Sliney Central

Fr. Michael Sliney, LC

Michael Sliney

Faith and conviction

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“One life is all we have and we live it as we believe in living it. But to sacrifice what you are and to live without belief, that is a fate more terrible than dying.” St. Joan of Arc
St. Joan was burned at the stake for her Faith and conviction…she truly walked the walk and she is now in heaven.  

My 5 takeaways from this pandemic

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1. Let go, let God.   Losing control is not a bad thing.  We are used to managing our lives, our schedules and our routines.  This pandemic reminds us that we cannot control everything, and there is a peace and emotional calm that comes from accepting and adapting to what life throws our way.  A deeper resilence also forms when you “improvise, adapt and overcome.” You can’t control the wind, but you can control the sails!
2. Efficiency at all costs? We have all been forced slow down and reflect on what matters.  Our tightly packed schedules, with little time for family or prayer, created a frenetic pace that was not healthy and often did not allow the necessary space and silence for the Holy Spirit to work.  Time to ponder, time to read, time to exercise, time to hang out and talk, time to pray…all really good things for our soul.  
3. Spiritual health?? I have always been a little concerned with the over emphasis our culture has placed on physical health and appearance…all good things, but they fit into a much bigger picture.  If only Catholics were just as concerned about “catching” the virus of mortal sin, of being “contaminated” by unhealthy friendships, and of taking the “vaccination” of daily mass and regular confession to protect them from their natural tendencies of pride, vanity and laziness. 
4.  What really matters??  Fears of unemployment and financial insecurity are things you should be concerned about, but is it your “number one” concern?  You may have to sell your house and downsize, you may have to change your lifestyle and give up a few things, you may have to move your kids into a public school or homeschool…but I feel that if your marriages and your Faith remains solid, you will live an extremely fulfilled and happy life.  This is what matters!
5. Followers of Jesus? It’s in times like these that Jesus walks with us, as he did with the disciples of Emmaus, and He gently reminds us, “Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things before entering into his glory?”  (Luke 24:26).  There is no Easter Sunday without Good Friday, and no joy in the heart of a human being who does accept and embrace the sufferings of life with love and for love of Christ.  These are the golden opportunities that Jesus gives us to grow and to offer up the gift of our suffering for good intentions.  The greatest blessings in life can often be the heaviest crosses!
God bless,Fr. Michael Sliney, LC