One of the most critical tasks of a parent in raising a child is to ensure a proper understanding of what makes us most human – – our conscience. (Take a moment right now. How would you explain to a child what their conscience is?) Maybe this article can help.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church has a mini-class about conscience and its proper formation. (Article 6. Moral Conscience.) There you read, “Conscience is a judgement of the reason whereby the human person recognizes . . what he knows to be just and right. . . . When he listens to his conscience, the prudent man can hear God speaking.” #1777.

In short, our conscience comes from the way we think about things. It doesn’t really kick in when we observe the sensate world. (“What time is it?” is not a matter of conscience). But something changes when we consider the presence of good and evil. Math and science can’t reach these matters. We have to use a different measuring stick- – – our sense of right and wrong.

Here’s where things can get confusing if you don’t have a strong conscience. You see our mind can be a tricky thing. It is prey to many impulses that influence what it thinks is “right reason” or thinking correctly. The passions (God given feelings that accompany certain actions): hunger, love, anger, jealousy, pleasure, etc. can affect our reasoning. (How many times did “having one for the road” seem like a great idea?!) The problem is we don’t think right.

So where does right thinking come from? Where do principles of justice, truthfulness, fair play, kindness come from? They come from a source beyond ourselves – – – the source of meaning and being itself . . . they come from God.

There is a beautiful description of the voice of conscience as it comes to the human intellect. Gaudium et Spes (Joy and Hope) written at the Second Vatican Council states, “Deep within his conscience man discovers a law which he has not laid upon himself, but which he must obey. Its voice ever calling him to love and to do what is good and to avoid evil sounds in his heart at the right moment . . . for man has in his heart a law inscribed by God . . . his conscience is man’s most secret core and his sanctuary. There he is alone with God whose voice echoes in his depths.” Conscience carries the voice of God.

But can’t there be different ways of seeing things? How can we be sure its God’s voice and not our own leanings and passions talking to us?

Like your child, consciences must be properly formed. It takes a lifetime. A big part of conscience formation comes in knowing the sources of moral guidance: the Ten Commandments, Jesus’s teaching, natural order, traditional wisdom, seeking reliable information and finally prayer. But above all, conscience is formed by knowing and believing that we were created to be with God and the goal and happiness of our life depends on doing God’s will. Trusting then that the Lord will echo His will in your heart, be in peace.

So parents, sit with your children. Tell them about their conscience. Let them know they can feel it in the happiness that comes when they do the right thing. Also they must listen to the voice of their conscience when they feel the heaviness when they’ve done wrong. It is the loving correction of Our Lord.

A clean conscience is our steady rock in the midst of life’s storms.

God thought of you and you came to be!

Fr. Tim

One of the great privileges in being a priest is to be invited into the watershed moments in people’s lives. The priest was there when you were baptized. He saw the gleam in your parent’s eye. He gave you your First Holy Communion, heard your confessions, watched you profess your wedding vows and, to bring things full circle, he baptized your children.

Then . . . he visited you in the hospital, he anointed you when you were sick, and finally . . . he buried you as your children and grandchildren shed tears.

So what’s your point Fr. Tim? It’s simple – we priests know you. We’ve watched you your whole life and (you need to know this), you are amazing. You have done the most difficult of life’s tasks and for the most part you’ve done them with grace and selflessness.

Priests have their own set of challenges in living their life but I don’t think they compare to what God asks of you as spouses and parents. You are heroes.

So here’s to you – – husbands and wives, moms and dads. Thank you for:

• Saying “let’s have a baby.” That baby was “us”. Mom, you gave your body over to nature that we might have life. Dad, you held your breath and discovered the treasure you have in your wife.
• Spending sleepless nights wondering how your child was growing and whether you were doing everything right to help them.
• Exhausting yourselves at work and at home to make your family happy and safe.
• Carefully watching your children’s habits and friends to make sure they find the right path.
• Carrying that huge sadness the day your child has their first day in school.
• Feeling your child’s tears more deeply that they do.
• Feeling a distance from your husband/wife because at that moment your children need you more than your spouse.
• Waiting patiently and selflessly to rekindle your marriage.
• Never giving up on your children no matter how they have failed.
• Spending more money than you have so the children’s education can happen.
• Watching your children marry and move away . . . “Thanks mom. Thanks dad. Bye.”
• Rediscovering your life’s partner in an empty nest.

