Know - Grow - Go

Jesus gave us the gift of the Sacrament of Reconciliation because he knew that we would need help at times to correct our course and regain our closeness with Him. When we've moved away from God, we need to go back - and Reconciliation is the way to do it.

Lent reminds us that we cannot build our lives on our own; we need God in our lives and are absolutely dependent on Him. On our own, we are powerless; with God, we have everything that we need.

The way we speak to others is so important - our words can either bless others or curse others. Fr. Dave challenges us to be mindful and intentional with our words this Lent, speaking words that encourage and build apart instead of words that accuse and tear down. 

Fr. Dave quotes the following passage from Pope Francis' encyclical Fratelli tutti (On fraternity and social friendship):

Approaching, speaking, listening, looking at, coming to know and understand one another, and to find common ground: all these things are summed up in the one word “dialogue”. . . . It involves “speaking words of comfort, strength, consolation and encouragement” and not “words that demean, sadden, anger or show scorn” [208, Amoris Laetitia]. (198, 223, Fratelli tutti)

We celebrated our Confirmation Mass this weekend, with 72 youth and adults receiving the sacrament on Saturday morning. Fr. Dave invited Chris Storm, our Director of Religious Education, to talk about confirmation and what it means for each of us.

Chris answers the question he poses - if you had to choose, Christ or Chicken Wings? - with the point that it isn't either/or; we don't have to make a choice. This is not where we are Church - this is where we come because we are Church out there. We gather here to become Church when we go out for chicken wings, or to the river, or to a movie. Don't take for granted what a beautiful thing it is to be Church together.

Our world is beset with serious problems, as are our personal lives at one time or another. But those problems don't have the last word. Every once in a while, turn off the screeching - the cable and talk radio and social media - and find a way to laugh, to play, to be delighted. This is still God's world, we are still His beloved children, and our Father's plan hasn't been derailed.

We are all called to be like Peter and rely exclusively on the Lord; to go out of our comfort zones and into deep, unfamiliar waters with the Lord commanding our boat. Think about a time when God showed up in your boat unannounced, and think of how you responded. Jesus has a plan for each of us, and the more we respond with trust in Him the deeper Jesus can take us into himself. Jesus told Peter, "Do not be afraid" - that message is for you, too. With that in mind, think about how you'll respond the next time He shows up in your boat.

Words and actions without love are only clanging cymbals. We live in a time where there are a lot of strong opinions and convictions that are often expressed in a very noisy way that's more like cymbals than it is like love. St. Paul defines that "love" as patient, kind, not jealous, not rude, not quick-tempered. It's relatively easy to have those qualities in our conversations with those who agree with us. It's difficult to live St. Paul's definition of love when we're in conflict or disagreement with someone - and even more so when you or the other is so entrenched in a way of thinking that there is no possibility of dialogue at all. That's when the clanging cymbals become noisier and noisier.

Our challenge is to be attentive to our conversations - at work, at home, at school, and elsewhere - and avoid being a clanging cymbal. Differences will always exist, but let's allow our words and actions to hold true to the Word of God so we can continue to build His kingdom on earth without caving in to the negativity and clanging of cymbals.

God has given each one of us gifts to be used for each other and in service to Him (and the rest of His family). No matter how old or young you are, there are times when you may feel you don't have any value or use. The truth is, God loves, values, and treasures each of us. Even if you do not know what your gifts are right now, that does not mean God wants to get along without you or that you're not important to him.

The attitude with which we approach all that life dishes out makes a huge difference. Inviting Jesus into our lives is key to maintaining a positive attitude, and He is constantly whispering to each of us, "Let me in." 

"You are my beloved child; with you I am well pleased." This is the truest, most fundamental thing about us. Claim that identity, let God in, and watch how your life begins to change.