Father Maassen's Message - 06/23/24

Dear Missionary Disciples of Christ,
 
How do we love?  Jesus says if you love me you will keep my commandments in John 14: 15, one of those commandments we repeat in the words of consecration, at every Eucharistic Liturgy, ”Do this in memory of me."  This seems straightforward.  Keep the commandments. By the way, The Ten commandments are Jesus’ commandments as well, since he is God.

In today’s Gospel, I am writing these words on June 18th, Jesus in Matt 5: 44 says, "But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you ..."

We love people by seeking the good of the other person, and by willing their greatest good. Another way to love is to die to self for the good of the other. Jesus tells us to love even our enemies.  One of the significant ways we love our enemies is by praying for them. 

In the Spiritual works of mercy (loving concretely), one of those works is to pray for the living and the dead.  So when you become angry with people or annoyed with them, pray for them. When they treat you unfairly, unjustly or unkindly, pray for them regardless of the feelings you may be experiencing. “Jesus help me to love this person and I pray for ------.”  “Our Father .who art in heaven...”
 
In Christ, 
Fr. M