theROCK

Bearing Fruit

Last Saturday, my day began with two funerals and ended with a ride on a mechanical bull at a Gala party for 7th and 8th grade parents. I wonder if this is the modern expression of St. Paul’s utterance: “I have become all things to all,” (1 Cor. 9:22).

This Sunday is Priesthood Sunday in the United States. In my 17 months as a priest, one story from Scripture continues to come to mind. I’ll look ahead at a day’s commitments (a
funeral, a homily, a meeting, a talk, etc.) and wonder: “how am I going to get through this?” or “how will this go?” and fear and doubt creep in. Then the day passes, and everything
goes well, often with unforeseen blessings and fruit. And going before the Blessed Sacrament in the rectory chapel at the end of the day, I feel like the 72 disciples who return to Jesus
saying: “Lord, you won’t believe what we did in your name!” (my paraphrase of Luke 10:17). And Jesus looks at them (and me) and calmly replies: “I do believe it. Because I’ve seen it. I
made you. I called you. And I’m with you through it all.”

On the wall next to my alarm clock hangs a small, simple cross with five images: grapes, wheat, a fish, a loaf of bread, and a chalice. As I drag myself out of bed and turn off the alarm, I touch that cross and make a simple morning offering: “Lord, I offer all to you today.” This is an image of the priesthood. The priest offers very ordinary things—meetings, conversations, bread, wine—and God multiplies the loaves and fish, God transubstantiates the bread and wine into his very self. 

The kneeler in the rectory chapel has a little shelf displaying Archbishop Grob’s holy card, which reminds Fr. Dennis and me every morning: “I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing,” (John 15:5). The priesthood is a beautiful life. I’m so grateful God has called me to be his priest, and I honestly can’t imagine doing anything else. I’m also very aware that this sublime calling hasn’t done away with my personal faults and foibles. I trust, however, that as long as I pray and remain in God each day, He will bear fruit through it all—be it funerals or mechanical bulls.

Humility

On Labor Day, we honor the dignity of work and those whose labor sustains our families, communities, and nation. Work is a daily opportunity to practice humility: respecting coworkers, being willing to listen, and serving without demanding recognition. True humility acknowledges that all talents and opportunities—all we have comes from God, and is a sacred gift. Our labor is meant to serve not just ourselves, but the good of others. 

In ordinary life, humility can be lived in small, almost hidden ways. It can be as simple as apologizing when we are wrong, letting others speak first, or showing gratitude for even the
smallest kindnesses. It can be quietly helping a neighbor, or working diligently without needing public praise. Even letting someone go ahead of us in line, or yielding to another car in traffic, is a small act of humility. Humility is not about thinking less of ourselves, but about thinking of ourselves less.

Prayer is central to cultivating humility. As our parish focuses on the 10 Habits of a Disciple, we begin with the importance of daily prayer. Prayer allows us to bring our problems, concerns, and hopes to God who desires to be in relationship with us, and then to listen. Sometimes prayer is simply sitting in silence, giving God the space to speak.

But humility is essential in prayer. We must be willing to accept that God’s response may not be what we want to hear. Being humble means acknowledging that God sees the bigger picture and knows what is best for us, even when His answer is difficult. In this way, prayer becomes an act of surrender—a way of saying, “Lord, your will, not mine, be done.”

Let us strive to live with the humility of Christ in our homes, workplaces, and communities. May we choose the lowest place with confidence that God Himself will lift us up. And above all, let us remember the importance of daily prayer. For in praying, we not only deepen our relationship with God, but we also allow Him to shape us into better disciples of Jesus—disciples who live humility not just in word, but in action.

Lord Jesus, You humbled Yourself to become one of us and taught us to take the lowest place. Teach us to live each day with humility—at home, at work, and in our communities. Help us to turn to You in daily prayer, sharing our joys and struggles, and listening for Your voice. May we accept Your will with trust, and may our lives reflect the love and humility
of Your Incarnation.

Windshield or Rear-view Mirror

Apparently, I am a broken record. When I retired from UPS, the team gave me a list of phrases I used over and over dubbed “michael-isms”. One of my favorites is “There is a reason the windshield is bigger than the rearview mirror”.

We can learn from the past, but we can’t change it. We can dwell in a “should of, could of, would of, if only I’d” mindset, or we can take action. We can rationalize our mistakes, our
sins, and repeat them, or we can stop choosing to sin and choose to change. We can get our only joy from things that occurred decades ago, or  we can create new successes, new
memories. We can live in the rearview mirror, or we can look out the windshield and impact our future.

The same is true for how we treat others. Do we hold grudges and not give second chances or do we forgive and actually forget or at least move on? Do we tell people everything they “do wrong” or do we provide solutions, ideas, support, and help them to impact their future? Do we look at those less fortunate and say, “well they must have made bad
choices” or do we offer a loving hand and encouragement?

Thankfully, God has the largest windshield. He forgives unconditionally when we ask. He provides us the framework and tools for a positive Christian life full of love. He wants us to glance in the rearview for we learn from the past, but focus on what is ahead. His Son is THE example. Jesus loved and forgave sinners, helped the exiled, and challenged everyone to join Him to change this world.

The choice is ours. Reside in the past or live and love in the windshield. Want to change the broken world, whether personal, local, and larger? Choose to follow the golden rule.
Choose to be Christ to someone each and every day.