These are just a few of the countless moments of self-sacrifice you have made to be that loving spouse and parent. I’m limited to what I have personally seen in you. I can’t imagine some of the sacrifices life has asked of you.

And you did it all without fanfare, no applause or cameras rolling. It’s all a secret really, between you and your spouse . . . and God.

And what does Jesus have to say about all this (and you too I bet)? It’s no big deal.

“The servant does not deserve thanks for what his station demands. When you have done all these things say “we are but unprofitable servants. We have done no more that is our duty.” Luke 17:10

This certainly goes against the voices in the world that tell us to grab for all the gusto we can. Rather, Jesus tells us “No. Whoever tries to gain his own life will lose it; but whoever loses themselves for my sake will gain it.” Mt. 10:39

So dear spouses and parents . . . congratulations . . . you have found the key to life’s meaning.

“Well done my good and faithful servant.” Mt. 25:21

Bless every mother’s child.

Fr. Tim

Okay here we go; five and a half weeks till we elect our national and local political leaders. We all know by now the anger and division that affects our culture. Whether in the halls of Congress or at our kitchen table we’ve experienced a tension that makes clear thinking about the social issues we face more difficult.

As I mentioned at the masses last week, Holy Trinity Parish has a responsibility to help parishioners properly reflect on the choices before us come November 4. Coming to our help are the Catholic bishops of the United States. They have issued a teaching document entitled Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship. (This resource can be found in full on our Election resources page. An overview is also available on the diocese website, www.dor.org.)

Here at Holy Trinity, in the bulletin, on our website and Facebook, we will be highlighting some of the main points to consider as Election Day approaches.

The document lays out four principles to guide a conscientious vote.

“The four principles include the dignity of the human person, the common good, subsidiarity, and solidarity. Rightly understood, this ethic does not treat issues as morally equivalent; nor does it reduce Catholic teaching to one or two issues. I anchors the Catholic commitment to defend human life from conception until natural death . . . to respect every human being as a child of God.”

Pope Francis, The Gospel of Life #22

“Catholic voters should use Catholic teaching to examine candidate’s positions on issues and should consider candidates integrity, philosophy, and performance. It is important for all citizens to see beyond party politics, to analyze campaign rhetoric critically, and to choose their political leaders according to principle, not party affiliation or mere self-interest.”

USCCB Living the Gospel of Life no. 33.

Dignity of the Human Person.

“Every person is created in the image and likeness of God. Every human being must be understood in his unrepeatable and inviolable uniqueness . . this means the primary commitment of each person towards others . . . these same institutions, must be for the development of the human person.”

Subsidiarity

“It is impossible to promote the dignity of the person without showing concern for the family. The family, based on marriage between a man and a woman, is the fundamental unit of society. This sanctuary must not be redefined or neglected. Supporting families should be a priority for economic and social policies. . . . larger institutions have essential responsibilities when the local institutions cannot adequately protect human dignity and advance the common good.”

The Common Good.

“The common good is fostered only if human rights are protected and responsibilities are met. Every human has a right to life, access to those things required for human decency (food, shelter, education, employment, health care, and housing.”

“The economy must serve people, not the other way around. Economic justice calls for decent work at fair living wages, a broad and fair legalization program with a path to citizenship for immigrant workers.”

“We have a duty to care for God’s creation . . . as our common home.”

Solidarity.

“Our Catholic commitment to solidarity requires we pursue justice, eliminate racism and human trafficking, seek peace, and avoid the use of force but for a necessary last resort.”

“A moral test for society is how we treat the weakest among us — the unborn, the poor and the marginalized.”

“Political participation in this spirit reflects the teaching of the Church and the best traditions of our nation.”

Let’s get thinking and praying.

