Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
We know there is much division in our society and unfortunately news reporters and commentators love to stir the pot. One place we wish we would never experience division is in our own families, and yet that is exactly where we find it all too often. This weekend Jesus offers some very disquieting words, “Do you think the I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.” How can this be? Shouldn't our faith in Jesus be the one thing that brings us together? Unfortunately, many Christians over the centuries have experienced this bitter truth.
When we dedicate our lives to the Lord, we are often ridiculed or at best misunderstood. As we grow in our faith and desire to live holy and virtuous lives, this may cause us to grow apart from those we once felt so close too. Obviously we have the obligation to continue to love them and to share the joy that our relationship with Jesus brings us. We cannot however live two lives. We must make a decision to follow the Lord and leave behind the dark places of our former lives that blocked out the light of Christ.
Peace,
Fr. Steve