Fr. Bill's Weekly Message
for 7/19/98
Dear Parishioners:
Recent events in our world remind
us that we still have a long way to go before we eliminate the sins
which arise from racism and bigotry. The shameful murder in Jasper a few
weeks ago shook the conscience of America. There remain people who will
go to the ultimate degree to live in their fear.
Racism and bigotry come out of
our fear. People are afraid of others because they are afraid of themselves.
There is doubt of their manhood or womanhood, their own background, the
future, etc. Those who are different must be dealt with in hatred because
there is no love.
Fear is a tremendous motivator
in human beings, perhaps in most living things. In some ways fear can
bring about good -- caution in unknown situations, care in danger etc.
We need to listen to those fears because they warn us of matters which
can injure.
But more often than not, fear is
a cause of inaction and withdrawal. It is the greatest enemy of biblical
faith. Fear makes us draw into ourselves and close out things which attempt
to influence. There is a good side to that, but fear has the power to close
out the good influences. Fear can make us see only the surface of things,
e.g. the color of skin, point of origin, accent of voice, etc. It views
the other as an enemy.
Now the word holy comes from a
word meaning other. Since fear makes the other an enemy, it can make
God an enemy. Now we would never say that, but God becomes an irritant,
someone who best is left on the fringe of life and concern.
The very best way to overcome this
fear, is to deepen our life with God and His word. Ultimately, of course,
this word is Jesus Himself. He is the final Word of God. We also have the
Scriptures which tell us of the wonders of God.
Each of us should be reading the
Bible for at least ten minutes a day. St. Jerome told us that ignorance
of the Scriptures is ignorance of Jesus. I urge every parishioner to have
her or his own Bible.
Make sure you get a Catholic edition
- the New American Bible, the Revised Standard [Catholic edition], and
the Navarre Bible (only the New Testament is in English) are very good
editions. Other editions do not have all the books in the canon and contain
some translators' own interpretations.
Once you get the Bible, read it, pray
over what you have read, and then listen to what God is doing in you. His
Word is the Word of life and love. You won't go wrong.
God bless,
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