It’s Confirmation time in many parishes. Our Confirmation at
Saint Pat's is on Mary 4th. As we anticipate this great day its good for
all of us, Parishioners and Confirmation Candidates alike to consider the
importance of this powerful Sacrament! It’s wonderful to see
high school students stand before their Bishop and profess their faith. It is
even more wonderful to see them show up in Church the following Sunday. How
wonderful too, when we give them and example of living and tested faith and
encourage their further involvement. Sometimes we can see them as the future of
the Church. Pope John Paul II and others have said that they’re the Church
"now!" And so are we!
"Lord let your mercy be upon us, as we place our trust in
you." In these words of this weekend’s Psalm response we call upon the
Lord’s mercy as we trust in the Lord’s helpful presence in our lives. In our
first reading we hear how widows in the early Church were being neglected
and not properly cared for. People were appointed to look after them and
many other needs that surfaced as the Church began to grow.
The Church continues its growth today, and needs also surface.
In Confirmation interviews I sometimes ask candidates, "If everybody
participated in the life of our parish just as you do, how long would we
have a parish?" That can be a sobering question for all of us to consider,
and we should consider this question at least once or twice a year.
As we hear in our second reading, we’re called to be living
stones, sometimes rejected by those around us, but chosen and precious in
the sight of God. We’re called to build a spiritual house. The stone the
builders rejected has become the cornerstone. All of us have a part to play.
How wonderful it is when we use God’s gifts and talents to build up the Body
of Christ in the world we live in!
We’re told in our Gospel that Jesus is "the way, the truth and
the life." Nobody comes to the Father except through Him. And if we believe
in him we do the works he does and even greater ones.
Many around us depend upon us for direction. How wonderful it
is when we strive to walk in Jesus footsteps and build up the Body of
Christ. When our children, grandchildren and the folks around us see us do
that it can become natural for them to follow in our footsteps. When we do
Christ’s work we can encourage others to do the same.
What a wonderful gift, the gift of Faith! How fortunate we are
if we have people in our lives who strive to live their faith. What a
blessing to those around us if we can be that example to them! If everybody
participated in the life of the Church, how long would we have one? Can we
say, "Forever!" If so, we’re on the right path. If not there’s plenty for us
to do! Have a good week!
Pilgrimage 2008, to Southern
Italy, Rome and the Vatican!
Rome, the Vatican, Assisi,
San Giovanni Rotondo, Capri, Pompeii,
Sorrento, the Amalfi Coast & much more.
Click here for the
Brochure!
