Blog Archives - Articulating Hope

Twisters--Breaking Bad--And Things I Don't Know

6/30/2016

We were passing by Albuquerque, New Mexico recently while on vacation. It was about noon time and our son suggested going to Twisters for lunch. At times like this I realize how difficult it is to keep up with what is impacting the lives of everyone. I had never heard of Twisters. It was then that I received a little schooling from our son about Twisters and "Breaking Bad."

I will admit that I don't go to movies. I refuse to pay high prices to watch questionable entertainment. I watch very little television other than the news and a few old reruns of some shows. I prefer to spend my time reading and writing. However, that does sometimes put me at a disadvantage in regard to knowing what is happening in the entertainment world that is impacting God's people. Subsequently, I do try to pay attention so I at least have a clue. Unfortunately, there are still times when I have no idea about some of these things.

I have never seen "Breaking Bad" and had never heard of Twisters. Despite this absence in my social scene life continued on just fine. As we entered Twisters and walked by "Walter's Booth" (as noted by the yellow sign with arrows pointing downward), I had to ask about Walter. We had our dining experience at Twisters and I learned a little about "Breaking Bad" before we continued the journey down the highway toward Flagstaff, Arizona.

In my training and formation to be a deacon it was really stressed that the deacon has a foot in the world and in the Church. We are to build bridges of trust between the secular and the sacred. We were instructed to meet people where they are and journey with them on their pilgrimage of faith. I strive to do that without immersing myself too deeply in the cultural antics of the Hollywood elites. In my mind there must be a balance between having a basic knowledge of what is happening in the entertainment industry and crossing a line of decency and entering into immorality. I prefer to err on the side of caution and prudence.

Anthony "Tony" Robbins has a quote that speaks well to this scenario. "All the passion in the world won't matter if you are running east looking for a sunset." We can be knowledgeable of the ways of the world, but is it leading us to holiness? If I spend more time immersed in entertainment venues to be in touch with the world, what does that do for my spiritual quest? How does that bring me closer to Christ? I readily accept the fact that there will be times I will be clueless about the "in things" of the world. If I am remaining faithful in my pilgrimage toward Christ I can live with that.

Cheyenne Frontier Days Are Coming: July 22-31, 2016

6/29/2016

You can feel the energy and excitement growing in Cheyenne as the city prepares for the peak of the tourism season know as Cheyenne Frontier Days. Capitol Avenue is lined with streamers, flags, and signs awaiting the crowds for the four parades that take place. Check out the CFD website for all of the details about the parades, the free pancake breakfasts, the nightly entertainment, and of course all of the rodeo action at the "Daddy Of 'Em All."

Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles

6/29/2016

I saw a quote this morning from the German-Swiss Theoretical Physicist Albert Einstein which stated, "Wisdom is not a product of schooling but the lifelong attempt to acquire it." As I reflect upon the lives of the two great saints we celebrate today, it fills me with hope that God's grace can move magnificently in all of our lives. The power of the Holy Spirit and the gift of wisdom--natural and supernatural--can impact us dramatically if we but seek to do God's will.

800 Years Of Preaching For The Salvation Of Souls

6/28/2016

I was reading an article today about the Order of Preachers (Dominicans) marking their 800th jubilee. Saint Dominic Guzman introduced the grace of Dominican life into the world in 1216 to preach for the salvation of souls.

Religious orders bring their unique charism to the service of the Church. The Dominicans have blessed us with their preaching charism. I give a tip of the hat to all Dominicans today, and I give a special "shout-out" to the Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis, Missouri. May God continue to bless your work in abundance!

Seeking Hope In A Broken And Depraved World

6/28/2016

In Chimayo, New Mexico one can see many signs of answered prayer requests. Crutches, braces, and other articles speak eloquently of physical healings that have been experienced. I don't know about the claims of "holy dirt" from this site, but I do know of the power of prayer. Upon my recent visit to this shrine I witnessed people in prayer. That is a sign of hope.

Individually and collectively we are in need of inner healing. Msgr. Charles Pope said it well yesterday in the title of his blog. "The Darkness is Deepening in a Land Overshadowed by Abortion." In one paragraph deep into the article he lists many immoral activities that would have been almost "unimaginable sixty years ago." Our nation is in need of serious healing from the overwhelming darkness of sin.

Maintaining hope in the midst of chaos, confusion, and rampant carnality is not easy. It is quite plausible to become disillusioned and dismayed when it seems like there is no real hope for our nation. The added dimension of ambiguity and questionable statements by Church leaders in regard to some of these issues only serves to heighten the frustration and concerns of many Catholics. What does the Church really teach?

