Blog Archives - Articulating Hope

How Will You Grow Spiritually This Advent Season?

11/27/2018

We are about to embark on another new liturgical year as we enter the Season of Advent. What are your plans for growing spiritually in the upcoming new year?

To all of my readers in the Low Country of South Carolina, I hope you will consider joining us for a day of reflection to look more intently at the ways we "prepare the way of the Lord" in our day-to-day lives. How does the "waiting" we experience during the Season of Advent translate over into the way we live our lives throughout the rest of the year?

My prayers have begun as I prepare for this upcoming event. I am praying for myself--that I will be a faithful ambassador of Christ and proclaim the Good News of Salvation faithfully at this day of reflection (and always). I am also praying for each of the attendees (hopefully, we have some). When we enter into a day such as this wrapped in prayer, we are certain to see the Holy Spirit move powerfully in our midst.

Please remember--the day is being hosted by the Women of St. Francis but it is open to ALL. This is an appeal to men in particular. Do something out of the ordinary for your spiritual life. Make the time to come. It will be worth your while.

I will be giving three talks during the course of the day. We will also share a meal together. While I realize that the event is just ten days away from Christmas, this will be an inspirational boost that will greatly enhance your celebration of Christmas.

I understand that the people of my new parish have only heard a couple of homilies from me to base their judgment about whether or not to invest time to attend this day of reflection. If any of the people from Wyoming or Missouri who have attended any of my workshops, retreats, days of recollection, or parish missions would like to write an endorsement in the comment section (below) to encourage parishioners to attend, it would be most appreciated.

When Love Is Intimately Connected To Suffering

11/23/2018

On one of my recent trips to the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, I stopped in for a visit at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. The sanctuary captured my attention immediately. Seeing the crucifix, with the words "GOD + IS + LOVE" right above it, made me stop and pause. Why is such great love connected to such immense suffering?

Philosophers and theologians have studied the complex question of suffering for centuries. In modern times we have also seen sociologists and psychologists delve into the topic. While I have studied the topic quite extensively in my own journey of faith, I have reached very few conclusions. I do not understand why God chose the suffering of His Son to offer us redemption. I do not know why I have had so much suffering in my own life. I don't know why others have had even more suffering in their lives. While we are at it, why do some people die so young?

In all of this pain and suffering we walk by faith. For me, this has been much easier said than done. I was reminded of that as I faced a very difficult experience this week. Sometimes life feels like an endurance test. My prayer tends to focus more on the first part of Jesus' prayer in the garden. "Father, if possible let this cup pass from me." I am not as good at offering the second part of the prayer, "Not my will, but Yours be done." I am grateful that the Lord has been patient with me for those many times when my response has been less than enthusiastic to embrace the suffering in my life.

I know it is Black Friday, but I am sitting quietly at home watching the Missouri Tigers play the Arkansas Razorbacks. As I spend my weekend resting and recuperating, I simply give thanks for the gift of good health, a beautiful family, and the love of Almighty God. May we all be reminded of "Thanksgiving" with each celebration of the Holy Eucharist. We are blessed indeed to be nurtured by the proclamation of God's Sacred Word and nourished by the Body and Blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

End Of Trail

11/16/2018

Do you see the words on the sign underneath 300? It says, "End of Trail."

In case getting to the edge of the cliff wasn't enough for you to recognize the end of the trail, that sign will surely help you from doing something stupid.

Are we living in the end times? Is chastisement coming? Is our country going to collapse financially? Is the Catholic Church going to collapse because of the abuse crisis? Does anyone believe that the end of the trail is in sight?

The older I get the more flabbergasted I become as I watch failed leadership. Being a leader is not an easy task. If it were easy everyone would want the role. However, when a person finds himself/herself in a leadership position, is there a decision made by that individual to lead with integrity? Even if mistakes are made in the decision-making process, is there at least an intent to lead well?

In too many instances it seems that the people in charge are simply looking out for themselves. "Servant leadership" is not part of their vocabulary. This is especially disheartening when one experiences such arrogant attitudes among Church leadership. How are we going to effectively build up the Kingdom of God if leadership is only looking to preserve their own legacy?

Since the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops just ended their annual fall meeting in Baltimore, I will use them as an example. I believe that there are many good bishops with sincere hearts trying to lead well. Sadly, they are in such a quagmire that it is difficult to see one's way out of the muck and the mire.

