Dear Parishioners and Friends, 

Every word of Jesus in the Scriptures touches us deeply because He speaks to us from His relationship with His heavenly Father.  Nothing is fake.  He speaks always with love for each of us with words we need to hear.   He may not always flatter, but He touches us heart to heart with words of love.  He is sincere in order to reach us in the most efficacious way possible.   Since He wants to save us for all eternity, He tells it like it is.  He tells us the Truth.

In the passage from the Gospel of St. Luke (6:27-38), He has much to convey to us with these simple words: “To you who hear I say, love your enemies. . .”  Then He elaborates this point to make clear His teaching.  There can be no doubt what He means.  Here is a basic truth.  Though we must be prudent in our dealings with others, true love means forgiving those who seem to be or are our enemies.  If we start with this foundation then a mighty edifice of love is built over time, since forgiving others can be very, very hard.  Yet we know that authentic Godly love bears abundant fruit for the sake of the kingdom.  Isn’t this what we really want?  We crave to love and be loved.  

From the Cross Jesus cried out (Luke 23:24): “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do; (Pater, dimitte illis: non enim sciunt quid faciunt).”  Also, hanging next to Jesus on a cross, St. Dismas called out to the crucified Lord (Luke 23:42): “Lord, remember me when Thou shalt come into Thy kingdom (Domine, memento mei cum veneris in regnum tuum).”  Jesus replied simply (Luke 23:43): “Amen, I say to thee, this day thou shalt be with me in Paradise; (Amen, dico tibi; hodie mecum eris in paradiso).” How many souls must have been saved over the centuries taking to heart these words of hope? Finally, when Jesus taught us to pray in the Our Father, he asked us to pray thus: “And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; Et dimitte nobis debita nostra, sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris.”  

Here is a clumsy last testament of a simple soul: “I admit I am a poor sinner; therefore, I throw myself on the mercy of God.  My loving Father has never failed to forgive me, for which I am eternally grateful.  I loved with all my heart, but I know that I could have loved more.  I am humbled by those who loved me despite my many sins.  Dear family and friends, please love one another come what may.  I beg forgiveness from those I have sinned against, especially if I have failed to make amends because of spiritual blindness.   In the end all that remains is God’s love that endures forever and ever.   Please pray for the repose of my soul through the offering of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and through other prayers.  May we merrily meet in Heaven (St. Thomas More).”

Yours in the Immaculate Heart of Mary,

Fr. Mark G. Mazza, Pastor