An Era of Hope On the first Wednesday in November, the nation awoke to a new era, one of hope inspired by the audacity of one man, President-elect Barack Obama. His wide margin of victory is a measure of how dissatisfied Americans have become with the war in Iraq, the greed on Wall Street, the price of oil, the hobbling of our health care system and the outsourcing of jobs to other countries. Obama’s victory is also a testament to what a grassroots, volunteer movement can achieve. Anyone who has worked in church ministry knows full well the power of committed volunteers. One of the striking things about church volunteers is the number of them who feel called to help others through the very struggles they, too, have experienced. It may have been spousal abuse, job loss, divorce, bankruptcy, depression, anxiety, loss of a loved one, sickness and injury, or some other crushing cross. Somehow, some way, they managed to survive the experience and learn from it. They grew emotionally and spiritually. They acquired new coping skills, new self-confidence, new faith in God’s plan for their lives. In their recovery, they learned the value of patience and endurance. They became more compassionate and able to see new ways to help others. By volunteering, they found a purpose in their pain: they would use it as an instrument of grace. Those who have felt the weight of a cross, who have walked their own Via Della Rosa, know what it means to be forlorn and forsaken, forced to live with fear. They’re able to empathize with others and minister to them, helping them see past the pain. In the midst of uncertainty, they act as mentors and exhorters, and by their witness show that this, too, shall pass. They visit the homebound and sick; join 12-step programs; volunteer at crisis centers; drive for Meals on Wheels; and minister to the needy in numerous creative ways. Yes, we all have our cross to bear. Life presents each one of us with opportunities to turn our grief to grace. Isn’t this what Saint Paul meant when he wrote that God “comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted.” (2 Corinthians 1:4) In his first post-election address to his volunteers, Barack Obama gratefully acknowledged the sacrifices they had made. Then he struck a more somber tone and reminded them that the heavy lifting was just beginning. Without a concerted effort, the foundation laid during the election campaign will be for naught - - and hope will become an empty promise. But, unlike the hapless man in today’s Gospel, who began building without a plan, Barack Obama has laid out a detailed plan for the nation. Let us pray that the spirit that inspired his volunteers will move the nation to get behind him.
11/05/08 05:13 Filed in: Hope
“Whosoever doth not carry his cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14: 25-33)
Anyone who has worked in church ministry knows full well the power of committed volunteers. One of the striking things about church volunteers is the number of them who feel called to help others through the very struggles they, too, have experienced. It may have been spousal abuse, job loss, divorce, bankruptcy, depression, anxiety, loss of a loved one, sickness and injury, or some other crushing cross.
Somehow, some way, they managed to survive the experience and learn from it. They grew emotionally and spiritually. They acquired new coping skills, new self-confidence, new faith in God’s plan for their lives. In their recovery, they learned the value of patience and endurance. They became more compassionate and able to see new ways to help others.
By volunteering, they found a purpose in their pain: they would use it as an instrument of grace.
Anyone who has worked in church ministry knows full well the power of committed volunteers. One of the striking things about church volunteers is the number of them who feel called to help others through the very struggles they, too, have experienced. It may have been spousal abuse, job loss, divorce, bankruptcy, depression, anxiety, loss of a loved one, sickness and injury, or some other crushing cross.
Somehow, some way, they managed to survive the experience and learn from it. They grew emotionally and spiritually. They acquired new coping skills, new self-confidence, new faith in God’s plan for their lives. In their recovery, they learned the value of patience and endurance. They became more compassionate and able to see new ways to help others.
By volunteering, they found a purpose in their pain: they would use it as an instrument of grace.
“Whosoever doth not carry his cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14: 25-33)
Anyone who has worked in church ministry knows full well the power of committed volunteers. One of the striking things about church volunteers is the number of them who feel called to help others through the very struggles they, too, have experienced. It may have been spousal abuse, job loss, divorce, bankruptcy, depression, anxiety, loss of a loved one, sickness and injury, or some other crushing cross.
Somehow, some way, they managed to survive the experience and learn from it. They grew emotionally and spiritually. They acquired new coping skills, new self-confidence, new faith in God’s plan for their lives. In their recovery, they learned the value of patience and endurance. They became more compassionate and able to see new ways to help others.
By volunteering, they found a purpose in their pain: they would use it as an instrument of grace.
Those who have felt the weight of a cross, who have walked their own Via Della Rosa, know what it means to be forlorn and forsaken, forced to live with fear. They’re able to empathize with others and minister to them, helping them see past the pain. In the midst of uncertainty, they act as mentors and exhorters, and by their witness show that this, too, shall pass. They visit the homebound and sick; join 12-step programs; volunteer at crisis centers; drive for Meals on Wheels; and minister to the needy in numerous creative ways.
Yes, we all have our cross to bear. Life presents each one of us with opportunities to turn our grief to grace.
Isn’t this what Saint Paul meant when he wrote that God: “comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted.” (2 Corinthians 1:4)
Anyone who has worked in church ministry knows full well the power of committed volunteers. One of the striking things about church volunteers is the number of them who feel called to help others through the very struggles they, too, have experienced. It may have been spousal abuse, job loss, divorce, bankruptcy, depression, anxiety, loss of a loved one, sickness and injury, or some other crushing cross.
Somehow, some way, they managed to survive the experience and learn from it. They grew emotionally and spiritually. They acquired new coping skills, new self-confidence, new faith in God’s plan for their lives. In their recovery, they learned the value of patience and endurance. They became more compassionate and able to see new ways to help others.
By volunteering, they found a purpose in their pain: they would use it as an instrument of grace.
Those who have felt the weight of a cross, who have walked their own Via Della Rosa, know what it means to be forlorn and forsaken, forced to live with fear. They’re able to empathize with others and minister to them, helping them see past the pain. In the midst of uncertainty, they act as mentors and exhorters, and by their witness show that this, too, shall pass. They visit the homebound and sick; join 12-step programs; volunteer at crisis centers; drive for Meals on Wheels; and minister to the needy in numerous creative ways.
Yes, we all have our cross to bear. Life presents each one of us with opportunities to turn our grief to grace.
Isn’t this what Saint Paul meant when he wrote that God: “comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted.” (2 Corinthians 1:4)
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