Dear Saints,

Relying on the insights of Pope Benedict XVI, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops made the following assertion in its Pastoral Letter Against Racism: “It is not by isolation that man establishes his worth, but by placing himself in relation with others and with God. We are meant to love God with our whole being, which then overflows into love for our neighbor.”

By definition, being a human means being in relationship with God and neighbor. That’s a pretty risky proposition. A relationship with God is dicey enough: even Scripture admits that we can hardly understand his ways. A relationship with other people is downright terrifying: a recipe for miscommunication, disappointment, betrayal, and heartbreak.

Yet relationships are not optional. It’s not just what we do - it’s who we are. Fortunately, we’re not entirely without guidance as we go. The wisdom of the ages can light our path. As we dedicate this coming Monday to the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, we would do well to reflect upon his understanding of human relationship, and his realization of the triumphant power of love:

"Every time I look at the cross, I am reminded of the greatness of God and the redemptive power of Jesus Christ. I am reminded of the beauty of sacrificial love and the majesty of unswerving devotion to truth." -Strength to Love
"Too unconcerned to love and too passionless to hate, too detached to be selfish and too lifeless to be unselfish, too indifferent to experience joy and too cold to express sorrow, they are neither dead nor alive; they merely exist.” -Strength to Love
"Everybody can be great…because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love." -The Drum Major Instinct Sermon

Christ’s Peace,

Father Daniel

δοῦλος Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