Father Maassen's Message - 03/31/2024

Greetings! Happy Easter to all! May you know the peace and joy that the Risen Lord brings!
 
Welcome to all you whom we see once or twice a year. It’s great to have you here. You are always welcome at St. Francis Borgia Church. I have a favor to ask you, especially those who come to the celebration of the Eucharist only once or twice a year. Please return next week and be a part of Jesus’ Kingdom on earth. Jesus died for our salvation but lived to establish His Kingdom on earth, our Catholic Church. Jesus established our Catholic Church to continue His mission of salvation. Salvation comes to us through the Church.
 
Why should you come back next week? In a nutshell—because you want to share in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. You and I are called to share, by knowledge and love, in God’s life. You and I were created for communion with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus, in the Gospel of John, says, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day.” (John 6:53-4)
 
I wish I knew exactly the right thing to write so you would change your lives for the better, so you could inherit eternal life, be peaceful, more joy-filled. In my years of interacting with people from all walks of life, from vastly different social –economic conditions, the most joyful people I have encountered are those who truly live their Catholic faith. Worshipping God every Sunday has always been a necessary part of loving and following Jesus Christ.
 
Perhaps you believe that since Jesus Christ loves you infinitely and won the victory over sin and death that you will go to heaven. This is not what Jesus says. How we live our life and respond to the grace and love of Jesus in the present time determines one's eternity. "Not everyone who says to me Lord, Lord shall enter the kingdom of Heaven, but only the one who does the will of my  heavenly Father"  Matt 7:21. "If you would enter life, keep the commandments” Mt 19:17. See also Matthew 25.
 
Choosing a life in Christ gives you joy and peace now and—through God’s grace—a share in the Resurrection. The choice of Christ at a minimum level requires Sunday worship. We have been celebrating Mass in the Kingdom of God for two thousand years. It is one of the most intimate ways we enter into communion with our God, whether we feel intimacy or not. As a reminder, if you have missed Mass without serious reason, the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) is needed before receiving the Eucharist. Jesus, present at every Mass, said this in the Gospel of Luke, “Do this in memory of me.” (Luke 22:19)
 
“This Sunday Eucharist is the foundation and confirmation of all Christian practice. For this reason the faithful are obliged to participate in the Eucharist on days of obligation, unless excused for a serious reason (for example, illness, the care of infants) or dispensed by their own pastor. Those who deliberately fail in this obligation commit a grave sin.” (CCC 2181)
 
Habits can change, and lives can be better. Regardless of your situation, there is hope. Hope in our Risen Lord who loves you. I hope to see you next week!