Inbox Inspiration: September 17, 2025: Will It Ever End 1-7

 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.

 

 

Inbox Inspiration: August 27, 2025: Just War 1-3

 

INBOX INSPIRATIONS

August 27, 2025

 

Just War – 1

 

Dear Friends,

The continued wars between the Israelis and the Palestinians in Gaza and between Russia and Ukraine have led me to reflect on the morality of war. Different sources give slightly different numbers, but the current conflicts have taken the lives of many and injured many others. 

For example, in the initial attack of October 7, 2023, 1,195 Israelis were killed, and of that number, 895 were civilians. In addition to those numbers, to date, 898 Israeli soldiers have been killed. On the other side, 61,000 Palestinians have been killed. Half of these were women and children and 8,900 of them were fighters.

The full-scale war between Russia and Ukraine began in February 2022. So far, 45,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed and another 390,000 have been injured. There have been 13,000 civilian deaths with another 35,000 civilians injured. For Russia, estimates range from 118,000 to 250,000 military personnel killed with another 800,000 wounded.

The continuation of these wars, coupled with the large loss of human life and high numbers of injuries have led me to think about warfare from a moral perspective. This is my focus here. 

 

The Church has recognized that sometimes, regrettably, engaging in warfare is necessary and moral. The Church has recognized the need for public authorities to provide for national defense and even require individuals to participate in this. It is important to note here that we have also taught respect for those who in conscience refuse to bear and use weapons. The Church calls for these persons to serve the human community in some other way. 

If engaging in warfare seems necessary, the Church has established certain principles that are to be followed in arriving at this decision and in conducting the warfare. These principles have been developed over centuries and find their roots in the theological reflections especially of Saint Augustine (354-430) and Saint Thomas Aquinas (1224-1274).  These moral principles are called the Just War Doctrine.     

It is important to emphasize that the Church sees evils and injustices inevitably arising from warfare. It teaches that all governments and citizens are obliged to work for the avoidance of war. Next week, in the Inbox Inspirations of September 3, I will look at the principles that constitute the Just War teaching.  

 

Fr. Michael Schleupner

 

Primary source for the above is The Catechism of the Catholic Church. 

September 3, 2025

 

Just War – 2

 

Dear Friends,

Last week’s edition of Inbox Inspirations introduced the Catholic Church teaching about war. The Church acknowledges that sometimes war seems necessary. However, this is an extremely serious matter because evils and injustices will always arise from warfare. For this reason, over many centuries, the Church has developed what is called the Just War Doctrine. There are four essential conditions, all of which must be met, for warfare to be justified.

But first, we need to be clear that the Church is teaching about defensive wars – a country resorting to military action for its legitimate defense. The Church never calls an aggressive act of warfare morally justified. An aggressive act of warfare always seems to be immoral and not justified.  

Having said that, here are the principles for the moral justification of resorting to war. 

 

v The damage inflicted by the aggressor on the nation or nations must be lasting, grave, and certain. So, the damage that would be or is being inflicted will have enduring negative consequences. These must be serious, like the subjugation or even extermination of people. And it must be clear that these consequences will result if the aggressor is allowed to go unchecked. 

v All other means to put an end to the aggression must have been shown to be impractical or ineffective. For example, diplomacy and negotiation must have been tried and failed.

v There must be serious prospects of success. In other words, engaging in war as a defense of one’s country must have a definite possibility of succeeding in deterring the aggressor and the evils that would be inflicted. This principle seems to flow from the reality that engaging in war, even if morally justified, will bring loss of life and human suffering. So, it is worth doing this only if there is a serious prospect of success in warding off a greater evil.

v The fourth principle follows from what precedes it. The use of arms must not produce evils that are graver than the evil to be avoided. The power of modern destructive weaponry enters into the evaluation of this condition for a just war.    

 

These reflections will be continued in nest week’s Inbox Inspirations, September 10.

 

Fr. Michael Schleupner

 

Primary source for the above is The Catechism of the Catholic Church. 

September 10, 2025

 

Just War – 3

 

Dear Friends,

The last two issues of Inbox Inspirations (August 27 and September 3) have looked at the Catholic teaching on Just War. You can access these through the link below. Today’s column has some additional reflections on this topic.