Fr. Tim

Civilize It

Civil Dialogue: A response to Jesus’ call to love our neighbor (pdf)
What does it mean to form my conscience? (pdf)
Examination of Conscience: Loving Our Neighbors (pdf)
A Prayer for Civility (pdf)

The Challenge of Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship

Part I (pdf)
Part II (pdf)

Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship

Complete (pdf)

Looking at the bulletin the past few weeks the topics for the article have been so serious. This week I thought to write about something younger people are concerned with . . . like . . . falling in love. (Share this with your children or grandchildren.)

When you think of the human experiences that most change and motivate our lives, falling in love has to be right near the top. I’ve seen selfish, sullen, sarcastic 22 year old men suddenly become thoughtful, generous, and gentle. The reason? They met someone to love.

It’s a fantastic feeling, isn’t it? To think that someone who makes me weak in the knees whenever they are near . . . actually feels the same way about ME!! “Finally”, we say, “I’ve met the person just meant for me! They make me feel so good.”

Been there? Lucky you.

What causes these powerful feelings in us? In no small part it’s hormones. Our bodies are speaking to us. Tell- ing us we need to be thinking about finding someone to continue the human species. This profound emotional swelling is meant to help us fulfill one of the purposes of life – – children, family, home.

This is how God made us. These feelings are holy, ultimately to be shared with the one who will be a partner for life.

But then . . . like a summer’s day, the feelings can change. Life has other things that have to be dealt with: work, finances, life goals, etc. The thrill of first love be- comes a steady, every day, sometimes boring, “presence” to each other. Young lovers can sometimes feel their hearts have tricked them. “He/She is not as exciting as they used to be.”

I’ve been with young married couples who feel they’ve “fallen out of love”. Perhaps this IS NOT the one meant for me. Maybe we made a mistake. It can be scary.

If a couple has been honest with themselves and each other along the way, what is happening is quite normal. God is leading them to a deeper experience of love. Though sex appeal and passion will always have great value, something deeper is happening – – if they let it.

The lovers are beginning to experience the essence of love . . . self-sacrifice. The concern is no longer “How She/He makes me feel”. Love is now learning to seek first the happiness of the beloved. The partner’s happiness be- comes the happiness for the one who loves.

It’s no longer about you. It’s about the beloved. Here is where some can’t deal with the switch. When I’m not getting the same feelings I must not be in love, they think. Some abandon ship.

So permit this old man to suggest a few clues that tell you you’re truly in love.

• You’re basically happy when you’re around that person (not ecstatic, just happy).
• You admire and respect that person more than most of your friends.
• You feel honored to be loved and respected by them.
• Even if that person would never meet you, (if you could only watch them from afar), you would still find them lovable without their loving you.
• You’re transparent with them because they are your dear friend.
• You know they would be a good mother/father.
• You know they are not the perfect person, nor will they bring you total happiness . . . and that’s okay.
• You’re willing to stop comparing him/her to others. They’re the one.
• You’ve seen him/her in difficult situations and they have re-acted with kindness.
• A kiss on the cheek from them always brings comfort in the storm.

Lastly. The person described above is a GIFT, not someone you can order up by wanting it. And if by chance God doesn’t give you this gift, He’s got something else just as good for you . . . because he made you and loves you.

Bless you always.
FR. Tim

Maybe it was because my father held a rather strict hand in raising his children. Maybe it was the preaching Old Fr. MacIntyre would deliver Sunday after Sunday in my parish growing up. Maybe it was just “the times” back in the fifty’s and early sixties.

Whatever the reason, I’ve always been a little afraid of the words in the Creed which says God “Will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead.”

It tells me that what I do in my life will be examined by God who made me. It’s called “Judgement Day” when “”Every one of us will have to give an account of himself/herself before God.” Romans 14:12.

I don’t think we give enough attention to this warning. We in the United States, we here in Webster (where “life is worth living”), can easily forget that this life of ours will come to an end and then God will have a few questions for us. (I don’t have the slightest idea HOW this will happen . . . but faith tells us somehow there will be a reckoning.)

Other generations had this urgency in their bones. My father, who saw life and death during the war, was fond of telling us that “Life is real and earnest. This is not a dress rehearsal. This is it.”

So many today live a passive response to this urgency. “Whatever” we say carelessly. Or, “that’s a long way off. I can’t be bothered thinking about the end.” Or, “My life is mine to live. Back off.”

