Severe Spiritual Storm Warning

We have become so familiar with the image of thunderstorms approaching Louisville. Because of great advancements in computer modeling and radar imagery, we receive many of these warning several days in advance of threatening weather. We are given so much time to prepare for the arrival to protect our families.

This week, I have found myself digging out of a Spiritual Thunderstorm. The interesting connection is that I didn't receive any advance warning and did not realize the storm until I finally realized what was happening and asked the LORD for help and assistance. But, however, I have noticed that I am beginning to realize the storminess much more quickly.

Before this year, I would have found myself trying to do everything to get MYSELF back on track. I thought that I could always do something to get MYSELF back on track. Right there is the source of my difficulty. I had failed to ask the LORD for the help to return to him.

I am reminded of the apostles being afraid and waking up Jesus as they are on the stormy sea. (Mark 4:38). The apostles, while their faith was weak, still had some confidence that Jesus could help them, if only they ask. We should always ask for assistance the instant that we realize that our Spiritual Storm is approaching or is upon us. Jesus is always there and with us, waiting to assist and be with us at our most trying times.

I was so touched by the Third Antiphon from the Saturday Week 3 Daytime prayer which reminded me and comforted me: "When you heart is torn with grief, the LORD is near you." May the LORD continue to be near to you. Praise him in the good times and ask for strength in the difficult times. Amen.



Picture Credit: http://i.ytimg.com/vi/iHMAMj2SQ90/0.jpg

A Visit

My parents came to Washington DC to visit for Columbus Day weekend. My dad just retired at the end of September, so it was also sort of a celebration trip. They were able to stay at the seminary in our upstairs guest rooms. It was so great to have them come and stay with me.

On Saturday, we toured the Mt. Vernon Mansion and Grounds (Home of President George Washington).In addition, we went on the National Treasure Tour. We found out that the tunnel was the creation of "Hollywood." We were able to go into the basement and see where the inspiration for the movie came from. (I won'tspoil it in case you decide to come and visit me!!)

On Sunday, we visited the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land, which is about a mile from my seminary. They feature replicas of many altars and churches that can be seen in the Holy Land. In fact, one set of steps leading to statues of the crucifixion are the actual height of Mt. Calvary. The Harris' found that very cool!! We also walked through the National Cathedral.

It was so great for my folks to visit and see where I go to school and how we live in the seminary. It was such a blessing. Now I have some homework to do to catch up, but it was worth it.

"Let us pray": More Than an Instruction

One day last June, when I was praying Morning Prayer, I came across this simple three word phrase, "Let us pray."  I have to admit that at first I was angry at the phrase.  I said out loud, "I was just praying. Why is there a command for 'Let us pray'?"  Then, that same week at church before the opening and closing prayer, the priest announces, "Let us pray" and the same thought came to mind, "We are already supposed to be praying, it's Mass."

Now that I have taken the time to think about this seemingly little phrase, the Holy Spirit has blessed me with two new reasons for this small, yet powerful phrase.  The first thing that changed my heart about this phrase was the ideas of the faithful asking permission to continue praying.  After all, everything in our being and even the ability to take our next breath comes from the gracious gift of the LORD. Recognizing that all is a gift, we should ask again to pray and the LORD will allow us to be in relationship with Him once again.

The other thing that changed my thinking was that we are never really praying alone.  Even if we are in our interior room and praising the LORD, we are always surrounded by saints, angels, Mary and the LORD.  That phrase reminds us that we are always accompanied on this journey of faith, even in the deepest, darkest periods of our life.  We are praying with and for the entire universal church.

I am sure that there are more aspects to this phrase that I have not thought about or been inspired to think about.  Maybe more will come.  Maybe you will think of one.

May God continue to bless you and your family.  You are in my prayers.

Photo credit: 
http://www.redemptorists.net/images/prayer-requests-art.jpg

Basketball and the Spiritual Life

Since June, I have been pondering about an idea concerning my own spiritual journey. Last night, I had the notion to watch the movie “Hoosiers” starring Gene Hackman and Barbara Hershey which helped me to recall my spiritual journey thoughts from June.

While shooting baskets on retreat, I was imagining some teammates that might be playing with me. Except, I was not thinking of basketball greats that you might be thinking of at this point like Peyton Siva or Michael Jordan. I immediately made a connection to my spiritual life and my own team. This is no ordinary team and by no means is it a dream. Rather, it is reality. So, I am announcing the line-up to my spiritual team.

Point Guard: Jason Harris – Because of God’s great gift of free will, I must call the plays based on the will and desire of the Coach.

Guard: St. James – first hand witness to the transfiguration and the healing of Jairus’ daughter and known as one of the Sons of Thunder.

Small Forwards: St. Anthony – when there is trouble or hope is lost he can help find and restore things.

Power Forward: St. Francis – when the game gets tough he helps to bring peace and sense of beauty back to the situation.

