Walk Humbly

This is Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Catholic Diocese of Arlington. Few things bring more joy to people than keeping family photo albums, filled with images of happy faces, vacations and sunny days at the waterpark. Unfortunately, though, too many of our brothers and sisters are victims of domestic violence, willful intimidation, assault and abusive behavior. For them the prospect of smiles and photos and cheerful memories will be replaced by fear, anxiety and trepidation. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. In the United States more than 10 million adults experience domestic violence annually…and on a typical day domestic violence hotlines receive over 19,000 calls…staggering numbers. May we make a special effort this month to pray for those who suffer from this unthinkable hardship. We ask God to give victims safe harbor and for those who are aware of domestic violence the courage to speak up.

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

• Bishop Burbidge discusses the 2022-2026 Diocesan Strategic Plan
• Pope Francis announces a Synod of Bishops
• What is the most critical moral issue of this election?
• Diocesan pilgrimage at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington DC

This is Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Catholic Diocese of Arlington. Fall is here and so too is football viewing season. As many of us settle in to watch our favorite college and professional teams each weekend we will see surprising plays, amazing tackles, touchdowns, and amazing finishes. As viewers, we should be able to enjoy the games and allow them to provide us with entertainment and a change of pace from the demands of daily life. This will not be the case if we are irresponsibly gambling on games and worrying that the outcome will cost you the money that you cannot afford to lose and, in fact, would even be detrimental to your family. Be aware of the many new temptations that make it so easy to gamble on sports. Instead, use the money to assist those in need and, then, sit back, relax and enjoy the game!

This is Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Catholic Diocese of Arlington. This coming Sunday we celebrate the World Day of Migrants and Refugees. The theme for this year is “Towards an Ever Wider ‘We’”. What a profound reminder for all of us! In a time when we live in a “me” society we must always remember the moral imperative to assist, to embrace, and in fact, to reach out to our brothers and sisters in need, who have come to our country with the hope of a better life for their families and loved ones. We cannot be indifferent. We cannot remain insensitive.  Indeed we must live the message of Pope Francis that, “We are called to dream together, fearlessly, as a single human family, as companions on the same journey, as sons and daughters of the same earth that is our common home, sisters and brothers all.”

This is Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Catholic Diocese of Arlington. How many times have we overpacked for a trip, crammed more than we need into a suitcase or carry-on, yet returned home with many items unused? We soon realize we had no need for the excess baggage, it served only to make travel more burdensome. In Sacred Scripture we are reminded that Jesus told his Apostles to travel lightly, to take nothing for their journey “except a staff, no bread, no bag, no money in their belts.” What a wonderful lesson for our daily lives! We must avoid any fear, any doubt, any distress of one day to carry-over into the next. When you awake tomorrow, and every day, pray that God will grant you the grace to leave the worry of yesterday behind and allow you to travel lightly on the journey of a new day.

This is Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Catholic Diocese of Arlington. This week our hearts are filled with sadness as we remember the events of September 11, 2001. On that day of infamy 20 years ago, nearly 3,000 people were killed in the terrorist attacks perpetrated against the United States. Many of us recall where we were when we heard the news and viewed the images. But a new generation has emerged in these last two decades. And it is incumbent upon that generation and all generations that follow to remember those who perished in New York and Washington and Shanksville, PA…to learn of the heroism of ordinary citizens and first responders who were willing to sacrifice their lives so others may live. We bow in somber silence and pray for all impacted by 9/11…and we pray for peace throughout the world. Old and young alike…we must Never Forget.

This is Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Catholic Diocese of Arlington. Dear friends, September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Suicide is a serious problem and, for many, a heart wrenching and challenging issue to discuss. The National Institute of Mental Health reports there are more than 47,000 suicides annually in the United States. Yet there are steps we can take when we see someone in emotional pain: ask what they are thinking; keep them safe; listen; help them connectto the suicide prevention hotline; then stay connectedwith them. Most of all, pray fervently. Jesus will never allow us to face our perils alone. Sacred scripture reminds that “…the Lord your God will go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” This month, if you sense a friend is struggling, reach out and offer compassion. Your simple phone call could make a world of difference.

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

• Fallout from the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, and how Catholic Charities is helping refugees
• All about “A Catechesis on the Human Person and Gender Ideology”
• Responding to the deadly earthquake in Haiti
• Remembering lessons learned from 9/11

This is Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Catholic Diocese of Arlington. We have largely returned to normal following the pandemic, but not everything will remain the same. Our daily routines have changed. Terms such as “telework”, “zoom call” and “remote learning” will remain a part of the permanent landscape. So, it is the perfect time to introduce, or re-introduce, something far more important into your daily routine: God. More specifically, prayer. For the time it takes to walk from your car to your front door, you have time to say a prayer. For the time it takes to log onto your computer, you have time to say a prayer. As Pope Francis reminds us, “Our prayer cannot be reduced to an hour on Sundays. It is important to have a daily relationship with the Lord.”

Therefore, commit to making God part of your daily routine!

Earlier this summer we had the great fortune of hosting our annual WorkCamp, a week when the youth of our diocese volunteer their time to gather in community and assist those in need through various service projects, from exterior repairs to preparing meals for local shelters. It reflects the challenge of Pope Francis to “go to the peripheries.” Though they worked very hard, our youth learned (and grew) in unexpected ways. They learned that we grow in profound ways when we serve others; they learned that we can grow in confidence when we get out of our comfort zone; and they learned that uniting our daily work to Christ Our Lord makes powerful experiences truly fulfilling. As our youth found at WorkCamp, we grow in holiness when we serve God and one another. There we find true joy.