Called To Witness
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Today’s Gospel reads, “Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.”
The Apostles were witnesses, but so are we! We, the present-day disciples of Jesus, are called to witness the joy and promise of the Resurrection to our modern world. Much of the western world is rapidly abandoning a Christian worldview and embracing a materialistic and relativistic worldview that minimizes or outright denies God.
It is the mission of the Church to be witnesses to the truth of Jesus and of the purpose of human life. We Catholics are called to first know our faith, believe what the Church of Jesus Christ has handed on to us and to live in a manner consistent with those truths.
I encourage every family in our parish to deepen their commitment to prayer and scripture, to learning what the Church teaches and to wrestle with their own consciences so that they can hear the truth of the Gospel and embrace it. I strongly encourage families to reconsider what occupies the family’s time and make sure there is sufficient time for prayer, faith formation and good conversation about life, virtue and sin.
I encourage families to gather with other families for friendship, good conversation and prayer. Gathering for a weekly meal together, praying the family rosary and talking about the mysteries of our Catholic faith, things such as, God, Jesus, the Saints and the role of the teachings handed on by Christ and the Apostles through the Church. How we, as believers can make a positive change in our world and prepare for the eternal life that Jesus promised to those who hold to His teaching.
We are called to witness our Catholic Faith to our modern world. Witnesses must have something to witness to. Thus, we must embrace the wonderful blessings of our faith and the joys of Christ’s promise for those who believe.
Sincerely yours in Christ Jesus, the Way, the Truth and the Life,
