Blog Archives - Articulating Hope

The Circle of Life

7/31/2018

As we hit the last day of July for 2018, it reminds me once again of the "shortness of time and length of eternity." Another month of life has come and gone. If the Lord were to call any of us home today, are we prepared? How seriously do we approach our relationship with the Lord?

I see many well-wishes on social media to people celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, etc. As these milestones come and go each year, are we grasping the reality that our time on earth is growing shorter? Are we living life with the pursuit of holiness?

Yesterday was the anniversary of my mother-in-law's death. She died before becoming my mother-in-law, but I had a brief time to get to know her a little. The point that really struck me yesterday as I thought about her is that she has been gone from this earth for more than three decades. My wife and her siblings have lived without their mom now for thirty-one years. What does that mean for us? It means none of us are spring chickens any more either!

The saints of old constantly encouraged people to reflect upon the four last things--death, judgment, heaven, and hell. That doesn't come up too much in modern day discussions. However, it may benefit all of us if it was talked about a little more. We can get so engrossed in the day-to-day tasks of our daily lives that we lose focus on the fact that our home is in heaven. We need to be reminded once in a while of the priorities of life. The time of death is not the time to prepare. That is the time to find ourselves already prepared.

Are we receiving the sacraments frequently?
Are we receiving them in a worthy manner?
Do we pray daily?
Do we pray fervently and with purity of intention?

I invite you to reflect upon two Scripture passages today and do an honest examination of conscience afterward.
Matthew 5:48
Luke 6:36

God chose us in Christ before the world began to be holy and blameless in His sight. We are called to be saints. Is that the road we are on?

The Significance Of The Number 12 In Scripture

7/29/2018

We have seen a lot of references to the number 12 in the Scripture readings at Mass during the month of July. On the 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time (July 1) we heard about the healing of the woman with hemorrhages for 12 years and the healing of the 12 year old daughter of Jairus. Today, we hear about the miracle of the loaves and fishes in which 12 baskets of fragments were gathered after feeding thousands.

What is the significance of the number 12 in Sacred Scripture? I did not go through the Bible and count how many times the number 12 appears, but apparently someone else did. It is used 187 times. I invite you to do some research about the significance of this detail.

I'll provide a link to get you started.

www.patheos.com/blogs/christiancrier/2014/09/28/what-does-the-number-twelve-12-mean-or-represent-in-the-bible/

Discipleship--How Do We Mentor Other People?

7/27/2018

Things are gearing up in parishes all across the country for the new academic year. I am in the midst of that process myself. Schools re-open, religious education programs resume, RCIA starts fresh, prayer groups begin meeting again, Bible studies are organized, and a multitude of other things begin to take shape in late August as well. Activity abounds.

Here are my questions:

1. Does any formation happen during the summer? If so, how?
2. Does leisure time provide opportunities for getting to know God? If so, how?
3. Does a programmatic approach to faith formation squelch the Holy Spirit?

I grew up in a good family, a faith-filled church, and a tight-knit local community. Living the faith was reinforced from a multitude of people and institutions. We were given a chance to become faith-filled servants of the Lord and were supported on many different levels during the formative years. Becoming a disciple was not just centered on programs. It was centered on prayer and service to others as modeled by our parents and the elders of the local community. We witnessed how it was done. We didn't just hear about it in class in a vacuum. We saw our parents pray. We saw them give generously of themselves to others. We saw the same things from the parents of many of our friends and classmates. That was how life was lived in our area. That is how I learned to be a disciple of the Lord. I will always be grateful for what I learned and absorbed from the faith community of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Old Monroe, Missouri.

Programs are good and can be extremely beneficial in the life of a believer. However, we also need mentors showing us the way. In my role as the Director of Religious Education I will design the most effective programs that I can. More importantly, I will do my best to surround the learners with people striving to be saints.

Final question for today:

* What is your role in building up the Kingdom of God?

"Absence Makes The Heart Grow Fonder"

7/26/2018

I apologize for the lengthy absence from this blog page. It has been a busy week as my family tries to wrap things up in Wyoming and head to the heat and humidity of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. After the truck was loaded I stood out in the Cheyenne wind one last time. I will admit that the wind is more pleasant in the summer than in the winter. Thankfully, I got out of town before the hail storm arrived (pictured below).

"Cheyenne Frontier Days" can elicit some interesting weather. This is the recent hail storm in Cheyenne. It almost looks like Christmas in July.

Making the nearly 2,000 mile drive across the country reminded me that I am not getting any younger. That reminder came from just driving the truck. I still have to unload it yet. Ugh. However, I am excited about the new adventure here at St. Francis by the Sea Catholic Church. I always get excited about finding out what God has in store during times of transition.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I was wondering if we would get more visitors in Hilton Head than what we did in Cheyenne. I think we are beginning to get that answer already. We have our first visitors scheduled to arrive from Missouri in just a few weeks. Awesome! Yesterday, other Missourians just claimed "dibs" for the week of Christmas. Excellent. We look forward to seeing family and friends in our new surroundings.

