St. Bede-St. Denis Parish Home

Dear brothers and sisters:

 

We are witnessing an ideological inflation in various sectors of society that ultimately encompasses all aspects and situations of life. Tolerance is preached, but any argument of religious inspiration is questioned by virtue of that dogma of pragmatism according to which beliefs must be separated from public life and confined to the private sphere.

 

In this social atmosphere, today’s Gospel invites us Christians to bear witness to who we are and to our personal encounter with Jesus. Our experience of faith will not convince anyone, neither through a carefully crafted marketing strategy nor through the forcefulness of our arguments. Our faith will only raise questions in those who encounter us, through the quality of our example of life.

 

Knowing Jesus is something we cannot keep silent about. Having encountered Him means assimilating His gaze and His heart in such a way that, wherever we are, we can never stop seeing life through His eyes. Our situation, the place, and the people with whom we live may change, but if we have truly encountered Him, we should never stop making Him known. Because a faith that is not expressed and that is not evident becomes insignificant and is eventually abandoned.

 

I am fortunate to have met people who, like John the Baptist, have pointed me to Jesus through the witness of their lives and have thus helped me to believe. Lives of people who, without fanfare or exaggeration, demonstrate the depth that Jesus provides in moments when pain knocks at the door. Simple and profound examples of what it means to place our trust in God in the face of difficulties, the joy of forgiving, the goodness of helping those in need without seeking praise or rewards, the generosity to prioritize acts of fraternity instead of erecting barriers of criticism towards others. Jesus will never leave us alone.

 

Let us open our eyes so that our faith may grow, accompanied by many witnesses; let us dialogue with Him about our lives in simple, everyday prayer. In a tense and highly ideologized society, let us bear witness with gentleness and respect to our faith in Jesus, the Son of God.

 

Happy Sunday!

 

 

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