Bulletin 8/28
Growing up, my school assemblies would always talk about self-esteem. It seems that elementary schools in the late 80’s and 90’s (sorry for my older readers-I don’t mean to rub it in your face) had this one major issue on their minds. It would seem to be up to the teachers of that decade to instill within students like myself that we are “special.” We have a value and a purpose and we should see that. A common phrase used was, “Can’t we all just get along?” The push for such education can be justified—just as anti-bullying programs are justifiable today. What started as an attempt to boost self-confidence and love of oneself has, in a way, naturally transformed itself into what theologians and philosophers call relativism.
Relativism is the belief that all ideas, opinions, beliefs, etc. hold the same value. It implies that there is no universal truth. (If I’m ok, you’re ok, everything is ok) If I want to believe that 2+2=5, then who are you to tell me otherwise? Obviously that example is a bit extreme, but if we look at some of the issues we face as Catholics today, we can clearly see this philosophy at work. Issues such as the redefinition of marriage, abortion, artificial contraception, embryonic stem cell research, and other hot button topics can be linked to this idea that there is no natural or universal law or truth. The flip side of these issues places the Catholic Church in a position where it may “suffer greatly” (Matthew 16:21) when they stand up for a universal truth.
By constantly hearing “I love me for me” and “It’s ok to be me” led many of my generation to the next obvious question—Who is this “me” I am supposed to love, or more grammatically correct, “Who am I?” Finding who “me” is for many of my peers and others in my generation meant that they would or could redefine their identity. Even though I grew up in a fairly middle-class suburb in central New Jersey, many of my friends decided that they would fabricate this ideal that we lived in the ghetto. People in my middle and high school claimed to be from the School of Hard Knocks, when in reality they lived in a 5 bedroom house with a maid
and a landscaper. Other false identities quickly followed based on what we saw in movies, listened to in music, and what we saw others doing. Was this just typical adolescence? Perhaps—or perhaps because it was coupled with a “find yourself…love yourself...don’t let anyone try and change you” attitude, we are now faced with many other forms of redefinition today.
Through my school assemblies, I was taught that just because someone is different than I am does not give me the right to feel like I am more important or entitled to more than that person. It certainly doesn’t give me the right to hurt or make fun of that person either. This teaching is true and remains true to this day. In fact as Catholics, we believe in the dignity of all human beings regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, looks, wealth, or sinfulness. Yet when we stand up for what we believe in we are labeled, by some, as old fashioned, haters, bigots, and worse. So how do we as Catholics stand up for truth in a loving way?
Without putting this type of formation in the correct context, there is no wonder why we have allowed the world to form such a thought process which leads to relativism. The Church teaches the fact that we are all created by God with a dignity. We were created by God who is love (1 John 4:8). We were created out of love, for love, and we deserve nothing less than love. So yes we are supposed to respect and love all of God’s creations, including ourselves. Yet God calls us out of ourselves in this week’s Gospel saying to deny ourselves for the sake of His Kingdom. We are to deny the world and not conform to it (Romans 12:1-2). We must stand up for the universal truth, God’s truth and His law must govern our lives. We may suffer greatly for this in terms of the world. Yet if we do not, the world will suffer greatly. How do we do this? Love. Love till it hurts. Love when it feels like the Lord “duped you.” (Jeremiah 20:7) Love as God loved. Love to death.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Sunday, August 14, 2011
World Youth Day Reflections
Bulletin Article 8/14
About 11 years ago, when I was only 13 years old, I embarked on my first pilgrimage. I was an active member of my home parish’s youth group, which focused mostly on community service, and the opportunity came for a group of us to go to World Youth Day in Rome. It was the year 2000, a Jubilee Year for the Church, and Pope John Paul II called for all the young people in the world to come “home” to Rome to celebrate their Catholic faith. I can trace my involvement in the Church back to this experience. Although I was still a kid, the trip to the Holy City had an enormous impact on me and my life. It was during the pilgrimage that I first heard God’s calling in my life.
The way in which World Youth Day is set up allows for young people to participate in different catechetical workshops, concerts, sightseeing, and interaction with groups from all over the world. World Youth Day (which is actually a week in length) culminates with a pilgrimage or walk to a predetermined area where the pilgrims celebrate a vigil prayer service led by the Pope, then they camp outside and celebrate a final Mass in the morning. The final night is, by far, the climax of the WYD experience.
