Month: January 2021

Friday is the anniversary of Roe vs Wade and I offer the following reflections from our Bishops:

“Twenty-five year ago, Pope St. John Paul, II wrote that the Gospel of life is at the heart of Jesus’ saving message to the world (Evangelicum vitae 1).  In taking on human flesh, dwelling among us, and sacrificing His very life for our redemption, Christ reveals the profound dignity of every human person.  This God given dignity does not change with our state of life, abilities, level of independence, or any other varying circumstance.

Rather, it is rooted in the permanent fact that each of us is made in the image and likeness of God, created to share in the very life of God Himself.  The human person is a “manifestation of God in the world, a sign of His presence, a trace of His glory” (EV 24) and we must reflect this truth in how we act and how we treat one another.

The truth of the Gospel of life is at the foundation of who we are as followers of Christ.  In His earthly life, Jesus provided the perfect model for how we are to love our neighbor and live out the Gospel call:  “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me” (Mt. 25-40).

In today’s Gospel, the first disciples meet Jesus and ask where He is staying.  “Come, and you will see.”  Jesus dwells in every place where all are welcome and cared for; Jesus makes His home where everyone is assured a place; Jesus stays wherever compassion and forgiveness are readily offered.  Jesus’ “place” includes not only our homes, also our neighborhood, schools, and places of work.

     May our homes become fitting dwelling places for Christ to “stay”, where all are received with humble generosity and honor as we would welcome Christ Himself.

In Christ’s Pease, Fr. Dave