Love that Strengthens, Joy that Sustains

Dear Friends in Christ,

In his inaugural Mass homily, Pope Leo encouraged the flock scattered across the globe, of whom he had just become the universal shepherd, “This is the hour for love.” An idea very much taken from the apostle John’s writings. Indeed, the Gospel for the day included those heartfelt questions of Jesus to Peter, “Do you love me more than these?” 

John’s Gospel is all about “the hour,” when it approaches and what it all means. Ultimately it is the hour of Jesus being lifted up on the cross as a sacrifice that sets us free, but there are many indications that point to what the hour means and what it might look like. Restoration, healing and love made visible are all themes in the Gospel.

For Pope Leo this is a call of the heart and an invitation to witness to what love really is in a world so hungry for true love and deeper meaning. And while these dominical questions were proposed to our Holy Father in a particular way as he embraced the Petrine Office, in his wisdom, he in turn proposed them to us as the Church. The Church is never merely her leaders alone but includes all of us, each with the concrete privilege of belonging and the respective responsibility to live out our call.

In our Gospel for this weekend (Mt 5:13-16), Jesus charges all his followers (not just leadership): you are the salt of the earth; you are the light of the world. Salt makes savory; salt also preserves from decay. We are meant to preserve goodness in the world, keeping away the rot of corruption and sin. We are also charged as stewards to be light, to shine brightly even in dark places. Jesus says, “that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father!” Yes, all good works should point not to ourselves but to the One who made us, to his Son who set us free, and to the Spirit that dwells within us.

This weekend, we have the opportunity to participate in the Annual Catholic Appeal. The theme this year is “Love that Strengthens; Joy that Sustains.” Our Bishop David has invited us to reflect on Pope Leo’s words - now is the hour for love. We could say: now is the time to be salt and light. Or now is the time to make a difference as church. If not you, then who? If not now, then when?

So, as your pastor and fellow pilgrim, I invite you to make a gift to the appeal, even if it is small. Ten or twenty bucks a month makes a difference when we all pitch in! Or a one time gift. Last year for the first time in memory, we made our goal with gifts totaling $39,334 from 215 donors. This year our goal is $43,000! My personal goal is to have 25 new donors make a gift, so if you haven’t yet made a gift, please make a gift and be part of the love that strengthens and the joy that sustains.

May God bless you for your goodness!

Fr. Joel