Many people know the account in Scripture of the Apostle Peter denying Jesus three times. Yet, our risen Lord gave Peter three opportunities to profess his love for Jesus and Peter responded: “Yes, Lord, I do believe you are the Son of the living God.” In his infinite mercy, Jesus did not “give up” on Peter. In the same way, the Lord never “gives up” on us—even if we have denied or betrayed him, wandered from him or grew lukewarm in our faith…so, please never give up on yourself! This week, find an opportunity to renew your faith in God, to express sorrow, if necessary, to thank him for his goodness and to seek his divine mercy. As he did with Peter, Jesus will always welcome you back with love.

We are nearing the finish of graduation season at our schools and colleges. This means diplomas are proudly displayed, photos are taken and graduation caps are thrown skyward in celebration. What a momentous time for the graduates and their families as a significant chapter in the book of life has closed. Yet the next chapter waits to be written. How will it read? Hopefully, it will say that our young men and women, grounded in faith, will always strive to do what is morally and ethically honorable. Whatever God leads them to do, like you, I hope they remain rooted in a desire to do the right thing, help the vulnerable and care for those in need. No matter where the path may take them, we pray that they allow Jesus to be their guide.

This week marks the unofficial start of summer, when the smell of backyard barbeques and vacations dominate our attention. But before we take rest from these past months, we should, and must, offer prayerful reflection on Memorial Day. Without those men and women who bravely surrendered their very lives in military service throughout our history, including present times, our safe country, our free country, would be less safe and less free. Despite any division within our nation, we know that those who died for us did so out of sacrifice for the common good. Our thanks should be the starting point of Memorial Day as we honor the fallen who have gone to their eternal rest, and who ensured that we remain one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

On this week's episode of The Walk Humbly Podcast, Bishop Burbidge offers:

• Entrustment to God’s care of those lives lost in the horrific shootings in Buffalo and Uvalde
  
  
• Perspective on Archbishop Cordileone not admitting Speaker Pelosi to Holy Communion
  
  
• A glimpse into the lives of the soon-to-be ordained to the priesthood on June 4; subscribe to the livestream on YouTube to receive a reminder
  
  
• What he’s looking forward to at the Diocesan Family Festivalon Saturday, June 11 from 4-8:30 p.m.

Bishop Burbidge also answers the following question from the faithful:

• What protocol do you follow for making clergy assignments?

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Be sure to send your questions for Bishop Burbidge by calling 703-831-7013 or by emailing [email protected].

In our prayer lives, it is easy to give thanks for our families, our loved ones and the people who have had such a positive influence on us. It is natural that we want them to be safe, enjoy good health, and wish that they will be in our lives forever. In short, we pray for those we love. The difficult part comes when we must go into the depths of our heart and seek reconciliation and extend forgiveness to those from whom we are estranged. For Jesus tells us to add others to our list: those who have offended us—and even those who have persecuted us. This is a tall order but it is the mandate the Lord has given to us, and the one that will lead us to peace—peace with God, ourselves, and with one another.

On this week's episode of The Walk Humbly Podcast, Bishop Burbidge offers:

• His reaction to the leaked draft of Supreme Court opinion indicating the overturning of Roe v. Wade; how diocesan parishes were prepared for the  subsequent threat of protests at parishes by abortion advocates
  
  
• An invitation to fast and pray the rosary on Friday, May 13(Feast of Our Lady of Fatima) for intentions including the integrity of our judicial system and the conversion of the hearts & minds of those who advocate for abortion
  
  
• Advice for how we should pray for our president and his stance on abortion
  
  
• Some words of wisdom for upcoming high school graduates
  
  
• Details on upcoming events he’s looking forward to:
  
  
• Ordination to the Priesthood| 11 a.m., Saturday, June 4
• Diocesan Family Festival| 4 p.m., Saturday, June 11

Bishop Burbidge also answers the following questions from the faithful:

• Do bishops wear only one pectoral cross throughout their episcopacy? Why do bishops tend to put the cross in the pocket of their shirts and not wear them down?
  
  
• Do you have any insights from the Synodal process? Has it been easier or harder than you expected?

Be sure to send your questions for Bishop Burbidge by calling 703-831-7013 or by emailing[email protected].

As we continue to celebrate the Easter season we are reminded that in addition to giving thanks for the triumph of Our Risen Lord, we are provided with the great gift of his mercy. It is a gift that cannot be acquired through purchase or one we have to earn. Rather, the Lord’s mercy is given to us freely, without cost or commitment. It is there for us, if only we ask. In fact, we have three invitations: to be the recipient of his mercy; to seek the Lord’s forgiveness; and to be an instrument  of his mercy by forgiving those who have offended us. As we continue to celebrate the Resurrection and with renewed faith, let us remember the words of St. Faustina and welcome the opportunity to say repeatedly, “Jesus, I trust in you!”

This Sunday we have the great privilege of celebrating Mother’s Day. Many of us will be planning a surprise delivery, family dinners, or maybe a visit home. It is the one day each year we set aside for our mothers, but really, every daycould be Mother’s Day because their sacrifice, their love, and their commitment know no bounds—and their impact has no ceiling. Our Blessed Mother is the perfect role model, placing God’s will above her own. By her acceptance she learned to embrace challenges and difficulties. As we seek to grow as disciples of Jesus, may we follow the example of Mary and our mothers in being people of prayer, committed to doing the will of God, and accepting challenges along the way. With love and gratitude, we pray for all of our mothers, living and deceased, on this, their special day.

On this week's episode of The Walk Humbly Podcast, Bishop Burbidge talks about:

• The eight men ordained to the transitional diaconate on April 23 along with another eight men to be ordained to the priesthood on June 4
  
  
• The news of Elon Musk buying Twitter and the significance it has for the Church
  
  
• His thoughts on the recent Supreme Court case regarding private speech rights of assistant football coach praying after games
  
  
• What the Special Religious Education Development (SPRED) initiative is and why it is an essential arm of our Catholic school system
  
  
• Upcoming events he’s looking forward to:
  
  
• Catholic Family Campout| Friday, May 6–Sunday, May 8
• EXALT Evening of Worship| Tuesday, May 12
• Ordination to the Priesthood| Saturday, June 4
• Diocesan Family Festival|Saturday, June 11

Bishop Burbidge also answers the following questions from the faithful:

• What is the difference between a “transitionaldeacon” and a “permanentdeacon”?
  
  
• If a priest who has been previously credibly accused of sexual abuse of a minor is contrite and has been forgiven by God, why can he not be reassigned to a ministry that does not involve children?

• Can you share more about the work of the women religious in our diocese?