Pastor’s Letter: May 15

Pastor’s Letter: May 15

13 May 2022 | Posted by: chadmin

The May 15 bulletin is now available online.

Dear friend,

In the midst of our celebration of the miracle of Easter, the Church also reflections on the early Church. During most of the Easter Season, we read from the Acts of the Apostles, the Book of Revelation, and the Gospel of John. It was the proof of life after death that spark the early Church growth. The many appearances of the Resurrected Jesus confirmed the faith of His Apostles and disciples, which in turn challenged them to evangelize. We can imagine the awe in seeing the empty tomb or His appearances in the Upper Room. We certainly can envision how that would create a deep sense of joy in the Apostles that drove them to early Church ministry. This week we hear not about the joy in announcing the Resurrection, but rather the challenge that comes with being Christian.

At one point in His ministry, Jesus said to His Apostles, if they persecute me, they will persecute you as well. In the Acts reading this weekend, the disciples challenged the early Church members to know “it is necessary for us to undergo many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.” From the moment the Angel Gabriel appeared to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Incarnate Son of God has been attacked. Whether it was the unexpected pregnancy of Mary, Herod searching to kill the baby Jesus, the rejection by the Jewish Scribes and Pharisees, or the Trial and Crucifixion of Jesus, the Son of God was persecuted in this world. The warning of sharing in this persecution Jesus gave to His Apostles was given by the early Church evangelists to all Christians. We most notably see this persecution warning experienced by those who were Christian Martyrs for professing the faith. There are, however, many ways in which the Christian faithful experience persecution or hardship for the sake of the Gospel. In some places, it’s just professing Jesus as Messiah, Lord, or Son of God. While in other situations it is standing for a moral or Biblical truth that is different from the crowd. We first need to be willing to face difficulties because of our faith and then like the early Apostles, celebrate with joy when those opportunities to suffer persecution present themselves.

With modern technology, we are so gifted to have the world’s knowledge and history at a simple web search. The Magisterium, the Bible, the teaching of the Church is also readily available for anyone seeking the truth. The more we live the Christian life, the more we are called to know how to better live the Christian faith. The deeper one’s knowledge base, the more one is aware of what is cooperating with Jesus, and what is actively working against His Word. The joy of the Easter Season is meant to help us focus on the gift of the Resurrection and the promise of Eternal Life. This joy should remain present within us even when we have to disagree with the crowds or the popular opinion that contradicts the Lord. May Jesus continue to guide and strengthen us that we might know daily how to live in communion with Him.

God bless,

Father David