A Letter from Fr. Paul - Sunday, April 18th

This week we are called to focus on the SECOND chapter of Living the Gift of Sunday.  The three relevant pages for this week, as well as a video of a parishioner sharing what Sunday means to him, are available here.  I invite you, as a family, to spend time this week with chapter TWO: Sunday is a Day of Peace.
 
This Friday, April 23rd, the 10 martyrs from the diocese of our sister parish will be beatified in Quiché, Guatemala.  Please take a few minutes of prayer on Friday in solidarity with our sister parish and all those who have suffered violence.
 
Our reading from the first letter of St. John reminds us of what is crucial if we want to live out our belief in Jesus Christ: The way we may be sure that we know him is to keep his commandments. Those who say, “I know him,” but do not keep his commandments are liars, and the truth is not in them. But whoever keeps his word, the love of God is truly perfected in him.
 
And what are His commandments?  Love of God as shown through love of neighbor.  That is very clear from various places in the Gospels, not the least of which is the parable of the Last Judgment: When I was hungry, you gave me to eat…a stranger and you welcomed me…ill and you cared for me…in prison and you visited me…
 
We cannot say we love God if we are not showing it through love of others.  We all have been given time, talent, and treasure that we can share with those in need.  Are we doing it?  Do we visit or call those who are homebound or in institutions?  Do we use our education and skills to help those in need?  Do we support worthwhile causes?
 
All of our religious practice needs to be helping us show love of God through love of neighbor.  I invite us this week to reflect on how we are doing and how we could do better.  God bless.
 
Church sign of the week: If excuses came to church, the pews would be full.