We have a choice as to how to imagine our lives. In the end I think it comes down to two basic options. (See if this image makes any sense . . . it will take you back to your post high school days.)

Think of a college or certification class that will help you develop a certain knowledge or skill. And you have a choice . . . you can take the course for credit or you can simply audit it.

Auditing has a certain appeal, doesn’t it? It’s cheaper, there’s no essay required and best of all no test. All you have to do is sit there. Take whatever you want and leave the rest. (I audited a course one summer. It was great! I can’t remember a single thing it taught but I met this really cool girl.)

OR – – – You can take it for credit. This will cost you more in time, money and sweat. And . . . you will have to show what you’ve learned to get the credit.

So why take the credit course? Because it leads somewhere. It takes you to a new place. You now have something you own and with this achievement you can advance a career, secure a future, realize what you are capable of.

So the question is: are you in this life for credit or are you merely auditing? Jesus has a story that might help you decide. Read Matthew 25: 14-30. (really I mean it, it’ll take three minutes).

An owner gives three people a different sum of money to conduct their portion of the business of running a vineyard. The first two take the money and use it in a way that increases the value of the vineyard. The third fellow takes the money and buries it thinking if he just gives it back that will be enough.

Well guess what? It wasn’t enough. He fired him. The master wanted a return on his investment. He wanted to see some sort of effort to advance the cause of the business.

Jesus tells this story to wake us up. God has given you a life to live. He’s blessed you with certain talents and gifts. What have you done with it?

It’s never too late to begin. All God asks is that we try. He’ll take care of the rest.

This is it. No dress rehearsal.

Fr. Tim

Growing up there were a few words or phrases that, when spoken, were sure to cause raised voices or sometimes physical confrontation. Words like “cheater” or “coward” or “traitor” were sure to bring a vigorous response.

But one that really started things down a bad road was to call someone a liar. The word carries such a condemnation that, spoken in anger, can completely define a person. Think of it. You’re not “misinformed”, or “ignorant” or “naïve” . . . no, you’re a LIAR! It’s like being slapped in the face.

We’re hearing this word used daily in the political and cultural debate going on in our country. So let’s examine the nature and purpose of a lie.

The Catholic Catechism defines a lie as, “speaking a falsehood with the intention of deceiving.” (2482) “To speak or act against the truth IN ORDER TO LEAD IN TO ERROR someone who has a right to know the truth.” It is a sin against justice and charity.

So what do we do when we’re not sure what we’re hearing is the truth? Cry liar, liar, pants on fire!? Maybe if you’re 9. But a Christian might first ask the person for data (facts) to back up their statement. OR, viewing the facts, asking how they’re being interpreted (persons can honestly come to different conclusions) OR respond with different facts and state perhaps a different conclusion.

This is called honest discussion. It requires patience and listening to each other and moderating our tone. Unfortunately these days we don’t seem to be mature enough to handle this kind of dialogue.

The basic presumptions necessary for life together are being challenged. And what are those?

• A basic presumption that when a person speaks they’re telling the truth. (Truth telling is the foundation of our ability to live together).
• A basic presumption that the person speaking is my brother/sister and possesses the same goodness and rights to life that I have.

A belief, that if we bare with one another in honest, generous conversation, we can find solutions to the most vexing problems

A belief that there is a “common good”. One based on truth and justice. Without these principles present things fall apart.

So what if, after all the above, you discover someone is lying? The Gospel says we must not ignore it. (Matt. 18: 15-20). Jesus says we are to go to our neighbor and “tell him of his fault between you and him alone. . . in the hope of winning over your brother.” If that fails, then one can invite others who can bear witness “so that every FACT may be established” and truth can finally speak. It’s a big deal to call someone a liar. We owe it to each other that such speech comes only as a last resort. Kindness dictates this. But justice is based on truth and it too must find a voice if we are to live together. Lastly . . . what about the upcoming election? The word “liar” is spoken everyday by candidates for office. What are we to do with these accusations? Should we choose sides and be ready to hate anyone who differs with us?

