Pastor's Letter-- January 17, 2021

“I join people of good will in condemning the violence today at the United States Capitol. This is not who we are as Americans. I am praying for members of Congress and Capitol staff and for the police and all those working to restore order and public safety. 
The peaceful transition of power is one of the hallmarks of this great nation. In this troubling moment, we must recommit ourselves to the values and principles of our democracy and come together as one nation under God. I entrust all of us to the heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary. May she guide us in the ways of peace, and obtain for us wisdom and the grace of a true patriotism and love of country.”

These words of Archbishop Gomez, on behalf of all Catholics in the United States, are a reminder of the beacon of hope we are called to be in our society.  You are the salt of the earth, …the light of the world. (Mt. 5) Are we living this vocation in our families, friendships, and other relationships? If we ignore our circles of influence and “travel across land and sea to make one convert” (Mt. 23:15), then who will speak to those we have abandoned? Saint (Mother) Teresa of Kolkata’s response to one who wanted to move to India to serve with her was similar: “grow where you are planted.”

“It is easy to be a madman; it is easy to be a heretic. It is always easy to let the age have its head; the difficult thing is to keep one’s own.”
“It is always simple to fall; there are an infinity of angles at which one falls, only one at which one stands.”
G. K. Chesterton, although speaking a century ago about the thrill of the Church’s clinging to truth throughout the centuries in his masterpiece Orthodoxy, seems to be speaking to our country as it wavers on noodle-y legs after a blow to the head from last week. I read that we have never had the disruption of such a critical ceremony of our political structure. How can we “strengthen the knees that are weak” (Isa. 35:3) so that we do not fall? Teaching respect in discourse. Teaching discourse, true debate in charity. Can we love someone we disagree with? Can we help others to do the same?

A religious sister of the Daughters of St. Paul, Sr. Theresa Aletheia Noble, published a national examination of conscience (particularly for us Christians) that I think will be worth reprint for us all to look at and perhaps share with our family and friends as a good starting point.

Do I make an effort to inform myself in a way that is open to truth wherever it may be found, or do I only read opinions and media with which I always agree?
Do I make an effort to find, understand, and read news sources that are objective and follow journalistic standards?
Do I regularly reduce complex issues to simplistic, partisan sound bites to avoid engaging honestly and vulnerably with people with whom I disagree?
Do I speak of my ideological opponents in a way that dehumanizes, stereotypes, or objectifies them? Do I speak scornfully or dismissively of those with whom I disagree rather than engaging with their ideas?
Do I allow feelings of rage, hatred, and bitterness toward those I see as political enemies grow in my heart?
Do I cultivate sin in my heart more than I cultivate virtue?
Do I read spiritual books as much as, or more than, I read the news?
Do I speak of and focus on political events more than the Church’s liturgical calendar?
Am I regularly distracted from my responsibilities by news, pundits, political arguments, and negative feelings toward those with whom I disagree?
What are my highest priorities? Where do I direct most of my energies? Do I put living for God first in my life?

A few notes about these questions. First, as you read them, if you begin to think of other people to whom they might apply, begin again and focus on your own behavior. An examination of conscience is meant to challenge and convert our own hearts, not examine other people’s behavior. Second, several questions are focused on media consumption because that is the charism of my order, the Daughters of St. Paul. We live in a media culture and our media consumption can greatly impact how we view the world and how we prioritize our spiritual lives. And finally, if you do not find all of these questions helpful, feel free to come up with questions of your own. An examination of    conscience is individual and personal and we all struggle in different ways with what is happening in our country and in our hearts.

Jesus, we bring to you all those who have been injured and who have lost their lives as a result of unrest in our nation, and we pray that they may rest in peace. For an end to division in our nation, Lord hear our prayer. That peace, justice, and truth may reign in our hearts and in our nation, Lord hear our prayer. Amen. ( wordonfire.org)

St. Thérèse the little flower, pray for us to grow where we are planted and spread God’s love, peace, and unity.