Dare To Dream

7/17/2018

This photo was taken in the fall of 1982 for the Northeast Missouri State University basketball media information center. I was ready to embark upon my final year of college.

As I look at the photo I am reminded at just how much my mom and dad hated my "long" hair during my college years. I look at it now and wish for just a fraction of the thickness that I had back then. It is hard to imagine that just three years after this photo was taken I would be completely bald due to chemotherapy treatments. There would be no running up and down a basketball court; there would be no throwing an 85 mph fastball; instead, there would be people to assist me getting out of bed. I could have never pictured such a turn of events in my life.

At the end of my junior year in college I had been selected to the baseball All-Conference First Team. I went undefeated as a pitcher compiling a record of five wins and no losses. Starting a season at 5-0 as a pitcher did not seem like a big deal at the time. However, that feat was not accomplished again at Northeast (now Truman State University) for over 30 years. Imagine my surprise when I was doing a "Google" search and saw my name in a newspaper article in Iowa stating that my statistic had held up for all those years. As I look back now, it is still difficult to believe that I went from being physically fit and playing two sports at the collegiate level, only to find myself in a life and death battle a short time later.

I was a starter on the basketball team my junior and senior years, but I was not good enough to play pro sports either in basketball or baseball. However, the college experience sure provided many wonderful memories. It also taught me much about self-discipline and sacrifice. Staying in good physical shape all year round was also beneficial. I think it helped prepare me for the battle that would soon be in front of me.

Keeping up with studies while traveling for sports always had to remain a priority. My most treasured award from college was being named to the Academic All-American Baseball Team in 1983. I was not just an athlete. I was a student-athlete who wanted to succeed academically. I was able to do just that. God had blessed my life abundantly.

Then on July 17, 1986 I was diagnosed with cancer. That was just a mere three years after graduating from college. What was happening to all of my dreams at that point? I had been a healthy young man. How could this be?

As I now celebrate 32 years of survival since that diagnosis, it provides me with an opportunity to simply reflect back upon what has transpired since that shocking diagnosis. I could have never imagined where life would lead. Getting married, having children, and becoming a deacon were not even on the radar while I was going through chemotherapy treatments. I thought there was no point to dream. My life had changed in the blink of an eye, and finding a reason to hope was beyond difficult. I stopped dreaming of a bright future.

I won't go through the entire journey in this blog post. That is what I covered in my book. However, I just want to say that I missed opportunities to see the glory of God in the midst of the suffering. I focused on myself rather than focusing on God. It is difficult to maintain hope if we fail to look to the One that provides us with a reason to hope.

Today, I invite you to dream. Whatever challenges you face in life, don't give up hope. Stay focused on the One that provides hope. Don't give up your dreams. I know from first-hand experience that it isn't easy. However, I also know that if you persevere one day at a time, sometimes one minute at a time, you can overcome greater things than you may have ever imagined. If you are in a tough spot right now--hang in there. Keep fighting and keep praying.

I lost a lot of things at an early age due to this diagnosis, and I felt cheated for a long time. Thankfully, God is patient. It took years for me to realize what I had also gained in the process. God brings good out of suffering. I knew this. After all, that is what the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus tells us. Amid His suffering and death came redemption and healing for sinners. Unfortunately, when I was the person in the midst of the suffering, I was unable to see those things clearly. I failed to understand. Subsequently, I failed to put it all into proper perspective at the time.

Bottom line--my ministry and my life has been shaped by the experience of suffering. Did I choose this particular path of learning? Absolutely not! But once I learned to accept it (at least partially), the Lord could work within me and through me. There are times I still resist, and there will always be room for growth. However, I am still daring to dream. If not, I would have never made such a drastic move across the country from Wyoming to South Carolina at this stage of my life. I felt the tug of God on my heart leading me to Hilton Head Island to St. Francis by the Sea. I am excited to see what God has in store for this new adventure.

Where is God leading you?

Memorial Of Our Lady Of Mount Carmel

7/16/2018

Happy feast day to all of the Carmelites!

Simple question for reflection today:
1. Do you wear a scapular? Why or why not?
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How many people remember the Great Flood of 1993? If you lived in the Midwest anywhere near the Mississippi River during that year I am guessing that you do remember. Today marks 25 years since the levee broke in West Quincy, Missouri. Do you remember the story behind that? One man is still sitting in prison because of that event. You can read a detailed account on The Weather Channel website.
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Tomorrow marks another milestone in my own life. It will be 32 years since my first diagnosis with cancer. I already have the blog post written for tomorrow highlighting just a few memories from college until now. I hope you'll check back in to give it a look. There will also be a throwback photo from 1982--when I actually had a full head of hair.

