Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
We are living in a time when the world wishes that we would leave our faith in the confines of the church building. If you need evidence to this fact, just consider the number of religious liberty cases that have had to go before the Supreme Court. One especially notable case is the Little Sisters of the Poor. The government was trying to force them to adhere to the Health and Human Services mandate calling all insurance companies to cover contraceptives. We also see how our society is trying to get us to embrace and celebrate same-sex relationships as something normal. The world wants us to welcome and embrace the LGBTQ agenda. God is telling us something different.
In our second reading for this weekend from Paul’s letter to the Colossians, Paul tells us at the beginning of the reading: “Brothers and sisters: if you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Think of what is above, not of what is on earth.” As followers of Christ, God wants us to think about what is above. As we continue on our journey, our thoughts and our motives should focus us on heaven. We know that earth is not our final home. Our final home is with God in the glory of the resurrection.
St. Paul tells us further on in the reading: “Put to death, then, the parts of you that are earthly: immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and the greed that is idolatry.” God wants us to live as if we are a people destined for eternity. To live this way, we need to love one another as children of God. We also need to be truthful with one another. We need to avoid the dictates of relativism and any other so-called truth that is contrary to God’s plan. If we keep our faith to ourselves and confined to just the four walls of the church, then the world is going to get its way. Whose way is going to help us more? God’s way or the world’s way? As people of faith, I hope the answer is clear. God is the way to eternal life. The world will not get us there. And so brothers and sisters, I encourage us all to continue to stand up for our faith, and engage in the public square from God’s perspective of faith. That together we may help lead each other to the light and love of God.
May God bless you,
Fr. Todd Mlsna
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