My dear Brothers and Sisters, After His Resurrection Jesus boldly proclaims: “Peace be with you!” In the gospel of the Mass today Jesus explains Himself a little more. As He prepares for His Ascension, He wants us to know where we should stand.
“Peace, I leave with you; my peace I give you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you.” The second part of this proclamation reminds us that our primary duty is to find in Christ our peace. We must live in Christ so that we can be Christ to others. Our dying and rising in Him must be the focus of our lives. Then we venture forth trying to do our part to make the world around us a more loving place. The war in the Ukraine reminds us of how cold human hearts can become. We need Jesus more than ever before. Throughout the world so many are searching for the love Jesus brought into the world as its Divine Savior. Each of us needs this salvation if we are to be truly human according to God’s plan. Each must do his or her part. That is the mission of the Church. After the pandemic our main goal is not just to rebuild the Church as an institution, but to be a community where we love one another. The revival we need now is one of the mind, the spirit, the heart, the soul. In His sermon on the mount Jesus invites all humanity to be instruments of His peace and love. In Mathew 5:9 we read: “Blessed are the peacemakers; they shall be called sons of God.”
Will you help me to do our part as a parish? Please don’t hesitate to step forward and offer your talents, treasure, and time to Christ. So many souls are in need, yet we are shorthanded. The harvest is great, but the laborers are few. Pray that the Lord send more laborers to gather in the harvest. Yes, you and I are called. By the grace of God, we joyfully and heartily respond. Yours in the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Fr. Mark G. Mazza, Pastor