Walk Humbly

This is Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Catholic Diocese of Arlington. “Thank you” are two words we hopefully use each day to acknowledge God’s many blessings. ThisThanksgiving holiday, think of all the things you have to be grateful for: life, faith, family, friends, and the food most will enjoy around a table filled with love and laughter. Appreciation for our many gifts should inspire within us an empathy for those who are struggling or hungry. This can be magnified during a holiday, when our gifts are so apparent and appreciated. Please pray for those in need, those who have no place to call home for Thanksgiving, and those who carry heavy burdens. This Thanksgiving, may we say “thank you” to the Lord, the source of all our gifts. And may our thanks be reflected in our words and actions this week, and always. To all of you, Happy Thanksgiving.

On this week’s episode of the Walk Humbly Podcast:

• Bishop Burbidge returns from the Fall General Assembly of the USCCB and shares his thoughts on a teaching document on the Eucharist that came out of the meeting.
• A leaked memo suggests the Department of Health and Human Services is considering rolling back religious liberty protections for health care professionals. How to make your voice heard!
• Bishop Burbidge invites you to Solemn Vespers to launch Year 1 of the Diocesan Jubilee at 4 p.m. this Sunday, Nov. 21, at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More.
• As Thanksgiving approaches, Bishop Burbidge reflects on his experiences serving meals to the poor at Christ House in Alexandria.

This is Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Catholic Diocese of Arlington. Last weekend we celebrated the World Day of the Poor. You may ask why we “celebrate” a day for the poor. While we do not celebrate poverty, Pope Francis reminds us that the poor know personally the suffering of Jesus—a poor carpenter from a small town—through their own sufferings and trials. As friends and companions, we must speak out for the poor and ensure their protection as a priority in our culture. We must listen to them, understand them, and, most of all, welcome them. It is not solely about donations, but a determination to be attentiveto their needs as we are attentive to the voice of God. May we commit to meeting the poor personally, wherever they are—and allow them to show us the face of Christ.

This is Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Catholic Diocese of Arlington. This week we observe Veterans Day, and we highlight the sacrifice of those who have served our country in the military by recalling five simple but powerful words spoken by Marine First Lieutenant Travis Manion before his final deployment to Iraq: “If not me, then who…” First Lieutenant Manion was fatally wounded on April 29, 2007, during an ambush as he led a counterattack against enemy forces. His courageous acts allowed every member of his patrol to survive. (and was awarded the Silver Star and Bronze Star with Valor). Like this brave soldier, many others are willing to put others before self; to serve without counting the cost; to suffer and withstand unimaginable trials. To each of you who said, “If not me, then who…” we humbly say, thank you. May Our Lord bless our military veterans now, and always.

This is Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Catholic Diocese of Arlington. After someone does something nice for us, something unexpected for us, something that lifts our spirits, it’s common to say “oh, you’re a saint!” After all, saints are exemplars of holiness, virtue and goodness. This week we observe All Saints Day and All Souls Day. On All Saints Day, we honor these holy men and women as we strive daily, with God’s grace, to become saints, the ultimate goal for all of us. All Souls Day is a day of prayer and remembrance for those who have died, that they might reach the glory of heaven. Therefore, as we attempt to follow in the footsteps of saints, may we also plea for the mercy and love of God for those who have gone before us. May we always live faithfully and, one daybe united with Our Heavenly Father.

In this week's episode of the Walk Humbly Podcast:

• Over the weekend Bishop Burbidge participated in a listening session with high schoolers from throughout the diocese as part of the Synod.
• All are invited to Solemn Vespers at 4PM Sunday, Nov. 21, to launch the diocesan Jubilee, marking the 50-year anniversary of the Diocese of Arlington in 2024.
• Bishop Burbidge asks listeners to pray the “Memorare for the Health of the Commonwealth” leading up to the Nov. 2 election.
• Why Bishop Burbidge celebrates the Mass for All Souls Day at a cemetery 
• One final reminder for the upcoming Diocesan Pilgrimage

Bishop Burbidge answers these questions from the listeners: 

• How do you prepare for a homily, and is it different than preparing a standard speech or lecture?
• How is enrollment at our Catholic schools?

This is Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Catholic Diocese of Arlington. This weekend many of the faithful of our diocese will gather for a pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, one of the most iconic and beautiful sites in our region. It will be day-long journey to step back from the rigors and the noise of daily lifeand to spend quiet and reflective time with Our Lord. A pilgrimage, however, does not always need to be with a large group or scheduled far in advance. Any one of us can go on a personal pilgrimage by committing to, and setting time aside for, prayer and quiet contemplation. Assembling with fellow worshipers is unifying and enriching, but any time you find the need and desire for personal renewal, find that place which offers you the peace and serenity you seek.

In this week’s episode of the Walk Humbly Podcast:

• Synod of Bishops will involve feedback from the faithful
• How are married couples signs of Christ’s love? 
• The Feast of St. John Paul II is on Friday. Bishop Burbidge offers personal reflections on his experience with this courageous and joyful saint.
• Bishop Burbidge clarifies listener questions about the 2022-2026 Diocesan Strategic Plan
• The Virginia Catholic Conference has published resources to help Catholics vote with informed consciences in the upcoming election
• Reminders for the upcoming Diocesan Pilgrimage

Bishop Burbidge also answers the following questions from the faithful:

• Can two dioceses ever be combined into one? And if so, does that one diocese then have two bishops?
• What prayer do you find yourself praying most often?

This is Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Catholic Diocese of Arlington. St. James tells us: “Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder.” How true! But how can we convert disorder to order? Friends, we can start by finding the goodness within each person; to celebratethe success of others; and to rejoice in the blessings theyhave received, mindful of our own and seek humility through our service to God and one another. Jesus encourages us to stop spending time and energy noticing and criticizing the faults of others. Rather, it is more prudent and charitable to acknowledge our own flaws and faults first. Each of us should start within ourselves. Take personal inventory each day, ever confident in the Lord’s power to change and transform us. Use that change to see others in a new light, then notice our own lives will be in order!

This is Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Catholic Diocese of Arlington. This Sunday we will have the great pleasure of celebrating our annual Mass for Marriage Jubilarians, an opportunity to highlight the beautiful vocation of marriage. For those of you recently married, about to get married, or those who have been married 25 or 50 years or even longer, congratulations. You have realized that happiness does not revolve around the non-essentials, material possessions or worldly accomplishments. You have found happiness in each other, hopefully with God as the center of a faithful, forever and life-giving commitment. You have, or prayerfully will have, the perseverance to sustain your love through the joys and sorrows, the blessings and the crosses of your journey together. May your wedding day or anniversary be not a single event but a reminder to live your lives as a witness for others to see and to follow.