Bishop Eric Menees
In over 28 years of
ordained ministry - and the several years prior, as a layman - I have never
ceased to be amazed at the fortitude that some of our brothers and sisters
have: strength to fight and strength to die gracefully; strength to love,
serve, and stand by the side of a loved one in the midst of great sorrow and
fear.
This strength comes not
from within ourselves, but as a gift of the Holy Spirit that is sometimes
referred to as Godly Might or Godly Fortitude. Again, this is referenced as one
of the foundational gifts by the Prophet Isaiah when he wrote: “There
shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots
shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of
wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. And his
delight shall be in the fear of the Lord” (Isaiah 11:1-3a)
In my ministry, throughout
the years as a Hospice Chaplain, Hospice Board Member, and Fire Department
Trauma Team founder and member, I've been both blessed and cursed to witness
hundreds of people face traumatic injury or illness. When that happens, both
the patient and their loved ones must come to a place of either resignation at
their ill fate, or of recognizing that, even though we live in a fallen world
that knows great pain and sorrow, we can, as Christians, face pain and
suffering with the knowledge that even in suffering God can be glorified and
others can be aided.
In my own family, I look
to my brother as an example of one who has had Godly Might & Fortitude. Ken
has juvenile diabetes and is now 58 years old. Ken's health has deteriorated
over the years: he's had two heart attacks, several stints, his kidneys are not
working well, he has no feeling in his feet, and his eyesight continues to
weaken. In short, Ken has all of the problems that someone who has had diabetes
for fifty years would have. In all that time, I've never heard him complain,
nor ask for a break or to have things easier. Ken has gotten up every morning
and gone to work to support his family, to be a productive citizen, and to help
other people.
I'm not sure Ken would say
that he's gifted with Godly Might, but he'd be quick to say that he could not
have done all that he has without God's help. Ken and his family are faithful
Catholic Christians - he serves with the Knights of Columbus and, throughout
the years, has held about every position a layman can have at his church; never
complaining about his illness, never asking for a break, and never giving in.
Two weeks ago Ken got to
see something he secretly feared that he might not - his only child's marriage
to a wonderful man. I was so proud of my brother as he walked my niece down the
aisle. I stood at the altar and saw the beam in my brothers face that radiated
the love of a father for his daughter, and the Love of our Heavenly Father for
his adopted son.
Let us pray for all the
Kens of this world, and for all of the men and women who love them and care for
them in good times and in bad. Thank God for the gift of Godly Might and
Fortitude - it is too frightening to think what this world would be like
without it!
Let us pray: "Keep
watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give
your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest
to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield
the joyous; and all for your love's sake." Amen.
I pray you all a blessed
week as you seek and serve the Lord!
Catechism Questions 127 - 130
127. What is the
work of deacons?
The work of deacons, serving
Christ under their bishops, is to assist priests in public worship, instruct
both young and old in the catechism, and care for those in need. (Acts 6:1-6; 1
Timothy 3:8-13)
128. What is
marriage?
Marriage is a lifelong covenant
between a man and a woman, binding both to self-giving love and exclusive
fidelity. In the rite of Christian marriage, the couple exchange vows to
uphold this covenant. They do this before God and in the presence of witnesses,
who pray that God will bless their life together. (Genesis 2:23-24; Matthew 19;
Mark 10:2-9; Romans 7:2-3; 1 Corinthians 7:39)
129. What is
signified in marriage?
The covenantal union of man and
woman in marriage signifies the communion between Christ, the heavenly
bridegroom, and the Church, his holy bride. Not all are called to marriage, but
all Christians are wedded to Christ and blessed by the grace God gives in
marriage. (Ephesians 5:31-32)
130. What grace
does God give in marriage?
In Christian
marriage, God establishes and blesses the covenant between husband and
wife, and joins them to live together in a communion of love, faithfulness and
peace within the fellowship of Christ and his Church. God enables all married
people to grow in love, wisdom and godliness through a common life patterned on
the sacrificial love of Christ.
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