St. Bede-St. Denis Parish Home

Dear brothers and sisters,

 

The first thing I wish to do as I begin this article is to wish you a Happy Mother's Day.

 

It is a fact that one's word has lost its value in today's society. We have normalized the idea that promises are merely carried away by the wind, and that in public life, one can fail to honor what is said with total impunity. Yet, this does not mean that we have ceased to need trustworthy people—authentic, credible individuals whose promises serve as a source of encouragement that renews our hope.

 

Two thousand years later, Jesus appears once again in our lives today, offering us a promise: "I will not leave you orphaned; you will never be alone." Throughout history, millions of believers have placed their faith in His words and have experienced—even in the most difficult moments—that God remains by our side.

 

In the face of the despondency born of loneliness, or the failure resulting from the frustrated self-sufficiency of those whose plans remain unfulfilled, Jesus promises us the presence of His Spirit to accompany, inspire, and strengthen the life of the one who believes in Him.

 

This is the paradox of the Christian life: the more one feels in need, the closer one experiences God to be; conversely, the more self-sufficient one perceives oneself to be, the more one's life seems to fade away. Jesus does not ask us to give up or to cease devoting the utmost of our ingenuity and effort toward making the world a better place; rather, He promises us that in this endeavor, we will never be alone, and that He will always remain with us through His Spirit.

 

Believing in this promise dispels loneliness, provides strength in moments of discouragement, challenges our self-sufficiency, fosters communication, inspires counsel and wisdom, and bestows the gifts of forgiveness and peace. While some promises fall on deaf ears just days after being uttered, Jesus' promise—more than two thousand years later— continues to resonate powerfully in the hearts of many believers who feel the need to renew it and to continue welcoming God into their lives.

 

Happy Sunday!

 

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