The Answer - The Mass

Dear Missionary Disciples of Christ,

Recently, I reminded myself that my most important role as Pastor is to help our parishioners stay on the path of salvation. A quote from the Catechism of the Catholic Church is very appropriate here:

"Two other sacraments, Holy Orders and Matrimony, are directed towards the salvation of others; if they contribute as well to personal salvation, it is through service to others that they do so. They confer a particular mission in the Church and serve to build up the People of God." CCC - (1534} In 1535, those who received the sacrament of Holy Orders were consecrated in Christ's name to feed the Church by the Word and Grace of God.

Although there are many things I do in the parish, the spiritual wellbeing of my parishioners is what I am to be most concerned about.

I firmly believe that the Catholic Church is the Church founded by Jesus Christ and sustained and guided by the Holy Spirit. The Church Christ founded was led by our first shepherd, Simon Peter, the first pope. His successor, Pope Leo, leads our Church. I believe this on the basis of faith, history, Sacred Scripture, and reason.

Belief doesn't only mean that we know Jesus exists. Even evil spirits know this. Belief means much more. Belief is an acceptance, a yielding to, and obedience to Jesus Christ and His teachings. Belief calls us to love. We need to experience and think about God's love for us and respond to that Love. What is one of the most important ways we love God, keep his commandments, or do the will of the Father in heaven?

Answer: The Mass.

We do those things by participating in the celebration of the Eucharist every Sunday and on Holy Days of Obligation. We give our time and our lives to our Father as we participate in the Eucharist.

A priest friend once asked this question, "If you can't spend an hour with God at Mass, how will you spend eternity with Him?"

Mass is the Heavenly Liturgy of God and man. It is the Lord's gift to us. The Mass is where we join in praising, glorifying, and thanking God. If Jesus were to say, "Please come to the Last Supper, the Crucifixion, or the Resurrection - spend an hour with me?" What would you say?

Our Gracious God is asking this and more at each Sunday Mass.

Peace, Father Maassen

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Dear Missionary Disciples of Jesus Christ, Before you hit send, is this an act of love? Before you say what you are about to say, is this an act of love? This is especially true on e-mails and social media. There are countless scripture quotes on how to treat other people, your neighbor, and even your enemies. “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you" Luke 6:27. "But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you... For if you love those who love you, what reward have you?” Matt 5:44. "And as you wish that men would do to you, do so to them" Luke 6:31. There are many more Scripture passages on how we are to treat our neighbor and even our enemies. Jesus does not condition loving anyone on whether we agree with them on any issue. Jesus does not condition any of these commands on whether we are angry or not. Jesus’ commands are unconditional. As Catholics, as missionary disciples of Jesus Christ, we are to rise above our anger and disagreements and treat one another with love. This does not mean we have to agree. It does mean we are to love. I also encourage you to talk face-to-face with someone you are angry with or disagree with; this takes courage and is the loving way. The following is right out of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (paragraphs 2477 and 2478): Respect for the reputation of persons forbids every attitude and word likely to cause them unjust injury. He becomes guilty: of rash judgment who, even tacitly, assumes as true, without sufficient foundation, the moral fault of a neighbor; of detraction who, without objectively valid reason, discloses another's faults and failing to persons who did not know them; concerning them. I will end this letter with an incredibly challenging quote from Dorothy Day: "I really only love God as much as the person I love the least." Peace, Father Maassen