Do You Know the WHOLE Serenity Prayer?

Most of you are probably familiar with the Serenity Prayer.  This prayer has become a source of consolation and strength to Christians and non-Christians alike for the simple reason that it gives voice to our human experience and it resonates deeply in our hearts: God grant me the serenity 
to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.

Can’t we all relate to these words?  How true that we need God’s help to accept so many of the things we cannot change and courage to change so many of the things we can; and we certainly need His wisdom to know the difference so that we don’t spend our days in constant frustration.  But did you know that there is a second part to this beautiful prayer that is essential to living the first part? Read more »

How to Slay Your Goliath

12-Step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous have helped countless people around the world to win the battle over addiction.  The 12 Step program, which is really a lived spirituality, helps people to see their Goliath, to name their Goliath, and, with God’s help, to overcome their Goliath.  I call it a Goliath because most people in the grip of addiction feel that the giant is just too big, that they can’t defeat it.  And the truth is that they can’t defeat it, not with their own will power.  But more on that point in a moment.

You need not have a serious addiction to benefit from the 12-Step program.  We all have Goliaths in our lives: things that keep us down, that we feel are too big to be defeated.  So what does this biblical story (1 Samuel 17) teach us about defeating the Goliath in our lives? Read more »

Christ in Haiti

On Sunday, September 16, 2001, churches and other places of worship across the country were filled to overflowing.  I’ll never forget that day. Masses were standing room at St. Philip’s parish where I was serving.  As I looked out on the congregation, serious and sorrowful faces stared back at me.  Some had tears in their eyes.  After Mass parishioners stood outside, embraced, and spoke about the fear and uncertainty that we were all experiencing and how important it was that we all turn to the Lord during this time.

Two weeks later, Mass attendance was back to “normal.”  The initial shock of the terrorist attack on our country had begun to wear off.  But I’ll never forget the solidarity that we experienced during that time.  In this midst of immense suffering we were united, and a profound goodness flowed from the depths of peoples’ hearts.

Tragedy.  It has a way of uniting us.  It has a way of breaking down the walls that so often divide us.  It has a way of bringing out the very best in each and every human heart.

Enter Haiti.

Last weekend at the seminary where I live we hosted a retreat for men discerning the priesthood.  One young man who is from Haiti asked the haunting question: Do we believe that God did this?  I and the other priests and seminarians answered with an unequivocal “No!”  I reject Pat Robertson’s claim that this earthquake happened because the Haitian people made a pact with the devil to drive out the French.  There’s an interesting scene in the Gospel of Luke that I believe also refutes Robertson’s claim.  Jesus refers to a tragic event that occurred in Siloam.  He says, “…those eighteen people who were killed when the tower at Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than everyone else who lived in Jerusalem?”  Jesus’ answer?  “By no means!”  (Luke 13:4).  Our Lord makes clear that just because those people were killed does not mean it was because of something evil that they did.

I can’t pretend to answer why disasters happen.  I do know that, for some reason, God allows them to happen.  He does not will them to happen.  There’s a big difference, and it may be a mystery that we comprehend only when we are with Him for eternity.

I do know that tragedy unites us, that it brings out the best in us, that, even if just for a moment, it makes us drop our labels of liberal and conservative, believer and non-believer and reach out to those who are suffering.

I also believe that in a mystical way the Lord is suffering with and in the people of Haiti.  He’s with them.  How else can we explain what the Lord said to Saul: “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” (Acts 9:4).  Saul was persecuting the Christians, and in persecuting them he was persecuting Christ who dwelled with them.  We can say the same concerning Haiti: Christ is suffering with and in the people of Haiti, and in reaching out to the people of Haiti we are also reaching out to Christ, for “Whatever you do for the least of my brothers and sisters, you do for me” (Matthew 25:40).

God is with them.  But He also wants to be with them and reach out to them through you and me!

Living a holy life requires that we reach out to those in need.  If you have not already given to help the people of Haiti, I strongly encourage you to do so.  Personally, I gave to Catholic Relief Services; but you can give to the charity of your choice.  If you simply cannot give, please pray for them.  But remember Mother Teresa’s words: we must give until it hurts.

P.S. I’m stealing an idea from a fellow blogger and I hope it challenges you: for every comment that is left on this post (not on facebook but here on my blog) I will donate an additional five dollars to Catholic Relief Services.  Don’t be afraid to challenge others to give as well!

Top 5 Live Holiness Posts

Happy New Year!  I just returned from a wonderful retreat, pilgrimage, and vacation all in one.  I spent about a week and a half in France with four of my brother priests.  We had a prayerful and wonderful time.  The highlight of the trip was spending four days in Ars, the small town where St. John Vianney lived and ministered for forty years.  I’m sure I’ll write more in the future about the spiritual lessons learned on this wonderful journey.

I thought for my first post this year I’d list the top five posts on my blog.  I do this as an introduction for some of my new readers and as a refresher for some who have been reading since the beginning.

Here they are:

A Simple but Powerful New Year’s Resolution

Are You Missing the Gift of the Present

Love Your Weakness

The Solution to Your Sorrow

How to Start Your Day in Holiness

And, as a bonus, here’s what I believe was my most heartfelt post: And a Little Child Led Me

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