I THOUGHT BEING 82 YEARS OLD WAS JUST FOR OLD PEOPLE!

REFLECTIONS ON MY 82nd BIRTHDAY

Aging is a bit like riding a roller coaster called "the Beast." When you are young, getting to the top is very slow and you grow impatient as you wait to get older and older, but once you get to the top of the highest hill (middle age) and go over the top, you start going down hill with more and more speed until you finally get to the end and have to get off! 

For some, the whole ride is fiercely scary, filled with mostly screaming and a white-knuckled hanging on for dear life!  For others, the ride is mostly fun - one screaming white-knuckled hanging on thrill-ride after another! Some are happy that it's over, while others want to do it all over again! While being very grateful for the many wonderful experiences, I am certainly not pushing to repeat it. However, I am content to coast a while toward the exit, savoring what I have just been through, without any hurry to get off this ride. 

However, I am more than happy with myself that I got up enough courage to take on "The Beast" a few times in the first place. I am more than happy to have had the many intense experiences of its ups and downs, but rather than wanting to repeat another round of "The Beast," I am hoping to try a few more different "rides" that are not so steep and body-whipping - maybe a few age-appropriate "rides" like the "Merry-Go-Round" or the "Tea-Cup?" 

Finally, when the time comes, I am looking forward to experiencing the next "thrill ride" waiting to be tried in the "great beyond" after I have had a few years to reflect on, and savor, my last great "thrill ride" called "The Beast!"   

NOT JUST ABOUT BEING "GOOD," BUT ALSO BEING "GOOD AT IT"

 

Whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.

The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice,

as the shepherd calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

John 10:1-10

Today, we hear that familiar passage where Jesus compares sheep herding to spiritual leadership. In both the Old Testament and New Testament, God is often pictured as a shepherd and the people as his flock. Here Jesus refers to a sheepfold and its door.

At night, Palestinian shepherds co-mingled their flocks of sheep into a walled enclosure for protection. It was called a sheepfold. A sheepfold had only one door for entry in and out. In the mornings, shepherds would take turns calling their sheep and they would separate into different flocks behind their own shepherd. They would follow their own shepherd just by hearing his voice because they had spent so much time with him and he knew them each by name. They would not follow a strange voice.  Jesus compares himself to a “good” shepherd who knows his sheep by name, knows where the grass and water is located, has the skill to keep the flock safe from wandering off and knows how to protect the sheep from wolves and from thieves.

This idea is confirmed in Jesus’ teaching on “the Good Shepherd.” In that Greek text, there are at least two possible words for “good,” agathos and kalos. Agathos means “good” as in “morally good,” while kalos means “good”  as in “good at” or “effective at” something. The “Good Shepherd,” in the gospel” is said to be kalos, “good at shepherding.”

When it comes to spiritual leadership, Jesus implies in this teaching that personal holiness and goodwill alone in a designated spiritual leader are not enough. A designated spiritual leader must also be effective if he or she is to be a real spiritual leader.  In other words, today’s “good shepherds,” must not only be personally holy, they must be personally effective in their leadership roles. They must not only appreciate and value green grass and flowing water, and have their own supply of it, they must be able to seek and find it for others and be able to lead their flocks to it!

Back when I was teaching soon-to-be priests about "spiritual leadership," I realized that there were no Catholic text books readily available to use in class, so I decided to write one. It is called "The Spiritual Leadership of a Parish Priest: On Being Good and Good at It." Using this gospel, the main point of the book is that one's own personal piety is not enough for being a pastor. One needs to be "good at" leading others to holiness. I am still selling a few copies on Amazon Books. 

I was watching TV one night when it dawned on me that there are at least two very different ways to herd sheep - the Palestinian way and the Australian way. The Palestinian way, as we see in today’s gospel, is to walk in front of the sheep, gently calling them with a convincing voice, while the sheep willingly follow the shepherd to where they need to go. The Australian way is to bark and snap from behind like sheep dogs, chasing and intimidating the sheep into going where they need to go. Good shepherds lead their flocks by invitation. Sheepdogs lead their flocks by intimidation. 

