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MY THREE LEGENDS OF THE FALL by Greg Schlueter
Fall at Miami University of Ohio is a majestic wonderland. Leaves exploding in colors adorning elegant buildings. There's a kind of divine symphony taking place, reaching deep within and summoning a soul’s breath amidst the magnificent folliage. Each a distinctive color refracted from the one light of holy white. Something material being transformed. Amidst this wonderland, something powerful happened my senior year, involving three “Legends of the Fall” who have forever impacted my life.
The setting. As one of 32 full-scholarship “Scholar Leaders” I delighted in my academics, but these were merely the setting for the real thing: being on mission. Specifically, I founded a group passionate about impacting lives for Jesus Christ through the pro-life movement; we reached thousands on 23 chapter-campuses throughout Ohio. Thus, as a senior, with nostalgia of all that had been, and great anticipation of what was to come, my life was imbued with the colors of so many friendships. Many who shared our deepest convictions; many more who did not. It didn’t matter.
Legend Number 1: Campus Crusade for Christ. On a campus evidencing so much poverty and searching, a group called Campus Crusade personalized God's provision. Their orange little booklets communicating the “Four Spiritual Laws” seemed to cut through so much existential fog: (1) We are beloved of God, Who destined us for eternal intimacy with Him; (2) Through sin, we've severed that relationship; (3) In Jesus Christ, the Son of God, we find a bridge back to that relationship, but, (4) We have to personally repent from our sin and choose Him. So much more than simply handing out the booklets, they were about relationship. Real friendship. Sitting down with you. Getting to know you. Their lives proclaimed: "This is real. This is relevant. This is personal."
This was so alien from my Catholic experience. I was drawn to them. My experience of the witness of most Catholics and the institutional Catholic Church was something formulaic. Distant. Impersonal. Devoid of life. In sum, it was the field of dry bones in Ezekial 37. I intuited there was so much more. As you might imagine, at some point in my relationships with Campus Crusade friends, the door opened and their sincere questions came at me: What's this with papal authority? Intercession of angels and saints? Mary? Purgatory? Works justification? The nature of our redemption and salvation? Cannibalism? Where’s all that in the Bible?
Legend Number 2: Dr. Alan Schreck. In need of reconciling my deeply held Catholic beliefs with the biblical knowledge and vitality of these magnificent non-Cathlic friends, I turned to a Catholic classmate, Rich Rolwing. He gave me a book that began a process of deeper discovery and anchoring: "Catholic and Christian: Common Misunderstandings of the Catholic Church." (Dr. Alan Schreck from The Franciscan University of Steubenville) With undeniable love for Jesus Christ, Schreck clearly describes the biblical and historical foundations of the Catholic faith; even more, he ennobles the authentic vision of Catholicism, Christ's very presence on this earth, as something vibrant, authentic, accessible, and lived.
The book was a salve to my soul. It was as if I had been holding my breath underwater and someone reached down, firmly took hold of me, and pulled me to the surface. There, taking deep gasps of air, my lungs found spiritual oxygen. In overwhelming abundance. I began to experience life flooding my heart, mind, and soul like never before.
This “coming to life” also entailed no little amount of sadness. I saw a lot of Church buildings, and programs, but where was any evidence of this living Body of Christ actually building the Kingdom? Going after people with the enthusiasm of Campus Crusade? Ever more clearly I saw in the institutional Catholic Church a culture of complacency comprised of religious calisthenics. It did not square with Truth burning more and more within me. God is real. We are made to really encounter Him in the very Presence of Jesus Christ. He has dignified us with His nature. He fills us with the Holy Spirit to breath life into the sails that are our deepest desires and intentions, to live and claim this world for His Kingdom. In every aspect of our lives.
Needless to say, I still had some questions.
Legend Number 3: Dr. Dick Rolwing. My friend Rich introduced me to his father, Dr. Dick Rolwing, a professor at Xavier University. Here's what's most remarkable. For a man consumed by so many demands, Dr. Rolwing took the time to respond to my questions with more than a few long letters. He provided definition. Clarity. It had the effect of further validating my deeply held beliefs. Breathing wind in my sails. You might say, prophesying to whatever dry bones that were in me. For those earnest and humble enough to avail to the truth, this exchange further punctuated: Catholicism is the answer. Convicting me of a loving, uncompromising passion to reach non-believers and evangelical friends with the fullness of our Catholic faith.
Now in his 90s, Dr. Rolwing’s landing gear is down. He has given so much to so many people. His life may not be regarded on the front pages of prominent media, but for me, it is so much more than all that has ever been collectively printed. There and anywhere else. Not for having attained tremendous accolades, high positions, material possessions, or any notoriety, but for me, a treasure beyond compare. My faith. That guided me through so many stormy seas. Given me clarity. Pointing the way to eternity. Though I doubt he had the remotest sense of the golden gift he gave me in those pages, the sacrificial heart of every thought and word. Perhaps just a moment for him, it continually reverberated in my mind and soul, overflowing into the lives of so many around me. Surely, he knew that it was gold he'd been given. His greatest treasure. Gold meant to be shared. Without reserve. Gold with a potency of eternity.
