Pastor's Pen - January 17, 2016

One of the most serious challenges we face in our faith today is apathy. The life-giving power at the heart of our traditions is lost amid the clamor of 21st century life. This year, we can answer the challenge to finds ways, some traditional and some innovative, in which we can renew our hearts, our spirits and our lives in the Lord.

Connection...
Statistics show that approximately 7 BILLION text messages are sent every month in America. Just the thought of being out of touch with friends and family is enough to make some people nervous. Staying connected is the way we relate, the way we survive. How important is it, then, to tend to our connection to God? It is up to us to keep that relationship active and strong. This year and maybe looking especially to Lent is the perfect time to spend some serious time reaching out to God in prayer and service. Given attention and encouragement, our personal relationships with the Lord will blossom! It is then that we will be inspired to truly live as faithful stewards. The power of our faith in action, when we are truly connected to God and each other, can change the world!

Introspection...
We live in a culture that encourages assessment and planning. We have personal trainers and exercise programs to increase our physical fitness. We seek out financial planners to maximize our assets for the long term. We attend seminars and workshops to hone our job skills and increase our employment potential. Hundreds of websites, countless books, magazines, TV and radio programs are devoted to making the most of what we have now, and making sure we have more in the future. Let this year be a time for assessment and planning; perhaps the most important personal development we will ever do. This upcoming Lenten holy season is our faith workshop, our devotional seminar; helping us to make the most of our current relationship with God and preparing us to grow in faith in the future. Let’s give it our all!

Transformation...
This year can be a time of cultivation, a time of growth, a time of transformation. As we move toward the glory of Easter, are we ready to fully embrace the newness of the resurrection? Will we take this opportunity to start fresh in our relationship with the Lord? Responding to our call to live as faithful stewards, opening our hearts to the work of God in our lives, we can do nothing less!

(taken from The Vineyard: Volume 6, Issue 15 January – March 2016; a quarterly stewardship publication for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. Minor edits by Fr. Chuck)