It is nearly impossible to regain trust when you have lost all credibility by repeatedly failing, and in some cases directly lying, to the people you are called to serve. Matthew 17:21 comes to mind as I consider the predicament of the episcopate. How will they remove those bishops from their ranks that need to be removed? How will they deal with priests and deacons teaching things which the Church does not teach? How will accountability be established among all ranks of leadership within the Church?

The Church should be the moral compass for society. Unfortunately, society now has one less institution of influence to guide it in a positive way. The Church is a divine institution and the gates of hell will not prevail against Her. However, the influence of the Church, at least in the United States, has diminished to the point of irrelevancy. It will take decades, if not centuries, for the damage inflicted by unfaithful leaders to be overcome. How many souls will be lost due to this unfaithfulness?

When does the end of the trail arrive for each of us? We do not know the day nor the hour when the Lord will call us home. Are we prepared? Whether we are clergy, religious, or lay faithful, we will each render an account on judgment day. For those of us who have accepted leadership roles in the Church, we will certainly be held to account for what we did and what we did not do. The consequences of leading anyone astray are harsh. (See Matthew 18:6 or Luke 17:2)

My dear people, love God with your whole heart, mind, soul, and strength. Be a person of fervent prayer. (Pray for me--that I may remain faithful in my calling as a deacon.) Use your particular charisms to build up the Kingdom of God. Bloom where you are planted. Be a servant leader in your home, your church, and your community. Be a saint!

Gazebo, Palm Trees, Christmas Lights--Thanksgiving

11/14/2018

Christmas shopping while flowers are still in bloom is something to which I am not accustomed. Seeing palm trees decorated with Christmas lights is a new one for me as well. It is hard to believe that Thanksgiving is next week.

Several telephone calls today quickly resulted in my calendar filling up for tomorrow. I am grateful for the ability to minister with people in a variety of circumstances, and I am looking forward to the opportunities of tomorrow to bring Christ to those who are hurting. I will do my best to cooperate with God's grace to be a light for others.

For your reflection--
How have you been a light in the darkness recently?

A Little Wind-Blown--But Still On The Beach

11/13/2018

Our daughter came to visit this past weekend to help celebrate Margaret's birthday. I think she brought the Wyoming wind and even a touch of the Wyoming cold weather as well. She has now returned home to Wyoming and we are back up to 77 degrees (as I write this post) here on Hilton Head Island with 84% humidity. (That reminds me of the many times we would return from Cheyenne to St. Louis to visit family. It would be warm in St. Louis until we arrived. Then suddenly it was warmer in Cheyenne than in St. Louis. By the time we would drive back to Cheyenne, it would be snowing again to welcome us back.)

As one ages, there is a tendency to look back on life in a more reflective manner. There are joys; there are sorrows; there are memories. A visit to the beach was a little out of the ordinary for the way we have generally celebrated family birthdays in the past. Thus, it made me stop and think about some of the more memorable occasions we have had throughout the years. We have celebrated family birthdays in a multitude of ways. My favorite celebration was on a cruise ship. Unfortunately, the one that sticks out most in my mind was my 26th birthday as I faced a treacherous battle against cancer. It was not a fun birthday, but it was a memorable one. I had a serious infection and marked the day by laying in my hospital bed in misery. It definitely helped put other birthdays into a different perspective. One's appreciation grows for the good things when sorrow and suffering have been confronted head-on.

Let me pose a few questions for your reflection and prayer today.

What was your favorite birthday celebration? Why?
What is your most memorable milestone accomplishment thus far? Why?
What was your moment of deepest emotional pain? How did you cope?
How have the joys and sorrows of life shaped you as a person?
What role did your faith in God play in all of this?

Daufuskie Island

11/11/2018

As we celebrate Veterans Day today, it is a good opportunity to give thanks for the freedoms we enjoy in this country. It is also a time to recognize that freedom has come at a cost. The sacrifices of those who have gone before us should cause us to stop and reflect. How will we use the freedom we have to build up the Kingdom of God?

The freedom to move about was something I enjoyed yesterday. My family took a ferry ride to Daufuskie Island. We then explored the island via a golf cart. While the weather was not as warm as it had been, it was still a good day to do some sightseeing.

Learning about the heritage and history of the island was part of our day.

Spending some time in quiet at the beach was very relaxing.

The sunset trip back to Hilton Head Island was beautiful.

Looking Back Two Years and Pondering The Changes

11/9/2018

As I ponder the magnitude of change in my life over the last two years, I am at a loss for words to describe it all. Two years ago Bishop Etienne became Archbishop Etienne and relocated from Cheyenne, Wyoming to Anchorage, Alaska. I had the pleasure of going to Anchorage for Solemn Vespers and the Mass of Installation. It was a whirlwind trip, but I am grateful that I was able to attend.

