The Walk Humbly Podcast – Episode 22

New podcast with Bishop Burbidge, January U.S. Bishops' meeting, Advent and more

December 18, 2018

This week's episode of the Walk Humbly Podcast includes:

Bishop Burbidge is back to work and expresses his gratitude for the talented medical professionals who cared for him, as well as for the many people who have offered him their prayers.

At Pope Francis’ request, all U.S. bishops will gather in January for a spiritual retreat to gain clarity about what additional steps must be taken to prevent child sexual abuse by clergy, to provide accountability for bishops, and to help victims in their healing. Bishop Burbidge provides insight on why this retreat is so critical.

In preparation for Our Lord’s birth, Bishop Burbidge offers advice on what we can do to make the best of the remaining days of Advent.

Bishop Burbidge also answers these questions from the faithful:

How might the Church dissuade men who are tempted to abuse children, and help those who have committed child sexual abuse make reparation?

Can the Church start doing “phone confessions”?          

Bishop Burbidge also answers questions from the faithful. If you are interested in submitting a question, please email info@arlingtondiocese.org and include your first name and parish.

Topics discussed:

• 0:43 – Bishop Burbidge is back to work and expresses his gratitude for the talented medical professionals who cared for him, as well as for the many people who have offered him their prayers.
• 1:26 – “Thank the good Lord for his goodness and thanks for all the prayers that have been surrounding me as you say we have good news to report through God's grace and certainly with all the prayers surrounding me was that the surgery three weeks ago today went very well and the pathology report came back clear. So I do not require any further treatment.”
• 3:57 – “I would just like to say a word of thanks to those in the healthcare profession, doctors and physician assistants and nurses. Again being a recipient of their care and seeing their work and their dedication and their compassion, it's a beautiful vocation and I know many of our diocese are living that vocation and I really do want to certainly uplift them for the great work that they do as instruments of the Lord's healing and ask God to bless them in all of their work.”
• 5:12 – Bishop Burbidge talks about the spiritual lessons of “carrying a cross.”
• 6:45 – “When you come to the understanding and a firm conviction that you're not going through this alone, that the Lord is walking with you every step of the way and then just hand it over – ‘It's all in your hands now, Lord’ - actually, there's a sense of peace and serenity that will follow.”
• 10:25 – At Pope Francis’ request, all U.S. bishops will gather in January for a spiritual retreat to gain clarity about what additional steps must be taken to prevent child sexual abuse by clergy, to provide accountability for bishops, and to help victims in their healing. Bishop Burbidge provides insight on why this retreat is so critical.
• 11:44 – “In November, we spoke at our Bishop's meeting at length about some of the reforms that we know are needed in our Church, especially in light of the crisis that we're experiencing. And we know that the protocols, the procedures, some concrete actions are ongoing and investigations ongoing. Nothing has stopped. But I think what the Holy Father has reminded us by asking the Bishops to go on retreat, is that, there is also the spiritual element of this. And the way that we must face this crisis, especially as leaders within the Church is to make sure that in our own lives there's that spiritual renewal and renewed promise which we should make every day to faithfulness and to holiness, to integrity of life.”
• 13:12 – In preparation for Our Lord’s birth, Bishop Burbidge offers advice on what we can do to make the best of the remaining days of Advent.
• 13:38 – “If you have not done so yet, I would encourage our listeners, which I'm so thrilled to know of the many parishioners who have done this throughout the week, to make a good confession.”
• 13:51 – “We are preparing to celebrate the birth of our savior and the new life that he gives us. What better way to prepare a dwelling place for Christ to be born in you and us than to hand over to the Lord anything weighing you down? Any sin that is just filling you with guilt or shame or you just don't want to carry around anymore. Make a good confession.”
• 14:26 – “I would also say that, maybe from now until Christmas make sure that at least in the morning, and at least before you go to bed, just pause for a few moments in your own prayer and just recollect what is this all about? What am I preparing for? What is the real meaning of this day? And Lord, what gift do you want to give me this Christmas? What is it you want me to hear? What is it that you want me to experience as the Lord? He will tell you, and if at all possible, I would also suggest that if there is a relationship that is fractured, in need of healing in your life, maybe try to be the initiator to offer that forgiveness. I think that's a great gift to give to the Lord.”
• 15:15 – “He came to reconcile us to one another and if we could really make that a reality in our lives, what a beautiful gift that would be. And to those and I know there are many carrying a very heavy crosses in their lives, physically, emotionally, in their families: Know that dear friends unto us is born a Savior who seeks to provide you with healing and strength and entrust, whatever cares are weighing on your heart right now entrust them to the Lord and may be experienced a miracle this Christmas.”
• 15:53 – Bishop Burbidge answers: “How might the Church dissuade men who are tempted to abuse children, and help those who have committed child sexual abuse make reparation?”
• 21:16 – Bishop answers: “Can the Church start doing ‘phone confessions’?”