I have a confession to make. I am sad to say that I haven’t followed the AZ Diamondbacks since they won the World Series. So that makes 10 years, since the 2001 November series, that I haven’t followed baseball. Granted, I never followed baseball very closely. I spend much more time on music. My point is, I am thrilled that the Dbacks have come back after having gotten slaughtered by the Brewers in games one and two. Tomorrow’s game is going to be intense. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to watch it live. But it would bring me great joy to see our AZ Dbacks make it to the National League championship and… dare I say… the World Series. C’mon, Arizona, hope wouldn’t be hope if the situation wasn’t difficult.
Speaking of difficult situations, Kevin mentioned in the last post that we took an Italian language proficiency test a couple of weeks ago. Well, the results are in. After two months of intensive courses and having our minds stretched and our perseverance tried, we passed! This means that the exam results show that Kevin and I have made enough progress in the language to take a dive into lectures in Italian. The first semester or two will probably be like trying to swim in rapids. Hopefully, with time and effort (and perseverance) our Italian skills – with our Lord’s constant aid – will continue to improve to the point that we can increasingly thrive in our study of theology.
One very important reality I have recently been reminded of is that in our journey to do the Lord’s will we must place all our hope and trust in the God who is the source of our life and strength. One part of the beautiful Mass for the ordination of deacons and priests states May God who has begun this good work in you now bring it to fulfillment (see Philippians 1:6). Our hope must first and foremost be in Him who thought of us, gave us life, and constantly sustains us in His love. It is not our own strength and will-power that will bring us true success. Our highest achievement is entrance into the eternal life we are made for and our heart of hearts longs for. This is something that is offered to us by God and it is only through Him that we can attain this only goal. I am the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6).
These reflections come from the awesome week-long silent retreat I went on last week as well as the ordination of this year’s 4th year seminarians at the Pontifical North American College to the diaconate. The silent retreat was very physically and spiritually restful and rejuvenating.
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| The Franciscan house we stayed at for the retreat |
It was at a beautiful place called Greccio which is where St. Francis of Assisi lived for some time with his early order of Franciscans. It is also where he made the first ever “nativity scene” (also known as a creche”) depicting St. Joseph, the Virgin Mary, and the baby Jesus.
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| Sunrise from the top of a mountain behind the retreat house |
(More pictures here)
The ordination took place in the Basilica of St. Peter. There were 35 men who were ordained to the “transitional diaconate” which means that there will be around 35 men ordained to the priesthood next year for dioceses all over the US (and a few for Canada and Australia). It is truly inspiring to see so many young men surrendering their lives to serve the Church and to be witnesses to the Kingdom. And the surrender of these men is no passive submission, but a total giving of their selves through an enthusiastic act of love for God and His people.
Now if only the Dbacks could conjure up the same enthusiasm for beating the Brewers and place their trust in the right place…
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