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As The Smoke Fills The Sky

9/26/2020

It was an eerie feeling as I stepped outside this morning into the smoke-filled atmosphere of Cheyenne, Wyoming. I went for a walk but I decided to cut it short because of the intensity of the smoke. The golf course was a little brighter at first this morning (pictured above), but when I arrived at Lions Park at 11:30 am (pictured below), it was obvious that conditions were deteriorating.

I will have to admit that walking through the smoke around the lake made me think about some of the writings of the saints in regard to the "fires of hell." After this brief glimpse at just the irritation of the smoke, I want nothing to do with the fire portion. This serves as a solemn reminder to "turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel."

Reflection Questions:

Do you believe in the existence of hell?
What motivates your prayer life?
How do you understand the phrase, "Fear of the Lord"?

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Catechetical Sunday--September 20, 2020

9/20/2020

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Catechetical Sunday did not feel the same this year for a multitude of reasons. (Yes, today is Catechetical Sunday in case you were unaware.) How many churches are still closed across the country? How many religious education programs are are still discontinued? How many Catholic schools are providing education and formation virtually? Are catechists still important?

After six months of being told that the Church was "not essential," will we ever be relevant in society again? I never imagined after six decades of life practicing the faith that I would ask such a question. It had been drilled into me for years from a young age on up that it is essential to participate in the sacramental life of the Church. The sacraments are avenues of God's grace. Through prayer and the sacraments we pursue holiness by uniting our will to the will of God? Did all of that stop being true? Of course not! But it is easy to see why people may think it did cease being true.

My dear readers, if we have learned anything from these last six months, it is that we must take some personal initiative in our faith development and growth in spiritual maturity. The challenges and obstacles of remaining faithful to Christ will come from many different venues. I encourage you to put on the full armor of God and remain vigilant. (See Ephesians 6: 10-18)

Saint John Paul II constantly encouraged us, "Be not afraid!"

How do you find renewal? I am not sure when we will be allowed to gather for retreats, days of recollection, or parish missions. Until then, find ways to stay spiritually healthy. Visit a shrine (if they are open). Visit a church (if it is open). Go out in nature. "Go to your room and pray to your Father in secret." (See Matthew 6:6)

Some people say that The Stanley Hotel is haunted. If we believe in "spirits of the dead," why do so many people live as if there is no God?

I did not see any animals until I was getting ready to leave Estes Park. I took one last chance driving by the golf course and I finally saw a few elk. It was a good reminder that God takes care of the animals. "Not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it." (See Matthew 10:29)

"This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it."
(See Psalm 118: 24)

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NFL, CBS, NBC, ABC, RBG, POTUS, SCOTUS, & More

9/20/2020

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It has been more than three weeks since I have watched television. That has been a tremendous blessing. I have also curtailed the amount of time spent on social media as well. Stepping away from the media frenzy has been a healthy step toward inner peace.

I miss watching football. However, I don't watch football for the "expert opinions" of spoiled millionaires giving political commentary and moral guidance. I watch sports to watch sports. Since that is no longer an option, I have given that up completely.

The skies did not appear to be as smoke-filled and hazy this morning as they had been the last few days. Thus, I decided to venture out into Estes Park, Colorado. Although peak tourist season is passed, it was still somewhat crowded in Estes Park. A craft fair seemed to be doing quite well despite all the restrictions with COVID-19.

Speaking of COVID-19, it was the middle of March when the country shut down for two weeks to "flatten the curve". We are now six months into that two week endeavor. Is there anyone who still believes this is about the virus?

The death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bade Ginsburg is bringing out the venom on both sides. Some are celebrating her life and accomplishments. Some are celebrating her death. Thankfully, many people are paying their respects while expressing their concerns about her eternal well-being. Her voting record on protecting unborn children speaks for itself.

Should the President of the United States appoint her replacement before the election? The venom being spewed about that question raises another question. Are we concerned about losing separation of powers? Why is there so much angst each time we appoint a supreme court justice? It is simply because many of us recognize that legislation happens from the bench. That is a problem for the future of our country.

As we watch violence escalate across our great nation, it is evident that the rule of law is losing ground. A nation divided against itself cannot stand. We are seeing the beginning stages of that downfall.

What has the lock-down done to the mental health of our nation overall?

How deep is the financial toll on our people because of the lock-down?

