‘Bishop of the Mountains’ discovering the spirit of the Lord is active in East Tennessee
By Bishop Mark Beckman
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, what a joy it is to be your shepherd here in the Diocese of Knoxville! From the first moment I arrived as bishop-elect in early May I have simply been overwhelmed by your love and hospitality.
You have been praying for many months for the arrival of a new shepherd, and since you learned my name, have been praying for me personally and for my preparation. I have felt your prayers.
Since the day I learned that Pope Francis had appointed me, I have been praying for all of you as well.
The week before I received the call from the nuncio, I was hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains with a good priest friend, with no idea that I would someday be your shepherd. I remember hearing of your need and praying for you all though.
A short time later, early the morning of April 29, the nuncio called as I was praying. Admittedly, at first, I felt overwhelmed with fear. I shared how I must have peace in order to respond with a yes, and the nuncio gave me the time needed to receive that peace.
In these initial weeks, I have hit the ground running. I have traveled from the Tri-Cities to Chattanooga, celebrating the Eucharist in many parishes and visiting many of our schools. The greatest memory I carry in my heart from the Deanery Masses, Mass with the Spanish-speaking community, and the meals shared with our priests are all of your faces!
The joy and love with which you have welcomed me have been overwhelming. You excel in hospitality. You are a true gift from the Lord to me, and I pray that I may be so for you. It has been a delight to pray with you in the eucharistic liturgy and to experience the gift of our parishes.
During lunch with Knoxville Catholic High School student leaders in August, I was struck by their profound questions. One of the students wanted to know what my plan was for this first year as bishop. “Two things,” I replied. “First, I am here to look, listen, and learn. I want to meet the people of this diocese and to hear from you. Together I want us to listen to where God is inviting us as a Church to go. Secondly, I have been sent to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ. That is why I chose as my episcopal motto Jesus Christ: Yesterday, Today, and Forever! Every bishop, as successor of the Apostles, is “sent to proclaim the Gospel.”
(Incidentally, another good friend reminded me just before my installation that I was a successor of the Apostles and asked if that made me nervous. “Yes!” I replied. He reminded me of what the first Twelve were like with all of their faults and failings. I laughed. That brought me comfort, very aware that I am still unfinished.)
I have enjoyed opportunities to also laugh with great priests of this diocese, and ask each one a very important question: What do you love most about this Church? I am encouraged by their positive and enthusiastic responses.
They mentioned all of you, the people of God. They spoke about the warmth and community within the priesthood, about the vibrancy of this young diocese, about its energy and the many new Catholics who join this Church every year. These are signs of great life. The spirit of the Lord is very active in this place!
The priests also described the great natural beauty of East Tennessee. As you may know by now, my earliest memories of East Tennessee are many family trips to the Smokies. I have always loved the mountains here and have spent countless hours hiking, camping, backpacking, and even white-water rafting on the Ocoee River. From the highlands of Roan Mountain to the Cumberland Plateau, to the valleys around Monteagle, indeed some of God’s most beautiful creation surrounds us.
In time, I may have better words to express the smile that came over me when talking with a student back in Nashville about becoming shepherd of the Diocese of Knoxville. “Yes! I am going to be the Bishop of the Mountains,” I recall humbly and proudly turning his question into a statement.
Brothers and sisters, I want to thank all of you for your great “Yes!” to God. Each of us claimed by the love of God in the waters of baptism is a beloved son and daughter of the Most High. As part of this Catholic Church, we are called by the Lord to be a light in this world.
Let us be a light that brings the Lord’s Gospel of healing, peace, and love to all the people of East Tennessee. I invite you—priests and deacons, seminarians and religious men and women, and the whole people of God—to join me in allowing the spirit of God to guide us forward.
May the burning love of Christ for every single person flow through our hearts in love and service. We ask the intercession of Mary, the mother of God, and all the saints as we carry on the mission entrusted to us by the Lord Himself.
Peace, love, and blessings to all of you!
