Walk Humbly

We are reminded in Sacred Scripture that the temptation to do evil is a part of the fallen human condition. Jesus himself faced it when he spent 40 days in the desert. There, the Evil One repeatedly challenged Our Lord, tempting him with all that this world has to offer. Yet he proved victorious. We each face our own temptations. We are threatened daily by the snares of this world: power, pleasure, riches, impurity and more. Remember that no vice, no temptation, no false promises are insurmountable when we trust in God’s mercy. Pray for the courage Jesus had, to stand steadfast in the face of temptation; to have confidence that, with God’s help, no temptation is stronger than his power. Resist evil and embrace goodness!

On this week's episode, Bishop Burbidge shares his:  

• Comments on the tragic murder of Bishop David O’Connell  

• Thoughts on the 26-year imprisonment of Bishop Rolando Álvarez from Nicaragua  

• Opinion on the internal FBI memorandum targeting Catholics for surveillance based on where they worship 

• Take on the recent “Asbury Revival” out of Kentucky, where a 24/7 worship service proceeded for 13 consecutive days and amassed a crowd of 50,000 

• Lenten reflection on how we should enter and continue throughout this holy season 

This week we begin Lent, a 40-day period of prayer, fasting and almsgiving in preparation for Our Lord’s Resurrection at Easter. The 40 days have significance because they mark the length of time Jesus fasted and prayed in the desert. This prompts the question: what will we do with these 40 days? There are two options: we can go about our business and live as usual, or we can commit to making these 40 days something special ─ spending time in more fervent prayer, making personal sacrifices, doing penance and serving the needs of others. In this way, we will grow closer to Our Lord. This is the best way to really prepare for the jubilation and triumph of Easter. In faith and with confidence, have your best Lent ever!

We recently observed the World Day for the Sick, established 30 years ago by Saint John Paul II to offer prayers for those suffering from various illnesses. We each know someone ─ in our homes, workplaces and communities ─ who is facing an illness. Each day, try and remember in prayer those who need healing, comfort or consolation. May we also search for ways to let them know of our concern for them as they carry their cross. The World Day of the Sick reminds us that, despite the many advances in medicine and technology, illness is still a part of most of our lives. Entrust your cares to Jesus, the Divine Physician, for when we unite our sufferings to the Lord, they are never in vain, and we grow in holiness. And remember, pray for those you have promised your prayers.

On this week's episode, Bishop Burbidge shares his:  

• Prayers for all impacted by the earthquake along the Turkish-Syrian border 

• Reaction to the satanic performance at the Grammy Awards  

• Thoughts on Pope Francis’ 10th anniversary of being elected pope 

• Response to President Biden’s statements on abortion at his State of the Union address 

• Reflections on his time with religious sisters for the World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life 

• Invitation to the following events, as well as ways to engage with available resources: 

• Ash Wednesday Mass on February 22 at 12:05 p.m., at St. Thomas More Cathedral 

• Men’s Conference on March 4 and the Women’s Conference on March 11 

• Multicultural Cookbook – submit a receipt here! 

• Jubilee Rosary guides, video reflections and more 

• Searching for More has relaunched! 

• Friendly Super Bowl wager with Archbishop Naumann from Kansas City   

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Bishop Burbidge also answers the following questions from 3rd grade students at St. Thomas More Cathedral School: 

• How do we pick a new pope?  

• When a priest is giving a homily, do they prepare in advance or just “wing it”? 

It is almost here: the Big Game is on Sunday. Your preparations may have already begun. Food, refreshments, team jersey…all set. Football is an American tradition, and many view the Big Game as an unofficial national holiday. It will likely attract 100 million or more viewers. It may not seem like it at first, but there are parallels between football and our spiritual lives! Each demands our focus, attention and dedication; each takes preparation to grow and improve; each requires constant practice and perseverance; each involves a team or a family atmosphere in which we encourage and support one another. All of this leads to an ultimate goal. On earth some desire trophies--but in our faith we reach for, and hopefully, with the grace of God achieve, eternal life.

Think for a moment of all the things we do each day. From the instant we wake to the time we go to sleep, our day is filled with tasks and duties. In fact, one organization estimates that the average person has 33 items on their daily to-do list! But ask yourself: “Does prayer make my list?” Jesus tells us “to pray always without getting weary.” Making time for prayer should be at the top of our list, and it could be done in numerous ways. Perhaps we can heed the call of St. Anselm to, “Escape from your everyday business for a short while, hide for a moment from your restless thoughts. Be less concerned about your tasks and labors. And above all be sure to make a little time for God and rest a while in him.”

On this week's episode, Bishop Burbidge shares his: 
 

• Takeaways from this year’s National March for Life and celebrating the opening Mass for the National Prayer Vigil for Life 

• Observe Defending Life Day and participate in the Virginia March for Life at Virginia Pro-Life Day on February 1 

• Commentary on the popularity of the “Catechism in a Year” Podcast with Fr. Mike Schmitz  

• Reactions to an NHL player’s refusal to wear an LGBTQ “pride” jersey and a related story of another team’s campaign to promote the use of preferred pronouns 

• Access Bishop Burbidge’s pastoral letter: A Catechesis on the Human Person and Gender Ideology 

• Hopes for the five men he will ordain to the permanent diaconate on Saturday, January 28 
• Super Bowl LVII predictions 

Bishop Burbidge also answers the following questions from the faithful: 

• I am not a Catholic from birth, but I became Catholic when I married my husband. How do I know when I am truly following God’s will and not my own will? I fear I am still not close enough to God’s will in my life. 
   
• Do you watch the series “The Chosen”? What are your thoughts on it?

As winter continues in our region, the sweet, smokey scent of a wood burning fireplace may find us during an outdoor walk. But if the flame is left unattended it will cease, leaving only embers that will eventually burn out. So too in our spiritual life. The flame in our hearts allows us to walk with Christ. Yet we can only journey with him if the flame is kept alive. Do not be satisfied with a fire that is kept barely burning, fooling ourselves that simply attending a Sunday liturgy is sufficient. Rather, make your flame burn bright for all the world to see by daily devotion, fervent prayer, forgiveness of others and specific works of charity. Only by stoking the fire consistently, and feeding it abundantly ourselves, will the flame continue to shine.  

This week, as our attention turns to the legacy left by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., we are reminded of the profound impact a single individual can have. By virtue, personal courage, individual commitment and intense focus, Dr. King was undeterred by adversity, undaunted by fear, and unwilling to allow himself or his cause to be sidelined. Dr. King represented those who longed for civil rights, embraced God’s call to help the marginalized and vulnerable and showed us the heights we could reach together. Dr. King led by example, and he marched peacefully, literally, step by step, to historic achievements. His words continue to challenge us: “Never succumb to the temptation of becoming bitter. As you press for justice, be sure to move with dignity and discipline, using only the instruments of love.”