 

In a just war, prisoners must be treated humanely, and care must be provided for the wounded. To the fullest extent possible, the loss of life must be limited. The protection of life must remain a guiding principle. 

Additionally, in a just war, non-combatants or civilians must not be targeted. There must be respect for the lives of private citizens. Any act of war that is directed at cities or other areas where many people live is immoral and merits condemnation. This must be especially emphasized today with the availability of nuclear, biological, or chemical weapons. 

So, even if engaging in war is justified, there are these additional limits and moral principles.    

 

Finally, Pope Saint John Paul II expressed deep concern about the Just War doctrine and the existence and possible use of nuclear weapons. While he never rejected the Just War doctrine, he expressed skepticism about its applicability in today’s world. He stated that the threat or use of nuclear weapons contradicts the moral principles of 1) proportionality (that there must be some proportion between the good to be achieved and the evils to be allowed in warfare) and 2) discrimination (that non-combatants or civilians must not be targeted). He saw the Church as needing to be a prophetic voice by insisting on non-violent conflict resolution, dialogue, and diplomacy.  

Pope Benedict XVI reiterated Pope Saint John Paul’s thoughts about the Just War doctrine and nuclear weapons. He added that the nature of modern warfare, especially with weapons of mass destruction, makes it nearly impossible to satisfy the traditional conditions for a just war. Furthermore, he questioned whether the strategy of nuclear deterrence can be morally justified any longer. 

Pope Francis embraced the teachings of his two predecessors and appears to have taken them a step farther. He called into question even the possession of nuclear weapons as part of a strategy of deterrence and called upon all world leaders to pursue disarmament. The Catechism of the Catholic Church raises the same concern about policies of deterrence and the accumulation of arms. 

 

Fr. Michael Schleupner

 

Primary source for the above is The Catechism of the Catholic Church. 

Also, various statements by the three Popes who are mentioned.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inbox Inspiration: August 20, 2025: Responding to Offenses

 

INBOX INSPIRATIONS

August 20, 2025

 

Responding to Offenses

 

Dear Friends,

Last Wednesday August 13, I gave a homily at the morning weekday Mass. Afterwards, several people asked if I would share the homily in one of my Inbox Inspirations. So, here it is today. The gospel for last Wednesday’s Mass was Matthew 18:15-20, Jesus teaching us what to do if someone sins against us. It might be good to review that passage from Matthew before reading this. What follows now is my homily.

 

“Today Jesus talks about what to do when, as he says, someone has sinned against us.

I think we can take Jesus’ guidance as applying to situations when someone has wronged us personally, or when someone is doing something that we believe is wrong or sinful even if it does not affect us directly.

I got thinking about this passage in the context of the entire life and teachings of Jesus. 

In that context, I am seeing five brief, quick rules from Jesus about what to do or how to respond in these situations.

 

1. Take the initiative. Try to bring about reconciliation between the other person and yourself, or between the other person and God.

 

2. Treat the other person with respect. Work at the issue in a private, personal, one-on-one way. Only if that fails, consult someone else who may be able to bring some additional wisdom to the situation – maybe a family member or friend or priest or counselor.

 

3. Don’t shame or embarrass the other person. That will do no good for anyone.

 

4. Don’t give up on the other person. Stick with what you believe is right and good, but don’t give up on another. That, I believe, is the correct interpretation of Jesus’ words about treating the other as you would a gentile or tax collector if they won’t listen to you or even to the Church.  

 

5. Do all of this prayerfully. Let it emerge from praying about it and from seeking God’s guidance. I have to imagine that this is why Jesus’ direction here is connected with some teaching about prayer. 

 

So, some brief, quick, practical, spiritual, gospel-based rules for doing what Jesus is teaching today.”

                

Fr. Michael Schleupner

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inbox Inspiration: June 25, 2025: Hope

 

INBOX INSPIRATIONS

June 25, 2025

 

Hope        

 

Dear Friends,

Some recent data that I have read says that there are 61 armed conflicts in our world right now and that 11 of these are at such a level that they qualify as wars. We, in our country, are more aware of only three of these “war zones” – Iran, the Gaza Strip, and Ukraine. 

