Starting up The Bus

Starting up The Bus...

 February 11, 2013.

..."Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that happened..." Luke 24.13-14

Transitioning Vocations

As many of you know, I retired from my position as Religious Education Coordinator of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Schools this past June. "Retired" is the official term for receiving a pension after 30+ years of service, but I prefer to think of it as a "transition" of my vocation. 

So after a busy fall of acreage living, teaching courses at Newman College and being involved in archdiocesan and parish life, things began to slow down enough here in February to commit to something that I wanted to do since September write a weekly blog. 

I want to write something similar to what I was doing at STAR Catholic; namely, a reflection on Sunday Mass readings that would give readers a focus for the rest of the week. Although my intended audience is for all Christian disciples, my focus will be for Catholic educators- those who spread the Good News of Jesus Christ to children, young adults and their own family, friends and peers.

So I decided (or did the Holy Spirit decide it for me?) to start today.

And as I began to write this, I got a call from my wife Shirley (also retired, but somehow teaching everyday this week). "Go turn on the news or the Internet! Pope Benedict just resigned!!"

Turns out our Holy Pontiff has decided that he can no longer do the work of leading 1.2 billion Catholics, due to his failing health.

The media, and many in the Church, including his closest advisers, express shock. And it is surprising - for the past 600 years, popes have died in office.

But Benedict XVI has been a surprising pope. When all thought he would be the stern, hardline Josef Ratzinger, Benedict turned out to be a wise, loving and open Pope. His writings and preaching will stand the test of time.

And now he has "transitioned" his vocation. He will now devote the rest of his life to contemplation and prayer for the world.

Why the Bus???

 Naming the Blog

 A few years back I did some presentations on Catholic school leadership and staff faith formation. The presentations became an article published in Celebrate!  magazine, entitled "The School Bus on the Road to Emmaus." These two images reflect the reality of the mission and vision of our Catholic Schools. The bus is the everyday life of the school - teaching, leading, coaching, disciplining, and ultimately loving. This is true for all schools, Catholic or not...

Why Emmaus?

  Luke 24.13-35 tells the story of the two disciples, weighed heavily by the death of Jesus, and on their way to Emmaus to escape their pain (Emmaus was the Vegas of their time). On their way they encounter Christ although they don't recognize Him, and beg Him to stay after He breaks open the Word to them. They finally recognize Him  in the Breaking of the Bread.
This is the story of every disciple. This is our story. And as we drive along this road, we will recognize that we need to turn the bus around and witness to the Good News, because our "hearts are burning within us."

For This Week ...
1. In the evening after supper, or before you sleep, recall the events of the day. Ask yourself, "when did I encounter Christ today?" (notice that the question does not ask "if"!!) Commit to this practice as a part of your evening prayer.
2. Pray for the Pope, the Church and the faithful in this time of change. ask the Holy Spirit for an increase in wisdom and peace for all of us.