The Gospel of life includes even those guilty of horrible crimes.
“He deserves to die. . . . ‘Crucify him!’” (Matthew 26:66; 27:22). Every Palm Sunday and Good Friday, the only days of the year when part of the Gospel is proclaimed in chorus by everyone, we find ourselves echoing the words of a death sentence. We know that Barabbas, guilty of murder, escapes death, and Christ, innocence itself, is denied mercy and suffers the cross. But whatever became of Barabbas, the one who escaped the death sentence?
As a priest in the Archdiocese of St. Louis, I used to visit inmates on death row, all of whom bore a tragic resemblance to Barabbas. Because of the brutal nature of their crimes, many of those awaiting an execution date were, like Barabbas, also “notorious” (Matthew 27:16). And there are personal reasons why some would think I had good reason for not wanting that ministry.
My family was touched by a horrific crime in 1978. Continue Reading »
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Our earthly labors should be an expression of Christ’s work of redemption.
“Is this not the carpenter?” (Mark 6:3). These simple words of Scripture remind us that the Gospel was first proclaimed by a man of work. Given the current debate over worker rights and unions, which is only worsening in its lack of civility, it would be good to reflect on the value of work and the one whom the Church presents to us as the model of workers: St. Joseph.
Human work is a sharing in the unfolding of God’s work of creation and the Sabbath a sharing in God’s rest. If it is true that “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27), it is also true that work is for man, not man for work.
It is not the kind of work we do that determines its value but the fact that it is done by a person created in God’s image. When this work is done in Christ, it becomes truly redemptive.
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Contemplating Christ’s passion is the key to becoming a gift to others.
Is the glass half full or half empty? Although this question highlights the difference between an optimist and a pessimist, it also reminds us that our perception of things is important. With Lent beginning March 9, we can likewise ask ourselves, is this a season when we give up something or when we give something? The way we answer the question determines in large part the quality of our conversion experience during Lent.
I have long enjoyed listening to the many recorded talks of the late Archbishop Fulton Sheen. During one such talk he reminded us that in the spiritual life, there are no plains: we are either ascending or descending. I like to think of Lent as a time when we give renewed focus to our ascent—to our ongoing conversion, which entails picking up our cross and following Christ daily.
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Humility and forgiveness keep our spiritual backpack light.
Losing weight is never easy. That’s why there’s no shortage of weight-loss products available promising quick results with the least amount of effort. But if we are to lose weight and keep it off, a certain discipline is required, and this can often require the help of a medical professional. And if it is prudent to seek sound medical advice in our efforts to properly care for our physical health, it is also wise to seek good spiritual counsel in attempting to care for the health of our soul.
I know how much Father David Boettner, a vicar general of the diocese and the rector of the cathedral church, likes to hike. With spring fast approaching, it won’t be long before he’s hitting the trails on a frequent basis. Serious hikers like Father David are sensitive to the weight of their backpack and its contents because the heavier the load, the faster you wear out, the slower your progress, and the less distance you cover. Even airlines are restricting how much baggage air travelers can take on flights because of the associated costs (although I think it’s because they want less of our baggage to lose).
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How time flies. It’s hard to believe we’re already at the halfway point between the end of the Christmas season and the beginning of another season: Lent. Although many people anticipate and prepare for Christmas weeks in advance of Advent’s official start, that’s not usually the case with Lent—and no, preparations for Mardi Gras don’t count.
Among the disciplines that especially mark the Lenten season—prayer, fasting, and almsgiving—fasting is the one I, like many, look forward to the least. With your prayers, though, I hope to embrace a spirit and discipline of fasting, not only during Lent but also this entire year so that the diocese may be the beneficiary of a substantial gift of alms. Let me explain.
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Every vocation is a call to be an ambassador of the extraordinary.
Snow days! It amazes me how easily snow can transform the ordinary into the extraordinary by slowing everything down. As we settle into the new year and our typical routines, we would do well to take note of nature’s lesson and learn to recognize the extraordinary in the ordinary things of life, especially within our marriages and families.
Of the many joys I am able to share with people as a priest and especially now as a bishop, I particularly enjoy celebrating married couples’ anniversaries with them. Recently I was at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Alcoa for Mass in a bilingual celebration of marriage, which included the renewal of wedding vows and a luncheon afterward. It was a wonderful day.
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Under the guise of Planned Parenthood, he has gained access to schools.
What does the new year hold for us? Although we hope for peace and happiness and make resolutions to accomplish what we hope for, the future remains a mystery. Given the many problems in our world, we don’t find it easy to be free of anxieties and fears about what lies ahead. I admit, I have my share of worries and concerns. Yet the image the Church gives us at the beginning of every new year is that of a child in the arms of its mother. With the celebration of the solemnity of the Mother of God, we understand that it is through Mary, our Mother, that “peace on earth” comes to us.
Though we celebrate the “tidings of great joy” heard in Bethlehem, the words of Herod continue to echo in our world: “Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage” (Matthew 2:8). Under varied names and in the guise of different causes and ideologies throughout the ages, Herod continues to seek out innocence in order to destroy it, and with it, peace.
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As protector of the Holy Family, St. Joseph is a sure guide on life’s journey.
The Advent hymn “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” has always been a favorite of mine because of the hope and anticipation it expresses so beautifully. But as Advent gives way to the joyful celebration of the Christmas season, we can once again exclaim, “He dwells among us” (cf. John 1:14). It is particularly during this season of gifts that I like to recall in a special way the figure of St. Joseph, who loved and protected God’s two most precious gifts to us: Jesus and Mary.
I have always had a special devotion to St. Joseph, and now as a bishop I find myself asking for his intercession and help more than ever. He took such loving care of Mary and Jesus, and he continues to watch over and protect the Church, Christ’s mystical body. I feel especially blessed to have been ordained and installed as bishop of this wonderful diocese on St. Joseph’s solemnity, which the Church celebrates each year on March 19. But do we not all have a share in being guardians of this mystery—in our diocese, our schools, our work, and especially our marriage and family?
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