Instead, why not:

• Fact check. Read widely. Get the big picture of an issue (both sides); not what someone is yelling about.
• Ask for clarification. Write your congressman or representative, ask them to speak to your issue.
• Mistrust the person who uses yelling or name calling or rash judgement in trying to convince you. (These things are crutches for a lack of substance).
• Believe that truth can be found. Sometimes we have to work to find it.
• Pray for our country and community . . . that we will listen to the Spirit of God which brings truth, justice and mercy to our dealings with each other.

Don’t be afraid.
Fr. Tim

I’m told in older times there was a person charged with keeping the fire burning for the clan or village. If the fire went out, cold and darkness would set in making life even more dangerous. (Ever read Jack London’s To Build A Fire? It’s hard!)

So while the family slept, someone was appointed to slowly feed the burning embers so there would be fire for the next day.

In these days of social distancing and live-steamed Sunday masses, it seems to me there’s a danger of the fire of Faith growing cold. It’s not that we want it to. We love God and try to do what’s right . . . but it just happens. It’s easier to not do something. And not doing it . . . becomes a habit. (“Let’s see, should we get dressed and leave early tomorrow to be at mass on time? Or . . . should we sleep in and watch mass on TV. I’ll do the bacon and eggs.”)

With mass and communion now virtual for many, other things can fall away as well. Morning and evening prayer, weekday visits to the church for prayer, rosary?, but most importantly, a daily turning to God as the source of our life. Again . . . I want to stress, it’s not our intention to let go of God. It’s rather an “out of sight, out of mind” sort of thing.

So what can I do to keep the “flame of Faith alive”? Here’s some suggestions.

• Say your prayers in the morning. Google – – Catholic Prayers. Copy two or three you like best. Add your own thoughts and intentions. Get a routine.
• Keep up with live-streamed masses or religious programming when you are able.
• Learn the ancient practice of the “Angelus” at 6 am, noon, and 6 pm.
• Stop by during the week to visit Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. Holy Trinity is open all day. (Bring the children and grandchildren. They find it exciting to be with you on this “spiritual moment with God”. Let them light a candle.)
• Come to mass when you can. We are doing a good job of sanitizing the pews and keeping social distance.
• Please know that staying home is perfectly acceptable. Pray for the time when we can all be together.
• Read some spiritual book or examine some aspect of faith that has interested you. (next week I’ll include some books that have nourished my faith and you can write me with your favorites).
• Create a “Prayer Space” in your home. Choose a place away from traffic with a door you can close. Assure the family that no one is to knock when the door is closed. Make it nice. A comfortable chair and table with crucifix, candle or flower on it. Add a bible or some prayer cards.
• Say a brief prayer before bed. Whatever comes to your heart.
• Been to confession lately? Saturday 3:30 to 4:15 pm.

These are all things that can help keep God “on your radar”. Think of them as signs to God of your love and need for Him. However . . . and this is important . . . the Holy Spirit will come to you with thoughts and words and impulses that will show you God’s path. “It was not you who chose me, but I have chosen you,” Jesus said (John 15:16). But, we must do our part so that the fire of faith does not go dim.

With love,
Fr. Tim

Not to sound overly dramatic, but I don’t see how any human being can stay faithful to a life promise (marriage, priesthood, doctor, president, pope) without at some time “saying a prayer”.

I think of my priesthood. Oh, I could have stayed a priest without praying, I guess. The perks are pretty good (free room and board, heated garage, pretty vestments). But without prayer, over time you become a shell of a priest, just going through the motions.

Husbands and wives, you know this too; anyone who tries to commit themselves to a project or a promise sooner or later runs out of gas. The promise you made way back now seems impossible or perhaps in your frustration it appears “unimportant”. “Why should I spend anymore sweat and tears on this darned thing that never seems to get any better?” Been there?

So why is prayer the answer to being “out of gas”? Because it reconnects us to the source of love and faithfulness . . . God. It takes us out of our empty, exhausted, defeated selves and lets us become children again. It lets us experience our neediness without embarrassment. Prayer calls out to God, who Himself has promised to watch over and help us in our times of trouble and emptiness.

“Come to me,” Jesus said, “All you who are weary and heavy burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Mt. 11:28) “Pour out your hearts to the Lord.” (Psalm 62) “Your Father in heaven knows your need, even before you ask.” (Mt. 6:8).

