Beyond The Grave

"Why do you seek the living among the dead?" - Luke 24:5

It caught me by surprise when, last night after dark, I received a call from Chris telling me she was going to accompany her parents to visit Teresa's grave. Nine months have passed since their 51 year old daughter and sister's death to cancer. With the exception of my father-in-law's week-long stint in the hospital himself with internal bleeding, Chris' parents have visited the grave every day religiously. They say it gets harder for them with the passing of time.

When they get to the cemetery they talk to Teresa as one would share the day's unfolding with a loved one or friend over a cup of coffee. More than a few tears are shed and, before they depart, they embrace the headstone.

November is particularly difficult for my in-laws as it was tradition for the family to gather at Teresa's to celebrate Thanksgiving. This year there will be no such family gathering nor will they journey this winter to Florida as they have over the years. "It is too soon," they say. "It just wouldn't be right."

I am sure many grieving parents find themselves going through similar motions with the approach of the holidays. I can't begin to imagine what it must be like for a parent to lose a child, however old. I consider myself blessed that, at 55, I still have my parents. I wonder, however, how long my in-laws will cling to their routine. They don't really think Teresa would have wanted them to stop living just because she lost her own battle with cancer.

Now we are surely creatures of habit and find great comfort in going through the motions of what is familiar. Growth demands however that we pause to ask the hard questions. But asking "Why" leaves us vulnerable.

Yet if any hope at all can be found in the experience of death it is that the deceased is no longer restricted by place and time. The spirit is set free, no longer bound by the body. To over identify with the grave is to doom a loved one to the same limits imposed on them in this life.

Although Teresa's body rests in that hallowed hole, her spirit won't be found there. Her spirit will be found in the things she loved to do in life, like gather with family to celebrate Thanksgiving. I believe that in my life my ancestors story continues to unfold and, long after I take my last steps on earth, my own story will continue in those I leave behind. But that story cannot continue when the grief of loved ones prevent them from living.

© Copyright 2006 gentlefootprint. All Rights Reserved.

Election 2006: Politics & Christian Values

Another bitterly contested election reaches its climax today. I will not miss the barrage of television ads, most sponsored by political action committees, defaming an opponent rather than advocating what each candidate personally stands for or proposes. I will not miss the politicians who fuel the flames of polarization to advance their campaigns, pitting democrat against republican, conservative against liberal, red state against blue state.

A particular pet peeve of mine are politicians who seek election on the coat tails of the electorate's sentiment over emotionally charged "values." True Christian values are neither "conservative" nor "liberal" - They are Christian. Nowhere in scripture are those values more simply or clearly stated than in Matthew 25. Neither "Conservatives" (who tout an anti-abortion and anti-gay agenda to the neglect of the social consciousness mandated by scripture) nor "liberals" (who promote the welfare of the poor, infirm and elderly but turn their head to protecting the sanctity of all life beginning with the most vulnerable) are getting it right!!! Perhaps a complete boycott of the midterm elections would send a message to politicians that would make them shutter. What would they do if the vote was "0" to "0" ? Would they get the message that "enough is enough?"

I encourage Christians throughout this country to exercise their right to vote. Before you do, however, please step away from the rhetoric of partisan politics and from the extremists from both parties who fan the flames of polarization to win our vote by fearing or hating the other side. Take off your red shirt or your blue shirt. Our vote can put an end to this era and forge a new majority united by hope, love and reason.

Before you vote, consider the following prayer:

We realize that much is "incorrect" about the world in which we live, and we pray that our vote may be cast for leaders, who, committed to the common good, can address these grave problems.

In the United States, 38 million people are hungry and nearly 46 million are uninsured. A person who works a full-time minimum wage job cannot adequately provide for a family. May the vote we cast elect leaders who will create an option for the poor and vulnerable.

Despite the advice of spiritual leaders to the contrary, our country supports violent solutions to conflict. In an age of fear, when the problems of terrorism and extremism loom in the background of policy decisions, important civil rights and freedoms have been weakened. May the vote we cast elect leaders who will promote peace and protect human rights.

The environment is being degraded. The future of our earth is in peril. Yet, U.S. leaders have neglected to sign-on to important international protocol on the environment. May the vote we cast elect leaders who will care for God's Creation.

Current events have diverted our focus from social atrocities: 2.8 million people die of HIV/AIDS ever year; millions more die of other preventable diseases. Millions of people live in refuge camps around the world, displaced by war and conflict. Drought and famine plague multiple countries around the world at any given moment. May the vote we cast elect leaders who will protect the dignity of all human life.

God of Hope, God of Peace, we pray for your spirit in the upcoming election. We pray for leaders who will uphold and protect the most poor and vulnerable in our world. We pray for leaders who will stand for the common good. Amen

WHAT WOULD JESUS DO?... VOTE!

(adapted from a prayer by Jill Rauh, Education for Justice)

© Copyright 2006 gentlefootprint. All Rights Reserved.

Laicization

Following my reflections on the prodigal priest, some have asked me to prayerfully consider laicization so that I can be married in and fully embraced by the Catholic Church and once again actively participate in a ministry of service to that Church. As I write this follow up, I assure you I have indeed prayed in earnest and appreciate those who have joined me in this prayer of discernment.

As I prayerfully reflect back upon my life, as I reconsider both the paths I have chosen to take as well as the unchosen that were set before me and intended for my taking, as I pause to recognize God's presence along the way, one thing is undeniably clear... God knocked on my door before I ever knocked at his. The call that stirred my restless, hungry heart throughout the formative years of my youth and the call to serve that I heard and accepted is as real today as it was twenty-four years ago TODAY when I was ordained to the priesthood!

Despite all the faith and love behind the suggestion, to pursue the path of laicization would require that I look back and accept that impediments prevented all of it from really happening. To do that would be to condemn myself to living out the rest of my days as a lie. And that would make as much sense as Mary recanting her "yes" to God concerning the virgin birth because Christians following in Jesus' footsteps have failed over two millenia to clothe themselves in the gospel's spirit of love and compassion and because the world does not recognize Christians for their openness, inclusion and acceptance - their love for one another!

So, after prayerful consideration, I reaffirm on this 24th anniversary of my ordination to the priesthood that I was called to be a priest, I accepted that call and served in active ministry faithfully, literally pouring myself out to the point of brokenness, that those who come to know me witness that priestly character by my words, actions and demeanor and, finally, that God isn't through with me yet! Today I recommit myself to answering "yes" to that call!

© Copyright 2006 gentlefootprint. All Rights Reserved.