MAKING ALL THINGS NEW

I have been doing a lot of travel for work recently, and yesterday I had a long drive home through rural Pennsylvania.  As I got onto the main highway, I realized right away the roads had been treated already, in preparation for the snow due today. This got me thinking, and I can’t remember such an early snow.  The official start of winter is more than a month away, but as I look out my second floor window, nice, big white snowflakes are falling fast, headed to the ground.  There will be shoveling (or maybe just pushing) to do later, but for now, it’s beautiful and peaceful.

It’s been a long time since my last post, and as they say, “life got in the way.”  I’m leading a retreat this weekend, and that will get me back on track.  My Ignatian Way retreat helps retreatants get a little taste of Ignatian Spirituality.  I looked at the registration list last night, and it’s nice to see several familiar names, and I’m grateful they are coming back for deeper look.

I’ve got lots on the horizon right now, and I’m committed to bring you into the loop through my blog postings.  My sense today is that we are all in need of some major encouragement.  While the snow swirls around my window, other dark clouds seem to be swirling around our country, the church, relationships, where else?  Just like we can’t stop the snow from falling, so much of what’s happening is outside our control.  What we can control, however , is our response to whatever it is that’s happening.  I would propose that our response should always be rooted in our trust in God and his infinite love and mercy towards us.  To me, that’s the only approach worth taking.

We’ve had days and days of rain recently, and it’s been hard to get out for a walk in my neighborhood.  As I looked out my window at dawn, I knew today was a day to get out of the house and take a walk.  It was a great choice!

The Book of Lamentations is not a part of Scripture that I normally turn to.  In the Old Testament, I often head to the Psalms or the Book of Isaiah when I’m looking for some inspiration.  In the New Testament, I love reading the Gospel of Luke, and I always find something to either lift me up or challenge me in St. Paul’s Letters.  How about you?  What’s your “go to” Scripture passages when you are looking for inspiration, consolation, or support?

Back to the Book of Lamentations.  My focus today is on Mercy.  We need to receive it right now, very badly.  We need to give it right now, very badly.  Here’s a passage to ponder, especially during these troubling times:

The favors of the Lord are not exhausted, his mercies are not spent;  They are renewed each morning, so great is his faithfulness.  My portion is the Lord, says my soul; therefore, I will hope in him (Lamentations 3:22-24).

As we move through this day, let’s ask ourselves, “How do I experience God’s faithfulness?”  “Where do I put my hope?” “How do I both receive and give mercy?”

Every day offers us a fresh start.  God’s favors and mercy are ours for the taking, each and every day.  How can we not be grateful to God for such gifts?

Like most believers, I have my favorite Scripture passages, some of which I turn to in times of difficulty.  One of my go-to passages when things seem especially bad is the “Calming of the Storm,” found in Matthew 8:23-27, Mark 4:35-41 and Luke: 8:22-25.  Years ago, in a class I was taking on the Miracles of Christ, I chose this story to study and write on.  I think it was the last line of Luke’s version (8:25) which haunted me, “who then is this, that he commands even the wind and water, and they obey him?”

You know the story.  Jesus and his disciples got into a boat and were crossing the Sea of Galilee.  As they went along, Jesus fell asleep.  At some point, a violent storm kicked up, and the boat was filling with water.  Terrified of drowning, the disciples woke Jesus up and shouted, “Master, Master, we are perishing!”  With the shouts, Jesus woke up, “rebuked the wind and the raging waves; and they ceased, and there was a calm. (8:24).  Jesus then challenged those in the boat with him:  “Where is your faith?”

For those of us that have eyes to see and ears to hear, you can sense that we are in a epic storm, one so troublesome that it seems as though centuries have passed since we experienced anything like it. No doubt this storm is not going to quickly pass and many things need to happen before integrity, trust, authenticity and justice have been restored.  In the meantime, we are called to weather the storm, knowing that Jesus is in the boat with us, asking, as many cry out in fear, doubt and justified anger, where is your faith?

Over the last twenty centuries, the Church as weathered many storms, more than a few caused by those in authority.  Because Jesus remains in our boat, this one too shall pass, but much will need to be done.  Our faith is strongest when it’s rooted in Christ.  I’m reminded of the line found in Psalm 146, “Put no trust in princes, in mere mortals, powerless to save” (v.3).  As we do our best to weather this present storm, no matter how long it may last, let’s stay rooted in Jesus Christ, the Light and Savior of the world. He’s calmed many a storm, and this one we are in now more than likely will not be the last.

Lord, when the storms of life come my way, help me to find you in the midst of them, because I know you are there.  You are in all things.

Help me to have more faith, trusting that you have a plan for me, for my family, for my friends, for our Church, and for this world we live in.  You are making all things new!Give me the grace of perseverance,  so that one day I might be with you for all eternity, rejoicing at the eternal banquet of heaven.  Amen

Did you ever hear the saying, “If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans”?  I’m sure we’ve all had plans over the years which never came to fruition.  I know I have, and sometimes its easy to get stuck in the past, thinking of what might have been, what could have been, what should have been.  Over the years, I’ve come in contact with many people who never get unstuck, choosing to remain trapped in their past, failing to recognize that God may have a fresh plan for them,  one which includes a future full of hope (Jerimiah 29:11).

