What Are You Looking For?
What are you looking for?
This may seem like a silly question, but when you make it more specific, there are many possible answers. If you read “What are you looking for?” posted above a church door, how would you answer the question?
We are all on a journey – seeking satisfaction, fortune and happiness. Many times we fail to find a lasting fulfillment in the material things we purchase; they break, go out of style, or get packed in the back of a closet for another day. We educate ourselves, buy a lot of books, read a lot of information – hoping to gain knowledge; but have you ever stopped to think about the difference between knowledge and wisdom?
What are you looking for when you enter your church? Are you looking for an orthodox or non-traditional environment; nice statues; real or artificial flowers; welcoming people; an amazing homily from the pastor or deacon; beautiful music; private inspiration, or fellowship in a Christian community?
Striving for balance is a challenge in all churches. In Nehemiah chapter 7 we read, “Do not be saddened this day, for rejoicing in the Lord must be your strength!” God’s law is not to make us sad. The law of God is perfect and just what we need to make our hearts joyful. Do you find joy when you enter your church? If that is what you are looking for, then you realize you are coming for Jesus in the Eucharist.
Only in listening to the Word of God with an open heart will we experience a new beginning. Blessed are those who hear the Word of God and observe it. The Commandments God gave to Moses for us to follow are very clear. If you read them, they really do give clarity to all the chaos in the world. Honoring these guidelines should take away any confusion about what it takes to have a happy life.
The Kingdom of God is at hand for you! I pray you will be exalted in heaven someday. Our life is about a relationship with God. His primary goal for creation has always been for every person to believe in Him. “Confess and believe that his son, Jesus Christ, is Savior and Lord” (Romans 10:9).
Understanding the value of having a relationship with God is the real difference between wisdom and knowledge. We are people of Word and Sacrament in our Catholic Church. The opportunity for obtaining wisdom is available, but you have to enter the church; no matter what you are looking for, with God’s help, you will find it!
On Sunday (Oct. 13), we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima. On this date in 1917, the Blessed Mother identified herself as Our Lady of the Holy Rosary. She has provided us with a great means for powerful prayer.
This year marks the 96th anniversary of the “Miracle of the Sun,” where 70,000 skeptical people witnessed what seemed to be the sun tumbling from the sky when the Blessed Mother appeared to the children in Fatima.
At noon Saturday (Oct. 12), during the “Feast of Booths” in Vincennes, there will be a Fatima Rosary recited for our diocese in front of the Grotto at the Old Cathedral. I hope the sun will be dancing in the sky, but the real miracle would be if 70,000 people came to join us.
There is an outdoor Mass at 4:30 p.m. (bring lawn chairs), during which Christian artist John Michael Talbot will do a Communion reflection. His concert at Vincennes University’s Red Skelton Theater begins at 7 p.m.; some tickets still are available.
The daylong “Feast of Booths” provides great opportunities to celebrate the history of our diocese, and the perfect chance to share with others what our Church provides in Word and Sacrament. I hope you will join us; I am sure you will find exactly what you are looking for. Call me at (812) 882-0444 if you need more information.
First Bishop of Indiana Simon Brute, please pray for us! Amen!
