Walk Humbly

This is Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Catholic Diocese of Arlington. Hopefully, each of us during our lives can experience occasions of pleasant surprises: an unexpected gift, a visit from an out-of-town friend or relative, acknowledgment for a job well done, or perhaps healing of a friendship we thought was irreparable. As we prepare for Easter in just a few weeks we are reminded that we neither deserve God’s mercy nor do we have to earn it. It is a pure gift! Our loving and generous God longs to forgive us, and to heal us. As you seek reconciliation with the Lord and others during Lent, you will be surprised at the tremendous power, the incredible relief, and the abounding joy you will receive by offering forgiveness and by being forgiven. It is a gift beyond measure that will prepare our hearts fully and faithfully for the glory that will come.

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

• Bishop Burbidge visits with diocesan seminarians
• Vaccine update: is the Johnson & Johnson vaccine morally acceptable?
• CDC issues new guidelines for vaccinated persons
• The American Rescue Plan has some good elements but has some very serious flaws

Bishop Burbidge answers these questions from the audience:

• How do you balance God’s will with your own free will?
• Do bishops report to archbishops?
• What are your NCAA basketball predictions?

In a few weeks spring will begin and with it our promise to perform our annual spring cleaning. So it is also as we continue our Lenten journey. We must look within ourselves and remove any obstacles in our spiritual path.

This is Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Catholic Diocese of Arlington. It is easy to follow the crowd, to blend in, to say and do the things that will endear us to the majority. But at what cost? Sacred Scripture tells us that there is only One who we need to follow, Our Risen Lord. To do so, however, often requires us to rise above the crowd, to do what is right, holy and just. Yet it is not easy to do so, especially in these challenging times. To follow the way of Jesus will incur sacrifice in rising above the crowd. It requires courage. We may have to pay a price for being faithful to Jesus and his teachings. It may include ridicule and rejection from family, friends and colleagues. But St. Paul reminds and encourages us: “Bear your share of hardship for the Gospel with the strength that comes from God.”

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

• If passed, the Equality Act would open doors for religious discrimination and threaten unborn life
• Six new permanent deacons
• How to pray for those suffering in Texas
• Va. legislature votes to abolish the death penalty
• Bishop Burbidge shares “the joy of penance”

Bishop Burbidge answers these questions from the audience:

• Any plans to open new Catholic schools? Or increase size of current ones?
• What is it like to be a Catholic bishop during this pandemic? Any funny, sad or surprising anecdotes?

This is Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Catholic Diocese of Arlington. Now in the midst of our Lenten journey, I invite you to keep in mind these three words: Do, Daily, and Dependent. If spiritual disciplines are going to work in our lives, then we must do them on a daily basis, ever dependentupon the grace of God. If we live this way, then we will experience the transformation and conversion that the Lenten season is intended to provide. We will be drawn into a more intimate union with the Lord and we will be filled with abundant Lenten blessings. God is waiting for you—so do not delay the journey, avoid distractions, and do not get sidetracked. Rather embrace it with the urgency it requires. Each day during this sacred time, ask God to help you to dowhat you should, on a dailybasis, and, with a steadfast spirit, dependon His son always.

This is Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Catholic Diocese of Arlington. This week we begin the scared season of Lent, a period of 40 days in which we reflect, repent and prepare for the glory of Easter morning. Lent is marked by the three pillars of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. May we devote more time to morning and evening prayer; may we turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel and be active in charity. By doing so, and, of course, always dependent on the grace of God, we will experience a spiritual transformation. Now is the time to draw near to Our Lord, to purify our hearts, and to humble ourselves before Him. Make time to visit a church or a house of worship, to sit in silence with Jesus, and invite Him to speak to us. If we do, this Lent will undoubtedly be filled with abundant blessings.

This is Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Catholic Diocese of Arlington. February 11th marks the 29th World Day of the Sick, a day when we pray in a special way for the sick and suffering, and for their caregivers. Because of COVID-19, we see on the daily newscasts those struggling to breathe, unable to have family present, on the edge between life and death. We see the fatigue, the desperation, and the exasperation of medical personnel. Therefore, we entrust the sick to Jesus, to his healing love and ask him to grant them the bodily and spiritual help they need. As we pray this week for patients and health care workers, may we also remember those who are seriously ill from other ailments and for those who tirelessly care for them, often a family member or relative. In Our Lord’s short time on earth, he healed and comforted the sick, and consoled all in need—and continues to do so!

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

• Bishop Burbidge discusses the Virginia Department of Education "Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia's Public Schools"
• Could a recent VA adoption bill discriminate against Catholic Charities and end their adoption services?
• What are the USCCB and Bishops saying about the aggressive anti-life agenda unfolding under the Biden Administration?

Bishop Burbidge answers the following questions from the faithful:

• What is your favorite hymn?
• How did you know you weren't called to be a priest in a religious order?

Recently on a storefront here in the area, a sign read: "Be kind to all." What a simple and profound message to be an imitation of Christ, who excluded no one from his compassion and was loving to all.