Jesus Christ is Risen, Alleluia! He is Risen indeed, Alleluia!

Happy Easter! I am concerned that even Christians have become enamored by riches, by money, wealth, and the power which the world promotes. For the most part, our parish families are not “the rich” and never will be considered rich in monetary terms. Still, we think a lot about “getting rich.”

Trusting in God’s love, mercy, and constant presence and availability is the central point of our faith. Believing that God has been, is now, and always will be present is the central belief which helps us to endure all things from joy to sadness.

If the above is true, then why do Christians, Catholics in our case, put so much emphasis on salaries, wages, benefits, vacations, retirement funds, investment portfolios, inheritances, homes, clothing, status symbols, cars, boats, the land “up North,” and insurance policies, etc.? Why do we read the reports on stock market or mutual fund performance with more interest than we read a good Catholic commentary on the Bible, or a good spiritual reflection on Jesus, our Savior? Why do we not put more emphasis on the central teachings of Jesus Christ about forgiveness, love of our neighbor and the stranger, and caring for those who are most in need (Matthew 25:31-46)?

As we have just emerged from Lent in which we tried to become “better people,” many of us emphasized sacrifices and disciplines so that we could stop sinning. Or, we tried to become more holy. In fact, many of us missed an important recognition which can make us truly “good and holy” people. We fail to recognize that God is always near! This knowledge is the foundation of what makes us good, and helps us to become even better people.

There is no sacrifice or discipline that can “earn” God’s mercy and love. We cannot EARN what God already wants to give us! Nor can we earn enough money, or have enough possessions, in order to save our earthly lives. God already wants us to LIVE, and to live FOREVER!

We must stop following the dynamic of the world where more money and things are the measure of our worth. Instead, we must remember what Jesus taught. He taught us that we are loved. And, he commanded us to be leaders by serving our sisters and brothers and neighbors (John 13:1-17). In fact, he teaches us to be “neighbor” to others (Luke 10:25-37)

Jesus taught us to pay attention to the poor. He was an ally to the outsider, the unclean, the sinner, the poor, and the vulnerable (widow, orphan, and immigrant). Jesus looks at each of us with love and says, “Go…do…give…and then follow me,” (Mark 10:21). Trust in Jesus! Let go of the world’s deceptions.

Jesus is Risen, Alleluia!

Peace, Fr. Andy