With twenty other pilgrims, St. Ignatius of Loyola (1495-1556) entered Jerusalem through the Jaffa Gate, shown here, at 10 am on September 4, 1523 (he kept a great journal).  That’s 495 years ago today!  His was an arduous pilgrimage, taking months of hard travel and filled with risks.  But when he arrived, it was with the sense that God called him here, and it was his hope that he would remain in the Holy Land for the rest of his life.  And yet, while that was Ignatius’s hope and dream, God had other plans.  Big plans for this former Spanish courtier, soldier, nobleman.

The next time you think about your past, including the many good times, along with those you wish to forget, don’t get stuck there.  Maybe all those plans of your youth have turned into nothing.  Don’t get stuck there.  Repent where you need to, then trust in God’s infinite mercy as you come out of the past and boldly into your future.  When Ignatius got forced out of the Holy Land, little did he know the impact he would have in the lives of countless people, some even 495 years after he walked through the Jaffa Gate. He didn’t know what his future held, but he trusted that God had a plan for him. St. Ignatius’s  Spiritual Exercises changed me nearly ten years ago, and now I have the chance to share them with others.  I will always be grateful that Ignatius decided that maybe, just maybe, God had a different plan for him, something to do other than what he first thought would be his destiny.  Trust that it might just be the same for you.

God has a plan for each and everyone of us, and when we call Him, pray to Him, look for Him, and seek Him will all our hearts, we will find Him with us, and He will change our lot (Jerimiah 29:12-14). That sounds like the plan for me, and I hope it’s the same for you.  Let’s start implementing that plan, starting today, boldly and full of confidence, no matter what our present circumstances might be.

For the past several days, I’ve been on my annual Ignatian Retreat.  Today was the first day without rain, so I was looking forward to seeing the sunrise.  If you are an early riser like me, you know that some sunrises are better than others.  Looking toward the East from the room where I was sitting, today’s was kind of a dud.  The windows were still glazed with last night’s rain, and the clouds hanging low on the horizon blocked some of the beauty slowly unfolding behind them.  A little disappointed, I decided to take a walk around the grounds outside, and set off with my coffee in hand, iPhone in my pocket.

As I began walking, I realized that, given the location of the retreat center, a heavy mist was moving through.  It seemed beautiful and a little mystical. As I rounded a corner, I saw sunlight coming through the woods, and the bright light was filtering through the trees and the mist.  This photo shows you how it looked, rather like a starburst.

I hope I never get used to the experience of God’s surprises.  This little glimpse into His glory this morning was gone just as quickly as it came.  No one else was around.  No one else saw it.  It was just for me, an unexpected gift.

As I’m writing these words, I’m reminded once again of the importance of gratitude.  God is constantly offering us little gifts to be experienced by those who have eyes to see and ears to hear.  My prayer for you today is that you would slow down enough to catch a glimpse of God’s gifts, which are all around you.  Don’t miss them.  They may be meant just for you, and they can be gone in an instant.

Today is the Feast of St. Ignatius, who called himself The Pilgrim, and I hope it’s a blessed one for you.  Did you know that, unlike the celebrations we have on our birthdays, in the Catholic Church the day we recognize canonized saints is on the date of their death.  Just a bit of trivia for you to ponder.

This morning, I made a little pilgrimage to the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Hanover, PA.  I’ve written before about this church, built in the 1700’s by the early Jesuit “rider” priests, who would travel on horseback for much of the year, celebrating the sacraments throughout this part of country.  When they left a town or village, it might be many months before the people there would see a priest again.  I was happy to see the little chapel filled, not a seat to be had at the beginning of Mass.

The words from the first reading (1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1) really spoke to me,

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.  Give no offense to Jews or Greeks or to the Church of God, just as I try to please all people in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved. Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

For the last nine years, I have been trying to imitate, in my own limited way, many of the practices found in St. Ignatius’s Spiritual Exercises.  Some days/weeks/months, I do pretty well, and others, not so much.  Thus is the spiritual life for most of us in the 21st century.  But the line above from 1st Corinthians reminds us that, no matter who we try to follow (imitate), our main objective and desire should always be to follow the One who knows our name, Jesus Christ.  He is the way, the truth and the life.  When we lose sight of that, and try to make everything about us, or about this or that person’s methods, then we’ll risk  missing our intended mark. We can have various guides such as Ignatius, but following and imitating Jesus must be our aim.

It used to be that in times past, people left the safety of their homes and livelihood for a pilgrimage that lasted months and/or years.  Often to a holy place or the Holy Land, many never came back.  Today, most of us can easily make a pilgrimage, even if it’s just for a few hours.  We don’t have to spend a lot of money or take a week off to visit a holy place, somewhere where others travel to, a place where we can pray, strengthen our faith, and find some peace.  Whether it’s with a group or by ourselves, it’s worth the effort.

