The Bishop Writes

(From the July 31, 1997 edition of the Inland Register)

The bishops of the Northwest are gathering in Great Falls, Mont., today as I write this. Bishop Schuster, the retired bishop of Great Falls-Billings, is celebrating his 60th anniversary of ordination to priesthood later this afternoon. Three days ago, I left Spokane with Bishops Kaniecki (Fairbanks) and Warfel (Juneau) as we drove to Legendary Lodge north of Missoula for a prayer day for the bishops of the region. This morning we toured the Gates of the Mountains on the Missouri River on the way to Great Falls.

Bishop Schuster’s celebration here in Great Falls is a reminder of God’s goodness to us through a particular person and the need to thank God for so many blessings. At age 86, Bishop Schuster continues to be as active as he can be. He still has a hearty laugh. But as Bishop O’Byrne of Calgary mentioned earlier this morning before lunch, "Many of us are reaching that stage in life when ‘How are you?’ really means something."

If we look to life with the eyes of faith, all of life has meaning. We need to reflect upon it and be grateful. I reflect this past year upon the fact that four of our bishops in the Northwest have died: Bishop Sylvester Treinen of Boise; Archbishop Cornelius Power of Portland; Bishop Nicholas Walsh, formerly of Yakima; and very recently, Archbishop Thomas Murphy of Seattle.

Life changes, and the journey of faith continues for all of us. After lunch today Bishop Schuster joked that he wished he were 25 years younger. He as well as all of us well know there is no turning back. Each day we come closer to that remarkable day of transformation from this life to the next. As we continue our earthly journey, we can be a remarkable source of comfort, affirmation, and balance for one another. We are tempted to be great controllers. Yet, the Lord of surprises as shepherd leads us and calls us ultimately to our own death and resurrection.

The journey of surprise and of change takes many forms. Perhaps there is the sudden death of a spouse, an operation for cancer, chemotherapy or radiation therapy, a tragedy, an addiction, or a sudden loss of a job and a resulting necessary career change. We often want to go back, to wish things back the way they were. Realistically, we know life will never be the same.

Change in life can be lived with deep faith and trust in Divine Providence. We never know how the Lord calls us to witness in faith to the journey as difficult and uncertain as it may be. Sometimes one of the greatest witnesses in life is how we approach our uncertain manner of dying. In a culture when the temptation is to short-circuit this process of dying through euthanasia, for example, we may well miss a great teachable and inspirational moment. Many times, people teach profoundly during their dying. Frequently the power of faith and God’s love are most evident during such difficult times.

Life changes; we move on in faith. We are together in the body of Christ, the Church. "I am the resurrection and the life." These words of Jesus mysteriously and wonderfully continue to touch us and remind us of the fullness of life with the Lord.

May God bless you and give you much joy and peace.

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