The Great Depression began in October of 1929 and extended through the 1930s until the Second World War. Not many people are now living who experienced that terrible economic downturn in our country and around the world, but the magnitude of those years is highlighted by continuing to use capital letters to name that period of our history.

Are we today in another economic recession? Or, depression? Or, deflation? The name we use to identify these present days doesn't really matter. We are in a severe economic downturn and the effects are being felt by every one of us. The list of those suffering is long: loss of jobs, uncertainty about keeping our jobs, loss of homes or fear of losing them in the future, companies declaring bankruptcy or closing down, retirees whose pensions have dwindled by 40 percent or even more, employees whose savings and retirement accounts have been greatly reduced, longer lines at Church and community food banks, significant household budget cutbacks. Everyone could readily add their own specific economic crisis to the list.

I have not met a single person since Labor Day who is not impacted negatively in some way by our poor economy. I am not an economist nor do I have any quick fixes to the many economic problems facing us. But as a co-disciple of Jesus Christ with all of you, I would like to offer a few thoughts about how our faith supports us in such difficult and trying times.

The strongest emotion we experience during such desperate times is fear - fear that we will lose something, or everything, we have worked so hard to achieve, such as a steady job, our home, the basic necessities for our families, opportunities for our children, and the promise of a secure future. Nothing gnaws away at us so deeply as fear of the unknown future.

Fear then gives way to insecurity, worry, alarm and even desperation because so many of the elements causing our fears are beyond our personal ability to reverse. Our fears place us in a spiral downwards as each day's economic news paints an ever more hopeless picture. Fear is natural and normal during such distressing times especially when others depend upon us for their well-being and their futures.

Where do we turn for consolation, guidance, and hope? Having suffered through my own share of various downturns over the years, I find my strength in Jesus and his promises to be with us - no matter what - and to offer us courage.

One of my favorite Rembrandt paintings is that of Jesus sleeping in the boat as a fierce storm is tossing it about in crashing waves. The twelve apostles are panicked with each one portrayed trying to help keep the boat afloat, in disbelief that Jesus does not do something to help them. "They came and woke him, saying, 'Lord, save us! We are perishing!' He said to them, 'Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?' Then he got up, rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was great calm" (Matt. 8:23-27). I find this painting so comforting that I have one print hanging on the wall at the rectory and another in my office.

Are not those the same words on our lips during this frightful economy: "Lord, save us! We are perishing!"? Our very acknowledgement that we are powerless to save ourselves with our own ingenuity and strengths places us squarely in the embrace of our Risen Savior, Jesus Christ. I find strength in God's power precisely when I feel most emptied and incapable of reversing whatever afflicts me.

Once we can keep our eyes fixed on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2) and allow his personal care and comfort to be felt by us, then a key point of his teaching and way of life becomes clearer: we go forward together, not alone and by ourselves. We turn to one another to share our strength and to unite our hopes with others. That is the Christian way.

Parents need to talk to their children about the uncertainties of life, but no matter what happens, the children need to be assured that they can count on their parents to be there for them. The family may have to make many sacrifices, and the children may learn to do with less - but they go forward as a family with Jesus in their very midst.

All of us in our parishes and schools need to be very attentive to each other. We need to step forward quickly if someone we know is suffering severe desperation - they need our encouragement and our hope. We learn to share more fully than we thought ourselves capable. Our own food pantry at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels continues to dwindle; as do so many food pantries across the Archdiocese. We have a duty as followers of Jesus to step forward and to make our offering to help those even worse off than ourselves. If we offer just a can of tuna or a bag of pasta or rice, we are now helping to ease the fears of others.

I don't have any economic "fix" that will end the world-wide economic stresses. But I can and do pray that those who have the expertise in these fields will step forward and offer their gifts and talents for the well-being of everyone else.

Our parishes can be places where job opportunities are posted and shared - even small or part-time jobs. Nothing gives us more courage and hope than work. Even in times of employee cutbacks in our parishes, we can still assist those out of work to find help to get them through the immediate crisis.

Our parishes need to serve as centers of hope during these times, and we need to model both understanding and outreach. We will only get through these distressing economic times together - not alone.

I have heard many voices sound special alarm that these economic problems are occurring at our annual Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday season. Actually, I believe that this presents us with a good opportunity to help us celebrate what is important: our faith, our families, and one another. This year's holidays will be far more joyful if we focus on our relationships and not on material gifts.

Our Thanksgiving gatherings this year should be symbols of our faithful trust in God as originally intended. An enjoyable, but simple, meal with family and friends is the best Thanksgiving ever. And it's especially meaningful if we make some sacrifices and give food to our local parishes or area food pantries.

Christmas celebrations over the years have gone way beyond reason in expenditures, and have missed the importance of the Feast: the Birth of Jesus Christ, Son of God and Redeemer of the world. A few simple gifts such as our own baked items, our own jams and jellies, a family photograph, or other similar gifts speak volumes about loving and caring. Involve the children in planning for Christmas by helping them to create and make gifts for others and to focus upon children who do not have what they have, and let their Christmas celebration be a vivid lesson in giving.

You and I are invited to embrace the crosses which appear on our path. We don't get to choose our crosses. May the presence, assurance, and hope of Jesus Christ bring us all forward together during these strained weeks and months, and may our faith in Jesus remind us that, indeed, we are not perishing.