On this President's Day Weekend, while many will travel with the three day weekend offering extra time off from work, it is important to reflect on the gift and challenge of leadership, and those who take on these responsibilities. In our nation, and in our Church, leadership calls forth people who have received the gift, according to St. Paul, to guide others in the way of salvation, and to carefully care for those most vulnerable. Those called to Church ministry, such as bishops and priests and to apostolic leadership in charge of dioceses and parishes accept not only the responsibility allotted to them by those they care for, but also to be challenged by those who may disagree and not accept their actions or opinions. In this present world we live in, with all the media avenues available to us, it is much easier to receive information about our leaders, and it is much easier to condemn and even act with evil intent when we do not care for personalities, or we disagree with policies and points of view. Websites and blogs can be found everywhere that can encourage and discourage leaders of the Church. It is only with God's grace and with gifts received that we can appreciate the work and risk it takes to guide communities today. Church leaders are human, not gods, angels, or spirits, and they will make mistakes, commit sin, and made errors in judgment. Healthy and constructive criticism is good for the soul. Of course, criticism be done in gentle charity. Cruel remarks only harden those attacked. I also remember, no matter how awful the remarks and criticisms thrown at Bishop Steinbock in his nineteen years of leadership as our bishop, he would take them to prayer, forgive what was said or done, and always find joy and laughter through it all. Having gone through my own challenges, I appreciate even more how he modeled for us priests, genuine love for God's People, even when they hurt and insult. The bishop always reminded us, that if Christ was hung on the cross because of hate for his ministry and presence, why should we escape what he could not.
When it comes to civic leadership, the discord in our public arena in recent years has grown ugly and extremely uncharitable. We all have our political bent, and as Americans, with the great gift of free speech, we are allowed our opportunities to give and share what we think is for the good our country. The rhetoric in recent years, though, has gone over the top. The lack of respect for those elected by the majority is not a good measure of our Christian heritage. Those who lead us have put their reputation, lives, and energies for the service of their respective communities and country. Even in disagreement, we are called to be civil and to respect the offices our leaders occupy. Change always comes soon enough if those elected do not serve their people well.
On this President's Day holiday, I invite our parish community to pray for all leaders, both in Church and State, and that God inspires them to work for the greater good, and that we will together journey along to care for those most in need of the common good.
The parish offices will be closed this Monday, February 21st.
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