It is no surprise to me, that in a time when we are losing more and more credibility as spiritual leaders, the barking and snapping style of leadership seems to be growing louder and louder and gaining more popularity, especially among those newest to spiritual leadership. I heard this from a woman just last week who complained about her young pastor always preaching about sin and damnation! Whenever we cannot influence people, with convincing voices that our people want to follow in the style of the Good Shepherd, we end up becoming barking sheepdogs. Sheepdogs may be able to drive some sheep into the pen, but more and more will, no doubt, run away from us or simply become more irritated by our barking and snapping, as was that woman who complained about her young pastor's spiritual leadership style.

I define “spiritual leadership” as the ability to influence people to move from where they are to where God wants them to be through invitation, persuasion and example.  The focus of “spiritual leadership” is on an internal movement to deeper discipleship. A good pastor must certainly be “good at” that! Along with “spiritual leadership” abilities, a good pastor must be “good at” “pastoral leadership”- the skillful use of the Church’s external rites, rituals and rules, as well as the ability to coordinate the charisms within the community.

Spiritual leadership, the ability to influence people to move where they are to where God wants them to be, is critical today. Surely, there is no doubt that organized religion has lost its ability to impose unquestioned rules of behavior on our people and that one of the most pressing needs facing Catholicism today is the quality of its priestly leadership. No amount of ranting and raving about how we ought to be listened to will change this situation. We simply must get better at our ability to influence and persuade instead of blaming the sheep for their lack of faith and the culture for its secularism and moral relativism. Nor can we merely create good tools (write new editions of the rule books), we must be able to use those tools effectively to influence people to want to follow those rules.

 

 

 

 

 

CHURCH CHAT #25

 

CHANGE: A BASIC TRUTH WE WOULD BE WISE TO ACCEPT

Heraclitus (500 BC), the ancient Greek philosopher, once famously proclaimed, "There is nothing permanent except change." This cryptic statement holds profound meaning and immense importance in our lives and the world we inhabit. Simply put, Heraclitus suggests that change is the only constant in existence, alluding to the ever-evolving nature of the universe and every aspect within it. This perspective not only challenges our perception of stability but also encourages us to embrace change rather than resist it.

In our daily lives, we often find ourselves seeking permanence and stability, yearning for certainty and security. Yet, Heraclitus reminds us that such desires may be futile. The world we live in is in a perpetual state of transformation - from the changing of seasons to the growth and decay of life itself. Everything we encounter, from the natural world to our personal experiences, is subject to change.

Understanding the impermanence of things can be both liberating and humbling. It offers a fresh perspective, allowing us to let go of our attachment to material possessions and external circumstances that we often believe define our happiness. Recognizing the transitory nature of life teaches us to find joy and meaning within ourselves, rather than relying on external factors that are subject to change.

However, delving deeper into Heraclitus' quote reveals an unexpected philosophical concept that adds richness and intrigue to the discussion. This concept is the existence of a universal pattern amidst the ever-changing chaos.

The ancient Chinese philosophy of Yin and Yang beautifully illustrates this idea. Yin and Yang symbolize the duality of life, representing opposing but interconnected forces that exist in harmony and constant motion. Yin represents the receptive, feminine, and stable aspects, while Yang embodies the active, masculine, and transformative qualities. Together, they create a harmonious balance within the world, emphasizing the cyclical and interconnected nature of existence. When we contemplate the notion of change through the lens of Yin and Yang, we begin to appreciate that there is both permanence and impermanence within the larger context of the whole.

While individual aspects may change, the underlying pattern remains constant. This understanding provides a sense of comfort amidst the chaos and fosters a broader perspective, allowing us to embrace change while finding stability within the broader universal order. By grasping the concept of Yin and Yang, we can better navigate the ups and downs of life.

Understanding that change is an integral part of our existence, and that there is an underlying harmony within the chaos, empowers us to approach change with curiosity and openness. We can learn to adapt, grow, and expand our horizons with the knowledge that change is not something to be feared but embraced as an opportunity for personal and collective evolution.

In conclusion, Heraclitus' quote, "There is nothing permanent except change," serves as a profound reminder that everything in life is subject to constant transformation. While this truth can be unsettling, it also provides an incredible opportunity for growth and transformation.

Furthermore, when paired with the philosophical concept of Yin and Yang, we glimpse the underlying order within the chaos, allowing us to find stability and meaning in the ever-changing landscape of our lives. Embracing change becomes an invitation to explore our infinite potential and to participate fully in the dance of existence. So let us embrace change, with open hearts and minds, and embark on a journey of continual transformation and discovery.

