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Whenever we see a beautiful sunset, the smile on a baby’s face, the magnificence of a mountain or a forest, we are tempted to take a picture so that we can capture the moment and share it with those we love. On a recent trip to the Holy Land, I experienced many such moments when I was overcome with the desire to package all the sights and sounds of that experience, so that I could take them home and share them with family and friends who were unable to make the trip.
That human instinct to share beauty and love is part of the Creator’s grand design for us. He gave us a generous heart, filled it with his love for us, and asked us to share this love with one another in order to build his Kingdom on earth. This is our calling to follow him. The message to love and care for one another is found throughout the Gospel of Jesus, and judging from the words of his Apostles, at times it was difficult for them to discern their role in his Kingdom. That discernment may have been difficult for the early Christians, and may seem impossible to Catholics in the modern world which is so full of conflicting messages which encourage us to love ourselves first, before we give love to others. In the Gospel of Luke Jesus tells us that we are not to be preoccupied with earthly possessions. He tells us that our efforts in this life, our good works, and the commitment of our hearts to “love and care for one another,” will provide not only riches, but an ETERNAL reward… “an inexhaustible treasure in heaven that no thief can reach nor moth destroy.” For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.” - Luke 12:34 As we provide for our families, and struggle with the commitments of our modern world, how can we demonstrate that we are TRUE followers of Christ? When we give generously through the Catholic Sharing Appeal, when we volunteer our time in our parish community, and when we use our talents to help one another, we fulfill our sacramental role in the mission of the Holy Catholic Church, to proclaim and teach, to serve and sanctify. I ask that you search your heart and share God’s love with those who spread the Good News and minister to the poor in our Diocese. Support the 2006 Catholic Sharing Appeal. Yours in Christ, Most Reverend James A. Tamayo, D.D. Bishop
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Office of Stewardship and Development Mrs. Rebecca Sepulveda, Director Phone: (956) 727-2140 Email: csa@dioceseoflaredo.org |
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Page last updated: 12 April 2006 |
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Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ.