Dear Our Lady of the Assumption Parish Family,

Happy birthday, Catholic Church!

This day marks the end of the Easter season and the birth of our Church. Jesus’ death on the cross, His resurrection, and His ascension into heaven paved the way for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. On this day, Pentecost Sunday, the disciples were hiding behind locked doors — afraid, uncertain, grieving. And yet Jesus came and stood among them. Not with judgment for their fear or their doubt, but with a gift: Peace.  He showed them His wounds — proof that He had passed through suffering and come out the other side. Then He breathed on them and gave them His Spirit.

Jesus instructed His apostles to confidently ask for the gifts of the Holy Spirit. When the apostles did so, they were no longer afraid to preach about Jesus to the world. Jesus offers this same gift to each one of us today. He calls us to embrace these spiritual gifts so that we live according to God’s will. Jesus  finds us where we are — behind whatever doors we’ve closed out of fear — and He speaks peace into that very place. Then He sends us out, just as the Father sent Him: not to stay hidden, but to carry that peace to others.

Have a blessed day.

 

Yours in Christ,
Father Edward Domme