This weekend in the readings, Jesus provided an abridged version of the commandments.
- The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.
- You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
The first one covers the first 4 commandments, and the second one covers the final six. Jesus links the traditional 10 commandments into two acts of love. The first one is to Love our lord and God. The second one is to Love each other. If we accomplish this, or at least strive for this we are acting out our Faith as prescribed by Jesus himself, and God through Moses.
Pope Benedict XVI has dedicated the next year as a Year of Faith. The year began on October 11th, 2012, and will continue until the Solemnity of Christ the King on November 24th, 2013. The intentions of this year are to increase our understanding of the faith that we profess. That each Catholic search, reflect, and evangelize on the meaning and structure of our faith. The Pope is a great man but he cannot do this for you. The bible, Jesus, the Pope, and our clergy invite you to explore your understanding of the faith you profess every Sunday. Deacon Dick, a fellow Knight and Spiritual Advisor to our Council has offered 10 easy to follow steps for increasing your Faith this year:
1. Participate in Mass.
The Year of Faith is meant to promote the personal encounter with Jesus. This occurs most immediately in the Eucharist. Regular Mass attendance strengthens one's faith through the Scriptures, the Creed, other prayers, sacred music, the homily, receiving Communion, and being part of a faith community.
2. Go to Confession.
Like going to Mass, Catholics find strength and grow deeper in their faith through participation in the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation. Confession urges people to turn back to God, express sorrow for falling short and open their lives to the power of God's healing grace. It forgives the injuries of the past and provides strength for the future.
3. Learn about the Lives of the Saints.
The saints are timeless examples of how to live a Christian life, and they provide endless hope. Not only were they sinners who kept trying to grow closer to God, but they also exemplify ways a person can serve God: through teaching, missionary work, charity, prayer, and simply striving to please God in the ordinary actions and decisions of daily life.
4. Read the Bible daily.
Scripture offers first-hand access to the Word of God and tells the story of human salvation. Catholics can pray the Scriptures (through Lectio Divina or other methods) to become more attuned to the Word of God. Either way, the Bible is a must for growth in the Year of Faith.
5. Read the documents of Vatican II.
The Second Vatican Council (1962-65) ushered in a great renewal of the Church. It impacted how Mass is celebrated, the role of laity, and how the Church understands itself and its relationship with other Christians and non-Christians. To continue this renewal, Catholics must understand what the Council taught and how it enriches the lives of believers.
6. Study the Catechism.
Published exactly 30 years after the start of the Council, the Catechism of the Catholic Church covers the beliefs, moral teachings, prayers, and sacraments of the Catholic Church in one volume. Its a resource for growing and understanding of the Faith. Another helpful resource is the U.S. Catholic Catechism for Adults. Parents of our Faith Formation students have been doing that after the 4:30 pm mass on Sunday.
7. Volunteer in the parish.
The Year of Faith can't only be about study and reflection. The solid grounding of the Scriptures, the Council and the Catechism must translate into action. The parish is a great place to start, and each person's gifts help build up the community. People are welcome as ministers of hospitality, liturgical musicians, lectors, catechists, and in other roles in parish life.
8. Help those in need.
The Vatican urges Catholics to donate to charity and volunteer to help the poor during the Year of Faith. This means to personally encounter Christ in the poor, marginalized, and vulnerable Helping others brings Catholics face-to-face with Christ and creates an example for the rest of the world.
9. Invite a friend to Mass.
The Year of Faith may be global in its scope, focusing on a renewal of faith and evangelization for the whole church, but real change occurs on the local level. A personal invitation can make all the difference to someone who has drifted from the faith or feels alienated from the Church. Everyone knows people like this, so everyone can extend a loving welcome.
10. Incorporate the Beatitudes into daily life.
The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12) provide a rich blueprint for Christian living. Their wisdom can help all to be more humble, patient, just, transparent, loving, forgiving, and free. It's precisely the example of lived faith needed to draw people to the Church in the year ahead.
Concentrating on these 10 will bring you closer to the real meaning and better understanding of how to Love God, and Your Neighbor!
As Knights we must be leaders. We must light the way by example! We must commit to the Year of Faith in a personal way.
No comments:
Post a Comment