Dear Friends in Christ:
2024 marks my 35th year of priestly ordination and Fr. Chuck’s 45th! Fr. Joseph has a little way to go yet!
As I have reflected upon these years of priesthood, I have had some insights. It is hard to say what the
greatest insight is as there are so many.
Here are a few.
God is better to me than I deserve. While I have always acknowledged the greatness and goodness of the
Lord, I am even more grateful and humbled when I consider all His blessings to me. I also have a greater
awareness of my own sinfulness and how I have failed to respond to these many blessings. Another insight
is that God is in charge, and I am not. Again, nothing news shattering about that. The difference is that I am
more aware of my need each day to trust in the Lord. As a priest and certainly as a pastor, I realize that
in a certain sense I exercise a certain responsibility and power. The older I get, the more I realize that real
power is in humble, often hidden, service and prayer. It is not my will that is important but God’s will and
how I can follow the will of God.
Another insight is that fidelity is a two-way street. The fidelity that I am most cognizant of is not so
much my fidelity (or lack of fidelity) to God but His perfect fidelity to me. No matter my sins, failures or
weaknesses, God never quits loving me, and He is always there to pick me up when I fall. There have been
so many times due to my own pride, laziness, stupidity or half-hearted efforts, God is always at work. I
continue to be amazed at the ways the Lord loves His people through me and in spite of me! I have failed
the Lord, but this makes me want to be better.
Recently, I read a very sad article concerning the growing number of Protestant and Evangelical pastors
caught up in scandals and how it rocked their congregations. Catholics know something about that!
Money, sex and power are indiscriminate in their allure and destruction. The fact that people can still be
scandalized is a good thing. Scandal is the tribute that vice pays to virtue! The article pointed out that one
of the common traits among clergy is workaholism! This danger gives rise to burnout and failure (spiritual,
moral, marital, familial, professional etc.). Another trait among many clergy was the stress they felt from
the demands of their congregants.
This brings me to another insight as I look back upon my priesthood,
that is God’s people – You – are a wonderful gift and your goodness is remarkable and inspiring. I am greatly,
deeply and truly blessed to see and know so many saints. While there are always a few who could try the
patience of Job, they remain the few. In every parish and assignment that I have served, I have witnessed
indescribable holiness, love and sacrifice in God’s people. Many suffer great trials, but I have been blessed
to see amazing faith, hope and love in the lives of so many, especially in the sick, suffering, dying and
struggling but also in those just doing the everyday, normal stuff of life. What a blessing!
To name just one more insight, it would be that there is always good everywhere. It is easy to see the
negative and the imperfect, to complain about what is lacking or broken, there is no shortage of evidence
for that list. What continually gives me hope and solace, what still surprises me and gives me joy is the
presence of good, God’s goodness. It takes effort and many times one must be deliberate and intentional,
but there is good present and waiting to be discovered. When the negative and bad build up – and they
do – I try to step back and refocus. Sometimes, it takes a little excavating and at other times there will be a
Eureka! Moment, but God and His goodness are there for those who desire it. All we have to do is look for
it! Thank you, Lord, for your goodness to me!