Center: St. Michael the Archangel – when there are lots of ‘missed shots’ Michael gets the rebounds and helps to put the team back into play

Head Coach: Jesus – always turn to the coach for a reminder of the game plan and the support that you need

Assistant Coach: Mary – works with the team when the strength is lacking

Trainer/Manager: St. Joseph – provides the materials and extra support needed to be effective and to move the team to the next location.

This team always plays zone because there is no way that any of the team can do it alone. Particularly, when we are playing a daily match with the forces of evil, the game cannot be played alone. Just like in the movie ‘Hoosiers’, Coach Norm modifies and teaches the team a new mentality of playing and working together. Coach talks with the team and finds some motivation to keep them playing. Jesus does the same thing for us by finding ways to encourage us, but we have to TALK and LISTEN to the coach.

Who is on your team? The team is ready to play. Are YOU on your team? Don’t forget to go to practice this week.

Picture Credit:  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091217/

Taking time to reflect...

Each semester at my school, we spend one Friday Evening and a Friday Evening through Saturday morning in a period of reflection or mini-retreat. These miniature retreats give the seminary community a chance to pray together in silence with the Lord and take a break from the busy schedule. I must admit that many times I have found myself thinking "I have so much reading to get done, that I don't have time to reflect." After the period of reflection though, I always find a peace and a new nugget of faith that sustains. It always pays great dividends to spend time with the Lord and allow him to dialogue with us in prayer.

This past Friday night was one such opportunity. Fr. McKnight, who works for the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, gave us a great reflection upon this upcoming "Year of Faith" which Pope Benedict has announced. For one particular part of the reflections, Father made reference to the "Elijah and the Broom Tree" story (see 1 Kings 19:1-8). Elijah is depicted as laying under this tree in utter despair of his life troubles. He asks the Lord to take his life and be done with him. An Angel of the Lord comes to Elijah not once, not twice, but three times to nourish him for the next part of his journey.

You know that we have all heard this story many, many times. But, we are continually nourished and enriched by the same story countless times because we are never the same person. We are constantly changing and growing. I believe that is what this story is speaking to me. We are on a continuous journey and God continues to nourish and feed us for the next part of the journey. Many times, we all have said "Enough Lord, Enough." If we are patient and faithful, the LORD will always answer that plea with whatever is needed so that we might continue on to our heavenly destiny.

Picture Credit: http://catholicexchange.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/elijah-under-broom-tree.jpg

Parish Family

Today I am thinking again about what I left off with in my introductory letter to you last time: Parish Family. The cause of this reflection comes from my visit to the parish that I have worked with for the past 30 months. The parish, St. Aloysius Gonzaga in Washington DC near the Capitol Building, has served the downtown Washington area for the past 152 years. After a confluence of issues, the Jesuits felt they could no longer adequately serve this small, remnant parish community. This Sunday was their final mass before the parish merger with a neighboring parish community.

One of the themes that the pastor, Fr. Clifford, highlighted during the mass was the witness of Saints and how we witness, through our lives, as Saints on the Journey. Father pointed out how important it was to come together and support each other on this journey. Children also need this good witness of Christians surrounding. I believe this applies to all of our faith communities. Our Christian-Catholic Brothers and Sisters surround us each Sunday as great witnesses of the faith, even in all our brokenness. Parish families become the only family for many people when they are miles and miles away from home or are the only surviving member of their kinfolk. I know that I have received great blessings and support from all the Saints around me in my blood family and my parish families.

The other amazing point that really hit me today was the church building and what really makes up church. For the Aloysius Parish, they continue to mourn the loss of their sacred worship space. In a town hall meeting earlier this year, many people pointed to the front of the church and said “I was baptized right there twenty years ago” or “My wife and I introduced ourselves to each other for the first time in that pew.” The space does hold such great meaning for us. But, we can never fail to remember that it We, the People of God, that make up the church. Buildings are great and give glory to God, but we give greater glory and can show our faith everywhere we travel.

The closing song for today’s final Aloysius mass had a magnificent line that serves for all of us to recall and remember this week: “You ought to tell somebody. Go and be a witness for the Lord.” We are Christian-Catholics 24 - 7 - 365 and not just on the 52 Sundays of the year. May the Peace of Christ be with you and your family today and always. Amen.

Bringing Christ to Others

On September 14 2012, over 480 youth, adult sponsors, youth ministers, parish staff people, pastors and members of religious communities gathered at St. Gabriel Catholic Church for our annual event, "Dinner with the Archbishop." It was a night of prayer, friendship and exploring how God calls each of us.  As part of the evening, the Vocation Office, with the support of Spalding Hurst, Sr. Nancy Gerth and the SCN family put together a video focusing on our CSA theme of "Bringing Christ to Others."  We asked clergy, religious and lay ecclesial ministers just how they bring Christ to others. We are deeply thankful for the gifts and talents that they share with our Archdiocese.