Besides armed conflict and war, we know that here in America there is a lot of violence. This was so very evident in the recent assassinations of a Minnesota State Representative and her husband and the attempted assassinations of a Minnesota State Senator and his wife. In addition to violence both physical and verbal, there is also a lot of financial uncertainty in our country. In my personal life and in my ministry, I often hear a lot of anxiety and anger. 

Given all of this, I turn to hope. We need to embrace a hope that is based on our faith and its vision of life. And that is central: our faith and its vision of life offers hope. I share with you below a reflection on hope from the Missionary Sisters of Saint Charles Borromeo. These Catholic Sisters serve in 25 countries over 5 continents, including here in the United Sates. Their charism is to serve refugees, migrants, and displaced peoples. This reflection on hope from these Sisters is both inspiring and challenging. 

 

“To have hope

Is to believe that history continues open

To the dream of God and to human creativity.

To have hope

Is to continue affirming 

That it is possible to dream a different world,

Without hunger, without injustice,

Without discrimination.

To have hope

Is to be a courier of God 

And courier of men and women of good will,

Tearing down walls, building bridges.

To have hope

Is to believe in the revolutionary potential of faith,

Is to leave the door open so that

The Spirit can enter and make all things anew.

To have hope

Is to believe that life wins over death.

To have hope

Is to begin again as many times as necessary.

To have hope

Is to believe that hope is not

The last thing that dies.

To have hope

Is to believe that hope cannot die,

That hope no longer dies.

To have hope

Is to live.”

 

 

Fr. Michael Schleupner 

Inbox Inspiration: May 14, 2025: Pope Leo XIV

 

INBOX INSPIRATIONS

May 14, 2025

 

Pope Leo XIV

 

Dear Friends,

This edition of Inbox Inspirations was to be the fourth and last of my reflections on Pope Francis. However, with the election of Cardinal Robert Prevost as Pope this past Thursday May 8, I want to turn my attention to him, the new chief shepherd of our Church. 

I was speechless when the announcement of the name of the new Pope was made. Maybe you were too. Then, quickly, as I listened and looked, I felt happy, enthused, and hopeful. And I also felt proud that the 267^th Pope, or 266^th successor of Saint Peter is an American, the first in our 2,000-year history. My reflections here will center largely on Pope Leo’s opening address from the balcony of Saint Peter’s Basilica. Here are a few things that jumped out to me.

 

Pope Leo begins: “‘Peace be with you – dearest brothers and sisters, this is the first greeting of the risen Christ, the Good Shepherd who laid down his life for the flock of God. I too wish that this greeting of peace may enter our hearts and reach your families, all people wherever they may be, every nation, the whole world: peace be with you. This is the peace of the risen Christ – a peace that is disarmed and disarming, humble and enduring. It comes from God, who loves us all unconditionally.” 

The Holy Father begins by praying that the entire world will experience the peace of Christ. He seems to have a wide, global vision. He describes the peace of the risen Christ as “disarmed and disarming.” It is without any weapon except the love of God. And it is “disarming” because it takes us by surprise, since it is based on God’s unconditional love for us.       

 

Pope Leo then goes on to talk about our need for Christ as our bridge. “We are disciples of Christ. Christ goes before us. The world needs His light. Humanity needs Him as the bridge that leads us to God and His love.”

And then, with Christ as our bridge, we need to build bridges. “Help us – and help one another – to build bridges through dialogue, through encounter, so that we may all be united as one people, always in peace.”    

The Holy Father seems focused on our need for these personal and spiritual bridges. We need these bridges – dare I say, both within our Church and throughout our world. 

 

I will conclude these reflections on Pope Leo XIV in next week’s Inbox Inspirations.

Fr. Michael Schleupner

May 21, 2025

 

Pope Leo XIV (continued)         

 

Dear Friends,

This edition of Inbox Inspirations continues the reflections on Pope Leo XIV begun last week. 

