Paradox: can we live with Him?

I often face intriguing challenges from colleagues and friends who are either fundamentalists or do not believe God exists; questioning how I can live in Catholic faith especially when they consider much of the faith as “waffling in her understanding.” In today’s “data” driven mindsets, everything’s measured, tested and presented as if individuals or children are mere sets of algorithms. (some day stat folks will conclude people are far greater than the sums of their parts!!! Hopefully this conclusion arrives sooner rather than later.) Many have allowed concrete thought, certitudes to harden relationships and crystalize their spirituality. As a society, we witness politicians and the media sensationalize and polarize to extremes. Growing numbers of people would rather live in fundamental rigidity or denial of God’s existence, paralyzed to move forward until the “data” is in. Both groups fail to live fluidly in thought and faith. Mark Twain said, “It is not what you don’t know that harms you, it is what you know for certain – and it just ain’t true.” (As a Twain fan, I doubt his pronouncement of atheism … as he used paradox to refute fundamentalism but not a Creator… “Letters from the Earth” is a good read)
As I limit my understanding of Jesus with boundaries and I attempt to grow comfortable … a familiar (b/c I do this far too often) discomfort creeps from around the corner. Why? My faith, our faith and Jesus in it oozes with paradox. I find more people building comfortable boundaries … unwilling to live … to explore … to immerse themselves in Paradox. Paradox makes me uncomfortable. Paradox makes Church uncomfortable … and from discomfort comes growth!

A Thankful Heart

By Joe Guffey

As many of you know my son Patrick and his wife (Abby) had twin premature babies born in April at only 24 weeks. The babies, Emma and Owen (pictured above), went to Cardinal Glennon Hospital and are doing better with Owen going home 2 weeks ago (with high BP) and Emma (respiratory issues) hopefully to join him at home in late October.  The full extent of any damage or long-term problems are not known but we are so grateful for where they are now and how far they have come in 5 months.

But let me go back 5 months and shout a loud praise for my Px90 (Sean Walsh led) table mates and other Px90 friends. When the twins were born and we knew there were multiple ways this could turn out including one or both babies dying or being brain damaged etc.  I folded my hands and prayed really really hard; And then I opened my hands and typed a message to my fellow Px90 Men and said I need your prayers for my family.

Let me tell you their immediate responses and support and prayers were a God send during a very difficult time.  The Px90 men and this program are the best things to happen to me and have helped me grow in my faith and as a Catholic Man.

We see so many tragedies happening to other people and always think wow that is too bad- I hope they are okay and say a quick prayer - and then move on - understandable of course.  But when the tragedy or dramatic event is at your own doorstep you want and need all the support and prayers you can get.  And let me tell you the Px90 men stepped up and continue to pray for Emma & Owen and my family and to ask about them and provide me with encouragement that everything will be okay. And I have shared with Patrick & Abby the emails of support and prayers and that has lifted them up knowing so many people are asking God for help.

I know "real men" don't cry but I have to confess to shedding some tears when I received the many emails of prayers and support from my group and to know I was not alone in this fight -- So THANK YOU Catholic men of Px90 for being living examples of Jesus' love and strength and may God always bless you and be with your family and you.

Post Season - The Cardinal Way

Some things are a constant with the changing season in St. Louis.  Relief from the humid summer, the colors of the leaves, and the Cardinals heading towards October baseball.

I remember listening to Jack Buck on a small radio in my back yard with my Dad and brother.  My mom made a makeshift tray with shoulder straps and "sold" hot dogs and drinks to us since we couldn't afford to go down to Busch Stadium.  We would hang on to every called strike.

My memory is not selective.  I remember some real droughts in the 90s when my beloved redbirds were struggling to be competitive.  But they also have given me some of the best memories of my life.  Who doesn't remember where they were for Ozzie's home run, hearing, "Go Crazy folks!  Go Crazy!"  The home run race between McGuire and Sosa.  The Pujols' home run in Houston against Brad Lidge.  Or the infamous game 6.  Miracles happened that night.  I was there.  I'll never forget it.

Comfort in the Silence

Unfortunately it is not often I get to sit in silence.  I wake to an alarm, get out of bed to the hustle and bustle of a working spouse, 5 kids getting ready for school, 2 dogs with tails wagging and a boisterous stomach.  Then it's off to work were phone calls, emails, meetings and reports consume 8 hours in what seems like 15 minutes.  Back at home it's dinnertime - one of my favorite times of the day for sure, but it definitely cannot be described as silent.  Next comes practices,  games, meetings, grocery shopping, etc.  Maybe a half hour of reading or a soccer match on the tely; 2 oreos, a glass of milk, and my head hits the pillow exhausted. Lather, rinse and repeat...

With all the commotion of my life, when I am finally able to sit in silence for a few minutes I find myself a little uneasy with the inactivity - a restlessness is there that slowly flows into my thoughts, a feeling that I should be doing something.

Can it be that I am no longer comfortable in the Silence?

Bad Business

By Fred Vilbig

In accounting, your numbers don’t always add up. You total everything up, and the numbers are a little off. That can happen in something as simple as your checkbook or as complicated as a spreadsheet for $1 billion conglomerate corporation. It happens all the time on inventory when things just disappear.

If the discrepancy is less than 1%, or maybe even as much is 5%, rather than wasting untold hours trying to find the math error or the transposed number, accountants employ a time honored practice of inserting a “plug” number. Taking time to find that missing number or item would just be bad business.

If you think about it, God is a bad businessman. Jesus asks the question, “Which one of you, having 100 sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the 99 in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it?” Luke 15:4

The answer is no one in their right mind. Why for the sake of one sheep would you jeopardize 99 others by leaving them to predators and thieves in the wilderness? Bad business!

it's coming ... opportunity ... He's knocking ...

Christ the King Catholic Church - San Diego

Bombarded with sensational headlines and instant messaging, people take little time to digest quality information to discover its essence.  Like the seed sowed on rocky ground, while being rootless, it lasts only a short while.  We all wish there were formulas to prescribe a means to a stronger faith, similar to a precise mechanic’s manual.   But man is too complex for an “operator’s manual.”  The best men can offer is to be present, to be in touch with one another.

“Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.” (John 14:9)  Jesus’ words irritated many in the Jewish community.  Jesus rose from this earth leaving no body to account for the Spirit of God to an unbelieving world … only befuddled, sinful disciples remained, who abandoned Him even denying Him on a cross.

            We are the living remnant, the Body of Christ, Jesus left on earth.  He did not leave an owner’s manual … no “one” way … no “right” way.  But if you want to experience “a way,” come listen to some men’s journeys.  We are the present, the living community to personify, to represent Jesus to the world.  Paul did not say the people of God are “like the Body of Christ.”  Throughout his ministry he said we are the body of Christ.  The Spirit, a gift of the Father dwells among us … and the world knows of the unseen God by our representation of Him, as the extended Body of Christ.

The men of Holy Infant parish invite you to PX-90, 90 minutes in Christ, Sept. 27, to strengthen your faith, to be a formative limb of the Body of Christ.  Men offer a dynamic program actively nurturing each other along the faith journey.