September 17, 2025
Will It Ever End – 1
Dear Friends,
The name of this column is the title of a statement issued by Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore on September 11. The violence in our country is serious. We must own up to it, talk about it, and do what we can to promote a respectful and peaceful way to deal with our disagreements and conflicts. Archbishop Lori gets us started with this and I am sharing here some of what he has said in his recent statement.
The Archbishop begins:
“Recently, there has been a spate of political violence in our country. The slaying of two Minnesota legislators. Killing innocent children gathered for a school Mass in Minneapolis. The slaying of Charlie Kirk. The list goes on. It is endless and depressing. We ask: Will it ever end?”
The violence continues:
“As these tragedies unfold, the responses are predictable. Calls for prayer are met with public ridicule. Politicians decry the extreme rhetoric for a few days but return to it as surely as night follows day. As calls for an end to violence multiply, in that same proportion it seems, do incidents of violence multiply. Will it ever end?”
We as Catholics can do something:
“What are we, as Catholics, to make of this? Do we have some magic formula, a wand to wave, that will calm the stormy waters of our culture, restore civility and minimize political violence to what are deemed ‘acceptable’ levels?
“…What if, as a community of faith, we united in making a difference?...Despite our political differences, there are things we can and should do together.
First: Pray. Take this seriously and don’t just say that’s nice, but…
“First is to pray for unity and peace, both foreign and domestic. Writing these words, I can almost hear the chant of the Greek chorus, ‘What good does that do?’ Prayer, after all, doesn’t usually result in God’s direct intervention in human affairs. Isn’t it ineffectual? No, it isn’t. We pray not to change God’s mind but to have God change ours. We pray so that God’s grace will enlarge our hearts in love, including love of enemies. The Lord could not have been more clear. If we want his forgiveness we need to forgive others. Prayer changes hearts and there are a lot of hearts that need to be changed, including mine.”
I will continue with the Archbishop’s statement and more on this topic next week.
Fr. Michael Schleupner
September 24, 2025
Will It Ever End – 2
Dear Friends,
Last week (the column of September 17) I began sharing some of the content of a recent statement by Archbishop Lori on the violence in our country. After some introductory observations, the Archbishop asks: “What are we, as Catholics, to make of this?...What if, as a community of faith, we united in making a difference?” The Archbishop has three recommendations. The first is prayer and I shared his comments on that last week. Here are his other recommendations.
“Second, as a Church, we can demonstrate something fundamental to democracy: how to hash out disagreements without resorting to violence. How sad when we Catholics attack one another, aping the language of our ideologically divided culture. If the Church is itself the sacrament of unity and charity, then we need to curb our speech, and more. The ‘more’ is something called synodality – conversation in the Holy Spirit. Synodality is not about changing the Church’s teaching but about learning to listen to one another. It is not easy.”
That word synodality is rather new to most of us. In truth, it is an ancient word and the Church lived synodality especially in its earliest centuries. Pope Francis has re-introduced this. The idea is that we set our direction as a Church through communicating and listening to one another, through discussion and discernment rooted in prayer. Pope Francis placed the Church in this direction and Pope Leo XIV has reaffirmed it. The Archbishop is calling us to embrace this and by doing that, we will also be modelling a good path for our country.
The Archbishop’s third recommendation is:
“…constructive action. For all our problems, the Church everywhere remains an engine of charity and a champion of justice. Consider, for example, two initiatives. First, our local efforts to promote mental health, to recognize the signs of mental illness, and to help link those in need to resources. Second, consider our annual gun-buyback initiative. More than 1,000 guns have been removed from our streets. Much more is underway, but you get the idea. Prayer leads to action.”
Archbishop Lori concludes his statement on a note of realism and hope.
“When will it end? The reign of sin will not be fully vanquished until the end of time. In the meantime, with God’s grace, we can make a critical difference.”
I will continue with more on this topic next week.
Fr. Michael Schleupner
October 1, 2025
Will It Ever End – 3
Dear Friends,
In the last two editions of Inbox Inspirations (September 17 and 24), I shared much of the content of a statement on violence that Archbishop Lori issued on September 12. Today I want to repeat the introductory part of that statement and then share the intercessory prayers that the Archdiocese recommended at that time.
