Be strong and very courageous -- By Bishop John Croneberger

The only thing that allows me to share any of this with you today is of course step 26 of the spiritual ladder of the seventh-century ascetic John of the Ladder – which, in case you haven’t read it recently, says this:

“If some are still dominated by their former bad habits, and yet can teach by mere words, let them teach ... for perhaps, being put to shame by their own words, they will eventually begin to practice what they teach.”

Elie Wiesel said that God made people because God loves stories. Our task here and now is to provide opportunities for others to learn and experience more and more of God’s story while we are coming to discover that each of us also has a story to tell. The reign of God has something to do with bringing our stories together with God’s story. My sisters and brothers… May God richly bless you and me as we continue this painfully delicious journey to which we have been called.

[Download Bishop Jack Croneberger's sermon at the Chrism Mass of the Diocese of Bethlehem, March 13 2008.]

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