St. Kateri Tekakwitha

7/14/2018

Have you read anything about the life of St. Kateri Tekakwitha? If not, I would encourage you to do so. Although she died in 1680 at the age of 24, there are aspects of her life that speak directly to us in the modern age.

The ORDO says that she "led a life of great austerity and love in spite of ridicule and abuse." It is my impression that Christians of today are being called to that same austerity and love in the midst of ridicule and abuse. In many circumstances American political correctness grows more hostile toward Christianity with each passing day. Does this ridicule prompt us to grow angry or grow prayerful?

As I read the details about her self-mortification techniques, it made me realize how "soft" I am when it comes to sacrifice and doing penance. Her heroic virtue can serve as a source of inspiration for each of us. What are we willing to sacrifice to become saints?

Friday The 13th--This Is The Day The Lord Has Made

7/13/2018

"Let us rejoice and be glad in it."
Please do not let this day pass by without seeing the beauty of God's love.

How Is The Road That You Are Traveling Upon?

7/12/2018

What does the "road of life" look like for you right at this moment? Is it well-paved and free of obstacles, or is it rough, filled with potholes, crooked, and treacherous?

There are times when our journey seems to be relatively smooth. The road is straight, well-paved, and clearly marked. Are we grateful for these times in which life just seems to hum along with no major highs or lows? (Or do we find that boring and mundane?)

I invite you today to pray for those who are struggling in one way or another. Some families have recently buried a loved one. Other families have experienced a diagnosis of a serious illness. Another person may have just lost a job. Others have a family member addicted to drugs or alcohol. Others have a parent in prison. The brokenness of our society is real.

If you happen to be an individual struggling with one or more major obstacles in life at this point in time, I encourage you to do a few things.

1. Pray. Prayer is our first source of strength--not the last. There are times when people of faith will choose to look at all other options prior to turning to prayer. I have heard it said numerous times, "I've tried everything else. I guess I'll pray." That is not necessarily approaching God with a deep sense of faith and trust.

We will sometimes find healing, peace, and comfort through the help and hands of others. Our prayer can help us to be open to God's grace to recognize these avenues of healing and hope. Let us truly trust that God will provide for our needs, and sometimes this will be through the ministry, kindness, and generosity of others. Prayer will open us up to being receptive to these gifts of comfort.

2. Connect with someone who can journey with you. We do not have to suffer alone. A companion on the journey can bring great support through those difficult moments of life. I realize that support systems are more prevalent for some people than they are for others. If you have very few people in your life that you can rely upon for help, seek assistance from your church community or other organization. Ask God to send the right individual into your life for the help you need.

3. Finally, get professional help if needed. We seem extremely hesitant to reach out for more help even when we clearly realize we are sinking into the depths of despair. It is not a sign of weakness to seek help. It is a sign of wisdom and strength.

On the other hand, if you are experiencing good things in life right now, be willing to reach out to someone who could use a boost. You never know whose life may change forever by an act of kindness.

Memorial of Saint Benedict, Abbot

7/11/2018

Happy Feast day to all of the Benedictines. Thank you for your service to God and to the Church.

My first full time position in the Church was one year after my ordination to the diaconate. That position was with Saint Benedict's Parish in Florence, Colorado as the Director of Religious Education. It was a wonderful opportunity to be exposed to the Benedictine way of life. Although Holy Cross Abbey in Canon City, Colorado is now closed, I am grateful for the many times I was able to visit the abbey while living in the area.

Fr. Michael Murray, OSB was pastor of St. Benedict's while I was there. I am grateful for what I learned from him in regard to stewardship. Fr. Michael always credited Abbot Warren Heidgen for instilling the value of stewardship into the Benedictine community. That spirit was then able to flow over into the parish communities in which the Benedictines served.

Abbot Warren was out of the area when I arrived at St. Benedict's and I never had the chance to meet him until many years later when I served in Cheyenne. He was retired by that time and simply filled in at the Cathedral of St. Mary during the summer. This enabled our priests at the cathedral to get some vacation time. It was a pleasure to get to know the man from whom I had learned much even though we had never met. His teaching on stewardship was handed down to me through Fr. Michael.

Abbot Warren died a little less than two weeks ago, but his teaching and his example lives on. May he rest in God's eternal peace.

I would also like to mention the sisters at the Abbey of St. Walburga in Virginia Dale, Colorado. What a beautiful group of people serving God in this community! I am forever blessed for all of the retreats I was able to attend at this magnificent campus, and also for the privilege of leading numerous retreats there as well.

To all of the Benedictine communities--may this day be a great blessing to each of you.

To all of the parishioners at St. Benedict's Parish in Florence, Colorado--may this day be a tremendous blessing to each of you as well. My time at St. Benedict's is forever etched into my heart. Thank you for the many wonderful memories.