The Antidote for What Ails Us

01-17-2021Pastor's LetterFr. Wilson

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Recent events in our nation’s capital have been difficult for everyone to comprehend. I’m sharing a few words with you from Steve Bollman, founder of That Man Is You (TMIY). His observation, “There won’t be a political solution to a spiritual problem,” I think zeros in on our true problem. We have a spiritual sickness. The cure is the same as it always has been – saints. The antidote for what ails us is for you and me, disciples of Jesus Christ and true members of His Body, to become holy – to become real saints. Let us begin by praying and truly endeavoring to die to ourselves and to conform our lives to the life of Jesus Christ. – Fr. Wilson

_____________________

“…As I watched the events unfold, I clearly remembered words I spoke 15 years ago when TMIY was first founded: ‘There won't be a political solution to a spiritual problem.’ Those words are more true today – especially in our current political environment – than they were 15 years ago.

“God has made it abundantly clear to me that He expects us to follow the same path Don Bosco followed. Although Don Bosco lived during incredibly tumultuous times, …God clearly told him: ‘I only want you to speak the truth of the Gospel and help poor boys that are in need.’ …

“The events of yesterday demand the truth of the Gospel. Jesus Christ gave His apostles and any person that bears the name Christian exactly one and only one new commandment: ‘A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this, all men will know that you are my disciples if you have a love for one another’ (John 13:34-35). … The merciful love of Christ is the light that shines in the darkness (Cf. Isaiah 9:2).

“In imitation of Jesus Christ, we are called to allow the light of our merciful love is a light in the darkness of our modern culture. This means that we do not seek justice or vengeance from those we believe to be in the wrong. Instead, we offer merciful love to everyone, especially those we find most difficult to love.

“If we embrace the call to live a radical, merciful love, we will truly become a light to our nation and lay the foundation for a new springtime for our children and grandchildren.

“As the first practical step to living this radical, merciful love, I recommend praying the Rosary. When Pope St. John Paul II recommended the revival of devotion to the Rosary, he stated that the first reason was ‘the need to implore from God the gift of peace’ (Rosarium Virginis Mariae, #6). I recommend praying the Rosary every day and when possible with someone. …”May God bless you and your family. – Steve Bollman