IS OUR MORAL COLLAPSE IN FREE FALL?

OUR PHYSICAL HEALTH

The battle against heart disease, stroke and diabetes — three of the world’s leading causes of death — may be won or lost on your grocery list.

Unhealthy eating habits stand out as a lifestyle factor that increases the risk of death associated with these chronic diseases, researchers say. Numerous studies draw a clear line between what’s on your plate and mortality.

For instance: More than two-thirds of heart disease-related deaths worldwide can be linked to food choices, according to a study published last year. The authors estimated that 6 million deaths could have been avoided through better diets.

Healthy lifestyle choices reduce the risk of stroke by 80%, according to a study published in 2019. Diet was identified as the leading factor, earning a designation as the “worst of the health issues in the United States.”

Poor dietary habits contributed to almost half of the more than 700,000 deaths reviewed as part of a study published in 2017. The deaths were caused by heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes.

Each study illustrates the profound impact that food choices can have on your physical health.

OUR EMOTIONAL AND SPIRITUAL HEALTH

What worries me even more is the profound impact that most of us now "take in" on a daily basis has on our mental and spiritual health. Our intake of "junk food" may be killing us physically, but I believe that our intake of visual, audible and electronic "junk food" may be killing us emotionally, relationally and spiritually even more so!

I recently started a list of violent movies that are being advertised. I was shocked at how many are available just in the last two or three years: Killer Nannies, Faces of Death, Ready Or Not, Here I Come, Daredevil, They Will Kill You, Psycho Killer, Scream 7, Euphoria, The Mummy, Blink Twice, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, Abigail, Deadpool and Wolverine, The Substances, Monkey Man, In a Violent Nature, Kill and Terrifier 3 to name just a few!

To movies, I would add the popularity of vicious cage fighting, online gambling, road rage, running redlights, defacing public buildings, vandalism in general, internet gossiping, presidential revenge through the DOJ and the general meanness and reputation ruining even from congressional members toward their counterparts that we hear about every hour, all day, every day on the news!

Taking in this much violence, revenge and law-breaking has a terrible corrosive effect even on good people. We call this corrosive effect on people, "normalization." The normalization of violence easily leads to more violence. The normalization of infidelity easily leads to more infidelity. The normalization of petty-theft easily leads to scamming, embezzlement and even robbery. The normalization of revenge easily leads to more revenge. The normalization of verbal abuse easily leads to physical abuse. The normalization of lawlessness easily leads to more lawlessness.

Unchecked, these behaviors lead to the collapse of culture and a pathetic "dog-eat-dog" world. The expression "dog eat dog" does not refer to canine cannibalism, but to an intensely competitive situation: one in which people are willing to hurt each other in order to gain an advantage or win an argument. In such a world, what took hundreds of years to build can unwind in a very short time. What was unwound (one person at a time deciding to give into what everyone else is doing) can only be rewound by one person at a time deciding to resist this popular trend.

When our country is in a moral free-fall collapse, there is no "quick fix." The only way out is back - one person at a time saying "Hell no! Not me! I will deliberately choose not be part of this trend! I will speak out against it every chance I get! I will resist it with all my might! I will vote against it in every election! I will act differently, even if I am the last person on earth to do so!" We got in this mess "one person at a time" and we can only get out of this mess "one person at a time!"

CHOOSE NOT TO FOLLOW THE CROWD

CHOOSE TO LIVE DIFFERENTLY

CHOOSE TO TAKE THE HIGH ROAD

NO MATTER WHAT EVERYONE ELSE IS DOING

EVEN IF YOU ARE THE LAST ONE STANDING

FROM DASHED HOPES TO EYES OPENED!

That very day, two disciples of Jesus were walking to a village called Emmaus. Looking downcast, they said, “We were hoping that Jesus would be the one  to redeem Israel, but he was handed over to death and was crucified.

Luke 24

This gospel story, by the way, is the gospel story that was read at my "First Mass." Fifty-six years later, it still speaks to me in a very powerful way. It still reminds me that things are not always as bad as they may appear on the surface. In fact, today's gospel is yet another version of the "empty tomb" story we read on Easter Sunday - another example of a great big breakdown preceding a great big breakthrough. 

