Being the Catholic Family

by David Lins  |  02/17/2019  |  (Being) Catholic Matters

I want to affirm a very specific group of people who are vital to our parish community and I want to challenge the rest of us. If you attend Mass alone, I see you. I thank you. I am inspired by you. I know it might not always be easy—being surrounded by couples and families and groups—but you are faithful and you are there.

If you skipped a Sunday, you could get away with it by saying you just went to another Mass or another parish. Yet, there you are, week after week. You don’t take advantage of the fact that other people might not know whether or not you attended, because you understand the Lord knows. You understand He iscalling you to be there. You understand skipping Sunday Mass s a mortal sin, not because the Lord wants you to jump through flaming hoops for his amusement or the church wants your money in the collection, but because the Lord has adopted you into his family and the church recognizes the vital nature of acting in accordance with this reality.

This is the truth: Our Lady of Joy (along with the greater Catholic Church) would not be the same if you weren’t there. Thank you for your example. This weekend, the Gospel says these words, “Behold, your reward will be great in heaven.”

A final note: our parish has so many kind and hospitable members, but a reminder is always helpful. If you see someone sitting alone, greet them with a little extra warmth. Include them at the sign of peace. Don’t give them a ten-foot bubble when you sit. They are not lepers. They are sons and daughtersof God. Adopted by Him into his family… just like you. They are—in a very real way—your brothers and sisters. Go out of your way to treat them as such! This isn’t about pity in any way, shape, or form. This is about being the Catholic family

Questions? Comments? Email David at dlins@oloj.org

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