A YEAR-END REFLECTION

December 2022

By Al Mansfield

December is here - the end of another calendar year. As I reflect back on this past year, I am in touch with these three main sentiments: thanks, concern, and hope. This particular blog might be a little more personal than usual, as I share what is on my heart. However, I suspect that some of you - perhaps many of you - might also identify with me.

THANKS

I think my predominant attitude is one of thanksgiving and praise to God for his goodness and graciousness. I have so much to be thankful for, but I just want to mention a couple of things in particular.

First of all, earlier in the year the Lord led us through a rather serious health crisis concerning my wife, Patti. Several years ago she had been diagnosed with inner ear problems and was receiving treatment. However, it now appears that her initial diagnosis had not been accurate and the underlying problem was something called NPH - Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus or excess fluid on the brain.  She had surgery which addressed the issue and her health improved quickly and dramatically. We are profoundly grateful for all the prayers that were offered on her behalf. Her doctors have been amazed with her progress. In fact, she has begun discerning speaking invitations for 2023!

We are both sincerely thankful to the Lord, and I also want to publicly acknowledge and thank our daughter-in-law, Dr. Laura Mansfield, for her invaluable help and expertise in this whole process.

I am also thankful, along with a vast multitude of others, for the Supreme Court decision reversing Roe vs. Wade after almost 50 years of legalized abortion in the United States. Together with so many from Louisiana, I take pride that one of the Justices deciding this case was Amy Coney Barrett, from right here in our own local area. Abundant thanks be given to the Lord our God!

Obviously, there are countless other things, personal and otherwise, that I am thankful for. It brings to mind the words of the Preface at Mass, that we should give thanks "always and everywhere." May thanks and praise to the Lord be ever in our hearts and on our lips!

CONCERN

Along with a huge number of you I'm sure, I am greatly shocked, disappointed, and concerned about some things that have been happening within the Catholic Church. I say this as a lifelong Catholic who loves the Church and who has spent my life trying to spread the gospel and working within the organizational structure of the Church. What concerns me? Just a few examples...

Several high-ranking cardinals and bishops have publicly expressed theological views that are contrary to Scripture, Sacred Tradition, and the long-standing magisterial teaching of the Church, especially in the area of sexual morality.

Some in the Church, including Church leaders, seem to want women to be ordained priests, although Pope Saint John Paul II definitively ruled that this is contrary to divine revelation.

There are also some among the hierarchy, clergy and laity who are advocating for "normalizing" homosexual activity and "blessing" same-sex couples.

Then there are those Church leaders who do not enforce Canon Law, but instead admit to Holy Communion those in public office who give scandal by actively working to deprive the unborn of legal protection of their God-given right to life.

I could continue with example after example, but I think you get the idea. Just when I think, "Well, I've heard it all - it can't get any worse than this." The next day, I do hear something worse! I can only echo what I have heard others say, "I never thought I would see these things happen in the Church in my lifetime." There is indeed much to be concerned about, but that brings me to my next point...hope!

HOPE

We have a hope, and his name is Jesus! Jesus not only came to bring hope, he is our hope (cf. 1 Tim 1:1; Titus 2:13). Jesus is head of the Church, which is his body (cf. Eph 5:23; Col. 1:18). Just as his body was once scourged, crucified, placed in the tomb, and rose again, so we can have hope for his body the Church, which seems to be undergoing a kind of "Passion" now. Despite everything coming against the Church, even from within, we know that the gates of hell will not prevail!

As we close this year, I think of these Scripture verses from Hebrews, which I believe the Lord would speak to us today:

"I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Heb. 13:6)

"Jesus Christ is the same - yesterday, today, and forever" (Heb. 13:8)

May you and yours have a blessed Advent and Christmas. May Jesus Christ, the Morning Star, ever rise in our hearts during the coming New Year. And remember...never let go of your hope!