Walk Humbly

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

• Update on the USCCB process for drafting a document on the Eucharist
• What have the seminarians been up to this summer?
• Catholic schools will be reopening in-person. What should parents know?
• Bishop Burbidge answers the question, “should I get the COVID vaccine?”
• • Check out our FAQ on COVID-19 vaccines
• Catholic Charities is supporting Afghan refugees fleeing violence

Bishop Burbidge answers these questions from the listeners:

• Do you get extra spiritual graces if you are buried in a Catholic cemetery over another kind of cemetery?
• Favorite summer Olympic sport?

This is Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Catholic Diocese of Arlington. As the summer season gradually nears its sunset, many of us will likely review the projects and tasks we hoped to complete and, unsurprisingly, find there are many left to check off. Often times it is human nature to delay, defer and wait. With some things, this is not so critical. Procrastinating in our spiritual lives, however, is a road to ruin. We should approach our journey to eternal life with zeal, commitment, and devotion. We recall the advice of St. Paul VI who suggested that, “Somebody should tell us right at the very start of our lives, that we are dying. Then we might live life to the limit, every minute of every day. Do it now! There are only so many tomorrows.” Before the day’s end, make a spiritual list—and get started right away.

This is Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Catholic Diocese of Arlington. Each summer, most of us take on a variety of projects, one of which is the likely pruning of trees and bushes. Pruning removes dead and dying branches and stubs, allowing for new growth and better exposure to sunlight. This task could serve as a perfect example for our spiritual lives. We need to identify those areas that need pruning. Sin and lack of discipline in our spiritual lives only hinder our ability to see the shining face of Our Father. Neglecting what needs care nowmakes the job more difficult down the road. Therefore, rid yourself of anything that takes away from the beauty of following Christ. Let Hislight in to renew you, to refresh you, and to purify you. Get rid of the debris, and allow the real, spiritual growth to begin.

This is Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Catholic Diocese of Arlington. As we venture through life, we will face temptation and be drawn to those things that we falsely believe we “must have.” Whether it be a persuasive advertisement, noticing a friend’s newest purchase, or seeing a colleague with the latest gadget, we are sure that our lives will improve if only we keep up with the crowd, and the materialism our society promotes. Yet we must pray for the grace to remember that it is not keeping up that is important—instead we must keep up with Christ’s call in our lives. We live inthe world but do not belong tothe world. We belong to Christ. Thus, we must reject empty priorities and follow God’s ways and commands. There may be a price to pay for doing so, but the reward Our Lord promises is the fullness of life now and forever.

Bishop Burbidge gives an update on the Golden Jubilee and Strategic Plan

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

• Following directives from the Holy Father on the Traditional Latin Mass, Bishop Burbidge shares his 2 key principles in discerning the best path forward.
• Congress is working to fund abortion with tax dollars. But you can help stop it!
• This fall, the Diocese is releasing a strategic plan and beginning a 3-year preparatory period for our 50th Anniversary
• School starts soon. What Bishop Burbidge looks forward to in the year ahead.

Bishop Burbidge answers these questions from the audience:

• Do you find the Latin Mass divisive?
• What advice do you give someone in their early twenties who has fallen away from the faith?

This is Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Catholic Diocese of Arlington. We have so many annual holidays and other special occasions that it can be overwhelming. Yet this Sunday we will add a new day of remembrance, and, frankly, it may be long overdue. Pope Francis has established the fourth Sunday of July as the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. He said, “the elderly remind us that old age is a gift and that grandparents are the link between the different generations, to pass on to the young the experience of life.” So let us mark this day on our calendars every year. Sometime during this week, call or visit your grandparents if they are living, pray for them if they are deceased, or offer to help an elderly neighbor. They have wisdom to share, and we should extend our respect for their experience and their God-given dignity.

This is Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Catholic Diocese of Arlington. We live in a society in which transgressions or misjudgments from many years ago have a way of catching up to us. When one does not atone for their sins—meaning to make amends—the price can be heavy. However, we must be careful in navigating this “cancel culture.” How do we balance a sense of justice with mercy and forgiveness? On one hand, we know that our actions have consequences, often having a spiritual and practical price to pay. The problem with cancel culture is that being unforgiving towards others is simply unjust. Instead of “canceling” others, we should emulate the mercy and forgiveness of God, while upholding justice to our brothers and sisters. This balance is challenging. But no healthy society can exist where there is only “justice” and no mercy.

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

• What inspires Bishop Burbidge about Independence Day?
• How Arise: A Diocesan Family Celebration went
• Signs of hope amidst the Florida condo collapse
• Upcoming retreats help high schoolers discern their vocational call
• Updated stats from Catholic Charities’ remarkable service over the past year

Bishop Burbidge answers these questions from the audience:

• Twitter is becoming increasingly hostile for Catholics. Do you plan to continue using it for your ministry?
• How can I use peaceful moments to grow closer to God?

This is Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Catholic Diocese of Arlington. One of the most well-known parables in Sacred Scripture is the story of The Good Shepherd who was willing to leave the entire flock to bring back the lone sheep that went astray. We may not realize it, or care to admit it, but at some point in life, every person wanders off and strays far from God’s will. At this very moment, you may feel you have wandered too far to return to the arms of the Good Shepherd. The reality is that Our Lord desires our return and waits for us to return with the promise to embrace us in his love and mercy. Therefore, we must always be grateful that Our Risen Lord is willing to search for us and bring us back, no matter how far away we stray.

This is Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Catholic Diocese of Arlington. The 4thof July is a welcome patriotic tradition that is free of politics and full of pride and celebrations. Despite situations in our country that still divide us, the holiday we celebrate this weekend remains a potent symbol of a nation that 245 years ago decided--no, demanded--that it could stand on its own, and that its strength was in a united people who yearned for freedom and understood that we are endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. This week may we recall the final line of the Declaration of Independence and vow to safeguard it always, as it concludes that “…with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.” Happy Independence Day!