Entries for January 2022

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

Our late Holy Father, St. John Paul II, visited the United States in September of 1987. On September 12th, he addressed Catholics in Louisiana, “In the most difficult hours of your struggle for civil rights amidst discrimination and oppression, God guided your steps along the way of peace. Before the witness of history the response of non-violence stands, in the memory of this Nation, as a monument of honor to the Black Community of the United States. We recall those who with Christian vision opted for non-violence as the only truly effective approach for ensuring and safeguarding human dignity. We think of the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., and of the providential role he played in contributing to the rightful human betterment of black Americans and therefore to the improvement of American society itself.

Monday, January 17, on the National Day commemorating Dr. King’s Birthday, we remember some of his inspiring words that can touch our souls:

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.”

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”

"The ultimate measure of a human being is not where the person stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where the person stands at times of challenge and controversy.”

“By the Grace of Almighty God, we must learn to live together as brothers and sisters or perish as fools.”

(The Parish Office will be closed Monday, January 17th, National Day commemorating Dr. King’s Birthday.)

THE PASTORAL WISDOM OF POPE FRANCIS

This past Monday, January 10th, Pope Francis suggested that getting vaccinated against the coronavirus was a “moral obligation,” and denounced how people had been swayed by

“baseless information” to refuse one of the most effective measures to save lives during the pandemic. Pope Francis had previously termed vaccination as “an act of love and

contributing to ensure the majority of people are vaccinated is an act of love.” Vaccination is a simple but profound way of promoting the common good and

caring for each other, especially the most vulnerable.

WEARING A MASK IS LIFE-SAVING

Please wear a mask! Why, you say? The research is clear: individuals with Covid-19 can be symptom free for up to 5 days, not realizing they are carrying the coronavirus and spread it to others more at risk than themselves. We all care for our families and those we love. Let’s keep them safe!

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FEAST OF THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD

Today’s feast of the Baptism of the Lord is the final celebration of the Christmas season. Tomorrow, we begin “Ordinary Time” once again. But as you know, we are not in an “ordinary” year.

Pope Francis makes it clear: “Our Baptism inserts us into the Body of the Church, into the holy people of God. And in this Body, in this people who are walking, faith is transmitted from generation to generation. Baptism gives us new birth in Christ, makes us sharers in the mystery of His death and resurrection, grants the forgiveness of sin and brings us new freedom as God’s children and members of His Church.”

On this Feast, we are urged not to forget the great gift we have received. Our Baptism has changed us, given us a new and glorious hope, and empowered us to bring God’s redeeming love to all, particularly the poor, in whom we see the face of Christ. Our Baptism has also given us a share in the Church’s mission of evangelization: as disciples, we are also missionaries.

Pope Francis urges us on this Feast of the Baptism of the Lord to ask the Holy Trinity to renew in us the grace of our Baptism and to make us, with all our brothers and sisters, true children of God and living members of His Body, the Church.

A NEW YEAR: FAITH DEMANDS WORSHIP

As we begin the Year of Grace, 2022, the Pope prayed that all believers might discover in a deeper way that “Faith demands worship!” Adoration means putting the Lord at the center, not ourselves. Pope Francis explained that worship means “making space for God’s plan”, realizing that we belong with God, and being able to speak to God freely and intimately. Worship means discovering that in order to pray, it is enough to say ‘My Lord and my God’, and to allow ourselves to be filled by God’s tender love.

Worship is an act of love that changes our lives. Although we have some idea of what it means to pray, the Church must go even further with the prayer of adoration, we have to grow in adoration. It is wisdom that we must learn each day.

By praying in adoration, we allow Jesus to heal and to change us…to transform us by His love, to kindle light amid our darkness, to grant us strength in weakness, and courage amid trials. By kneeling before the Blessed Sacrament, in the Real Presence of the Risen Christ, we discover that life’s greatness consists not in having, but in loving!

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