After walking for several miles in the summer heat, you finally arrive at the huge, open field—your home for the night. As a 13 year old walking for miles, sweating, and carrying my next 3 meals in a box, that rolling field was the most beautiful site I had ever seen. As the pilgrims flood in, music is playing, people are worshipping, talking, greeting you in other languages—it is truly a wonderful experience. Flags from all different nations are flying, people are trading knickknacks and prayer cards to remember each other by, all while you try and set up your small camp (no tents are allowed, just tarps and sleeping bags on the ground). Then as the sun sets the prayer vigil begins. You pull out a candle (which was given to you at the start of your journey), which you light along with the million other young people after the sun is down during prayer. I have seen some beautiful things in my life, but nothing compares to this. The combination of spiritual awareness, community, faith, and love of God along with darkness illuminated by hundreds of thousands, if not millions of candles simply takes your breath away.
Since that experience, I have participated in two other World Youth Days, once in Toronto (2002) and once in Germany (2005). Although I was given the opportunity to attend WYD Australia in 2008 and once again this year in Spain, I declined and stayed home. However, I am finding that more and more young adults are making the pilgrimage to World Youth Day. Each time I went I was blown away by the number of young people who gathered together simply to grow in love with the Lord. These pilgrimages helped me to fall in love and stay in love with the Lord at extremely pivotal times in my life.
This week (August 15-21) young people from all over the world will gather in Madrid, Spain, along with countless priests, bishops, religious, and the Pope himself, to celebrate their Catholic faith. I have several family members and friends who will be there. My prayer is that those participating in whatever shape or form will arrive at a deeper appreciation and love for God and His Church. Our local news stations might say a few passing words about WYD, but if you want to capture the real experience, you will have to register for the next one in 2014! If you want to keep up with how it is going, simply log on to the United States Catholic Bishops website (usccb.org) and click on the links for WYD or go to the WYD website (www.madrid11.com) for videos, articles, and podcasts (who ever said the Church needs to get with the times?! – we are very well up to date)! You could even sign up for a virtual pilgrimage on Facebook—follow along! May the Lord bless the Holy Father and all of our young pilgrims.
About 11 years ago, when I was only 13 years old, I embarked on my first pilgrimage. I was an active member of my home parish’s youth group, which focused mostly on community service, and the opportunity came for a group of us to go to World Youth Day in Rome. It was the year 2000, a Jubilee Year for the Church, and Pope John Paul II called for all the young people in the world to come “home” to Rome to celebrate their Catholic faith. I can trace my involvement in the Church back to this experience. Although I was still a kid, the trip to the Holy City had an enormous impact on me and my life. It was during the pilgrimage that I first heard God’s calling in my life.
The way in which World Youth Day is set up allows for young people to participate in different catechetical workshops, concerts, sightseeing, and interaction with groups from all over the world. World Youth Day (which is actually a week in length) culminates with a pilgrimage or walk to a predetermined area where the pilgrims celebrate a vigil prayer service led by the Pope, then they camp outside and celebrate a final Mass in the morning. The final night is, by far, the climax of the WYD experience.
After walking for several miles in the summer heat, you finally arrive at the huge, open field—your home for the night. As a 13 year old walking for miles, sweating, and carrying my next 3 meals in a box, that rolling field was the most beautiful site I had ever seen. As the pilgrims flood in, music is playing, people are worshipping, talking, greeting you in other languages—it is truly a wonderful experience. Flags from all different nations are flying, people are trading knickknacks and prayer cards to remember each other by, all while you try and set up your small camp (no tents are allowed, just tarps and sleeping bags on the ground). Then as the sun sets the prayer vigil begins. You pull out a candle (which was given to you at the start of your journey), which you light along with the million other young people after the sun is down during prayer. I have seen some beautiful things in my life, but nothing compares to this. The combination of spiritual awareness, community, faith, and love of God along with darkness illuminated by hundreds of thousands, if not millions of candles simply takes your breath away.
Since that experience, I have participated in two other World Youth Days, once in Toronto (2002) and once in Germany (2005). Although I was given the opportunity to attend WYD Australia in 2008 and once again this year in Spain, I declined and stayed home. However, I am finding that more and more young adults are making the pilgrimage to World Youth Day. Each time I went I was blown away by the number of young people who gathered together simply to grow in love with the Lord. These pilgrimages helped me to fall in love and stay in love with the Lord at extremely pivotal times in my life.
This week (August 15-21) young people from all over the world will gather in Madrid, Spain, along with countless priests, bishops, religious, and the Pope himself, to celebrate their Catholic faith. I have several family members and friends who will be there. My prayer is that those participating in whatever shape or form will arrive at a deeper appreciation and love for God and His Church. Our local news stations might say a few passing words about WYD, but if you want to capture the real experience, you will have to register for the next one in 2014! If you want to keep up with how it is going, simply log on to the United States Catholic Bishops website (usccb.org) and click on the links for WYD or go to the WYD website (www.madrid11.com) for videos, articles, and podcasts (who ever said the Church needs to get with the times?! – we are very well up to date)! You could even sign up for a virtual pilgrimage on Facebook—follow along! May the Lord bless the Holy Father and all of our young pilgrims.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Trust-Take 2
Bulletin Article 8/7/11
Last week I wrote about trust. Trust can be rewarding, but it almost always comes with a challenge. The Lord constantly calls us outside of ourselves. He calls us to do more today than we did yesterday. The Lord knows what we are capable of and calls us to see it for ourselves. Peter learns this first hand in this week’s Gospel.
