The Bishop Writes

(From the Dec. 2, 1999 edition of the Inland Register)

The Catholic bishops of the U.S. have just concluded their national meeting here in Washington D.C. I’m at the airport waiting for the flight back home reflecting upon the past few days and the work of the bishops as they gathered together. During the three-and-a-half days there is the larger meeting, but during that period there are many committee meetings and breakfasts as well, sponsored by different groups who work with the Church. St. Luke’s Institute, Catholic Charities USA, Boy Scouts of America, and the National Association of Catholic Chaplains provided the breakfasts I attended the last four days.

Several times during the meeting, bishops mentioned that this was the last gathering of the millennium. Comments clearly referred to this unique moment in human history. A few weeks ago, when we celebrated Father Maurice Helfenstein’s 100th birthday in Spokane, we asked him if he wished to say anything. After thinking for a few moments, he commented, “Well, it happens to you just once in your lifetime.” We also can say that as we move into the new millenium. In fact, very few people in human history have or will experience such a transition.

In this month of November, we celebrate our national holiday of Thanksgiving. What an appropriate time to give thanks as we conclude this century and millennium. To be sure, great wars and tragedies of many sorts have marked this century. But this also has been a period marked by tremendous technological achievement and at least some development of relationship in the human family. There continues to be, of course, much potential for growth and development amongst peoples and nations, especially in the area of peace. As St. Paul so frequently reminds us, we all need to be grateful to God for many blessings, and especially God’s relationship with us.

In a few days, we will begin the season of Advent, the beginning of a new liturgical year. As we have prepared for the coming of the Jubilee Year and the new millennium, there is a natural sense of excitement and hopeful expectation. The root word of “advent” itself means “coming.” In this instance, we refer not only to the coming of Jesus 2,000 years ago into the world as the Savior and Brother of humanity. His presence here and now continues to unfold in our lives. This presence is not necessarily picked up automatically, but demands effort, sensitivity, search, and fidelity on our part. The season of Advent reminds us of our need for appreciation and special effort we must make in response to Jesus’ constant coming into our lives.

On Christmas Eve, the sealed doors of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes will be opened as we celebrate Jesus’ birth, in this case the 2,000th anniversary. The symbolism reflects in a special way how our lives should be opened to the presence of Jesus in so many ways. Appropriately Pope John Paul II has designated the theme of the Jubilee year: “Open Wide the Door to Christ.” The Holy Father indicates three important reference points to this theme: to celebrate, to reconcile, and to evangelize. All three should provide ample opportunity of entering this new millennium with great hope as we address our own journey of faith and our responsibility as good stewards in the kingdom of Jesus.

The conclusion of this century and millennium should give us a new jumping-off point, a new beginning as we look to the future. Especially for us in the Church, our Eucharistic tradition provides us the opportunity of encountering Jesus again and again in celebration, in the Bread of Life, and in love received. Ours are times of great complexity.

Many images attract or confuse us. We need to have wisdom, courage, and insight to make correct decisions that are life giving for Church, humanity, and ourselves.

Reconciliation continues to be a great need in the Church, our communities, nation and world. We must not go around living and acting as if we had no faith in God. We must not allow Jesus’ command of loving every one to let us off the hook with our behaviors and attitudes. The new millennium provides us the opportunity to really “put our feet to the fire” as we strive to be faithful to Jesus’ call.

As we enter this new millennium, never has the opportunity been greater in sharing the good news of the Gospel. Communication, mobility and inspirational witness are and can be powerful instruments of sharing the loving presence of Jesus with the world about us. Most of all, however, each of us personally has to be evangelized by this love. We can’t give what we don’t have.

The new millenium approaches. We celebrate Advent with an even greater sense of gratitude and hopeful expectation as we look to the future. May this special moment in human history excite us and urge us onward.

May God bless you and give you peace.

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