The Scripture readings at this time of the liturgical year focus our attention on the end times. The intentional attempt to guide our thinking and meditation in this particular direction has the potential to create some fear and trepidation within us, or it can lead to a deep sense of hope and a firm desire to be more fully united with our Lord. A reflection question that I was given years ago at a retreat came back to mind today as I pondered the end times. That question was this: “How will I respond at the end of life if I am simply asked, ‘How did you love?’”  

It is a simple question that has generated more questions for me rather than a simple and direct answer. I started close to home. How would my spouse and children answer that question in regard to how I loved them? Did they experience genuine love, care, and compassion from me? Did I set an example for them to follow? Realizing that I had much work to do in this area alone prompted me to stop from reflecting any further. However, the Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes, and the Works of Mercy were still beckoning my attention. Wow! There was no doubt that this was going to be an interesting examination of conscience. (This started out as preliminary study for developing a homily; apparently there needs to be some preaching directed right at myself before proceeding. Ouch!)

I pulled my Bible off the shelf and read the Sermon on the Mount followed by a review of the Ten Commandments. One could obviously spend a huge chunk of time with either one of those passages, but I was prompted to move on to the Works of Mercy for a more specific and direct look at, “How did I love?” The journey through these acts of mercy did not disappoint. I invite you to walk with me in reflecting upon the seven Corporal Works of Mercy. We’ll tackle the Spiritual Works of Mercy another time.

Corporal Works of Mercy 

Feed the Hungry
Share what you have with those who need it. There are folks around the world who need our help. Right now, that would be the people of the Philippines after the typhoon devastated their country. Let’s also not forget the people in our own backyard who need our help. The economic downturn has certainly created a greater need for consistent charity to our local food-banks.

Give Drink to the Thirsty
Share your joy and hope with those whose lives are dry and lonely. Fresh drinking water is badly needed in many parts of the world and there are ways we can monetarily help in alleviating these dire conditions. There are also many people right here at home who are thirsting for love and companionship. Can we quench their thirst by the gift of our time and our love?

Clothe the Naked
Are we standing up for those who are the most weak and vulnerable? Are we providing clothing and other essentials for daily living? Furthermore, are we also providing advocacy to help rectify any systemic issues that need to be addressed?

Shelter the Homeless
Are we physically sheltering the homeless? In addition to simply providing physical shelter, how do we reach out to the unloved and the unpopular people of society? Do we have a way of making everyone welcome in our hearts? Do we recognize Jesus in the poor and the homeless?

Visit the Imprisoned
Due to all the security restrictions at prisons, it isn’t easy to visit the imprisoned in modern times. However, there is a definite need for the Church community to reach out to these individuals. If we can’t physically visit the criminally imprisoned, are we visiting those locked up in their homes by fear, age, or sadness?

Visit the Sick
Are we present when people around us need our care and attention? Do we see it as a privilege to serve others in their time of need?

Bury the Dead
Do we remember with love and respect those who are separated by distance or death?

How have I loved? I don't know about you, but it is clear that I have a lot of  work to do. Fervent prayer and an abundance of God's grace and mercy are desperately needed. This examination of conscience has generated a healthy dose of reality into my world. 

This exercise has prompted me to ask yet another question that will have to be reflected upon at another time: “What treasure really is hidden most deep in my heart?”

Early this morning I saw on Facebook that someone had pointed out the numerical sequence of today’s date. This tidbit of information seemed to drift into oblivion as I watched the news covering the devastating effects of the typhoon in the Philippines. It is difficult to comprehend the magnitude of such a storm, and words seem to be inadequate to describe what the pictures revealed. Our thoughts, prayers, and support need to be given as generously as possible for those affected by this tragedy.

Everything else on the news paled in comparison to the typhoon pictures. As I scanned the headlines on the internet I saw stories about the continued difficulties of the “Affordable Care Act,” the bullying problem in the NFL, and the antics of the mayor of Toronto. There seems to be no shortage of issues to be debated among the “experts” about a whole range of problems besetting modern culture. It is both fascinating and frustrating to watch commentators attempt to spin the individual stories in a direction that suits their preference. It is evident at times that facts will simply not be allowed to get in the way of a good story. Unfortunately, we all suffer when there is a lack of journalistic integrity.

Of all the stories I skimmed this morning, the NFL bullying problem seemed to be the least important. However, it kept popping into my mind as the day went on. I think this is due in part because of all the issues surrounding bullying that I have dealt with as a teacher and as an administrator in both elementary and secondary schools. Children struggle when their environment is not safe and conducive to learning, but this particular issue was in an NFL setting. How could that kind of behavior be taking place in an “adult” world? Obviously, workplace harassment has the potential to occur anywhere and under a lot of different circumstances. The NFL is no exception.

Later in the day I happened to see on www.brainyhistory.com that on November 12, 1933 a Sunday football game was played for the first time in Philadelphia. Previously this had been illegal to do. Who would have ever imagined in 1933 that the future of professional football would be what it is today? It is definitely more than the bullying issue that crosses my mind as I reflect upon the history of professional football. The question that rumbles through my mind is this: “Have we lost our ability to keep holy the Lord’s Day because we have accepted a new religion on Sunday?” It has been 80 years since the first legal Sunday football game was played in Philadelphia. What have we gained by that transition, and more importantly, what have we lost?

Yesterday we celebrated ALL SAINTS DAY, today we celebrate ALL SOULS DAY, and this weekend our Gospel reading for the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time is the account of Zacchaeus the Tax Collector. Some commentaries say that Chapter 19 verse 10 sums up for St. Luke his depiction of the role of Jesus as Savior. "For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost."

