I get annoyed with the zany new years parties and resolutions. It is like people mark the new year by pretending to want to improve, but in reality nothing changes. I know that health club memberships increase in January. I wonder what the actual rate of people who use them past January is…

In the past I have subscribed to the insanity myself and have even proclaimed 2012 as the “year of the foot” and am determined to run the St. Jude Half Marathon in December 2012. And yet, throughout this Advent and no Christmas season I have not run, nor completed a workout in preparation for my (deep voice with lots of commitment) Da Da Da DA “Year of the Foot”. So, am I really committed? Or am I too like the rest of humanity, only pretending to want to be better but actually comfortable in my apathy.

A couple of years ago I was telling my spiritual director that I just needed to get through the month and then everything would be okay. Financially, time management, work load, family responsibilities, and everything else was simply overwhelming me and I needed to get this one month over with. He looked at me and said, “explain to me what changes on the 1st day of next month.” I was stumped. My job was still there with lots of work to do. My wife would still need me to care for her and our children would still need a father. My relationship with God would still need time. My house and cars would need maintenance. And the number of hours in the day did not dramatically increase with the emergence of a new month. So…what changed?

This meeting with my spiritual director set in motion a dramatic change of events never before seen in human history, or at least Bob history which is slightly less lengthy but much more enjoyable…at least to me. I changed. I changed my priorities. Ultimately it is this conversation that would lead me to resign from my part-time job as Youth Minister, re-focus my relationship with my wife and children, and place my live in proper order. The reality is everything changed the next month, and yet nothing changed.

What is funny is that I started to write this post to discuss the Catholic New Year being the 1st Sunday of Advent. Apparently, what I really wanted to write about was change. Whether you decide to set a deadline of Jan 1, or the 1st Sunday of Advent, or any other day, the important thing is not what day nor what goal but rather what change do you want.

Recently i went to a management training conference. A high level manager commented that in any personal development plan you have to “own it” for change to occur. I think many times we Christians say we want to be like Christ because that is the right thing to do. But to you really own that goal? Or is it God’s goal for you? Between the two is a great difference. God wants you to join Him for eternity in heaven. God wants you to be a holy and blameless example for others. God wants you to love as He does. But do you? Change only occurs in you if you want it.

This New Years Eve, rather than drink away the last year and celebrate the beginning of another month in which everything changes if we could just make it, let’s own the true reality of our situations and honestly desire change. I will run the half marathon in December 2012 and I want to be held accountable to it. Putting it in writing here is terrifying because I know that my friends will hold me accountable…(that is if my friends actually read this, which is unlikely since they never listen to me anyway….). At least I know my wife will…I hope.

I pray that you make resolutions/goals that keep in mind your reality. Ask God to show you how He sees you, then work toward seeing yourself in the same way. Now there is change to be aspired to. Own yourself, no one else will.

Happy New Year.

I want to point out that I will not condone nor allow disrespectful dialog on this blog, my Facebook page, or any other forum. Regardless of your opinion (agreement with me, or disagreement) your comments will be deleted if they do not respect others.

So, here we go.

Item 1: Not believing in ‘gay marriage’ or that people are created homosexual means you are judgmental.

This is possibly the most frustrating element of this issue for me. The fact that I believe gay marriage is not in the best interest of society does not make me hateful or judgmental; nor does not believing that humans are created ‘homosexual’ or ‘gay’.

My personal take on this is that society has evolved over time and people no longer understand love and purpose. Society no longer acknowledges our purpose as the human creation to glorify our creator. Rather society places our purpose at the mercy of our individual emotions and desires. There is no longer a commitment to the good of the whole. People are left to simply do what they want, whether it hurts others or not. Granted there are some limits to this such as murder…yet even that is subjective as a woman can choose to kill a child if she desires.

The love element is also important. No I do not believe that ‘gay marriage’ or relationships are solely based on lust rather than love. I do believe however that we as a people do not understand love. Why is it that the mainstream Christian faith does not use Crucifixes and only uses crosses? Society removes Jesus because it does not understand True Love. True Love is about giving everything for another. But we can’t do that can we? Abortion, divorce, infidelity, care for the sick, elderly…care for the poor… All of these are signs that we do not understand true love for one another.