Recently, reaching out to my friend, Rich, I reminded him how consequential his father has been in my life and to please pass along that to him. His response:
"My dad is 94 and doesn’t have long (although he has had 9 lives), and I must tell you he wept when I told him of your kind words about his role in your formation and the extraordinary work and calling and family you have created. He has dementia, so when I retell him your words, he will hear them again for the first time."
So here, truthfully, as Dr. Rolwing is one of the most consequential influencers in my life, I am so grateful for others. People who didn't settle for a mass mailing. Or a quick easy interaction. But those who knew the gold that they possessed and couldn't help but give it. As generously as they've been given. This is the experience of being filled with the Holy Spirit.
Epilogue: Legend Number You. Here’s the question we all must answer: When all is said and done, what will be said of us? Back to our friend, Ezekial. It’s the story of our day. It’s the story of this moment. Having shown Ezekial the field of dry bones, note that God didn’t order him to walk away. He didn’t order him to go start his own thing. No. God ordered Ezekial to prophesy to the dry bones. And He does. And they take on flesh. And they become a mighty army taking territory. That’s you and me. We are literally in that story. This is the prophetic mission we all share. Particularly if you’ve experienced dry bones, or are experiencing dry bones.
Everything above reached a kind of climax during my final week at Miami. Every night after supper, a hundred or more of us, Catholic and non, circled up at the Sundial at the center of campus. In the context of prayer and praise, it was such an amazing occasion to celebrate tremendous friendships united in mission. On the final evening, two Pentecostal friends prayed over me. The Holy Spirit communicated amazing things through them to me. My name “Gregory” means “watchman." In scripture, a watchman is one who keeps guard, alerting the people of danger. Directing them to safety.
The ember given at Baptism and Confirmation was fanned into flame, profoundly enhancing all that I'd come to know and profess. Wings took flight.
Thus it was that I came to proclaim: When evangelicals discover their Catholic roots, and Catholics rediscover their Evangelical wings, we will truly be one Church lifting this planet to heaven.
On this day, may our eyes be opened wide to see that raging of nations finds its origin in the pining of individual souls. Souls made in the likeness and image of God. Souls made for His indwelling Spirit. Souls that will languish without. All of which, by God's design, is forged in the sacred place of marriage and family. The home. The domestic church. Born and nurtured by His Body, the Holy Catholic Church. So much more than scaffolding. So much more than dry bones. A capacity to be the very body of Jesus Christ. Transformation. Healing. Restoration. Building the Kingdom, on earth as it is in heaven. Prophesying revival. Let it be so!
So blessed to be united with you in building the Kingdom.
Greg Schlueter Mass Impact | Image Trinity
Greg@MassImpact.us
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October 23-30, 2023
A simple guide to help your family grow in holiness. (full version)
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GOSPEL | Matthew 22:34-40
When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees,
they gathered together, and one of them,
a scholar of the law tested him by asking,
"Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?"
He said to him,
"You shall love the Lord, your God,
with all your heart,
with all your soul,
and with all your mind.
This is the greatest and the first commandment.
The second is like it:
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments."
QUESTION:
What struck you in this reading? Challenged you? Inspired you? What questions did it raise?
YOU IMAGE THE TRINITY: LIVE IT
Going around, affirm how you have been blessed and/or inspired by each person this past week. Encourage him/her.
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Everyone go around and share...
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2) A recent victory?
3) A current challenge?
4) An affirmation of someone?
5) Something meaningful happening?
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| | | PREACH IT
On Sunday's Gospel (video)
with JOHN MICHAEL TALBOT
This Sunday we'll hear Jesus's message to love the Lord your God and to love your neighbor as yourself, fulfilling all the commandments. This may seem simple, but it's far from simplistic. We are called to be childlike, not childish. Love, in its truest sense, has three distinct forms: agape, which is divine love, phileo, which represents human love, and eros, the passionate love.
These three words have been embraced in the writings of the early church, even though you'll only find the first two in scripture. We are encouraged to love God passionately, seeing Him as both a friend and a divine presence. The definition of love that comes closest to capturing its essence is, "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down their life for their friends." Jesus exemplified this by emptying himself and taking on the form of a servant, a concept rooted in kenosis, meaning to selflessly give up oneself for God and others.
In this journey of love, the order is essential: God first, then others, and finally, yourself. The paradox here is that by emptying oneself for the sake of God and others, you ultimately find fulfillment. Seeking oneself endlessly will leave you perpetually unsatisfied, leading to frustration, judgment, bitterness, or even hedonism. True love lies in self-emptying, an ongoing process that is simple to articulate but far from easy to put into practice.
It happens one person at a time, one situation at a time, one circumstance at a time, and one trial at a time. But if we commit to emptying ourselves of self out of love for God and others, we'll discover a sense of fulfillment in the process. That's my prayer for all of you.
Remember, with God, all things are possible. I love you all.
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"The future of humanity passes by way of the family."
~ Pope St. John Paul II
WE ARE FAMILIES UNITED IN BUILDING THE KINGDOM.
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