FROM THE DESK OF MSGR. FRANCISCO RIOS, PAROCHIAL VICAR.…
My dear brothers and sisters,
The Gospel we read today is part of the Sermon of the Mount that begins with the Beatitudes.
We just celebrated “Catholic Schools Week.” It is awesome to see our children learning about their faith but not only that, through their charitable actions during Advent and Lent they show their love for God and neighbor by helping those in need. They make rosaries and learn how to pray it. While they are at St. Catherine’s, they are the salt and light of the earth. But, what happens after Catholic School? Do they continue doing those things? Do they go to the Eucharist on Sundays?
How do we make this faith and theses actions stick in their souls and last forever? How do they internalize these lessons in their hearts in a way that they will not forget them and will continue to practice them? How do they continue being salt and light on earth after the catholic education?
What is the support that helps them to overcome all the peer pressure and the temptations of the world that makes all of us lose our flavor and weaken our light. The same happens with all of us — we receive the sacraments but after confirmation, it seems like we are done and we do not have to practice anymore. (Been there, done that.)
We are called to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth not just in church, but in our environments: high school, college, work, neighborhood, wherever we are, by our testimony, our actions, our examples.
“We are the light of the world. May our light shine in the darkness”.