By ZOE CANNON
GRATITUDE FOR THE GIFT OF FAITH
“This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you” (John 15:12).
Do you ever wonder what the world would be like if everyone knew how much Jesus loved us? Our society would be so different if people truly knew, from the depths of their souls, how much God gives us through His Son! I look for ways to share this good news every day. The fullness of our faith reveals all that we need to know about God’s love, and how we can receive and share grace from the blessing.
I read an article recently about one of the oldest archdioceses in the United States. The Archdiocese of Baltimore, established in 1789 by Bishop John Carroll, has many beautiful, old, historical churches; but maintaining them with so few parishioners is problematic. For many years, Baltimore was the most influential diocese in the country. Today, like many other Catholic dioceses, they have decisions to make about these holy places. The article included some revealing attendance statistics that are not unique to Baltimore. None of this is new information, but I hope it is a reminder of our roles as Catholics to take responsibility for our Universal Church.
The COVID 19 pandemic may be a root cause for the changing concerns in society, but the decline in baptized Catholics’ Mass attendance began long before this occurred. The livestreaming of Mass served a purpose during lockdowns, but the number of people still comfortable fulfilling their Sunday Mass obligations online is concerning. The planning of a National Eucharistic Revival will hopefully remind people of the greatest mystery in the Church – the true Presence of Christ in the Eucharist!
The USCCB has outlined a three-year plan to prepare all dioceses and parishes, and then hold a Eucharistic Congress July 17-24, 2024, in Indianapolis, where 80,000 people are expected to gather. The final phase is titled: “Going out on a Mission,” which will be a Jubilee year in the Church beginning on July 21, 2024, and culminating at Pentecost of 2025. This is an opportunity for the Holy Spirit to help us revive the most precious gift of Sacraments, the Eucharist.
We need to remember that, before Jesus ascended into heaven, He gave us the Holy Spirit, the Advocate and Comforter, to help us get through these dark days in our culture. The devil has overplayed his hand; but fear not, we have a response. Faith in a loving God gives us everything we need. The great commandment to love one another is very challenging at times because, let’s face it, some people are hard to love! If you focus on the second part of this commandment, as I have loved you!, how can we feel anything but responsible for trying harder to love as God does – unconditionally, and with great mercy? I have great hope, but there are days I look around and wonder whether others also feel hope.
In our Religion class, I asked my grandsons to draw images of how they see Jesus. I was moved to tears when a seven-year-old drew a perfect chalice with a host raised above it. Please help make a difference in how the three-year revival of the Eucharist will play out in the Church. Families bring bodies to the pews; parents teach children about the importance of a spiritual community; and every baptized Catholic must help keep the doors of our churches open – and the Eucharist shared!
Love one another enough to share this message. Amen!