I worked closely with (then Bishop) Archbishop Etienne for seven years in the Diocese of Cheyenne. He graciously wrote the foreword to my book, Articulating Hope before leaving for Alaska. I had no idea that he was leaving when I asked him to write the foreword. How suddenly things can change!

I looked back at my blog post from two years ago and enjoyed reviewing the photos and remembering the stories. You can go back to November of 2016 to see them, but I will include a few here for the sake of ease.

National Vocation Awareness Week

11/8/2018

I had the pleasure of joining Sister Jennifer from the Daughters of St. Paul (Charleston, South Carolina) on Tuesday to speak to the students of St. Francis Catholic School in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina about "vocations". It was a magnificent way to celebrate National Vocation Awareness Week.

www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/vocations/national-vocation-awareness-week.cfm

The students were broken up into four groups by grade level. Each set of students brought their energy and insights into the presentations. It was good to see the high level of learning and formation that is taking place at St. Francis Catholic School. I give a tip of the hat to the school administrators, the teachers, and all of the support staff for the good work you are doing. Of course, all of this is made possible with the support of the parents, grandparents, parishioners, and the many volunteers actively engaged in the life of the parish and the school. I am grateful to each of you for helping build the Kingdom of God in such a powerful way.

Frederick Buechner refers to vocation as "the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet." I have certainly found that to be true in my own life. When we are utilizing the gifts and talents that God has bestowed upon us, the amount of joy we exude in the process is truly life-changing for the world. We are a light in the darkness. Our culture and society definitely needs that type of faithful witness today. That was the piece of encouragement I offered to the students in my presentations. Let's bring out the best in one another and help each other become saints. If we are able to do that, our vocation in life will readily reveal itself to us with great clarity.

Reflection questions for today:

What brings you deep gladness?
How can you use that to meet a deep hunger of the world?

Election Day

11/6/2018

The television political advertisements will finally subside after today. That is probably one of the few things we can agree upon as being a good thing. Otherwise, seeking the common good does not seem to be too common in modern society.

The attack ads work, and so we seem to get more with each election cycle. I am surprised anyone runs for major offices. Are good people willing to subject themselves and their families to such awful treatment to attain political office, or are we simply left with candidates who are pursuing power, prestige and wealth? (If the attack ads are believed, we only have terrible people running for office. I hope that is not really the case.)

My encouragement to you today is simply this. Continue to live a good and holy life. Pray. Study the Sacred Scriptures, the Catechism, the lives of the saints, papal documents, and the early Church Fathers. Please form your conscience well. Then build the Kingdom of God accordingly. Put your faith into action. Be a life-giving person in a world that desperately needs your witness.

What do you need to do today? Vote.

Reflecting Back--Loooking Forward

11/5/2018

It has been a busy few days and I am going to catch up on a few items in this one blog post.

All Saints Day (November 1) and All Souls Day (November 2) were beautiful days of prayer and reflection. All Souls Day has even more of an impact on my life now since we had my mom's funeral on All Souls Day in 2015. The above photo was taken in 2014 when mom and I traveled on vacation. I can't believe how quickly things changed shortly after that trip. It is also hard to believe that she has been gone for three years already.

I had the opportunity to preach this weekend at a couple of the Masses here at St. Francis by the Sea on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. I had religious education classes in between the Masses as usual, and we also had a parish ministry fair. There were plenty of things to keep oneself occupied this weekend.

I am in the midst of making preparations for an Advent Day of Recollection here in the parish. I am excited to have an opportunity to teach and preach the faith in more than a ten minute homily at Mass. (See the flyer below for details.) If you are in the Hilton head Island area I hope you will make plans to join us. The Day of Recollection is being sponsored by the Women of St. Francis, but it is open to all men and women.

I am also making preparations for a three-day Lenten retreat for 25 men in April of 2019. This retreat is already booked full, so there is no advertisement included. The retreat will take place in Rincon, Georgia in a remote area that is absolutely serene. I visited the retreat center last week and was amazed at the quiet and solitude. The hustle and bustle of Savannah is not evident in Rincon. This will be my first speaking engagement in the state of Georgia. New adventures are exciting. (I wonder if I can arrange retreats, parish missions, or Days of Recollection in all 50 states before I die. Maybe I should put that on my "bucket list"?)