admit that these two questions made me pause for a few moments of reflection.  After all, isn’t it natural to yearn for a greater sense of purpose?  The question that was actively bouncing around in my head was centered more on the aspect of what it means to live more deeply.  What would living more deeply actually look like in my own life?  How do I get there?  What will it cost me?  Will it hurt?

Transforming the world through love and service seems like a lofty ideal.  Isn’t that reserved for just a few folks like Mother Teresa and others we have canonized as saints?  Furthermore, what do you mean by asking me if I am willing to change in the process?  It sounds like you are asking me to move out of my comfort zone, and that is a little intimidating.

Obviously, we are all called to holiness.  We are called to transform the world through love and service, and once again, that begins with experiencing conversion in our own lives.  We are invited to change, to grow, and to be intimately united with our God.  It is an invitation waiting for our RSVP.  Will we accept the call to enter into a deeper relationship with the King of kings and Lord of lords?

The questions asked by the flyer are still fermenting in my mind even now several days later.  Watching the news on TV and reading about world events on the internet has darkened my mind and I can’t seem to lose some of the images.  It is appalling to see the atrocities going on in our world.  Where is charity?  Where is kindness?  Could we have a little honesty?  How can human beings treat others so viciously?

There are two things that have been repeatedly keeping me awake at night—the Gosnell trial and the rescue of the three young women (and the child) in Cleveland who had been held captive in unimaginable circumstances.  Gosnell snipped the necks of babies after they were born because his job was to kill the child.  The other guy impregnates his captive and then starves her and beats her in the stomach to kill the child she has conceived—and allegedly repeats this process at least five different times.  My heart breaks for these women and all the others that have experienced similar tragedies.  My heart aches for the family members of other missing individuals as they hold onto hope for their own miracle.

The precious gift of life has been diminished in a multitude of ways in our society.  Contraception was supposed to eliminate unwanted pregnancies.  Instead, abortions have skyrocketed since contraception has become readily available.  The sexual revolution of the 60’s has brought us booming industries in pornography, contraception, and abortions.  The emotional, physical, and spiritual wounds generated by these industries are incalculable.  In so many instances, women have paid a high price for what some have touted as liberation.

As I moved from reading information on pro-life websites and went to secular sites, there was other news less disturbing, but still shocking.  An elaborate scam where thieves steal 45 million dollars from ATM machines captures headlines.  Wow! 

The attack in Benghazi is back in the news after many months because we still don’t know what actually happened.  The hearings beg the question, “Could we have some honesty?”  Can the family members of the slain victims be given closure by at least giving them the truth?  What does it take for our elected officials to stop being politicians constantly seeking re-election and start being statesmen?  Could we just do the right thing?  

When winning becomes the top priority of elected and appointed officials—above integrity, honesty, and diligence in adhering to moral and ethical principles—it is the nation that loses.  Our influence and credibility throughout the world is also severely diminished.  Benghazi is not the only issue in the news.  Two other items in the headlines included: “Lawmakers have gone undercover in New York in a corruption probe,” and “The IRS makes a rare apology over some controversial practices it deployed during the 2012 election season.”  Honesty and integrity seem to be in short supply.

Delving into the secular news lends itself to dimming the brightness of one’s outlook on life and currently leaves me asking the questions, How do we enter into the world without becoming ‘of’ the world?  How do we become the light of the world and the salt of the earth?  Ultimately, how do we effectively help transform the world through love and service?

The secular news reminds me that we are called to be people of prayer.  “Pray without ceasing!”  Uniting our hearts, minds, and wills to the will of God gives us the strength, courage and perseverance we need to continue running the race and fighting the good fight.  Jesus Christ has overcome the world.  May each of us be so inspired by the guidance of the Holy Spirit that we will go out into the world imitating the kind of love and compassion that was demonstrated by Jesus Christ when he walked upon the earth!  That is how we live more deeply and with a greater sense of purpose, but I will also acknowledge that it is easier said than done.  Thankfully, we have been assured in Sacred Scripture, “All things are possible for God.”  (Matthew 19:26) 

This time of year brings a lot of excitement with a vast array of new beginnings occurring all across the country.  There are many religious rituals during the spring to mark transitions in life.  This includes, but is not limited to, the Sacraments of First Communion, Confirmation, and of course, the Sacrament of Matrimony.  Graduations, whether they are from elementary school, high school, college, university, technical schools, or other specialized institutions definitely launch people into new beginnings.  These milestones in life certainly fill us with renewed hope and expectation.