In this story, it is Sunday evening and two disciples are walking away from Jerusalem. With eyes cast down, they are dragging their feet in a depression toward a small town called Emmaus. Some commentators believe they may have been a married couple – the disciples Cleophas and his unnamed wife.  Jesus had died a humiliating death just three days ago. Earlier that very morning, some women had returned from the tomb, claiming that the tomb was empty and that they had seen some angels who had told them that Jesus was alive! Obviously, these two either had not heard the "good news" about Jesus' resurrection or had dismissed such reports as just the wishful thinking of his distraught women friends.

“We had hoped,” they told the mysterious stranger. “We had hoped that Jesus was going to be the Messiah, but obviously we were duped. It did not pan out as we were expecting. We were hoping and now we have no hope. We just had to get away from the whole scene. We are disappointed. We were badly misled. We are angry. We don’t have any idea what to do next, but we certainly not going to be taken in again by this latest bit of crazy news. “Hurt me once, shame on you. Hurt me twice, shame on me.”

This story symbolizes all people who have had their hopes blown away. Just as our church has been doing for the last several years, these two demoralized disciples pour out their despair, their anger, their sadness and their resentment. This mysterious stranger listens and then begins to review the scriptures, reminding them that God has always intervened to save his people when they hit bottom.

As they walk along, Jesus goes over story after story from the scriptures and shows them how God had always come to their rescue and could even overcome the death of their master. As these two demoralized disciples listened, Jesus made his case. The fire in their hearts that had all but died out, was fanned into flame again. Little by little, their eyes were opened by the explanation of Scripture and in the breaking of the bread. They came to understand that this stranger was indeed Jesus himself! Having left the gathered disciples back in Jerusalem a few hours earlier, they rushed back to rejoin the faith community who had their own stories of restored hope to share.

We, as a church, in many ways are still in a depression, especially after a sexual abuse scandal, a shortage of priests and now more parish closings. We are still sharing our anger, resentment and sadness at all that has happened to us in the last few years. This Easter, in the midst of all these dashed hopes, we 21st century disciples gather again to share the scriptures and break the bread, hoping that we will recognize the presence of Jesus and have our faith renewed and our hope restored. Renewed by this Easter faith, maybe some of those who have left our faith community will, like these two disciples, someday soon get up and come back to rejoin our faith community again. When they do, they may be surprised to find out that more than 150,000 new members a year have joined us each Easter across the country through baptism and profession of faith.

One of my favorite ways to explain the message of Easter is an image I discovered many years ago.  In that image, the church is pictured as a gigantic egg. We woke up a few years ago to realize that this egg was covered with fine cracks. Each year the cracks have seemed to get bigger and bigger. Some people have simply walked away from it as they would a hopeless case. Others have been hysterically running around with ropes and tape and ladders trying to glue it all back together.

Having raised chickens as a child, I know that there is a response that we need to make! We can stand back and let it hatch! The cracking egg shell is not a sign of death, but a sign of new a chick being born!  I know from experience that the dumbest thing you can do is to tape it shut!  Easter reminds us that the church is not falling apart, but giving birth. The church is not dying, it is being reborn and renewed. Breakdown is a sign of an imminent breakthrough. There is no rebirth and renewal without pain. 

The Easter message is both simple and profound: in the long run, no matter what you are facing (cancer, addiction, divorce or even the loss of a loved one), there is absolutely no reason to lose hope when one puts one's trust in the man who conquered even death to rise again! He promised us, in the process, that good will ultimately triumph over evil when all is said and done!  

I will end by quoting the words of one of those old gospel songs I heard a few years ago, entitled “Joy Comes in the Morning”

If you’ve knelt beside the rubble of an aching broken heart,

When the things you gave your life to fell apart,

You’re not the first to be acquainted with sorrow, grief or pain,

But the Master promised sunshine after rain.

Hold on my child! Hold on my child!

Weeping only lasts for the night.

Hold on my child! Hold on my child!

The darkest hour means dawn is just in sight!

Yes, it is true, it is darkest right before the dawn, the old eggshell has to crack and fall apart before new life can come out, there is always a great breakdown before a great breakthrough and there is no resurrection without a death!  That's why real Christians never give up! No matter what happens! They never give up....and neither should you!