 

In his brief address from the balcony of Saint Peter’s Basilica on the day of his election, Pope Leo said this: “To all of you – brothers and sisters from Rome, from Italy, from all over the world – we want to be a Synodal Church, a Church that walks, that always seeks peace, seeks charity, and remains close especially to those who suffer.” 

The word “Synodal” caught my attention. The English word synod comes directly from the Greek word which means an assembly or meeting. From the earliest centuries of the Church, there were local and regional synods. These were gatherings of bishops and other designated Church leaders to consider matters of doctrine and Church practice. There have been synods throughout our history. 

This word has become much more known in recent years because of Pope Francis’ convening a Synod on Synodality. There have been two major assemblies of this Synod, in 2023 and 2024. The work of this Synod is scheduled to continue through 2028. This Synod’s theme is Synodality which means a way of being Church that involves listening, dialogue, and participation by all members of the Church. Pope Leo seems committed to continuing this emphasis on synodality. 

 

Our new Pope is the fourteenth of our 267 Popes to be known as Leo. 

The first Pope with this name is known as Leo the Great (440-461) – Saint Leo I. He is known for clarifying our belief in Jesus as both human and divine and for being a peacemaker by negotiating with the barbarians from northern Europe and mitigating their attacks on Italy. 

The most recent Pope with this name was Leo XIII (1878-1903). He is best known for his encyclical Rerum Novarum. This papal letter was written as the industrial age in Europe and America was in full swing with its attendant challenges. Rerum Novarum lifted up the rights and dignity of workers and laid the foundation for modern Catholic social teaching which every Pope since Leo XIII has applied and developed. 

Maybe the above two Popes known as Leo shed some light on the new Pope’s choice of his name. 

 

Let’s all pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit for our new chief shepherd, Pope Leo XIV. 

Fr. Michael Schleupner

May 28, 2025

 

Pope Leo XIV (continued)         

 

Dear Friends,

This edition of Inbox Inspirations concludes my reflections for now on Pope Leo XIV. What follows are a few excerpts from the homily that the new Holy Father gave at his Inauguration Mass on May 18. 

 

“Love and unity: these are the two dimensions of the mission entrusted to Peter by Jesus. We see this in today's Gospel, which takes us to the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus began the mission he received from the Father: to be a ‘fisher’ of humanity in order to draw it up from the waters of evil and death. Walking along the shore, he had called Peter and the other first disciples to be, like him, ‘fishers of men.’ Now, after the resurrection, it is up to them to carry on this mission, to cast their nets again and again, to bring the hope of the Gospel into the ‘waters’ of the world, to sail the seas of life so that all may experience God's embrace.”

 

Pope Leo sees the love of God, flowing through us, reaching out to embrace and bring hope to all humanity. That is our mission as a Church. To do this effectively, we are “called through our baptism to build God's house in fraternal communion, in the harmony of the Spirit, in the coexistence of diversity. In the words of St. Augustine: ‘The Church consists of all those who are in harmony with their brothers and sisters and who love their neighbor’ (Serm. 359,9).”

 

Then, Pope Leo’s vision is for a united Church to be a source of reconciliation, unity, and peace for our world.   

“Brothers and sisters, I would like that our first great desire be for a united Church, a sign of unity and communion, which becomes a leaven for a reconciled world. In this our time, we still see too much discord, too many wounds caused by hatred, violence, prejudice, the fear of difference, and an economic paradigm that exploits the Earth's resources and marginalizes the poorest. For our part, we want to be a small leaven of unity, communion and fraternity within the world. We want to say to the world, with humility and joy: Look to Christ! Come closer to him! Welcome his word that enlightens and consoles! Listen to his offer of love and become his one family: in the one Christ, we are one. This is the path to follow together, among ourselves but also with our sister Christian churches, with those who follow other religious paths, with those who are searching for God, with all women and men of good will, in order to build a new world where peace reigns!”

We pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit for our new chief shepherd, Pope Leo XIV. 

Fr. Michael Schleupner

           

Inbox Inspiration: April 23, 2024: Pope Francis - 1-4

 

INBOX INSPIRATIONS

April 23, 2025

 

Pope Francis – 1 

1936-2025

May he rest in peace!