Pastoral outreach by Church leaders is essential. However, it cannot be accomplished effectively without having sound doctrine and solid theological understanding as a foundation from which to begin. Genuine mercy preaches the Gospel with clarity in a spirit of charity. If we do not call people to holiness in our outreach we are offering counterfeit compassion. Pastoral ministry must include an invitation to conversion.

The darkness of our age is real. Spiritual warfare is real. I am clinging to Christ tightly. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life!

U.S. Supreme Court Continues Its Assault On Life

6/27/2016

Watching women jump up and down with glee at the ruling of the U.S. Supreme Court striking down the 2013 Texas law regulating the safety of abortion clinics was truly disheartening. We have become a society that celebrates the legality and the ease of killing unborn children.

The Kermit Gosnell scandal prompted this law to be passed. Apparently, five un-elected justices of the U.S. Supreme Court think they know what is better for the people of Texas than the elected legislators and governor of Texas. Actions like this should concern all U.S. citizens as state's rights are trampled upon by the federal government once again.

We cannot continue to turn our backs on God without consequences. There is a need for serious prayer and fasting for our nation. Learn the faith. Study the Sacred Scriptures. Grow in holiness. Allow God's love to permeate every aspect of your life. If chastisement comes upon the earth may each of us be found with joyful hope watching and waiting in fervent prayer!

Stand Firm! Christ Has Set Us free!

6/26/2016

The second reading in today's liturgy is filled with wisdom regarding the gift of freedom. "Serve one another through love." What changes would we see in society if we all lived by that single admonition? I think we would soon experience a freedom beyond our imagination.

The last couple of days have provided some beautiful skies here in Wyoming. I appreciate the opportunity to take in the beauty of God's creation while walking and praying. The warmer days have been welcome and my exercise regimen has been a little easier to maintain in such conducive conditions. Since I pray while I am walking that means my prayer life has been on track too. I am grateful for these blessings. Today I pondered the gift of religious freedom as we continue in the Fortnight for Freedom.

Bishop Etienne's homily at Mass today was phenomenal. He shared some very personal insights in regard to developing an interior life that sets the stage for experiencing freedom in a profound way. He gave a reminder that is extremely pertinent to the faith journey. We say "yes" to self-sacrificing love each and every day. Serving one another through love is not simply a commitment we make once. We make it over and over again. This type of love sets us free. How free are you?

Only Six Months Of Christmas Shopping Left

6/25/2016

On my way to the city of Gillette recently I came across this truck parked along the street in Wright, Wyoming. The photograph does not really capture the immensity of this machine. It was huge. I am not sure what I would do with it if I owned it, but since we are exactly six months from Christmas I decided to add it to my Christmas wish list. I have not driven a tractor-trailer truck in 16 years but the fascination with heavy equipment remains.

Each of us bring our life experiences into the spiritual journey. I grew up on a farm about forty miles northwest of St. Louis. I learned at an early age some of the responsibilities of working around animals and equipment. You respect both. Hard work was part of the equation while growing up. There were times I resented working all day on Saturday. I also didn't appreciate feeding the hogs before and after school during the week. This was especially true during the winter months when the work was completed in the dark. I learned a lot from that way of life during my first 25 years.

We develop habits and values through our life experiences. Playing sports through high school and college taught me perseverance. Fighting cancer taught me about faith, hope, and trust. Working in law enforcement and corrections taught me about some of the harsher realities of life. Working for the power company taught me about business, corporate politics between union members and management, and the skill of driving a tractor-trailer. Loading backhoes, bulldozers, and other equipment onto trailers was a bonus that I had not anticipated. Good times!

When I entered full-time ministry in the year 2000 I had no idea just how much each of these life experiences shaped my ministry. In many ways it seems like my experiences are varied and disconnected, but in the end it has provided a multi-faceted look at life that has been extremely beneficial as I minister to and with others. I am grateful for the many opportunities and blessings all across the board.

What has shaped your spiritual life through the years? Is there a connection between your many experiences? Give it some thought. Feel free to post your comments. You only need to use your first name to post something. Some have told me they don't like putting their full name in the comments. That is fine. As long as the comment is appropriate there will not be a problem.

Well, it is time to get back to my Christmas wish list. What do I need to go along with the monster truck? I am sure I will think of something.

The Nativity of St. John the Baptist

6/24/2016

The Ordo pointed something out today that I had not heard before (or I had forgotten that I heard it). In discussing the date of this feast the Ordo states, "St. Augustine found this date (near the summer solstice) appropriate for, after the birth of John, daylight begins to grow shorter, whereas after Jesus' birth, it begins to increase."

In the Gospel of John chapter 3 verse 30 it makes it very clear as to the role of John the Baptist when he states, "He must increase I must decrease."

That brief line gives plenty of food for thought. Am I inviting Jesus to be the center of my life or is it all about me?