Immediately after the miracle of Jesus multiplying the bread and fish, He tests the Disciples’ trust. In the midst of a storm, He walks toward the boar on the water. They have seen Jesus cure the sick, cast out demons, multiply loaves, and calm a storm, yet they still are afraid and lack trust. Peter, being the leader of the 12, calls out to Jesus and tests Him. Could you imagine testing the Lord? It shouldn’t be too hard considering how often we do it on a daily basis! Just like Peter and the Disciples, we are quick to test the Lord and doubt Him even though he has already proven Himself as our Lord.
Peter steps out of the boat and walks on water. I often tell this story about Peter when I give talks or teach lessons on Christianity. Peter, our first Pope, was one of the biggest screw ups of all time. There are many times where Peter failed—just open the New Testament and you will find examples. However his failures show that he TRIED. He took leaps of faith and stepped out of the boat literally and metaphorically. Can you imagine standing at the edge of the boat? Peter was a fisherman by trade, so he grew up in boats. He was comfortable in them and knew how to deal with everything the water threw at him. Yet Jesus called Him to more. Imagine standing on the edge of the boat watching the waves crash around you. Holding on for dear life, you take one foot and put it over the edge but quickly pull it back in. You put your foot back over and then you follow with the other one. You are now sitting on the edge of the boat with your feet on the surface of the water. You stand up and let go of the side of the boat and you take your first step toward Jesus. That is trust defined.
Last week I wrote that Trust is hard to define but easy to understand. That moment where we let go of what we are comfortable and take a step into the unthinkable or the uncertain—that moment is complete and utter trust. What boats are you in in your life? Have we grown too comfortable in our jobs, our commitments, or our lives? Is Jesus calling us to step out of that which is comfortable into a world where He will make us do the unthinkable? What are you waiting for? Jesus already has proven Himself as our Lord. He conquered death and holds us in the palm of His hand. What are you doing in the boat? I think it’s time you and I walked on water. We can do it—one trusting step at a time.
Last week I wrote about trust. Trust can be rewarding, but it almost always comes with a challenge. The Lord constantly calls us outside of ourselves. He calls us to do more today than we did yesterday. The Lord knows what we are capable of and calls us to see it for ourselves. Peter learns this first hand in this week’s Gospel.
Immediately after the miracle of Jesus multiplying the bread and fish, He tests the Disciples’ trust. In the midst of a storm, He walks toward the boar on the water. They have seen Jesus cure the sick, cast out demons, multiply loaves, and calm a storm, yet they still are afraid and lack trust. Peter, being the leader of the 12, calls out to Jesus and tests Him. Could you imagine testing the Lord? It shouldn’t be too hard considering how often we do it on a daily basis! Just like Peter and the Disciples, we are quick to test the Lord and doubt Him even though he has already proven Himself as our Lord.
Peter steps out of the boat and walks on water. I often tell this story about Peter when I give talks or teach lessons on Christianity. Peter, our first Pope, was one of the biggest screw ups of all time. There are many times where Peter failed—just open the New Testament and you will find examples. However his failures show that he TRIED. He took leaps of faith and stepped out of the boat literally and metaphorically. Can you imagine standing at the edge of the boat? Peter was a fisherman by trade, so he grew up in boats. He was comfortable in them and knew how to deal with everything the water threw at him. Yet Jesus called Him to more. Imagine standing on the edge of the boat watching the waves crash around you. Holding on for dear life, you take one foot and put it over the edge but quickly pull it back in. You put your foot back over and then you follow with the other one. You are now sitting on the edge of the boat with your feet on the surface of the water. You stand up and let go of the side of the boat and you take your first step toward Jesus. That is trust defined.
Last week I wrote that Trust is hard to define but easy to understand. That moment where we let go of what we are comfortable and take a step into the unthinkable or the uncertain—that moment is complete and utter trust. What boats are you in in your life? Have we grown too comfortable in our jobs, our commitments, or our lives? Is Jesus calling us to step out of that which is comfortable into a world where He will make us do the unthinkable? What are you waiting for? Jesus already has proven Himself as our Lord. He conquered death and holds us in the palm of His hand. What are you doing in the boat? I think it’s time you and I walked on water. We can do it—one trusting step at a time.
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