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Bishop's
Letters | Pastoral Letter Lent 1998
Dear
Friends,
We
have recently watched the historic visit of his Holiness, Pope John
Paul II, to Cuba and were edified by our Holy Father's witness of
our Lord Jesus Christ. This was evident not only in his dedication
and fortitude in the face of physical hardships, but especially
in his wonderful proclamation of the teachings of our Lord and His
Church. The Pope's words and presence attested to the love and goodness
of our Lord which are contained in the Catholic faith.
This
past fall I attended a Synod, a meeting, in Rome called by the Holy
Father for countries of South, Central and North America. Representative
bishops from these countries discussed ways of advancing Catholicism
and the spread of the Gospel. Often the need for a new Evangelization
was repeated. The statement was made that just as the early missionaries
had brought Christ to the Americas five hundred years ago, so now
too there is a need to reintroduce Christ to much of our society.
Truly for us the meaning of Evangelization is bringing Christ to
our own lives and those around us.
But
how do we do this?
When
I travel about our diocese for Confirmation I often refer to the
example of the Apostles at Pentecost, who one minute were hiding
in fear for their lives, yet after receiving the Holy Spirit they
bravely proclaimed the word of the Lord. I tell the young people
that they too received the Holy Spirit in Baptism and Confirmation
and that they must spread the Good News. I suggest that they can
do this best by the example of their lives. This is true for all
of us.
As
we enter this Lenten season each of us should think and pray about
the great good we can achieve by leading exemplary Christian lives.
As followers of our Lord Jesus Christ we can try to imitate His
goodness His compassion, His love, His self denial for the benefit
of others. We can keep the commandments and practice the beatitudes.
In so doing we draw closer to God personally, we inspire faith and
hope in others, and we positively influence our world. This is real
Evangelization!
In
preparation for the great Jubilee of the year 2000, our Holy Father
has designated 1998 as the year of the Holy Spirit. Let us acknowledge
the presence and role of the Holy Spirit in our fives, and by our
Lenten practices of prayer, penance and almsgiving seek to become
stronger followers of the Lord and better witnesses to our world
of Christ's goodness.
May
God bless you.
Yours
sincerely in Christ,
Bishop
of Hamilton
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