FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK

Dear Brothers & Sisters,

What does it mean to follow Jesus?  It means that we be willing to let go of everything in order to have everything.  For each of us, it is a matter of a trust walk with God.  This trust walk means that we be willing to even let go of the dreams we may have and put it all in his hands.  The gambler will understand when we say that we have to be willing to let it all ride for the sake of Him to call us.  This by no means says that I encourage gambling. 

Jesus said that this trust walk means that we hold on to one thing only and that is the cross.  It is the cross that is our salvation, not the material things that we cling to.  This demands trust from each of us.  In a time when trust has been challenged in so many ways, we are called to trust even more.  In a time when economies are battered, we are called to be less attached to possessions even more so now. 

This puts things in perspective for us as this is a time for all of us as the cross is by no means a matter of being a convenient Christian.  There is no way we can exercise trust and bear hardship if we see our relationship with the Lord as a matter of a convenient thing – as so many of us are want to do.  This is a challenge for each of us- even myself.  Are we willing to bear the cross or are we desirous to only bear hardship when we see what is in it for our self? 

The stakes are high.  But are you willing to gamble with your salvation?  I am not and neither should you.  Hold on to the only sure thing there is – the cross.

Have a blessed weekend.

Monsignor Michael Lewis