And why can we not understand true love for one another…because we are not willing to accept it from Jesus Christ who gave it all. Put a crucifix on your wall and daily reflect on what it took to accomplish that. The Grace is in the resurrection, the Love is in the death on a cross.

All of this is to make the point that as someone who desires to be a true disciple of Jesus Christ I do not judge anyone regardless of their actions or beliefs. However not judging is not synonymous with acceptance. I do not have to accept or condone someone’s actions. In fact, it is more the opposite than you who disagree with me can know. I love them soo much I desire for them to see who they really are as a creation of the Father with dignity.

Item 2: God created homosexuals

This is a touchy subject for many. Especially those who have a relative proclaimed to be homosexual, because for many this is emotional not theological or scientific. For this to be in proper context, we must understand the purpose for sexuality. God said to Adam and Eve, “be fruitful and multiply and inhabit the earth.” These are the marching orders for humanity. We have been given stewardship of creation, and dominion over other creatures for a purpose. Sexuality is a fundamental part of creation with a specific purpose as ordained by God. Therefore, I cannot as a Christian believe that God created people to be homosexual. Rather I believe that society as explained above has distorted love and as a result that manifests itself in people not receiving the love they need from the proper places (parents, friends, community, etc.).

There is one other element to discuss here. Since society does not understand love, it also does not then understand purpose. Our “vocation” is critical to our person. Vocation isn’t job, career, or activity; rather vocation is part of one’s identity. I believe that those who believe they are homosexual perhaps misunderstand their identity, specifically their vocation.

That in a nutshell is a glance into some of these issues. Yes, you may disagree with me or not like my beliefs and I respect that.

I pray that we find unity in our society and regain our purpose.

God bless you.

I have always been interested in the lives of the saints. Often I read about a saint, take a tidbit for application, and move on. I have enjoyed reading books about the teachings of saints, the communities they served or founded, etc.

In the case of Margaret Mary, it is different. It is like Jesus has sent her as a sage for my journey. One with wisdom and guidance to continually guide me toward Jesus. And to constantly show up when I am in need of guidance the most.

This past year has been a spiritual struggle. I began to read a book about the Saint and found her life to be amazing. I would jump up and read sections to Sarah, almost in tears because of the things she endured, the events of her life, and often by what she herself wrote or said. Not before has a saint had such an affect. Not before has a saint been so tangible or real to me. I would read about her, feeling almost as though I was the ghost of Christmas past and could sit in the room to watch her life unfold. Yet in the midst of all of this, when the book described her in prayer before Christ, I could not find myself there. I could not take part in that piece of her life. I couldn’t smell or sense it.

The devotion to the Sacred Heart requires a great sacrifice on the part of the person. The fire in the Sacred Heart calls us to perfection, that of purgatory. The saint’s own life is one of a constant purge of self. I am no good at the purge of self. I tend to like me. No, I really like me, and am pretty attached to me. Are you getting the point of me here?

Another part of this devotion is the crown of thorns. O to be a King, one of riches and power; and a complete lacking of this devotion if that be the case. The crown of thorns is one of disgrace and denial by the world. The saint experienced this over and over, being hated by her own sisters until St. Claude affirmed her devotion in his homilies and writings. Not until his death was she truly accepted in her order.

And then there is the piercing of the lance. A heart so loved, pierced by man’s sin and disobedience of God. A meek heart, disgraced by our unwillingness to stand up for our faith in the Eucharist, or our ignorance of the Mass and worship of Him.

While reading her life I desired this devotion more so than I’ve desired anything spiritually aside from the Eucharist. I remember the months leading to my Confirmation and First Eucharist I became so hungry for His love and mercy that it was alive and real. Supernatural.

At the time all of this was welling up inside me, Satan too was planning his attack. You see, a soul cannot hunger for God without the devil hungering for the soul. And being a cunning adversary, he knew when and where to strike. Rather than tempt me to sins he knew I would never allow he attacked subtly. Focusing on the one thing that has plagued the Christian Church and the one thing I disliked most about American Christians. Mediocrity.

