Sunday, May 16, 2021 - The Solemnity of the Ascension
May14,2021
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
The Solemnity of the Ascension makes clear the Lord’s mandate that we continue His work in the Church until He returns in glory. What could be more explicit than the words: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature.” In Matthew 28:18-20 we read: “And Jesus came to them and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.’”
As Catholics we not only have the duty to fully live the faith, but to bring it to others, as well. Fathers and Mothers are particularly obliged to bring their children to the Lord. Yet all believers are commissioned by the Lord Himself to save souls, as it were. We must all be missionaries to spread the gospel. The popes of this century have made the assessment that even the Western world needs a dynamic and thorough re-evangelization. More and more we are saddened by the bad example of many Christians, who should know better, but, nevertheless, have succumbed to the dictatorship of relativism and secularism. Instead of standing up to the world, many are now kneeling to it. If Christians do not remain steadfast in the faith, hope, and love that our Savior Jesus Christ has brought to our world and promote His ways with all their vigor, what sort of world will be thrust upon us. “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing (William Cobbett).”
Catholics in our time should carefully study the sixteen official documents of the Second Vatican Council. We are also to study the official Catechism of the Catholic Church, published almost thirty years ago, or at least, The Compendium, to clarify Catholic doctrine and discipline in our day.
Let each one of us do his or her part to further the kingdom. Thy Kingdom Come! Yours in Our Lord and Our Lady, Fr. Mark G. Mazza, Pastor