And who is my neighbor?

Yesterday I had an opportunity to con-celebrate at our Diocesan silver and gold anniversary Liturgy.  Every year our Diocese honors couples who are celebrating a significant wedding anniversary with a Mass and recognition.  The Bishop presides and gives a great homily.  i like going to this Mass because of the sacrament and most importantly being married for a long time is a lot of work.

In these last few years I have run into high school classmates.  Which is weird since they can't possibly be married for 25 years; we just graduated in 1979.  And I have seen my classmates parents.  These are wonderful faith filled people who still have a sense of joy within themselves which permeate into their relationship.  The Holy Spirit is not a theory for them, but an inspiration to mull over the the Paschal Mystery in their daily lives.  And here is my conclusion in all of this, my high school friends who were great people, and are married for a long while today, are so because their parents marriage showed them the way to be.

The other week at one of the grade school Liturgies, I encouraged the sixth grade (a high energy class) to set an example, and bring in food for the food pantry, as we do at our all school Mass.  While promulgated by the teachers, the other classes are doing this now.  Beginning with the Mass, our sacraments and sacred moments seep into our daily lives encouraging us and challenging us to live holy and even prophetic lives.  St. Paul would return to this premise in his letters.  If we receive the Eucharist and hear the Word of God, then our premise of life begins with the mystery of faith which we celebrate.

The Good Samaritan story centers on a man who did a profoundly good act.  But he did not have to contemplate or reflect on its goodness.  There was no one prodding him to help, T.V. cameras around so that he could be a hero.  Somewhere in his moral formation he came to understand that it is a positive action to do good for others.  More so his action was beyond a simple nicety, he put himself out (dying to oneself) for the welfare of another.

When the sacraments are lived out in their entirety, we can experience their live and goodness.  We experience their grace.  But the community benefits too.  The model of faith they provide offers an affirmation of Christ-centered living, and a challenge to move into the realm of God's peace and goodness.  These moments of holiness are not disconnected from our day to day activity.

Jesus' very ministry answers the question of neighborliness.  He heals, forgives, and consoles all he comes in contact with.  Our reception of the sacred mysteries we celebrate invite us to imitate the good works of Jesus, and to be a living model of faith for others.