The statement, entitled Will It Ever End, begins:
“Recently, there has been a spate of political violence in our country. The slaying of two Minnesota legislators. Killing innocent children gathered for a school Mass in Minneapolis. The slaying of Charlie Kirk. The list goes on. It is endless and depressing. We ask: Will it ever end?”
The Archbishop’s statement was followed with some proposed intercessory prayers for the pastors to use at parish Masses. Of course, these can also be used in our personal, private prayer.
v For an end to the violence perpetrated by harsh words, deadly weapons, or cold indifference. May our homes, our nation, and countries around the world become havens of peace, let us pray to the Lord.
v For those victims and those affected by gun violence in our communities, that they may find healing and support, let us pray to the Lord.
v For the wisdom to receive the stories and experiences of those different from us and to respond with respect, let us pray to the Lord.
v For the strength to teach our children how to resolve differences non-violently and respectfully, and the courage to model it in our own behavior, let us pray to the Lord.
v For our faith community, that we may respond boldly to the Holy Spirit's call to act together to end violence, let us pray to the Lord.
Next week I plan to continue this series Will It Ever End with some comments on vengeance or retaliation.
Fr. Michael Schleupner
October 8, 2025
Will It Ever End – 4
Dear Friends,
Will the violence ever end? Since the beginning of this series, there have been at least two more mass shootings in our country. A shooter opened fire on a church of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Michigan. Four people were killed, and eight others were injured. Another shooter killed three people and injured five others at a waterfront bar in North Carolina. The violence continues. Will it ever end?
One factor that I do not want to ignore as a cause of violence is vengeance. The dictionary defines vengeance as punishment inflicted in retaliation for an injury or offense. Injuries and offenses are real. They can be physical, verbal, or emotional.
However, vengeance, getting back at a person is not the way to deal with the injury. In fact, it continues or even heightens the violence. It does not bring peace or real satisfaction to the one offended. It is morally wrong.
[Please note: I am talking here about one person taking vengeance on another person or group. I am not talking about nations engaging in war. On that topic, consult my Inbox Inspirations of August 27, September 3 and 10, 2025. You can access these through the link below.]
I look to Jesus for my example and teacher. For example:
v As soldiers were about to arrest Jesus and inflict the ultimate violence on him, “his disciples realized what was about to happen, and they asked, ‘Lord, shall we strike with a sword?’ And one of them struck the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear. But Jesus said in reply, ‘Stop, no more of this!’ Then he touched the servant’s ear and healed him.” (Luke 22:49-51)
v And then as he was being crucified, “Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.’” (Luke 23:34)
Jesus was consistent even in his dying when he was enduring the ultimate kind of violence. He refrained from vengeance or retribution. He taught us to do the same. Such was his strength. And yes, this is strength – when we are in control of ourselves with the grace of God. Exacting retribution and taking vengeance is weakness – a sign of inner, personal, spiritual, moral weakness.
We are called to find our strength in Jesus. This will help us to end the cycle of violence and not cause or continue or heighten it.
More on this – Will It Ever End – next week.
Fr. Michael Schleupner
October 15, 2025
Will It Ever End – 5
Dear Friends,
As this series Will It Ever End has continued, I began thinking about possible causes of violence. That has led me to think about fear and anger. These, like other emotions, are neither good nor bad in themselves. The crucial thing is what we do with them, how we manage them, how we express them.
Here are some examples of fear. We might be afraid of
· being bullied at school or being mugged in a rough part of the city
· losing our job and not being able to make it financially
· not having enough money for retirement
· the violence in our society
· the change in cultural and moral values
· climate change and extreme weather patterns
· the weakening of our democratic institutions
· the strengthening of central government.
The fears mentioned above are only some examples. However, these and other fears can lead to various kinds of anger. We might feel angry about
· immigrants because we see them as threatening our jobs
· the government for doing nothing about gun control
· the people who favor some kind of gun control
· big corporations that pay enormous salaries to top executives and not enough to the ordinary worker
· tax policies that favor the rich
· government programs that give too much to the poor
· the LGBTQ+ push for equal rights
· being discriminated against because of being part of the LGBTQ+ community.
