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The Ascension and Inclusive Catholicism

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A Powerful Start

Acts 1:1–11 opens the exciting story of the early Church, and honestly, it’s epic. Picture this: Jesus spends His last moments with His apostles, gives them a life-changing mission, and ascends to heaven in a cloud. It’s dramatic and full of inspiration for anyone who’s ever wondered about their place in the Church.

But here’s the thing: this passage isn’t just about Jesus leaving earth. It’s about what He leaves behind—a promise, a challenge, and hope that His message is for everyone. And that’s where inclusive Catholicism comes in, taking this vision and running with it.

What Happens in Acts 1:1–11?

Let’s break down the highlights:

  • The Promise: Jesus tells His apostles to stay in Jerusalem until they receive the Holy Spirit. Think of it as the spiritual fuel they’ll need for their mission.
  • The Mission: Jesus gives them a clear roadmap: “You’ll be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Translation? They’re called to share His love with everyone, everywhere.
  • The Ascension: Jesus rises into heaven, leaving His apostles staring at the sky. Two angels show up to remind them to focus on their mission instead of waiting around for His return.

What Does This Mean for Inclusive Catholicism?

Inclusive Catholicism is all about making sure the Church reflects the universal love of Christ—welcoming everyone, breaking down barriers, and celebrating diversity. Our readings give us a solid foundation for this mission.

The Holy Spirit Unites Us All

When Jesus promises the Holy Spirit, He’s talking about something bigger than just the apostles. The Spirit is for everyone, breaking through cultural and linguistic divides at Pentecost. This reminds us that the Church should always strive to be a place where all people feel at home, no matter their background.

The Mission Goes Beyond Boundaries

Jesus didn’t set limits on who could hear His message. “To the ends of the earth” means exactly that—everywhere and everyone. Inclusive Catholicism takes this to heart, working to connect with people from all walks of life and build bridges of understanding and love.

The Ascension Inspires Hope

When Jesus ascends, it’s not the end of the story—it’s the beginning of something greater. The apostles are called to focus on the bigger picture: a world united in faith and love. This hope pushes us to dream of a Church that actively works for justice, equity, and inclusion.

Living Out the Message

This story in Acts isn’t just an ancient story—it’s a call to action. How can we live out these values today? Here are some ideas:

  • Be Welcoming: Make our parish and community a space where everyone feels accepted, especially those who’ve been marginalized.
  • Start Conversations: Engage in dialogue with people of different faiths, cultures, and perspectives. Building relationships is key.
  • Stand for Justice: Advocate for fairness and equity in our community and beyond. The Church can be a powerful force for good!

Final Thoughts

Acts 1:1–11 is a reminder of what the Church is meant to be—a community fueled by the Spirit, focused on a universal mission, and inspired by the hope of Christ’s return. Inclusive Catholicism takes this vision seriously, striving to make the Church a home for everyone. As we reflect on this passage, let’s think about how we can step up and live out its message in our own lives.

So, what do you think? How can we make the Church more inclusive and welcoming for everyone? Share your thoughts—we’d love to hear your perspective!

Pax et Bonum!

Bishop Greer

Reflections on Unity and Love

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Our reading from the Gospel of Saint John this Sunday is a part of Jesus’ prayer for all believers, where He emphasizes the importance of unity and love among His followers. There’s something truly inspiring about these verses, and I think they resonate deeply with us today.

In John 17:20-21, Jesus prays, “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” This plea for unity among believers highlights the profound connection we share, not just with each other, but with Jesus and the Father.

One of my favorite spiritual writers, Thomas Merton, once said, “The Christian is not merely ‘alone with the Alone’ in the Neoplatonic sense, but he is One with all his ‘brothers [and sisters] in Christ.’ His inner self is, in fact, inseparable from Christ and hence it is in a mysterious and unique way inseparable from all the other ‘I’s’ who live in Christ, so that they all form one ‘Mystical Person,’ which is ‘Christ.’”

Merton’s words remind us that our journey towards understanding and purpose, is intertwined with the relationships we build and nurture. Just as Jesus prayed for unity, we too are called to seek connections that uplift and strengthen our faith. We Franciscans call this “the univocity of all being” (speaking of all beings with one consistent voice), “that all may be one” (John 17:21)

Continuing in John 17:22-23, Jesus says, “I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one – I in them and you in me – so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” Here, Jesus speaks of the glory given to us, a glory that binds us together in perfect unity. This sense of divine love and connection is something we should cherish and strive to embody in our daily lives.

Merton also wrote, “Love is our true destiny. We do not find the meaning of life by ourselves alone – we find it with another.” I love this quote because it underscores the idea that love is central to our existence. When we embrace love and unity, we reflect the divine relationship between Jesus and the Father, and in doing so, we become a testament to the world of God’s love and grace.

Lastly, in John 17:24-26, Jesus prays, “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.” This final part of the prayer is a beautiful reminder of Jesus’ desire for us to experience His glory and love.

Thomas Merton’s insights complement this passage beautifully. He once said, “Our job is to love others without stopping to inquire whether or not they are worthy. That is not our business and, in fact, it is nobody’s business. What we are asked to do is to love, and this love itself will render both ourselves and our neighbors worthy.” This powerful message challenges us to love unconditionally, just as Jesus loves us. It’s a call to action that, if embraced, can transform our lives and the world around us.

Pax et Bonum,

Bishop Greer

Command: Love one another

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I know that some people are getting tired of hearing me preach about love. They think that love is too weak or too woke of a concept. And to listen to those in power in the United States, love is supposed to be reserved for our closest family and friends.

This Sunday, we have a Gospel passage that makes it obvious to everyone that we are to love one another. Jesus wanted it to be so clear that he called it a command. He commanded us to love one another.

Unlike those who claim to be Christians in our world today, Jesus did not put an asterisk next to that command. He did not say:

  • Love only your friends
  • Love only those who look like you
  • Love only those who are the same religion as you
  • Love only those who speak the same language as you
  • Love only those who have the same skin color as you

We cannot continue to claim to be Christians and ignore the simple truths of Jesus’ messages. In a world full of hatred and darkness, we must be willing to stand up for love. We must be willing to show love to everyone we meet.

I pray you will join us on this journey to follow the teachings of the Christ.

Pax et Bonum,

Bishop Greer

Are we loving our neighbor?

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This Sunday we hear the lesson from Jesus concerning what the greatest commandment is. This Scribe comes to him wanting to know what the greatest commandment is. And Jesus tells him that the first is to love God will all your heart, soul, mind, strength and to love your neighbor as yourself.

We as Christians have a serious problem with these commandments. Christians today spend so much time attacking one another or attacking those who they view as different from themselves. We spend so much time looking for things to be angry about and people to dislike.

Jesus’ message is more important today than ever before. It is necessary for us to go back to his message and start to love one another. We should be loving to everyone, regardless of their faith, race, gender, sexual orientation, and social status.

When our time comes to stand before God, we will not be judged on how many Bibles we owned, how many people we beat into submission, or how often we sat in the pew of the church. We will instead be judged on how we treated one another, how well be helped those most in need, and whether or not we accepted the Divine in everyone we met.

How will you be judged? Will you be found faithful or wanting?

Maybe it is time to join us for Sunday Mass to start your journey toward faithful living of the Gospel of Jesus!

Pax et Bonum,

Bishop Greer