Businesses grow through networking, making connections with individuals and other businesses that lead to referrals. Faith communities grow in much the same way by individuals connecting to one another through a common love for Jesus. The image Jesus uses for it is the vine. Like branches, we are connected to him and then through him to one another. As the saying goes, “it is not what you know, but who you know.” Knowing Jesus and obeying his word, we make steady progress as a community of faith and enjoy the consolation of his Holy Spirit. None of us can do what we do unless we remain connected to Jesus. Let us ask Jesus to make our connection to him stronger. With that stronger connection we can continue to draw our life from him, so that in faith, we can make our faith community stronger.
This Sunday, 62 of our young people will receive Jesus in Holy Communion for the first time. This is a special time of grace, a special time for the child, a special time for the family and a special time for our parish. This time is special because Holy Communion is Jesus’ sign of love for us. Jesus was willing to give his life on the cross and he was willing to give his very self in Holy Communion for us. Jesus is truly merciful. We are called to follow Jesus’ example by being merciful to one another. To recite Jesus’ law of love means nothing; to live it is everything. What sacrifice of love are we willing to show one another?
