2 Thessalonians 1:11 – “We always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of His calling and powerfully bring to fulfillment every good purpose and every effort of faith.”
Wisdom 11:23 – “You have mercy on all, because you can do all things; and you overlook people’s sins that they may repent.”
Luke 19: 9-10 – “Today salvation has come to this house because this man too is a descendant of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost.”
Dear Parishioners and Friends
Because of the recent power outage, these few words almost didn’t get into print. Here at the rectory, church, and school we were without electricity for almost two days. So I consider this modest letter as an extra special one to the “Children of Light.” More than ever our light in Christ must shine in the darkness.
The official Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us many things about Faith. Moderns must keep in mind that it is God who has revealed Himself to us that we might be saved. The Father sent His Son, Jesus Christ, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Jesus Christ remains our Divine Lord and Savior yesterday, today, and forever. No man or woman has the authority to change what has been revealed to us. To change or attempt to change the constant teaching of the Church is a work not from God.
Therefore, there is what we call the Deposit of Faith. The most authentic summary and presentation of this Faith is found in the Church’s official catechism, which should be read, studied, prayed over, and put into practice. In fact even the Bible, the inspired Word of God, which also should be read, studied, and prayed over, cannot be properly understood without the clear light coming from the unchangeable doctrine of the Church. Scripture and Tradition form the one Revelation that we must adhere to and preserve at all cost.
In addition the Faith requires our own personal response. We respond to a living God. The Catholic Faith isn’t like a currant scone, where we pick out the currants and leave the rest. It isn’t like a cafeteria line where we pick what we like and leave the rest. The recently canonized Cardinal Newman became a Catholic when he realized this reality. He prayed: “Lead kindly light, lead thou me on.” That light of Christ will always be with us come what may.
The story of Zacchaeus exquisitely reminds us that each one is called to enthusiastically respond to Jesus in His one true Church. We must make the leap of Faith if we are to know, love, and serve Him and Him alone with the hope to be with Him forever in heaven. If we have grown lukewarm or indifferent, skeptical or bored, then we must be purified and let Jesus into our hearts and homes. The greatest treasure is our Holy Faith. Families build the city of God by building up a Catholic home where all are in love with each other and with the Lord, a home where Jesus manifests Himself in our midst. Have you seen Jesus lately? I have.
Yours in the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Father Mark G. Mazza, Pastor
“We must empty Purgatory by our prayers.” – Saint Pio of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio)