Love of Neighbor

Dear sisters and brothers in Christ, 

 I pray that you are blessed. I also hope that you are staying safe and healthy. I realize as this social distancing drags on it becomes harder and harder to keep our guard up, but I would encourage you to continue to wear masks and to avoid crowded areas. For those at higher risk, like myself (diabetes), we need to be extra vigilant. It seems like every time I do venture out, I see more and more people ignoring these practices. The way I see it, no matter what our own views are, or how unlikely we think we are to catch COVID-19, we should do these things for “love of neighbor.” And for all the parents, educators and students out there, whether you and your children are physically at school or attending school online, know that you are in my daily prayers.

In today’s first reading, Jeremiah is upset with God and refusing to do any more preaching. But by the end of the passage he realizes that he cannot keep silent. 

I say to myself, I will not mention The Lord, I will speak in his name no more.
But then it becomes like fire burning in my heart, imprisoned in my bones;
I grow weary holding it in, I cannot endure it.

I love that verse. We are each called to preach the Gospel in word and in deed, and when we are truly passionate about our faith we cannot keep silent. The love of God burst forth from deep within us and we must share The Good News of Christ. Let us continue to spread the faith, to share our blessings, and to bear witness to awesomeness of our God! 

 In the Redeemer, Fr. Rick