Being responsible for another should be a sobering reality. Parents know this reality very well, but this responsibility comes in many forms. Business owners know this reality in managing their employees, as do children who care for their parents. Bishops and priests feel this too as they guide the faithful on the journey to heaven. But can the prestige of authority get to our heads like the Pharisees? This weekend in his homily, Bishop reflected on the necessity of remaining humble in positions of power and authority, and how the most humble among us can remind us of what it is to be grateful and humble.
One of the many struggles we face today is living out our identity as God created us, as his beloved sons and daughters. It can also be a struggle to respect the identity of who others are as God created them. It can be easy to convince ourselves of false identities about ourselves, or others. This weekend in his homily, Bishop reminded us that when we stay rooted in our identity from God, we can know who we are and be able to see others for who he created them to be.
Do you or someone you have difficulty being selfless and sacrificial? In his homily this weekend, Bishop reminded us that what is "right and just" does not always mean what "good for me." Rather, we are called to seek for what is good for others. Bishop also reflected on a childhood memory and shared with us that it is through charity and doing what we would rather not do that we can help break our habits of selfishness.
Do you or someone you know struggle to feel like you have a place within the Church? This weekend in his homily, Bishop reminded us that all are welcome to the Catholic Church. He reminded us that when we come to encounter the Lord at Mass, we are to leave everything at the door and live out our baptismal call. Bishop also encouraged us to configure ourselves to the mind of Christ so we may love like Christ loved, and to die to ourselves for the salvation of souls and the glory of God.
Do you hang on to anger and resentment when someone hurts or offends you? This weekend in his homily, Bishop reflected on the negative impacts of hanging on to anger and resentment, and explained how unforgiveness is poison to the soul. To remedy the effects of unforgiveness, we are encouraged to go to confession, and offer forgiveness sincerity of heart to those who have offended us.
Do you wonder what heaven will be like? Perhaps you think of perfect happiness. This weekend in his homily, Bishop encouraged us to grow closer to God because as we grow closer to him, the more perfect our interior experience of life becomes. Bishop also encouraged us to persist in our faith, persist in bringing our needs and desires to Jesus, and look forward to glorifying the Lord in heaven.
Can you recall a time in your life where you felt God's presence? What about a time where you were struggling in your life and you questioned God? This weekend in his homily, Bishop reflected on the highs and lows we experience in our spiritual lives, and encourages us to not give in to discouragement during difficult times. Will you trust God, and run to him when things get difficult?
Do you find yourself trying to figure out what the truth is? Throughout history and still today, there have been many ideas that others have claimed to be true. We would call the people behind these ideas false prophets. This weekend in his homily, Bishop encouraged us to be on guard against people and ideas that lead us away from the one true God and his Church.
Without a doubt, we live in a world that is filled with evil. Despite all of the evil that plagues our world, God has blessed us with many graces. This weekend in his homily, Bishop encouraged us to rise up against the evil of the world. Bishop also calls on all Catholics, Christians and people of good will to stand in the breach and protect the vulnerable among us, especially minor children who have been abducted and sold into child sex trafficking. With our eyes and ears open, we can fight evil with the power of God and protect the vulnerable among us.
Often times when we think of "the little ones" we think God is referring only to children. While he may have been referring to children, Jesus was also referring to those who let the spirit of God into their hearts. This weekend in his homily, Bishop DeGrood reflected on what it means to be little. He also explained that God desires to live within us. And when we live in the spirit of God, the fruits of the Holy Spirit radiate through us.
