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Dear Friends,
We should never underestimate the influence that we have on others. Something that we say or do may seem insignificant at a particular moment, but may turn out to be much more significant than we might expect. The example that we set, or something that we teach, may have a lasting impact on the life of someone.
During my years in the seminary, I owned an old Datsun pickup that was one of the most useful vehicles I ever had. It must have been a part of God's providence that I owned that vehicle at that time in my life. We were not allowed to keep most of our possessions at the seminary dorms over the course of the summer break, so every fall and every spring, I had to transport my things to and from the seminary. My truck was a very reliable vehicle, but, as can be expected, it broke down once in a while. Taking it to a mechanic for repairs was not always the most economical option for a poor seminarian student. So, I did my best to analyze the problem, consult knowledgeable people, and make the repairs myself whenever possible.
I am thankful that my father took the time to teach me a few things about car repair when I was young. I watched him and occasionally helped him when he was working on the family vehicles. I'm convinced that this "hands on" experience, along with his guidance and instruction enabled me to save hundreds, if not thousands of dollars in repairs during my school years! I replaced spark plugs, an alternator, a couple of batteries, and a few other odds and ends. There is no doubt in my mind that I learned a lot about cars from my father. But I also learned something about character, about ingenuity, hard work, self-investment in a project, and a willingness to try things with my own hands.
These were all valuable lessons that I carry with me throughout my life. Both of my parents influenced me greatly in this regard, and prepared me with some traditional values and morals that would help me in my priesthood.
On this Feast of the Ascension, we are reminded that, as Christians, we have received the same commission that Jesus gave to his disciples: " Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature." In other words, it is our mission to teach and influence the world in which we live. We are called to be leaven to a world that has become flat and lacking in substance. We need to bring life and zeal by proclaiming the truth of the Gospel. We need to be the moral compass amidst a world of values that are spinning in every direction.
When we look at the problems of the world, we might have an inclination to retreat or run away from the problems that exist. We cannot, however, run away from a world in need. We need to go out into the world and make efforts to transform it by proclaiming the Gospel message, both in season and out of season. As we heard in the reading from the Book of Acts today, the two men dressed in white garments say to the disciples, "Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky?" What underlies this statement is that we, like the disciples, cannot simply confine ourselves to private faith practices. We cannot sit around waiting for something to happen. We need to go out into the world and proclaim the message and preach with our lives.
The world is not going to gain a sense of morals just because we pray about it. We need to live it, teach it, and proclaim it each day. Like the Apostles, we need to stand firm for what is good, holy, and right, without fear. As a Church, we abide by the command of the Lord to go out into the world to defend marriage as a unique relationship between one man and one woman. We defend life in all it's stages from conception to natural death. We proclaim the fundamental and cherished right to religious freedom. The Lord ascended so that we might carry on his work. Let us go!
Fr. Paul
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