Mediocrity is to me, the same as rationalization. I’m good enough, can’t God accept me for who I am. These small sins aren’t that big of a deal, there are people way worse than me. Look at me, I’m a good guy. We even have Churches in the US designed to “take you as you are”.

For months I struggled. My “ardent desire” waffled. My supernatural hope reduced to human hope, failing me slowly but surely.

And then, Jesus and the saint had enough. A few weeks ago a friend came to my house and returned the book on her life to me, reminding me about her, as though through a fog I could see her life calling me forward. Then in the last few days another friend sent me this article http://wau.org/resources/article/re_three_streams_one_love. Yet another encounter with St. Margaret Mary.

Though these simple yet direct encounters, and again picking up the book about her life, I’m now gaining speed; doing some things differently. Mediocrity is the lie. After multiple plays I have white boarded a defense, no an offense to beat Satan’s play (insert great quote about MI having a new coach here). Spring training is over.

Right now in our home we have placed on our mantle a relic of St. Margaret Mary. Dust from her coffin. History tells us that in 1830 when her tomb was opened upon Pope Leo XII pronouncing her Venerable, two instantaneous cures took place. The dust from her coffin having touched those that were healed.

Tonight I begin praying for the intercession of St. Margaret Mary that I am healed of the disease of mediocrity.

Today I begin again praying daily the Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Last week I began a fight to work on the first two Necessary Dispositions for the Devotion to the Sacred Heart. A great horror of sin, and an ardent desire for Jesus Christ.

And I no longer fear the fire. Nor the crown. Nor the piercing. Because the light out shines all, and the darkness cannot overcome it.

I pray you find the courage to overcome mediocrity in your life. It is a lie, and it is too often overlooked by too many, including me. The front lines of this war are every day. The weapon is our own heart, overcome in love by His Sacred Heart.

Sr. Margaret Mary Alacoque, pray for us.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in thee.

Here is more about her if you are interested.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marguerite_Marie_Alacoque
http://www.sanctuaires-paray.com/spip.php?article316

And more on the Sacred Heart of Jesus
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacred_Heart_of_Jesus

I have previously written about Pilate’s questioning of Christ in John 18 (Que Est Veritas). My point in that post was that as a people, we are not very good at seeking the Truth. Since this post is about Truth, I’m calling it part 2.

I recently learned that the Japanese language has two words for truth in the context of society. They are Honne and Tatemae.

Honne is the underlying truth, what is real. Often this is hidden from the world or public.

Tatemae is the outward appearance, what we can see.

Tatemae is not always consistent with Honne.

I’ve reflected on this for the past few days. I once heard that achieving Zen is simply matching our insides with our outsides. I think of the movie 28 Days in which Sandra Bullock plays an alcoholic. She is taken to a farm and given the task of lifting a horse’s hind hoof off the ground. The horse is strong and cannot be forced, despite her attempts. Only when she matches her inside with her outside can she accomplish it. The last scene of the movie has her lifting the hoof of a police horse after finding her true self.

How many of us acknowledge that what is inside of us isn’t always pretty? And are willing to show it off anyway? In my life I have struggled with many sins which are well documented in the posts of this blog. And even today, I struggle. Everyday I strive to become more like Christ despite my significant shortcomings. He calls us to do this. Believing in Him obligates us to this.

I struggle significantly with mainstream Christianity in the United States and abroad. I see many attempting to live perfection without trying to achieve it. I also think this is why many Christians believe their sin only affects themselves, rather than the whole Body of Christ. It seems as though the Christian Tatemae is a mask for impurity, brokenness, and shame. Only Christian rock stars and preachers are to display their past shame as a method of conversion. And once they believed in Christ everything was fixed…right?

The Honne is very different isn’t it? How many preachers have fallen due to impurity? How many “good” marriages fail? Simply look at the divorce rate for Christians of 51% which is exactly the same as the national divorce rate of…yes 51% How many leaders’ careers and ministries shattered when the truth about their lives are known? One has only to look at Representative Anthony Weiner for an example. I could write an entire book on the topic of Honne and Tatemae in relation to pornography and impurity.