 

Dear Friends,

On Monday morning, April 21, we heard of the death of Pope Francis. May he rest in peace! Today I am interrupting my series of columns on Refugees to share some reflections on the Holy Father. 

 

This Pope appealed to me and I liked him from the very beginning. I remember the day he was elected back in March 2013. As is traditional, Francis came out on the balcony of Saint Peter’s Basilica to give his blessing. It is estimated that 150,000 people were gathered that evening in Saint Peter’s Square in expectation of seeing the new Pope. The thing that most impressed me here was that Francis first asked all those present to pray for him. He bowed his head and there was silence – imagine that, with that number of people present! The people prayed for our new Holy Father and only then did he pray over them and bestow his Apostolic Blessing. 

To me, this moment spoke volumes. It showed a person, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, newly elected head of the Roman Catholic Church, to be a humble man, a man of the people. This action showed him as first and foremost a human being and a baptized person of faith standing in oneness with the flock he was called to lead, in need of prayer like anyone else.

 

This first impression of Francis soon got some confirmation in his choice of residence. Francis chose not to live in the Apostolic Palace which is a large building or complex to the right of Saint Peter’s Basilica. Among other things, the Palace contains some offices, gathering spaces, the Sistine Chapel, and the traditional residence for the Pope. It is a magnificent, historic building and is over five hundred years old. However, instead of living in the Apostolic Palace, Francis decided to live in a rather modest apartment in the Casa Santa Marta. This is a residential building in the Vatican, near Saint Peter’s, that was constructed in 1996. It contains 130 guest rooms and suites and was originally built for two reasons: to be a residence for clergy and others who were visiting the Vatican, and to be the residence for the Cardinals during a conclave. Pope Francis decided to live here in an apartment and to take his meals with others in a common dining room. This was his residence for his entire papacy.  

To me, this again speaks of Francis’ desire for simplicity and for connection with the people of God. For me, this is one of the very inspiring traits of Francis and of his twelve-year pontificate.

 

I will continue these reflections in next week’s Inbox Inspirations. 

 

Fr. Michael Schleupner

April 30, 2025

 

Pope Francis – 2 

1936-2025

May he rest in peace!

 

Dear Friends,

This edition of Inbox Inspirations continues my reflections on Pope Francis and his legacy. You can access last week’s column through the link below.

 

Within the first six months of his papacy in 2013, Francis gave an interview to a prominent Italian journalist. This journalist was an avowed atheist. As I recall the report of this rather lengthy interview, it was an open and very respectful exchange. The journalist had his questions, some very pointed, about faith and Catholicism, and Francis offered very thoughtful responses. You could see a friendly rapport growing between these two men as the interview continued. In the end, as the journalist was leaving the Pope’s office, Francis simply said to him: “We will see each other doing good.” For me, that sentence was very significant. 

It showed Francis being not just respectful, but also recognizing that this journalist, while not a believer, was a good person and could do good. If they did not meet in church, they would meet at least in “doing good,” each in their own way in today’s world. I find this to be a great legacy of Francis. We as a Church need to approach today’s world with this spirit. That is the way for us as people of faith to relate to one another and to those who have a different or no faith at all in this twenty-first century. It is the way for us to live the gospel especially today.

 

Francis called especially the ordained to a life of simplicity and to a ministry of service. He restricted and almost eliminated the conferral of the title Monsignor for priests. He seems to have done this because the honorary title has become a vestige of a past age and because he wanted us to find our fulfillment in service and not in honors. The Pope’s Ignatian background seemed to emerge here – beware of riches and honors because they lead to pride! The restriction of this title was, I believe, a wise, although not universally popular decision of Francis.  

The above decision was part of this Holy Father’s discouragement of clericalism. Clericalism is a culture that has placed the ordained apart and above the rest of the faithful in the Church. Francis said: “Clericalism forgets that the visibility and sacramentality of the Church belong to all the people of God… “ Francis sought the active participation of all persons of faith in the life of the Church. Amen!  

I will pick up on this point in next week’s Inbox Inspirations as I continue these reflections on Pope Francis.

Fr. Michael Schleupner

May 7, 2025

 

Pope Francis – 3 

1936-2025

May he rest in peace!        

