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 | By Danielle McGrew Tenbusch

Building the muscle of saying 'yes' to God

Shortly after Pope Leo XIV’s election, I stumbled across an Instagram reel of Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Diocese of Arlington reflecting on the moment then-Cardinal Robert Prevost received a majority of the conclave votes and was approached by a cardinal who asked, “Do you accept?”

“Don’t you wonder … how did he find that courage? I think it was only possible because of all the small ‘yeses’ he offered throughout his life, throughout his priesthood. Yes to what the Lord was asking of him, so that when that extraordinary moment occurred, he was able to repeat it. And it is that yes that leads to our peace,” Bishop Burbidge said.

I’ve been reflecting on this often over the past month. What are all the small ways the Lord is inviting me to say ‘yes’? Am I listening to and responding to those invitations? Like exercising a muscle, saying ‘yes’ to God’s will (and sometimes ‘no’ to my own will) strengthens my faith.

This issue is filled with examples of men and women who have said ‘yes’ to God through their lives. You’ll read about Pope Leo and his connection to our diocese through Peruvian priest Father José María Cabrera. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet our Diocese’s newest priest, Father Daniel Christe, in our cover story, and learn about his long, winding journey to finally saying ‘yes’ to the Lord. Whether by organizing or attending a retreat, crossing an ocean to provide medical care or teaching God’s children, these stories can inspire us to seek where we, too, can say ‘yes’ to God’s will.

Thank you for reading Great Lakes Bay Catholic.

To Jesus through Mary,

Danielle