Have a blessed Friday and a wonderful weekend!

Craving Inspiration--Not Just More Information

6/23/2016

Last September I went for an early morning walk around the campus of the University of Wyoming in Laramie. The backdrop of War Memorial Stadium, the predawn sky, and spotlights illuminating the monument of a cowboy "Breakin' Through" a brick wall made me stop and pause to take it all in for a few brief moments. The grit and spirit of the Wyoming Cowboy was captured beautifully in this piece of art.

I am a former college athlete. Through my many years of playing sports I had quite a number of different coaches. Some were extremely good at teaching fundamentals but lacked charisma. I had other coaches that were less sound in teaching the fundamentals but were very inspirational. Rare is the coach who possesses both of these attributes in abundance. If you find one, cling tightly to him or her. You are in for a winning experience.

In my adult life I have spent years studying leadership, motivation, salesmanship, communication techniques, public speaking methodologies, marketing, and general business etiquette. Dr. Denis Waitley inspired me to study the "Psychology of Winning." Norman Vincent Peale convinced me of "The Power of Positive Thinking." Napoleon Hill taught me about the "Law of Success." In the last seventeen years I have been striving to apply what I have learned from these authors in a very tangible way to build up the Body of Christ. I yearn to know the most effective ways to take what I have learned from the Sacred Scriptures, Church Teaching, and the writings of the saints and apply it in a practical way in my day-to-day life. I then want to be able to teach and preach effectively for the good of others.

Ben and Kelly Decker of Decker Communications make it clear that people in modern times are craving inspiration more than information. I firmly believe that this is especially pertinent to the Church. We can teach doctrines and dogma all year long, but if it fails to inspire what has been achieved? In particular, the clergy have a responsibility to inspire the flock. This is done through a variety of avenues. First and foremost, we want our spiritual leaders to be models of holiness. Secondly, we want them to be effective communicators of the Good News of salvation. We desire preaching that is substantive and delivered with charisma. We want inspiration.

Statistics continue to show sharp declines in church attendance. In many areas of the country only 25% of registered parishioners are in church on any given Sunday. A lack of proper catechesis is obviously part of the problem. If people understood the Eucharist they would make it a point to be there to participate and encounter the living God. However, it is not just a matter of passing on more catechetical information. There must be inspiration.

A crisis in faith can be sparked from a variety of sources. Unfortunately, the main cause seems to be an onset of complacency and apathy. Do you know of a particular parish that is brimming with life? If not, I am sorry for your loss. If you do know of such a parish are you able to articulate what sets it apart from others? What gives life to a parish?

I have been responsible for religious education in one capacity or another for the last sixteen years. I serve as a resource person to parishes striving to enhance their religious education programs. Through the years I have come to realize one very important factor in this equation. If a religious education program is going to be successful there must be inspiration.

Parish programming of any kind will rise and fall with the level of leadership. If a parish has a vibrant liturgy there is an enhanced hope for a more far-reaching outreach with other endeavors. The parish that prays and worships well together will do other things with zeal and fervor too. A burden of responsibility rests on the shoulders of the pastor to be sure that the Eucharistic Liturgy is celebrated well. The preaching MUST inspire. That is a vital component of developing an amazing parish.

Other components are necessary to nurture a congregation into health and holiness, but if the preacher fails to inspire, good luck with trying to accomplish anything else. If we make Jesus boring by the way we utter the Good News, we have done a disservice to God's people. The King of Kings and Lord of Lords is not boring. The first question that must be asked of the one preaching--whether it be a bishop, priest, or deacon--is quite simple. Do you really believe the Good News yourself? If we who are preaching are not filled with the power of the Holy Spirit our words will be dull and lifeless because they stem from our own making. In 1 Peter 4:11 the message is clear. "Whoever preaches, let it be with the words of God." If we follow that admonition we will be delivering inspiration.

The Church exists to evangelize. Each and every baptized individual is called to proclaim the Good News, but this admonition to go out to all the world is especially pertinent to the ordained. I am not talking about developing a slick marketing program. I am asking for genuine preaching and teaching that is faithful to the Gospel and delivered with love, compassion, energy, and enthusiasm. I want inspiration in addition to information. Vibrant worship is a beautiful starting point to enrich and empower all of the other ministries in the parish including catechesis.

Please pray for all of us who have the responsibility of teaching and preaching. Composing an inspirational message that is constructed in a methodical and coherent manner while keeping it short enough to be charismatically delivered in eight to twelve minutes is no easy task. With God's grace all things are possible.

May each of us take our share of the responsibility of building up the Body of Christ. It is long past time for us to truly be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. My question for you today is simple. How will you let the light of your faith shine today?