Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Some people think that Christianity is just about rules and commandments. But the late Pope Benedict XVI clarified in his encyclical letter, Deus Caritas Est that “Being Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a person, which gives life a new horizon and a decisive direction.”
The Pope goes on to say, “Saint John’s Gospel describes that event in these words: ‘God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should … have eternal life’ (3:16)”. The late Holy Father reminds us that love is at the core of Christianity.
In today’s Gospel passage, a scribe asks Jesus what the greatest commandment is. Jesus responds by saying: “love the Lord your God with all your heart, …soul, … mind, and … strength” and “love your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus Himself affirms love to be at the core of His teaching and of the Faith.
Personally, I see learning how to love rightly, to love in the way that Jesus wants us to love, as the greatest challenge in the Christian life. Because we are all sinners, to love rightly demands divine help. To love like Jesus means we must have our priorities right and we must be willing to deny ourselves and sacrifice for others.
This weekend, we launch our annual Stewardship Appeal. As a tithing parish, Ascension depends on every household doing their share in support of our parish, its apostolates, ministries and charitable outreach. The first commitment that is expected of one who claims Ascension as their parish is Sunday Mass attendance. Faithful worship at Mass is one of the best ways we show our love for God by honoring Jesus’ command to “do this in memory of me.”
To further fulfill the command to love God and neighbor, we are invited to “be doers of the word and not hearers only” (Jas 1:22). Each year parishioners of Ascension are invited to recommit to generously sharing their time, talent and treasure in support of the parish’s work.
Please review the Stewardship Appeal materials that you will receive in the mail this week. It is an invitation to respond to the Lord’s command to love.
Sincerely yours in Christ Jesus, the Way, the Truth and the Life,