So it’s been a long time. I’ve been away from my childhood religion. I feel like I’m lost in a forest; how do I start praying like an adult? Do I rattle off a couple Our Fathers and Hail Mary’s? Okay. That’s a start. But there is so much more.

Here’s a couple thoughts that will help get you started.

• Gratitude is a wonderful way to get you in the right attitude for praying. No matter what your current mood may be there are some things in your life that “you just know”. (For example, I know my mother loved me. I know my father’s advice about hard work has proved itself time and again.) And I know in the same way there was a time that God answered my prayer OR at least I’m aware He has blessed me with a gift I could never even imagined by myself. Even on a crummy day this thought lifts my spirit. Gratitude. It works every time.
• Once you’re feeling a little gratitude, it leads to a moment of Trust. “You’ve helped me in the past Lord. So I turn to you now, please . . .”Trust that He will catch you as He has in your past.
• Finally there’s the little matter of Surrender. Remember Jesus in the Garden? His whole world was collapsing. What was his prayer (after telling God his own wishes)? “Not my will, but yours (God) be done.”

All this points to prayer as a moment of personal speaking to God who “sees (and hears) you in secret” Mt. 6:6. It ought not rattle on with fancy or churchy words. (When the building is burning, “Fire!” is all you have to say).

Just speak from your heart, “Thank you Lord for the time when . . .” “Dear God you know what happened, please help me . . .” OR just . . . “Help Lord.”

• Now just sit a minute. Don’t do anything. Like you’re on your porch listening to the evening breeze. Look out your window, whatever.
• Lastly. Pay attention to the conversations and events of the week. They often contain God’s surprising answer to our prayers.

This brief conversation with God needs to happen everyday or as often as you can make it happen. If you do this for a while you will begin to experience in a wonderfully vague way(!) God’s presence with you.

Enjoy this glorious month of August!
Fr. Tim

I mentioned to you some time ago that it’s taken me a long time to understand, in a personal way, Mary (The Blessed Mother) and her role in my life.

To be sure I’m properly educated in what the Church teaches about Mary, she is: Mother of Jesus and Mother of God and Mother of the Church. She is Our Lady of the Rosary, Mother of Sorrows, Immaculate Conception etc..

I believe all these things. And that’s the way it’s been for most of my life . . . I know what the Church teaches about Mary, but it’s been on a theological level. She’s been someone to study; a holy woman who did a great job with her son Jesus. But that was all long ago.

What’s been missing is a personal relationship with her. I always thought that was for me and Jesus. (I didn’t want to go to Mary when I could go right to her son.) In other words what does Mary have to do with me? Can I talk with her? Does she know who I am? Can she teach me what I need to know? Will friendship with her take away from friendship with Christ?

So for years I ignored Mary.

Then it happened. I was praying on retreat one night in chapel. Sitting in the silence for some days had become quite frustrating and I had grown increasingly restless.

For a reason I can only call God’s grace, it suddenly came to my imagination that someone was kneeling in the dark up by the tabernacle. My thought then led me to consider that it was Mary, praying as she had that day at the foot of the cross. (This is called “meditation” in the spiritual books).

Being the “wise guy”, I decided to challenge this woman and in my mind (or perhaps out loud, I can’t remember), I said to her, “Your son is awfully quiet tonight.”

At this moment I can only remember her face, partially covered with her veil, turning slightly and with a smile that was fresh and young and confident, she said: “Don’t worry. He knows you’re here.” All questions stopped. There was no need for further conversation. “Mary, if He knows I’m here that’s all that matters. Thanks.” The chapel returned as it was, dark and empty.

What had just happened? As I say, it was a grace. God gave me something to think and feel. (I don’t think Mary was physically in the chapel that night!) But the real gift was what followed in the days after.

I was given to realize that for all her exulted titles, Mary was my “prayer partner”. She prays with me. And she prays with much greater clarity about God’s will for me than I do. Her smile that night in chapel continues to tell me that as quiet as Christ seems in my life – he is with me and it pleases him that I want to be with him as well.