If we take seriously the Gospel accounts, and I hope we do, we have no choice but to be people filled with hope. Jesus comes to seek and to save what was lost. The transformation that took place in the life of Zacchaeus is available to us all. The love of Jesus Christ which permeated the heart and soul of Zacchaeus is the same love bestowed upon each of us. Are we grateful for the gift of faith which has been extended to us by the extravagant grace of God?

In both chapter 15 and chapter 19 of Luke's Gospel we hear about the grumblings and murmurings of the Scribes, Pharisees, and others about Jesus welcoming sinners and eating with them. One thing becomes evident as we review these accounts. People who are busy murmuring and complaining fail to see the goodness of God present in their midst. The transforming love that Zacchaeus experienced from Jesus was available to others, but they were too busy complaining to recognize the gift. Thus, I believe we need to ask ourselves, "How is my attitude?"

Are we filled with the joy of the Lord? When we have a conversation with someone and they walk away from us at the end of the conversation, have they encountered the love of the living God in us and through us? Are we life-giving people? Are we building up the Kingdom of God?

Zacchaeus reminds us of the power of God. He also reminds us that we have much to be grateful for in regard to the blessings poured upon us by our gracious and loving God. Let us be people of gratitude. When we are appreciative of the blessings in our lives we will grow in union and communion with God. The joy of the Lord will exude from every fiber of our being and we will profoundly experience the theological virtues of faith, hope, and love. That is the gift of the transforming love of Jesus Christ!

In the Catholic tradition we celebrate "ALL SAINTS DAY" on November 1. We give thanks and praise to God for all of those holy men and women who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith. It is also a solemn reminder that each one of us is called to sanctity. In Paul's letter to the Ephesians he informs us that, "God chose us in Christ before the world began to be holy and blameless in His sight." Quite simply, we are called to be saints.

All Saints Day took on a new meaning for me in 2009. Yes, it was four years ago on this date that I found myself driving alone from Missouri to Wyoming to begin a new chapter of life. On November 2, 2009 I would assume my new position as the Director of Pastoral Ministries for the Diocese of Cheyenne, Wyoming. The economic downturn had made it difficult to sell our home in Missouri, and my family remained behind as I ventured out west. I had no idea that I would be uprooted from my family for a year before we would finally be reunited.

The challenges that are faced when we embark upon new endeavors can be quite daunting. I never imagined that so many obstacles could arise from so many different  avenues, but arise they did. Eventually, we were able to meet each of those difficulties and overcome the setbacks and tribulations that plagued our path. Was it easy? Definitely not! Was it worth it? Absolutely!

I spent some time today reflecting upon what has transpired over the last four years. Obviously, family dynamics were a huge part of the transition process--changing schools, leaving jobs and acquiring new ones, leaving friends and hoping to gain new ones, leaving most of our family members and going to where we knew no one, and a whole list of other things.  This was no small undertaking. The support of my family is what enabled me to make this transition.

What have I experienced in four years as the Director of Pastoral Ministries? It has been a multitude of things and much of it has been new experiences. That has helped me to continue to grow in my walk with the Lord, and for that I am extremely grateful. I glanced back through my calendar from the last four years and these are some highlights that caught my eye.
1. Canonically assigned to the Cathedral of St. Mary as a deacon. What a privilege that has been!
2. Received the opportunity to preach on a rotating basis at the Cathedral. Awesome!
3. Have had the opportunity to present catechetical workshops in all but just a few parishes across the entire state of Wyoming. Some that I have not yet been to are on the calendar.
4. Have led three parish missions and have another one on the calendar in February.
5. Have been a guest homilist at numerous parishes across the diocese.
6. Have been the homilist at several of the liturgies when we gather for our annual institutes with clergy and lay leadership.
7. Have led several parish staff retreats and days of spiritual enrichment.
8. Have led several retreats and workshops for parish pastoral councils.
9. Continue to lead an annual RCIA retreat for several parishes.
10. Have led retreats and days of recollection for numerous groups including the Knights of Columbus, the Council of Catholic Women, and others.
11. On August 11, 2010 I was appointed Superintendent of Catholic Schools. What a learning experience that has been!
12. This role has given me the opportunity to lead staff development workshops for our Catholic school faculties all across the state. If weather and my schedule permit, it also lets me travel 1,200 miles across the state to visit the schools during Catholic Schools Week.
13. Have been serving as the diocesan director for the Propagation of the Faith. Working with missionaries coming into the diocese to give mission appeals has also been a new experience.
14. Have worked with people engaged in legislative advocacy work and have testified before several committees at the state capitol on behalf of life and religious liberty.
15. Have become involved in events that take place on December 21 each year for "Homeless Memorial Day."
16. I work closely with many groups on life events. This includes Life Chain each year on the first Sunday of October, our state's pro-life march to the capitol each January on the Saturday nearest the anniversary of Roe versus Wade, an annual banquet, and much more. I work closely with the Knights of Columbus to acquire ultra-sounds machines for our crisis pregnancy centers across the state. That has been an extremely successful project and has borne great fruit.
17.There have been several opportunities for me to be the keynote speaker at life events and conferences in Casper, Cheyenne, as well as Fort Collins, Colorado. 
 18. Numerous opportunities to work with a homeless shelter in Cheyenne and other agencies serving the needs of people who are struggling.
19. Opportunities to teach come along in a variety of ways--adult confirmation classes, RCIA, youth retreats and more.
20. Lastly, I have the opportunity to experience Cheyenne Frontier Days each July. There is nothing in Missouri that can compare with Cheyenne Frontier Days.  (To be fair, Wyoming doesn't have the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team though.)

The blessings that have come to me during these last four years are too numerous to count. As I continue to travel across the diocese and meet more and more people all across the state and experience the hospitality of the west, all I can say is, "Thank you."

All you holy men and women, pray for us!