The theme for all BLD communities for the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary time focuses us on the way we, as disciples of Christ, should detach ourselves from the things of the world that separate us or distract us from our mission and calling. We are bombarded at every turn by messages urging us to conform to the norms and values of today’s world, making it difficult to live our faith. It behooves us to look deeper into our hearts for our purpose and to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit to be able to withstand the continual attack that we encounter everyday aimed at preventing us from reaching our eternal goal.
On January 22, community members joined hundreds of thousands of pro-life advocates for the 2015 March For Life in Washington, D.C.. Every year, protestors seek the overturn of the landmark Roe v. Wade abortion decision by the U.S. Supreme Court. The decision removed many of the restrictions on abortion throughout the country. This year’s event marked the 42nd anniversary of the case. A few years ago, the U.S. Catholic Bishops proclaimed January 22 as an annual “Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of the Unborn.” The selection of this day was made to coincide with the date, back in 1973, that the U.S. Supreme Court made its decision in the case of Roe v Wade that legalized abortion in this country.
I would like to summarize at the beginning of the New Year the address of Pope Francis to the third world congress of Ecclesial movements and new communities, November 22, 2014. BLD is one of more than 30 relatively small Ecclesial, communities in the Archdiocese of Newark. It is then important for us to renew and reflect on the basis of our BLD community life and how it fits into the life of the larger church. The holy father made three points in his address which I would like to outline:
“Let what you heard from the beginning remain in you. If what you heard from the beginning remains in you, then you will remain in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that he made us: eternal life.”(1 Jn 2:24-25)
Things change. Days pass, seasons turn, years go by, children grow up, friends come and go, fortunes are made and lost. Some changes we celebrate; and some we dread. Some changes leave an indelible mark on our hearts. For better or for worse, change is a fact of life; and it has been for many centuries. The Greek philosopher, Heraclitus, who lived 500 years before Christ, once said, “There is nothing permanent except change.” |
To nurture and promote the love of the Gospel of Christ.
Letters
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