One of the most profound new beginnings at the present moment is probably for the three young women and the little girl who escaped from their captors in Cleveland.  I can’t even imagine what it must have been like to live as a captive under those circumstances for over a decade.  Although there will be an immense amount of emotional healing that will need to take place, what a joy it is for these young women to have an opportunity for a new beginning after so many years of their lives have been unjustly taken from them!

What do we do with new beginnings?  How do we most effectively use the gifts and opportunities that God gives to us to grow in deeper relationship?  How does a milestone in life help us grow in wisdom and in grace?

I can still remember the idealism that I had when moving through some of these significant stages of life.  There are times when I wish I could recapture some of that youthful idealism and zest for life instead of allowing the burdens, difficulties, and challenges of adulthood weigh down upon my spirit.  How do we maintain vigor and vitality in life while dealing with all of those things that are seemingly striving to drain of us of every ounce of energy and passion?  It is the virtue of hope that gives us the stamina to keep moving forward. 

Those young women in Cleveland have sent a clear message about the power of hope.  If they could hold on to hope for over a decade in such dire circumstances, hope should be a plentiful commodity for the rest of us who generally find ourselves in more amiable circumstances on a day-to-day basis.

Congratulations and blessings to the young women in Cleveland and to all who are experiencing new beginnings in one way or another during these days of spring.  May new life permeate every fiber of your being as you grow in wisdom, grace, and holiness! 

I think it is time to stop and smell the flowers!

The Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord is Thursday, May 9, if you live in one of "the ecclesiastical Provinces of Boston, Hartford, New York, Newark, Omaha, or Philadelphia where they have retained its celebration on the proper Thursday; all other Provinces have transferred this Solemnity to the Seventh Sunday of Easter."
~Paulist Press Ordo 2013

While it is true that more people will celebrate the Solemnity of the Ascension because it is being transferred to a Sunday, I will admit that there is a sense of chaos in my linear mind.  I like the numbers to add up the way I expect them.  Basically, I miss the set-up that celebrating the Ascension on Thursday provides for the nine days of prayer between the Ascension and the great Solemnity of Pentecost.  

I realize that I can still pray during these nine days and enjoy my novena just as I have for years.  However, it is also true that I feel a sense of disruption within the liturgical calendar.  In my mind there is something special about these days when I reflect upon life in the early Church.  Have you ever thought about how the disciples of Jesus Christ used the days between His "Ascension into Heaven" and the "Descent of the Holy Spirit" on Pentecost?  Can you imagine the intensity of their prayer during these days?  It just intrigues me to think about how they internally processed everything that they had witnessed from the time of His passion and death, His resurrection, and then His ascent into heaven.  Their prayer during this particular transition must have been phenomenal.  Oh, that my prayer life would be so fervent and faithful!

My annual novena will begin on Friday and will continue through the Saturday before Pentecost Sunday, (and I will celebrate the Ascension this coming Sunday like everyone else except those in the six areas listed above).  It won't all add up exactly the way I want it to in my structured mindset, but it will be okay.  I will still be focused on seeking a fresh outpouring of the power of the Holy Spirit in my life during these days leading up to Pentecost.  I encourage you to offer a novena of prayer during these days as well.  If you want to pray with others in a quick easy way, sign up here:  http://www.praymorenovenas.com/
A daily prayer will be sent to your inbox.  I have been signed up for quite a while already and it really is a good and simple way to pray a variety of novenas on a more regular basis.  (It is free.)

It is my prayer that these days of Easter have filled you with hope.  It is my prayer that the celebration of the Ascension this Sunday will fill you with immense joy.  Lastly, it is my hope that the power of the Holy Spirit impacts you in a profound way as we celebrate the Solemnity of Pentecost on May 19. 

"Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful.  Kindle in them the fire of your love.  Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created, and You will renew the face of the earth!"  

"What has made this nation great?  Not its heroes but its households."
~Sarah J. Hale,      Traits of American Life,       1835

That particular aspect of American culture has been recognized for a long time--at least since 1835.  Having healthy families (physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually) is essential for the well-being of our country.  Will the households of contemporary America muster the strength to keep our nation strong?

"People without hope won't take action.  If you want to help someone, give them hope."  ~Tom Ziglar    

I read that quote this morning from the Zig Ziglar page of Facebook.  It affirms once again that many good business practices align with our Christian principles.  They are simply good common sense things that build people up.  Without hope, a person can feel that there is no point in moving toward action.  