This morning, just by chance, the last seat in the Basilica chapel was next to me  (yes, I had taken my morning shower).  A lady rushed in right before Mass and sat next to me.  After Mass, she told me I looked familiar.  As soon as I saw her face, I remembered that she used to go to church with me back in Maryland.  I hadn’t seen her for years.  We reminisced about happy memories, then went our separate ways.  If she would have sat anywhere else, we probably would have never made contact.  I’m so glad I made the effort to make my little pilgrimage this morning, for multiple reasons, and I’m grateful to God for putting it on my heart to go.  I hope you’ll make an effort this summer to make your own little pilgrimage.  God will be with you, each step of the way. Do it for God’s greater glory!

Yesterday, I had the chance to make a little pilgrimage with a good friend.  We started with Mass at Mount St. Mary’s in Emmitsburg MD, then traveled to the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Hanover, PA.  Dating from the 1700’s this beautiful basilica, in the middle of farm country, is the oldest stone Catholic Church in the United States and the first US church Dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  Jesuits founded the church, which is now under diocesan leadership, but the Jesuit presence is clearly felt.  Seeing relics of St. Ignatius, St. Aloysius Gonzaga, St. Francis Xavier and St. Peter Canisius here was a blessing.  This church, rich in history, was a wonderful place for reflection, before traveling to the Jesuit Center in Wernersville, PA, not too far from Philadelphia. Countless Jesuits were educated here, and we were able to spend a few hours in quiet prayer and reflection.  This would be a great place to make a retreat, with it’s hundreds of acres of grounds, walking paths and quiet places to sit and relax.  This photo of the St. Ignatius statue was taken here.  Before we headed home, we stopped by the Jesuit cemetery on the grounds, and visited the grave of Servant of God Walter Ciszek, who spent many years in the Soviet gulag because of his priestly ministry.    Overall, it was a wonderful, peaceful, prayerful day and oh how I needed it.

Each year, Loyola Press provides 31 days of web postings leading to St. Ignatius’s Feast Day, July 31st.  They have been doing this for several years, and my friends and I love to participate.  I hope you will too.  Please join us here.

Have a blessed week, and let’s please pray for one another!

To all the guys who read this blog, a Happy Father’s Day to you.  I hope you had the blessing of a great day, surrounded by your kids.  I’m sorry it’s been awhile since I last posted.  I’ve had so many crazy things happen, both good and bad, that time seemed to move at the speed of light.  I won’t bore you with the details, but instead focus on one of good things from the last several weeks.

First, after a drive which seemed to go on forever, I made it to Lake Placid, New York, for a conference.  The place was amazing, and I hope make it back there one day.  Most people probably know the 1980 Winter Olympics were held here (also here in 1932).  You might recall the epic hockey match between the college aged US team and the seasoned, much older team from Russia.  Disney turned it into a movie, and although I probably saw it in the past, being so close to where the events happened, I decided to watch it again.  I’m glad I did.

Lucky for me, I stayed at a hotel which overlooked the town of Lake Placid and Mirror Lake.  I had a room which had a little porch and an Adirondack chair waiting for me to watch the sunrise early the next morning.  There was such a peace, much needed I might add, that came over me as I  awaited the dawn, shown above.

It was just glorious, and I could certainly feel God’s presence all around me.  I don’t know about you, but I get so much out of St. Ignatius’s recognition that we can find God in all things.  For me, I love finding God in nature.  When I look out over beautiful mountains and crystal clear lakes, see that the world is charged, as the Jesuit poet Gerard Manley Hopkins writes, with God’s grandeur.  What a lovey way to start, or end the day.

Have a blessed week.

The sun will be up in a few minutes, and a new day will begin.  Today is Pentecost Sunday, the day to remember and celebrate when the Christian Church was launched. We read from the Acts of the Apostles,

When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together.  And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim. (2:1-4)

Friends, that same Holy Spirit which came to rest on Jesus’ disciples rests on us a well.  Through our baptism, we were cleansed of original sin and became God’s children.  From that moment onward, the Holy Spirit has been present to us, to guide us along the path of life.  What a gift, but sadly this gift often goes unrecognized in the lives of many.  I hope that might change today.  I pray that the Holy Spirit would enliven our faith and our trust in God.  I pray that we would tap into that same power which moved the first disciples to go out to the whole world and spread the Good News, regardless of the cost.  They held nothing back, and we are each called, in our own way, to participate in their mission.  The time for holding back has come to an end. How have you shared the Good News? How are you sharing the Good News?  Who could you share the Good News?

In May of 1994, I arrived at a church assignment which was to last about a year.  The Lord had other plans, and now, in May of 2018, that assignment has come to an end.  I chose Pentecost Sunday as my last official day because it marks a new beginning, a launching point for new adventures. With the help of the Holy Spirit, I will use my gifts to share the Good News with all who will listen.  In addition to God’s Word, Ignatian Spirituality provides a framework for my message today.  In a nutshell, that message is that we are loved sinners and God wants to heal us, so that we can partner with him and help souls.  Helping people get healthy: body, mind and spirit, is what I aim to do.  St. Ignatius called it cura personalis, or care for the whole person.  Would you like to join me in this mission?  More to come…  Trust me, this is going to be exciting!