Cardinal Edwin F. O'Brien - Thoughts on Our Church

The following columns were written by Cardinal Edwin F. O’Brien and appeared in the Catholic Review.

Yes, it is good to succeed in our chosen fields. To find happiness in our vocations and daily work. To leave the world a better place than we found it. But unless we are leading a transfigured life capable of amazing the world, unless we are manifesting the glory of God in Christ Jesus, we are not aiming high enough!

The renewal of society begins, not with structures, but with saints. We can renew society by answering the call to holiness, and at the heart of our holiness is the One in whom we are one.

The Archdiocese of Baltimore is committed to protecting children and helping to heal victims of abuse. We urge anyone who has any knowledge of any child sexual abuse to contact law enforcement, and if clergy or other church personnel is suspected of committing the abuse, we ask that you also call the Archdiocese’s Office of Child and Youth Protection

Whether or not you are part of the Knights of Columbus, let Bl. Michael inspire you to share Christ’s love generously, and spur you on to help others, especially those in need, to reclaim their dignity as brothers and sisters of Christ and as the adopted children of God the Father.

If we are an open book before the Lord, we will relate to others and exercise our responsibilities with greater freedom and authenticity.

You and I both experience the need for a place of solitude, a place of quiet, apart from the world’s sound and fury, apart even from the dusty roads of mission, ministry, and the academy. It is there, alone with the Lord, that we can give voice to our questions, wrestle with our doubts, probe the Word of God more deeply, and in his grace, draw our conclusions.

But as our nation celebrates its 250th anniversary, I would suggest another saying today – at least for American Catholics: All roads lead to Maryland.

Today as our nation celebrates its 250th anniversary, that history gives us much to celebrate. We can thank God for the blessings of liberty, for the opportunities this nation has provided, and for the countless men and women who sacrificed so that future generations might live in freedom.

On this Fourth of July, as our nation marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Catholics are invited not only to celebrate our history but also to reflect prayerfully on our future.

In the Gospel, we see how deeply the Lord loved his own in the world. So deep was his love that he gave them something more than a word of encouragement or a bit of sage advice.

Cardinal Edwin F. O’Brien – Thoughts on Our Church