What is the impact on society when we feel that we can no longer trust the media for truthful reporting? If the major networks are pushing an agenda rather than accurately reporting the news, what purpose do they serve?

What is the impact on society when we believe there is one set of rules for the wealthy and another set for the rest of us?

Who benefits when society is constantly divided between races & socio-economic status? What can we do to stop this from continuing?

I enjoyed my time in Estes Park today. The fall colors are starting to appear. While I spent time in solitude walking and praying in a number of different areas, my heart remains heavy for the future of our country. My dear readers, keep praying and living a life of virtue.

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The Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows

9/14/2020

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Tomorrow (Tuesday), we celebrate the Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows.

I can't even begin to imagine the anguish of our Blessed Mother during the passion of our Lord. Sacred Scripture captures the significant impact of Mary's role in salvation history in the Magnificat. "From this day all generations will call me blessed." (See Luke 1:48) We do indeed call her Blessed.

"Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen."

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Heat Wave, Freezing Cold, Snow, Back To Warmth

9/13/2020

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It was a good day for a walk around the lake. I had to stop and get a photo of this sign (pictured above). It seemed so mundane compared to the signs I saw frequently in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina (pictured below).

It has been over a year since I left the warmth of South Carolina. Even though we are back in the middle of the country, I still look for alligators when I am around bodies of water of any kind. It just became a habit while I lived there and it has continued. I will admit that I really miss the warm weather and being near the beach.

Maybe someday soon I will have a home with a view of the Rocky Mountains. While it may not have the feel of the ocean breeze, the front range gets plenty of wind. I can still get a sense of hurricane force winds even though we are far from the ocean. Maybe it will make me as tough as the cowboys.

Be sure to celebrate tomorrow's feast with great enthusiasm.
It is the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.
The gift of salvation came at a great price.

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Bracing for the Onslaught of a Winter Storm

9/7/2020

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I started my Labor Day morning with a visit to Lions Park and the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens. It was a crisp 58 degrees when I started my trip around the lake, but it did not take long for the temperatures to rise enough for me to begin sweating even though my pace was much slower than most of the exercise enthusiasts passing me by. It has been a beautiful weekend in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

The flowers, grass, and landscaping all looked amazing.

It is 86 degrees at 2:10 pm as I write this. How can they be calling for four to eight inches of snow tomorrow? We are only one week into September. This could be the earliest major snowstorm in over a century. I guess that should not surprise me. It figures that I would be welcomed back to the area in such a grand way with my great love for winter weather (sarcasm). Secondly, it is 2020. Why shouldn't we have two hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico at one time and a major winter storm just a short time later?

These folks appeared to enjoy their time on the water today. Tomorrow they can sit by a fire and watch it snow.

I hope you had an enjoyable Labor Day Weekend. Please continue to pray for our nation, and keep making a positive difference wherever you are.

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The Milestones of Life Continue To Add Up

9/5/2020

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Another new chapter in life began this week as I took on the duties of Operations Director for the Guadalupe Community Center. It is exciting, but I have a lot to learn. Thankfully, I am surrounded by experienced personnel who are willing to help me learn the ropes. I am truly grateful for each of them.

I made my first visit to the St. John Paul II Center for the New Evangelization to begin the process of getting faculties to function in the Archdiocese of Denver as a deacon. I had a nice visit with the deacon director and look forward to completing the process over the next couple of months.

It was a full week and I am very appreciative of the three day weekend to get a little rest. The photo for my ID card will reflect a tired individual. I should have had the picture taken at the beginning of the week instead of at the end.

I am living out my diaconal calling in a very tangible way through my new role. The deacon is expected to be a servant to the poor and marginalized members of our society. The mission statement of Catholic Charities for the Archdiocese of Denver sums it up quite well:

"As the charitable arm of the Archdiocese of Denver, and inspired by God’s love and compassion, Catholic Charities extends the healing ministry of Jesus Christ to the poor and those in need."

Pray that I serve the Lord well in my new role. Please know that the readers of this blog page always remain a part of my prayers.

Finally, I remember my parents in a special way today. This would have been their 78th wedding anniversary.

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As The Smoke Fills The Sky

Catechetical Sunday--September 20, 2020

NFL, CBS, NBC, ABC, RBG, POTUS, SCOTUS, & More

The Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows

Heat Wave, Freezing Cold, Snow, Back To Warmth

Bracing for the Onslaught of a Winter Storm

The Milestones of Life Continue To Add Up

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