Rather in this post I want to ask a different question. Does our Honne match our Tatemae? Are we living proof of Truth? Or do we hide a lie deep inside?

Jesus Christ came for the broken, not the proud.
Jesus Christ called sinners, not the perfect.
Jesus Christ died for the poor in spirit, not the rich.

Which God do you worship? The one who is happy with who you are and doesn’t want you to change, because who you appear to be is already good enough? The “Come as you are God”?

Or do you worship Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, who came to raise you to a new life. A life of Grace. A life filled with Him. A life in which our souls are purified daily by His blood. That’s the God I desire to worship with you. This is Our God.

Lately I’ve heard twice the quote ‘God accepts you for who you are but loves you too much to leave you there.’

Tonight as you pray, ask God to show you who you really are. And tomorrow wake and show that person to the world. That’s who we want to see. That’s who you were created to be. That’s the one who will change the world simply by being loved by Him.

God bless you.

I Am
I am 13 years old and my great story is being written and my great accomplishments and successes are to come.

I am a self-advocate speaker. I like giving Power Point presentations and answering questions. When I was six years old I read a welcoming statement in three languages at the National Down Syndrome Society Conference in St. Louis. At age 12 I spoke at the 10th World Down Syndrome Congress in Ireland and played a violin recital in front of 900 people at the Plenary Session.

I am a swimmer. I train everyday. I set six Junior Down Syndrome World Records in freestyle, long course:
• 50 meters
• 100 meters
• 200 meters
• 400 meters
• 800 meters
• 1,500 meters

I am a traveler. I have a passport. I have visited:
• Canada
• Mexico
• Honduras
• Ireland
• France

I am a violinist. I started to play when I was six years old. I am on Suzuki Book 3. I am a golfer. I learned to play when I was 8 years old. I like to practice at the driving range. I open golf events with ceremonial drives. I am a polyglot. I am good at learning foreign languages. I speak:
• English
• Spanish
• French
• and I study Latin

I am homeschooled. I know the multiplication tables. I know the Ten Commandments. I know all the presidents of the United States. I study botany and entomology. I am a reader. I learned to sight-read when I was 2 years old. I have a bookcase at home with all my books. I have a library card.

I am a cyclist. I learned to ride a bike when I was 8 years old with Dr. Dick Klein at Lose the Training Wheels bike camp in Chicago. I ride 12 miles with my father in the summer and fall. I am Catholic. I was baptized when I was a baby. I made my First Communion when I was 10 years old. I am an altar server and I am studying for my Confirmation.

I am valuable because I exist. Not because of what I do or what I have done.

I am not a burden to society. My life is worth living with respect and dignity.

I am a self-advocate so that others may understand.

I am a person.

I am Emmanuel Joseph Bishop.

Friends. This is what life is all about. God said “I Am who Am”. We are His creation, always. There is no sometimes, or not this time…God is all in for us 100% of the time. I cannot explain why this young man, and countless others, is born a little different in how they see the world, communicate, and think. I can however be certain that they are beautiful, just like you.

So, why am I posting about this? What’s the point Bob…you ask…

I read this story and my first thought was “I hope that I have the courage to love as this young man’s parents have.” There is another story on the website in which a young lady says she is glad her parents did not abort her! Have you ever had that thought?

As spouses we are expected by God to love unconditionally. Do we?

As parents we are expected by God to love unconditionally. Do we?

As siblings. As friends.

Friends in this young man I see Christ. I see pure Love. And I’ve never met him. And I probably never will. But in reading this story I learned something about me that I needed to hear…and perhaps you do to.

I have value because I am…not because I do.

Lord if we could only learn that our world would be dramatically different. Our marriages would be different. We would be different. And God would be greatly glorified.

Thank you Emmanuel for teaching me how beautiful we are in God. You are in my prayers.

Please become a fan of the IDSC for Life on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/IDSCforLIFE

Also visit their website and learn more about this great organization: http://www.idscforlife.org/p/self-advocates.html

Please take the time to read the stories of the other Self Advocates here: http://www.idscforlife.org/p/self-advocates.html