|
My dear brothers,
On this Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, our feast day, let me greet you as the angel greeted our Blessed Mother, "The Lord be with you!"
As we celebrate this important day in our provincial calendar and in our church calendar, it also takes on added import as our Holy Father Pope Francis has chosen today to inaugurate this extraordinary Year of Mercy.
The Pope's timing - or perhaps better, God's timing - in calling for this Year of Mercy could not be more perfect and more needed. Our world, our country, and even our local communities, have experienced so much uncertainty in our times that our world is crying out for this message of mercy.
In the scriptures for the feast liturgy today, the words of the angel rang out to me as words for us all to take to heart, "Do not be afraid." Despite the chaos of our world, it is our faith in God, our call and commitment to religious life that calms us in the midst of these storms. As the Holy Father said recently, "Around us is the presence of evil. But in a loud voice, I say, God is stronger." Let today's feast be more than just a commemoration, more than just a day on the calendar; let it be a reminder of God's goodness to us and His power to be light even in the midst of the greatest darkness.
And, more than that, let us pledge today to be the ones who bear that light to the world. As Pope Francis opened the Holy Doors at St. Peter's today, he explained the importance of today's feast and this Year of Mercy. He said:
"Two things are necessary to fully celebrate the day's feast. First, to fully welcome God and His merciful grace into our life; second, to become in our own times 'workers of mercy' through an evangelical journey...In imitation of Mary we are called to be 'bearers of Christ' and witnesses of His love, especially towards those who are most in need."
My brothers, we are being called once again to welcome God's merciful grace into our hearts. Let it take root there. Let it be a source of inspiration for us. And, we are being called to be the workers of mercy in our world. We are being called to be the kind, loving and calming presence of Jesus; in imitation of our Blessed Mother, bearing that love and mercy to the world.
May each of you be blessed this day. Be assured of my constant prayers for you and for all that you do for our beloved Province. And, may Mary, the Immaculate Conception, wrap us in her mantle and intercede for us today and always.
Buona Festa!!
Fraternally,
Primo P. Piscitello, OFM
Provincial Minister
|
