What Guides Us?

Dear Missionary Disciples:
 
The other day, as I was sitting outside in the bright sunlight, I was thinking, what is the light in our personal lives? What guides us? Does the word of God, the teaching of the pope and bishops, Sacred Scripture? Do we allow the Holy Spirit to speak? The Holy Spirit, as the advocate promised by Jesus, guides us in understanding and living out the teachings of the Church.
 
Are these the things that guide us, or do we let the world guide us? As Catholics, we believe that the teachings on faith and morals expressed beautifully in the Catechism of the Catholic Church are our Lord's guidance on how to love and live. Jesus said, "The Father will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever, the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you."
 
 I am saddened by how often we let a commentator, analyst, celebrity, or the thoughts of some or many in society be our guide or light. We need to reaffirm our commitment to listen to Christ, let Him be our light, and let Him guide us. He does this through the teachings of His Church. Let us not forget that His voice is the one we should always strive to hear above all others.
 
May the peace that comes from following Christ's teachings be with you always.
 
Peace, Fr. M

By Father Maassen July 1, 2026
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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
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