Lastly, and best of all, I now have Mary to “take things to Jesus for me”. I figure hey, if she is so certain he’s with us, then she knows his mind better than I do.

This is not , as I once feared, taking away from Jesus. In fact, Mary intensifies our relationship with Christ. What she adds is her “partnering” with me. I’m not alone in this sometimes confusing search for God in my life. Most times I begin my prayer straight to Jesus or God the Fa- ther. But I try at some point to include a little word to Mary my “prayer partner”. “What should I tell your son Mary?” “Tell Jesus I want to love Him more.”

“Don’t worry.” She says. “He knows you’re here.” God is good.
Fr. Tim

PS. The Catholic Faith has always taught these things about Mary. I’m just late for the party!

(Previously posted on November 6, 2016).

Please don’t leave. Let’s talk.

We all have strong feelings here. Some support the summer long demonstrations for an end to racism in the law enforcement community; some are in opposition to a movement that has brought looting and violence here in Rochester and in cities around the county and the world.

So why bring it up? Aren’t there enough problems out there to deal with without talking about an issue that divides so many of us?

A couple reasons I think.

1. Looking away only keeps the problem festering.
2. We’re a people of hope. We never give up striving to let love win.

So briefly . . . let’s look at both sides.

(I went to the BLM website and discovered that it had morphed from a “movement” to combat racial injustice by law enforcement, to an “organization” that now espouses causes contrary to Catholic teaching about gender and family. What follows is a description of the movement NOT the organization.)

There is a different experience of life if you are a person of color in this country. I don’t think there’s a black person over the age of 13 that hasn’t experienced some form of discrimination (however slight) that has never occurred to me as a white person. I’ve never . . .

• Had the cops called on me for walking in a strange neighborhood.
• Been called “suspicious” because of the clothes I wear.
• Had my name or hair ridiculed for being “different”.
• Had my intelligence doubted because of my color.
• Watched people wrap themselves in a flag that championed my people’s slavery 150 years ago.
• Been told a house I’m interested in has already been sold – – when it hasn’t.
• Seen video’s of suspect white men being choked to death as they begged to be allowed to breathe.
• Been told, as an Irishman, to go back to where my people came from.

Space doesn’t allow for hundreds more examples. The net result is, over time (like 200 years), a deep seated anger and resentment. Like a volcano it eventually blows.

Okay. Now the other side . . .

• What about the lawlessness, looting and gun fire that accompanies Black Lives Matter protests? Doesn’t that indicate a criminal component?
• What about the disrespect, taunting, and rock throwing endured by lawful authority that’s trying to save the very neighborhoods the protesters live in?
• How could we possibly “defund” law enforcement when 99% of officers only want to “serve and protect”?
• What about the “outside agitators” that come to town using the protests to just cause trouble?
• Why isn’t the movement called “All Lives Matter”? Don’t we all count equally here? If blacks don’t want to be “profiled” or set apart, doesn’t the movement make a certain race “special” in a way that creates reverse discrimination?

So what do you think?

By the way, I don’t imagine I’ve captured the full picture of either side. Each bullet point can be nuanced to be more accurate. I’ve tried to be as fair as I can, listening to conversations about town and watching all the news channels (we’re news junkies in the rectory).

But weighing the points on both sides, I’m wondering – – – Isn’t there a guiding light to lead us through the loud voices on both sides? I think there are. Two in fact. They’re called Justice and her sister Love; they are graces, come from God, to guide our life here on earth. They unite us as children of God.

Can we not find a way to attend to the wounded cry of the black community? (There’s been real injustice here.). Can we not support Law Enforcement in their mission to “serve and protect”? I think we can.

But it’s going to require we listen to each other; that we put away the “knee jerk” reaction we use to end discussion and protect our opinions. Most of all we can’t close our eyes to this just because it’s unpleasant.

Talk to your children. Get them to express themselves about this. This is important. Children must be challenged to see Christ’s way in this matter. Can we say a prayer at dinner or bedtime that asks God’s help?

“Lord Jesus, help us to see your face in all your people. And to love as you have loved us.”

With Love,
Fr. Tim

PS. Next week let’s talk about our favorite ice cream!