The season of Easter--yes, we celebrate Easter for 50 days--reminds us that we are people of hope.  Christ has conquered death and has offered us new life.  If that doesn't fill us with hope, what will?  The question that looms in my mind is whether or not we have any true sense of what an awesome gift this is to us, or do we just go through the motions year after year celebrating Lent and Easter without experiencing true conversion in our lives?  is our relationship with God deeper today than it was five years ago?

In two more weeks we will celebrate the great Feast of Pentecost.  This powerful feast reminds us that the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, will guide us into all Truth.  Our relationship with God our Father, through His Son Jesus Christ, in communion with the Holy Spirit grows in intimacy when we allow the promptings of the Holy Spirit to truly guide our lives.  That is definitely a reason for hope.  So then, why does there seem to be a shortage of hope in today's society--even among Christian believers?  When did we lose focus on the theological virtues of faith, hope, and love?  There is probably no single answer to that question; our modern culture has developed many allurements in recent decades intent upon distracting us from the Kingdom of God.  If we find ourselves being led astray, what do we do to turn back toward God?

Basically, how do we become people of renewed hope?  I believe that one good place to start is by being a person of prayer.  If we allow our prayer life to suffer, a shortage of hope will certainly follow in due time.  If intimacy and union with God is not part of our daily quest (prayer), and we put our hope in worldly things, the virtue of real hope is sure to dissipate from our lives.

Thus, I would add one more component to Tom Ziglar's quote from above.  If you want to help someone--including yourself--invite and encourage them to pray.  This will fuel their hope, and in turn, will give them motivation for action.  That is when we have the opportunity to truly experience the fullness of the resurrection of the Lord.  
(John 10:10)

After focusing on the Gosnell trial yesterday, I want to refresh and re-energize my thinking to a more hopeful outlook.  That seems appropriate since I entitled my blog site "Articulating Hope"!

The conscience of a nation--what will the Gosnell trial reveal?

How can a civilized society allow such malicious behavior to take place with no repercussions for decades?  How could our government officials repeatedly turn a blind eye to Gosnell's "House of Horrors"?
It is apparent that a political agenda needed to be protected.  Exposing the horrors that were taking place in the clinic could adversely affect that political agenda.  Thus, evil was given a free pass to continue.


Where is the outrage?  Have we become so calloused that we are no longer surprised by any outrageous behavior?  Why have the babies killed after birth in this clinic received no public tears and outpouring of grief?  Why has the murder of these children been treated differently by the media than the children killed in school shootings.  Why is this killing condoned?


This is the burning question in my heart and mind.  Where is the Church in all of this?  If people of faith don't stand up for those who are unable to stand up for themselves, who will?  Has a timid Church allowed society to go astray so gravely?


I realize that the Church can't cure all of the societal ills that confront us.  As a matter of fact, there are times when we struggle to even cure the ills within our own ranks.  However, with that being said, how can we stand idly by and allow things like Gosnell's House of Horrors to exist without resistance?  Where are the people of faith while these types of things are going on in our communities?


It is with a heavy heart that I ponder our wandering far from God.  We have been killing unborn children for 40 years now.  In this particular case our society has also allowed the killing of children after they are born.  This clearly reveals that we are steeped in a culture of death--and it doesn't even seem to bother a significant portion of our population.  

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, it is time for some serious prayer and fasting.  Complacency, apathy, and indifference can no longer be the mode of operation.  It is time for us to truly be the light of the world and the salt of the earth.  "God chose us in Christ before the world began to be holy and blameless in his sight."  Let's live like we believe that!

"Our help is in the name of the Lord who made heaven and earth."

I find today's Feast Day of St. Joseph the Worker quite interesting, and even a little bit intriguing. Of all the titles that could be bestowed upon St. Joseph, why were the words "the Worker" chosen?  What is the significance of this particular title?

Years ago I saw a bumper sticker that said, "Jesus is coming soon... look busy."  I don't think that had any relation to today's feast, but I think it raises a good question in a satirical sort of way.  What does the role of work play in our lives in regard to our sanctification?  Are we trying to "look busy" to get bonus points or does our work truly bring glory to God?

I will admit that I don't always jump right out of bed in the morning eager to meet the new day and the work that is in store.  This feast day reminds me of the attitude that I should have in my approach to work. It also creates a prespective that shows the multiple opportunities for spiritual growth in my life.  I know I have improvements to make in this area so my prayer today will be to read and reflect upon the Letter of James Chapter 2 verses 14 through 26.  I will then strive, with the grace of God, to put it more faithfully into practice.

St. Joseph, pray for us!