Juntos

A few weeks back I was given a wonderful gift.  It came in the form of an experience that reached into my soul unsettling it from its slumber, clearing away some of the scales that had formed.  It was unexpected and completely took me by surprise, as God's gifts often do. The situation was one where I thought - in my own expectations and consideration - that I would be helping others, being God's hands for some of His people in need.  In a way that only God could contrive, those He put in my path helped me to see that I was the needy one, and their words and actions ministered to me just as much as mine did to them.

I was given the gift of Juntos.

A Walk in the Gym

“Let the children come to me and do not hinder them.  It is to just such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.  I assure you that whoever does not accept the reign of God like a little child shall not take part in it.” Mark 10:14-15

In July, I accompanied HI teens to their annual Steubenville conference.  So many shared their insights.  I’m blessed to have grown in their company. For those who attended the conference, you might watch some of the guest sessions online together.  Or you may share an online session that due to scheduling conflicts they were unable to attend.  Teens experienced events worth discussing.  Whether your son or daughter did or did not attend the conference, I encourage you to set quality time aside and visit with them about their relationship with our Lord.

On Saturday night, the conference hosted what I assumed was to be a rather lengthy Eucharistic adoration.  Teens know and can tell you I’m not much of a “retreat” guy.  So a gym is probably a good place for me!  The Missouri State University Arena filled with thousands of singing, roaring, jumping, seat-drumming, praising teens.  Transformation.  Spotlights exposed a priest vested in white as he entered the dimly lit arena holding the heart of Jesus high above.  Teens settled into dignified song.  Seminarians, faces aglow in candlelight, led the procession to the elevated mainstage. An altar awaited its sacred Host.  The priest placed the monstrance on the bare, white linen.  Father reverently knelt to the side and addressed a hushed crowd with John’s written word.  “In the beginning was the Word ….”  He paused while John’s words (1:5) permeated my thoughts … “the light shines on in darkness, darkness that did not overcome it.”

Honoring Mom and Dad

by Mike Hey

"Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which the Lord your God gives you." - Exodus 20:12

When Moses brought the Ten Commandments down from Mount Sinai he must not have had an aging Mother! While I know he meant well, he sure didn’t have much of a sense of humor, and sometimes too I question if my Lord does. So this is where I am in my life today. Dad died in 2000. The man was such a good planner that he had even prepared a folder entitled “In the Event of My Death”. This certainly helped us with the affairs of his death, however unfortunately it didn’t include instructions on how to care for an aging Mother. Please don’t misunderstand. I love my Mom, piece of work that she is, but nothing prepares us for dealing with aging. As the oldest of three most of “the fun” is mine.

In general she is doing pretty well for 82. Two replaced hips and an on-going battle with colitis are her only real health issues, physical health that is. Her memory however is starting to concern me, particularly driving directions. In the past year she has gotten herself lost three times with frantic phone calls trying to find out where she is. I am now starting to wonder if it is time for “the talk”.

I try to spend a few days each month with her (which both of us enjoy), and call her most every day. The last few years I have been asking her to tell me the story of her family, and of ours before I came along. These are often funny and both of us enjoy them. On phone conversations I will talk about something Lucy and I are doing, or ask her a question and invariably it is repeated the next day. Sometimes she catches herself and apologizes, but most times she laughs it off if reminded, admitting that she is losing her mind. The monthly discussion following her attempt to balance her checkbook is a regular source frustration for her and mental consternation for me – c’mon Mom, it’s a $1.64. Lucy and I never had kids so maybe raising children is something like this? One of the reasons I retired early was so that I could be there for her, but this, really? You know what; these are small matters that annoy me, but are insignificant and pale in comparison to all she has done for her family. Prayers for her health and for my ability to provide wise, patient, and loving care are constant themes of mine.

So what does it mean to honor your father and mother, especially older parents? God wants our honor to extend throughout our parents’ lives. Family is a lifetime commitment, reflecting the permanence of the family relationship we are called to in becoming children of God. As the apostle John wrote, “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1).

The Good Must Associate

“All that is necessary for evil to prevail, is that good men do nothing.”

The above is one common version of a quote attributed to Edmond Burke, an Irish statesman from the 18th Century. Although the origins are unclear, and the quoted versions are numerous, some believe his original statement was closer to the following:

“When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall one by one, an unpitied sacrifice in contemptible struggle.”

These two versions are certainly similar, but I believe the original statement is even more profound. In the version we commonly hear today, individuals are called to step forward. It is an appeal to gallantry. Heroes…”good men”…are called to step up, in order to prevent evil from prevailing.

In the original version, we are called to be vigilant. We must monitor what others are doing. When someone is “bad”, we must be courageous enough to recognize it as “bad”. No political correctness allowed.

The good are not called to step up and face evil alone. We are called to “associate”…to unite. Not simply to prevent evil from prevailing, but to keep other good men from falling prey. Evil does not conquer the world through huge battles and obvious victories. Rather, it conquers one by one. It brings about the fall of individuals…”an unpitied sacrifice in contemptible struggle.”

What can we, as individuals, do? We can do everything that society says we shouldn’t. We can strive to find others who are like us, as opposed to striving for individualism. We can call out evil for what it is, as opposed to allowing it to persist under the falsehoods of “choice” and “freedom”.

Jesus is our shepherd, and he called us his sheep. It was the evil one that was referred to as a wolf, or as a lion, prowling about the earth in search of souls. When sheep congregate, they find safety. When they stick together, they find rest under the protection of a watchful eye.

And so I say, read the bible. Study the teachings of the church. Familiarize yourself with all that is good and right. If you recognize that someone has strayed, whether it is a friend, your child, or your spouse, try to bring them back to the comfort of the flock. But do not put yourself at risk. Do not expose your own soul to evil teachings and wrong thought, else you may be the next to fall. We do not have to be strong enough to battle evil on our own. Congregate with those who are good. Allow them to accompany you in your struggles and your battles.

Px90, TOOL, CRHP, ACTS, Bible Study, Daily Mass, Frequent Reconciliation…these are all beneficial ways to unite ourselves with the good around us. Seek out that which is good, and with it, associate yourself. Alone, we are but men. Together, we are the Body of Christ.

-Matt Buehrig