Again, these are only some possible examples of anger. When we are afraid, we don’t feel in control and we do feel a certain powerlessness. That’s why fear can lead to anger which may seem to give a sense of control and a target to fight against. This anger may lead us to constructive action like a peaceful protest or advocacy for good legislation. Or it may lead us to destructive action like discrimination against or scapegoating whole groups of people.
In brief, anger can lead to violence. That’s why it is so important for us to be aware of our emotions, especially fear and anger, and carefully discern what to do with them.
I hope to pick up on the last sentence and conclude this series on violence next week.
Fr. Michael Schleupner
October 22, 2025
Will It Ever End – 6
Dear Friends,
Last week’s Inbox Inspirations was about fear and anger and how anger can lead to violence. Because of this, it is very important for us to be aware of our emotions and carefully discern what to do with them. That is my focus today.
How can we manage or express our anger in a nonviolent and constructive way? What follows is rooted in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Nevertheless, I believe that all who seek to maintain civility in their expression of anger will resonate with what follows, regardless of their religious tradition.
ü Embrace the truth that the other person (or entire group of persons) is a human being like you, with a unique life experience and issues, but also with needs and dreams, and with legitimate concerns about our country or Church or whatever. This must be the starting point for managing or expressing our anger – for allowing anger to energize us rather than injure another.
ü Share your anger about whatever the matter is with someone you know, someone who can listen and calmly take in what you are saying. This may or may not be someone who agrees with you. However, it does need to be someone who will be both respectful and truthful with you.
ü If – and I say “if” because it may not always be wise to do this – if you engage in conversation with someone with whom you know you disagree, make sure that you can do this with a respectful and even calm spirit.
ü Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper and express your thoughts. Above all, stick to the issue and don’t attack a person.
ü Send an email or write a letter to your senator or congressional representative. Again, stick to the issue and don’t attack a person.
ü Participate in a peaceful, nonviolent demonstration. Join with others in expressing yourself just by being part of the event.
ü Volunteer in an organization that espouses your values and pursues them in a respectful, nonviolent way.
ü Try to find common ground with others – policies or directions or values about which both you and they care. This is important. There is probably more common ground than we know.
Next week I will conclude this series on violence – Will It Ever End.
Fr. Michael Schleupner
October 29, 2025
Will It Ever End – 7
Dear Friends,
Today’s column will conclude this series on violence. There are several reflections.
Dr. Martin Luther King preached that violence was not only immoral, but also impractical. In the long run, it doesn’t accomplish its purpose but only deepens bitterness on both sides of an angry conflict. It leaves us in a cycle of violence that cannot be stopped by itself. We need a power beyond ourselves to stop it.
Dr. King believed that an attitude of nonviolence is only possible through an infusion of love and our reliance on that. This love is the willingness to serve without the expectation of return, to suffer without wanting to retaliate, and to reconcile without having to come out on top. To live and love in this way is possible only through the grace of God and our reliance on this. We need to open our hearts to the life and love of God that has been given to us.
If we live with God’s life and love as our inner center, we will know that nonviolence is a position of strength and not of weakness. It is a different kind of power. Yes, it is counter-cultural because it is other-worldly. It comes from the kingdom of God and our living in and out of that kingdom.
The love of Jesus must be at the center of our lives. Jesus calls us as disciples to be intentional about living out of this ethic of love daily in our thoughts, words, and deeds. Only if we do this will we be prepared to deal with our anger in a nonviolent way on those difficult occasions when we have been offended or treated unjustly.
There might be suffering in this. We Christians call this “redemptive suffering.” This is our acceptance of suffering for the good of others or for the common or good of all. Jesus did this on the cross for all of us. This “redemptive suffering” has the power to transform a situation and break the cycle of violence. It is the opposite of believing that injustice can only be stopped by making the other suffer also.
So, Will It Ever End? We live with the hope that it will end if we base our lives on Jesus Christ and on the power of his love.
Fr. Michael Schleupner
In addition to Dr. Marin Luther King mentioned above, some of these reflections are also inspired by writings of Father Richard Rohr, O.F.M.
