Dear Friends of Pastorate of the Visitation,
“Where do the wars and where do the conflicts among you come from?” This question, raised by St. James in our second reading this Sunday (James 3:16–4:3), strikes a sorrowful chord in our hearts. In our own ways, we are all troubled by fears or doubts or anger related to the world around us; and closer to home, our hearts that suffer from conflict and other difficulties with family, friends, and so on. Where is all this coming from?
St. James counsels that all this comes down to our “passions,” that is, to our fallen humanity that “makes war within [our] members.” It is that simple. But, the call of every disciple is that it no longer be our passions that rule us but the Passion of Jesus. Not just His suffering and death but the entirety of his beautiful, wonderful, truly passionate life! It is the passionate love of Jesus that raises up what is fallen, that makes all things new; that gives hope, light, and wisdom for resolving the “wars,” “conflicts,” “jealousy,” “selfish ambition,” and so on.
Christ’s passionate love proves to us the power of the words “I forgive you,” spoken readily and sincerely. His passionate love impels us to say “I’m sorry” often. His passion teaches us to extend an open hand to help or console rather than a fist; to pray rather than to curse; to become “last of all and servant of all” (Mark 9:35).
And so we pray: Jesus, thank You for all the ways you teach me and strengthen me with Your passionate love through Your words, example, and Your very Body and Blood. Help me to be a vessel and instrument of Your passionate love in my thoughts, words, and actions this week.
The pastorate’s Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) program begins this week! Please pray for those taking part as well as the pastorate’s OCIA team. We are delighted to have a good number of people signed up, thanks be to God, but it is not too late if you or someone you know might be interested. Please invite them to reach out to me (john.bilenki@archbalt.org).
Our first meeting this week will give our “inquirers” and our team the chance to get acquainted. As the year goes on, we will advertise some of the sessions that can be more broadly attended by parishioners, so stay tuned for that!
Let us remain united in prayer and in the Eucharist.
Fr. John