 

Dear Friends,

This edition of Inbox Inspirations continues my reflections on Pope Francis and his legacy. You can access the columns of the last two weeks through the link below.

 

In speaking to the ordained, especially to priests and bishops, Pope Francis once talked about the role of a shepherd. He wrote in 2013: “The shepherd must smell like the sheep. This is what I am asking you — be shepherds with the smell of sheep… A shepherd sometimes has to walk ahead to lead the way, at other times walk in the middle to encourage them, and sometimes behind to make sure no one is left behind.”

This image has really stuck with me. Francis wanted me as a priest to realize that I am first and foremost a human being and a baptized person like anyone else. Then, with the conferral of Holy Orders, I and we priests are to be spiritual shepherds – never aloof from God’s people but walking with them. Sometimes we should walk ahead to provide vision and leadership. Sometimes we should walk along with everyone else to encourage and support and to receive that in return. And sometimes we must walk behind to make sure that all are staying together or to allow others to lead who have gifts and skills that we don’t have. This has been a guiding image for me in my priesthood. I greatly respect Francis for this. 

 

Francis also allowed open conversation on some controversial issues within the Church. For example, at one point, he considered the ordination to the priesthood of married deacons in Brazil. There was discussion about the ordination of women to the diaconate. And there was debate about allowing in certain circumstances those divorced and remarried without an annulment to receive Communion. In the end, Pope Francis did not approve any of the above ideas. However, he allowed discussion and consideration of these issues. He knew that they were issues on the minds of some very good people of faith. He decided that we as a Church should at least talk about them – sharing what we think and listening to one another. 

Allowing and engaging in conversation even on difficult, maybe controversial issues expresses trust in the presence of God and inspiration of the Holy Spirit. It is a healthy and holy thing and Francis realized this. He did this out of his respect for all persons. 

 

I will conclude these reflections on Pope Francis in next week’s Inbox Inspirations.

Fr. Michael Schleupner

June 4, 2025

 

Pope Francis – 4 

1936-2025

May he rest in peace!        

 

Dear Friends,

[This edition of Inbox Inspirations was written as my last reflection on Pope Francis and was scheduled for the May 14 issue. I interrupted that series so as to focus on Pope Leo. Therefore, this column belatedly concludes the series on Pope Francis. You can access the columns of April 23 and 30 and May 7 through the link below.]

 

Pope Francis was a man of compassion. He repeatedly expressed and lived out his care for those on the margins or, as he often said, those on the peripheries.

He did this when he was the Archbishop of Buenos Aires. As Pope, he saw to the Vatican’s provision of food and assistance especially for the homeless in Rome. He spoke out on behalf of the impoverished around the world. He realized that those with same-sex attraction and members of the LGBTQ community had also been pushed to the margins or peripheries. 

Francis was a remarkable man – a person of great strength, willing to be open and to care, assured of himself, assured of the gospel, assured of the Lord’s presence even when some were quite critical of his way.

 

Francis’ compassion and care for others was very clear in his advocacy for the many refugees, asylum seekers, immigrants and migrants in our world. Once again, he remained steady in his conviction that Jesus’ words in Matthew 25 apply to us today: “I was a stranger and you welcomed me.”  At one point, Francis started with the words of Jesus: “‘Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!’ (Mt 14:27). It is not just about migrants: it is also about our fears…. But the problem is not that we have doubts and fears. The problem is when they condition our way of thinking and acting to the point of making us intolerant, closed and perhaps even – without realizing it – racist. In this way, fear deprives us of the desire and the ability to encounter the other, the person different from myself; it deprives me of an opportunity to encounter the Lord.”

 

I conclude with this. Francis was a prophet-Pope. By prophet, I do not mean that he foretold the future. Instead, he was in the line of some of the Old Testament prophets: looking at the present and calling us to care for the needy and stranger in our midst. He did this even when it made some of us feel uncomfortable. He remained faithful to God and faithful to humanity. I thank God for Francis. He has made a difference in my life and has brought hope to many who need it. May he rest in peace! Amen.

       

Fr. Michael Schleupner