Recent days have been filled with plenty of activity. I took the photograph above nearly four months ago in Chimayo, New Mexico. It seems like ages have passed since I enjoyed the peace and tranquility offered by this beautiful space. It is certainly a blessing to have the opportunity to step away from the hectic pace of life every now and then to regain perspective and focus. I realize that not everyone gets those type of chances. I do not take for granted how fortunate I am.
The fullness of my calendar has kept me away from blogging on a frequent basis lately. I strive to be consistent in posting several times a week, but I also want to be writing things worth reading and not simply slapping something together to say that I posted something. I hope my faithful readers will understand occasional lapses in time.
Thursday, September 8, was the beginning of the National Football League 2016 season. I almost turned it off after the National Anthem was completed, but I wanted to see how Peyton Manning's replacement would do. I was in a conflicted state of mind. Quite frankly, millionaires protesting the injustice of this country is difficult to watch. It does not seem very genuine to protest in such a manner. Unfortunately, almost everything seems to be tainted by political correctness, protests, or simply rude, crude, and unethical behavior. Our country is not perfect, but I don't need to see a football player making millions of dollars refusing to stand for the singing of the National Anthem. I never buy any football clothing or other items connected with the NFL. I have never purchased tickets to attend a game. It seems that I now must make the last cut and stop watching it on television as well.
Friday, September 9, was a day set aside by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) as a Day of Prayer for Peace. The violence prevalent in our own country and around the world has impacted all of us to one degree or another. It is my hope that we pray for peace on a continual basis and strive to bring God's love into our own communities as best we are able.
Saturday, September 10, was set aside as Abortion Day of Remembrance. The political fighting over this topic greatly diminishes our ability to reasonably address the moral aspect of this injustice. This is not simply a political issue. It is a moral issue. Those who seek a "seamless garment" approach to life issues from conception through natural death must understand why the abortion issue is front and center of the conversation. Until we get this issue right, it will be difficult to address poverty, homelessness, the death penalty, health care, care for the elderly, the infirm, and those incapacitated mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. If our society is okay with killing the helpless unborn individual, and we see in the political discourse a tendency toward celebrating the legality of being able to do this, we will never have the courage to address other life issues.
Sunday, September 11, was Patriot Day. The horror of 9/11 remains etched in the minds of all those old enough to remember. Pray for the family members who still mourn.
Sunday was also Grandparents' Day. Anyone fortunate enough to have grandparents in their lives who love them is blessed indeed. Offer a prayer of gratitude for your grandparents whether they are living or deceased.
This past weekend was also the first meeting of the next group of men seeking to become permanent deacons in the Diocese of Cheyenne. My appointment to the Formation Board by the bishop means that I will be playing a key role in the formation processes of this group. The five year journey began this weekend with the first step. Please pray for all those discerning a call to the priesthood, diaconate, or religious life. May they clearly hear God's call in their lives.
Finally, I stepped outside during one of the breaks this weekend at the diaconate formation gathering. Another sacrament was getting ready to take place on campus as the wedding party arrived in style. Let us pray for all married couples that they will have the fortitude to live out their marital vows with great love and fidelity.
The fullness of my calendar has kept me away from blogging on a frequent basis lately. I strive to be consistent in posting several times a week, but I also want to be writing things worth reading and not simply slapping something together to say that I posted something. I hope my faithful readers will understand occasional lapses in time.
Thursday, September 8, was the beginning of the National Football League 2016 season. I almost turned it off after the National Anthem was completed, but I wanted to see how Peyton Manning's replacement would do. I was in a conflicted state of mind. Quite frankly, millionaires protesting the injustice of this country is difficult to watch. It does not seem very genuine to protest in such a manner. Unfortunately, almost everything seems to be tainted by political correctness, protests, or simply rude, crude, and unethical behavior. Our country is not perfect, but I don't need to see a football player making millions of dollars refusing to stand for the singing of the National Anthem. I never buy any football clothing or other items connected with the NFL. I have never purchased tickets to attend a game. It seems that I now must make the last cut and stop watching it on television as well.
Friday, September 9, was a day set aside by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) as a Day of Prayer for Peace. The violence prevalent in our own country and around the world has impacted all of us to one degree or another. It is my hope that we pray for peace on a continual basis and strive to bring God's love into our own communities as best we are able.
Saturday, September 10, was set aside as Abortion Day of Remembrance. The political fighting over this topic greatly diminishes our ability to reasonably address the moral aspect of this injustice. This is not simply a political issue. It is a moral issue. Those who seek a "seamless garment" approach to life issues from conception through natural death must understand why the abortion issue is front and center of the conversation. Until we get this issue right, it will be difficult to address poverty, homelessness, the death penalty, health care, care for the elderly, the infirm, and those incapacitated mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. If our society is okay with killing the helpless unborn individual, and we see in the political discourse a tendency toward celebrating the legality of being able to do this, we will never have the courage to address other life issues.
Sunday, September 11, was Patriot Day. The horror of 9/11 remains etched in the minds of all those old enough to remember. Pray for the family members who still mourn.
Sunday was also Grandparents' Day. Anyone fortunate enough to have grandparents in their lives who love them is blessed indeed. Offer a prayer of gratitude for your grandparents whether they are living or deceased.
This past weekend was also the first meeting of the next group of men seeking to become permanent deacons in the Diocese of Cheyenne. My appointment to the Formation Board by the bishop means that I will be playing a key role in the formation processes of this group. The five year journey began this weekend with the first step. Please pray for all those discerning a call to the priesthood, diaconate, or religious life. May they clearly hear God's call in their lives.
Finally, I stepped outside during one of the breaks this weekend at the diaconate formation gathering. Another sacrament was getting ready to take place on campus as the wedding party arrived in style. Let us pray for all married couples that they will have the fortitude to live out their marital vows with great love and fidelity.
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