Oklahoma State Council
of the
Knights of Columbus
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From the State Chaplain's Desk June 10, 2008
Greetings to all the Knights, families, friends and supporters of the
Knights of Columbus:
May the blessings of God be with each of you!
Thank you so much for allowing me to speak to our newest members of the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus, as well as to all the Knights and families present. It is truly an honor and a blessing to be part of a wonderful experience for all present to witness and believe in the power of God’s grace and presence within St. Bernard’s and within the K of C community.
I want to focus our attention on two important points this evening: patriotism and faith. While these two principles are foundational for who and what we are as Knights, they are relational because they are part and parcel of the umbrella of Catholicism.
First, Patriotism is alive in Catholicism. We know that patriotism is having stock and trust in this great nation of the United States, where we are able and capable of celebrating the freedom of worship. We are free to pick and choose what kind of work we are able to do. We are free to choose life and defend life. We know that patriotism for the USA inspires each of us to have pride in the work we do in order to benefit us and others. We also know that patriotism fills us with zeal and hope that we truly can experience how people will rally around those who are in need.
Patriotism in Catholicism is just as important. Our patriotism for our faith calls and challenges us to find the zeal and strength to stand up for all the Catholic Church professes and believes. It is patriotic to understand that the Church, in line with Pope Benedict XVI, is rallying us to defend life and end the culture of death. It is patriotic to embrace the truths of the Church which call us to be affirming our faith through participation in the Church we attend on a regular basis. It is patriotic to support our priests in preaching, teaching and living the Gospel of Love who provide for us the experiences and sacraments necessary to be filled with pride and hope in the faith which sustains us. It is patriotic to be an example of what marriage is all about and living the expression that it is a “work in progress.” It is patriotic to come humbly before God and seek His forgiveness and love so as to renew our relationships with God, others and self.
All these patriotic expressions help to build up our faith within us, within others and the community. This is vital because faith is the cornerstone of our patriotism and who we are. Without this faith, nothing else will matter. Without faith in God, who invites and challenges us to grow in patriotism, we would be lost.
The second foundational principle is faith, and how appropriate for us to look forward to a growth in our faith.
In two short weeks, the Universal Catholic Church will be embarking on a year long study on the Apostle St. Paul who for us today; is a true patriot of our Faith. He is truly an inspirational leader who will lead us to be renewed in Faith, hope, love and patriotism. Our Catholic Church wants us, encourages us, invites us, educates us and surprises us as it strives to renew and implant patriotism of Faith and Church. What better way to be patriotic—and I will even say evangelistic—by growing deeper in love with the men and women who are the patriots of our Faith.
I challenge everyone here to enter into the year of St. Paul with a renewal of heart, mind, soul and faith, as well as discovering a spirit of patriotism for the Church. Furthermore, I want to invite you to see this spiritual renewal of St. Paul as a time to renew your commitment to the Universal Catholic Church, as well as to the Knights of Columbus. We have started here, with this new group of Knights in the 4th degree, who are on fire. Let us take this fire and renewed sense of success and carry it through in our faith!
There are three ways we can continue this fire of patriotism for the Knights and the Church. First, let us use St. Paul’s dedication and reverence for the Eucharist to inflame our hearts with the fire of love for God, Church, family and country. Every time we participate in the Eucharist—the source and summit of God’s grace and love—we grow more adept at evangelization and living this spirit of patriotism and holiness in our lives. St. Paul reminds us that the Eucharist is a great source of unity, harmony and community which embraces what the Knights of Columbus embrace.
Secondly, let each of us “Break open the Word” of St. Paul by reading, meditating and living Paul’s spirit of embracing Christ in all we do. In meditation and contemplation, we too, can come to our own Damascus, our own conversion of heart so that the qualities of unity, charity, fraternity and patriotism can be more visible and contagious to all around us. St. Paul can spark this growth in our lives which will fire us up and bring others to their conversion.
Third, let each of pray for one another. There is nothing more powerful than prayer and seeking the intercession of the powerful patriots of the Church who intercede for us and help us grow in holiness. This year of St. Paul is this opportunity we have to ponder the depths of St. Paul’s prayer and make it our own. It is an opportunity to increase our desire to know and experience God in and through the Sacred Scriptures which truly are inspiring and uplifting. St. Paul risked all he had in order to preach and teach the message of God, and we too, must take this leap of patriotism and faith to become the great leaders for the future of the Church.
Patriotism and faith are the bedrock components of the Knights and Catholicism. Today, we have increased our numbers with these new members. Now the charge is upon each of us to live the qualities of the Knights as well as embrace this year of faith in the mystery and meaning of the spirituality of St. Paul. Let us be on fire for the God who loves us. Let us be on fire for the freedom this country has given to us so we can worship God. Let us be on fire for our family and faith, uniting them so they reflect the wisdom and presence of God. Finally, let us embrace the call to let St. Paul’s spirituality and patriotism inflame us to serve God by and through our service of others. May God bless you and may St. Paul intercede and inflame in your hearts your love for God, Church, family and community.
Vivat Jesus!
Fr. Jim Caldwell
State Chaplain
Archives of Father Jim's Previous Letters
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Copyright 2006 Oklahoma State Council of the Knights of Columbus |