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From the Pastor&
"Spirituality" is a hot topic these days. What is your definition of spirituality? In his book, Fathoming Bethlehem, the Auxiliary Bishop of Green Bay, Robert Morneau, writes that all of Jesus' Ministry was essentially "a wake up call." In fact, continues Bishop Morneau, spirituality is easy to define: "Just stay awake!"
Who keeps you awake? Do you keep others awake? Spirituality is shaped by our relationships. As Christians we have a relationship with Christ--our way to God. We awaken ourselves to the beautiful mystery of God through Christ Jesus and the Holy Spirit. But there are also others who cross our path: family, friends, colleagues, acquaintances, teachers, writers and other believers. Creation also wakes us up to the God of all creation. <Is it true that after God rested on the 7th day that God had the best idea and created Golden Retrievers on the 8th day?>
Who keeps me awake? I think of friends--life long friends from childhood, adolescence and adulthood. Friends touch me in different ways and each brings unique blessings into my life. Some friends are lay and others are Religious Sisters. I was fortunate to have wonderful Sisters of St. Joseph in my early years. They were more than just teachers--they helped awake me to great mysteries beyond academics. Over the years I've met some outstanding Sisters who continue to amaze me with their lives of service, dedication, enthusiasm and counter-cultural lives. My best friend is a Sister... more than a friend. She is, as the Irish say, a soul mate on the journey. I am also in awe of those who live the gospel in radical ways: a friend works as a director of a drop-in shelter for the homeless poor. But her whole life is about justice. Young people I know are living simple lives based on the gospel, not based on wealth. They work with the "outcasts" of society. Their friendship and love keep me awake. I want to be a better person.
I've been blessed with some great priests in my life. Some were professors, some were parish priests from my youth, some are colleagues today. There are priests I deeply respect and admire for their devotion to gospel living and keeping me awake. Many are bright, articulate, humorous, and, at times, outrageous. They might seem eccentric in the "eyes of the world", but that makes them more charming!
A lot of kids have walked into my life over the years. Some keep in touch since we first met. Is there anything like the spontaneity of the young? Their idealism and enthusiasm keeps me awake. I often think of the song at the end of Les Miserables: "To love another person is to see the face of God." To love our young is both a joy and a challenge.
Parishioners! I've encountered wonderful believers and searchers over the years. People who give so generously of their time and money--what a lesson for me about generosity. Seekers who pray; disciples who define very clearly what a Christian ought to be. Even if I don't always agree with an idea, there is always a lesson to be learned.
Reading the works of different people has influenced my spirituality. My favorites are Thomas Merton, Flannery O'Connor, Pedro Arrupe, Karl Rahner, Raymond Brown, Frederick Buechner, John Tracy Ellis, Godfrey Diekman, Dorothy Day, Andrew Greeley, Bernard Häring, Abraham Heschel, Virgil Michel, Megan McKenna, Richard Rohr, Jim Wallis, Rembert Weaklund, Teilhard de Charidn. Certain writers wake us up, stir us into thinking. Who are the people that have influenced you through their writings?
And, last, but by no means least, my family. Our parents influence us greatly in our formative years. Mine were simple, gentle, hard working, compassionate to the poor, self-sacrificing. There are some things I inherited that I wish I didn't, but all in all, I've been blest with a good family.
My spiritual journey has been exciting. I'm in awe as I reflect on the many people who have come in and out of my life. They keep me awake!
Does it get any better than this?
Fr. Bill
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