Sunday, March 16, 2014

A Word from Your Pastor - March 16

Dear Parishioners:

 
Pope Francis has now passed his first year mark as our Holy Father.  How time flies!  How have you responded to his invitations in this year? 

Have you renewed your own commitment to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ?  As a member of the Society of Jesus, the Jesuits, the Pope reminds us all that Jesus is the very reason for our being.  Our relationship to Him is in the Church.  Have your likewise renewed your commitment to live your Faith in communion with your brothers and sisters in Christ, your fellow Church members?  Sadly, news reports are indicating that the Pope’s invitation has not translated into increase numbers in church.

Have you renewed your sense of Joy in the Gospel?  In his first Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium, and in his warm smile given to everyone he meets, the Pope has reminded us that Joy in the Gospel is the hallmark of Christian Life.  Our Joy has to be real and evident, or no one will believe us when we speak to them of Jesus Christ.

Have you renewed your willingness to go out to the outskirts, to move beyond your comfort zone, in your sharing of what God has given to you?  The clarion call of Pope Francis, even from the name he chose to be known by as Pope, is to be mindful of the poor and to be aware of the effects of all we do on those who are on the margins of society.

Jesus  and His Church, Joy in the Gospel and a living relationship with the Poor are the hallmarks of Pope Francis’ invitation to the Church and the world today.  How do you respond?

The Transfiguration of Jesus points to the glory that is to be revealed in Christ and in our human nature.  We are called to be aware of the power of the Gospel and the proclamation of the Paschal Mystery – the suffering, death, and Resurrection of Jesus – to begin the transformation now and to strengthen us to live our Faith in the world today.  Where do you see hints of Glory?

How are you doing with fasting this Lent?  Here are some invitations for you to consider:  Give up watching T.V. and use of your electronic gadgets for the whole of Lent or for one day or part of a day.  Give up complaining about the one person or situation you complain most about, and see the cause of your complaint as a gift from God to free you from yourself and to strengthen you in a virtue.  Take time away from something that preoccupies you and invite someone to join you to take a walk or to do some activity that you have been putting off; share your time with someone who deserves more of your time.  Set aside some activity that you have been doing and replace it with reading a spiritual book or listening to a book on CD.  Turn off the car radio and spend the time reflecting on a spiritual theme such as prayer, glory, suffering, sacrifice or God’s Love.  Choose to be a person of joy in the face of difficulty.

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