To My Spiritual Family of Holy Redeemer and St. Anthony,
Ignite the Fire: God created us for greatness! Maybe not the “greatness” suggested by the people and the achievements so revered by this world, but the greatness that arises in an immortal soul fully in love with Jesus Christ and his Gospel. If even the tiniest spark of Christ’s love burns within us, we are blessed beyond measure. Yet it is the fully involved soul, the person so on fire with God’s love that the flames burning within their heart leap up to touch the boundaries of heaven, that is a soul that illuminates and eliminates the darkness. You and I are painfully aware of the discouragement, fear, and anxiety that plague so many lives. Jesus knows well our wounded humanity. He shares our human nature. Jesus freely chose to enter our world so that his healing and salvation might be found. Recall those powerful words once uttered by our Savior: “I came to cast fire upon the earth; and would that it were already kindled (Lk 12:49)!” That fire is his love! That fire is the Holy Spirit! The fire of Christ burns a path of healing and salvation wherever it finds kindling. You and I are called to ignite the fire at Holy Redeemer! One heart – aflame with Christ’s love - sets another heart aflame, and so it goes until an inferno of love is raging. How is the match struck and the flame ignited? Maybe by just a smile. Maybe in a kind word spoken to a friend. Maybe when a deed of kindness is done. Maybe when we ask another how we can pray for them. Maybe when we sacrifice our good for the good of another. Maybe when we give public witness to what Jesus has accomplished in our life. Our good God provides the kindling – his grace – to enable the flames to leap, but he counts on us to strike the match. Let’s do that! Let’s ignite the fire at Holy Redeemer!
The Assumption of Our Lady: We celebrate the great Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary this week. It is indeed a holy day and a day on which we are obligated to attend Mass. Our Lady prays for us “now and at the hour of our death.” What a blessed intercessor she is! Her passing from this world to the joys of heaven reminds you and I that we too will someday make that journey. John Paul II once spoke the following words concerning Blessed Mary: “Taken up into heaven, Mary shows us the way to God, the way to heaven, the way to life. She shows it to her children baptized in Christ and to all people of good will. She opens this way especially to the little ones and to the poor, those who are dear to divine mercy. The Queen of the world reveals to individuals and to nations the power of the love of God whose plan upsets that of the proud, pulls down the mighty from their thrones and exalts the humble, fills the hungry with good things and sends the rich empty away (cf. Lk 1:51-53).”
Walking With Purpose: The women of our Walking With Purpose bible study movement are celebrating summer this Wednesday, August 16, with an evening of prayer and sisterhood. The event begins at 6:00 pm in Holy Redeemer Church. Ladies, you are warmly welcomed to join them!
Mary, Mother of the Redeemer – Pray for us! Our Lady of Guadalupe – Pray for us! St. Anthony – Pray for us! St. Joseph – Pray for us!