Dear Friends in Christ,

During the time of the early Church, the followers of Christ were continually learning what it meant to live by Christ's Words. As the power of God strengthened them, they began to realize that the message of Christ was not meant only for themselves but for all people. In the Acts of the Apostles, Peter proclaimed, "In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him." Thus, we are being taught to treat everyone with the same kind of dignity that God gives to us. It is the desire of our loving God to save all people who put their faith and trust in him through the person of Jesus Christ.

The mandate of God is rather clear, "This is my commandment, love one another as I love you." In the first Letter of St. John, we hear, "Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love." Love is always an action word that must be seen in what we do and not just what we say. Jesus tells us, "It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you." Jesus has chosen us to bring His message of love to every one we know and meet throughout the course of our daily life. You and I have been chosen to allow Jesus to touch the lives of all by being His hands, His eyes, and His heart. When we bring love to every thing and every one we are bearing the kind of fruit that lasts. Further, we can ask God in prayer for the grace to help us bring love to others and Jesus promises He will grant, "whatever you ask."

Consequently, I encourage you to make your mind up that you will be God's instrument each day by intentionally allowing yourself to love in the name and power of Jesus Christ. It does not matter how old you are or whether you work, stay at home or go to school. Every place we find ourselves throughout the course of any day is fertile ground to bring the grace and love of God. Take charge of who you are and how you are when it comes to others. Do not allow the circumstances of your day to dictate your demeanor with others. Apply God's grace given to you and allow yourself to live more fully in God's presence by fulfilling your mandate as His disciple. You can do this right now in your life by making the decision to live as an "intentional believer."

All of those people who decide to live in the way that God has asked will receive the fruit of their decision by God's promise. He said, "I have told this so that my joy may be in you and your joy might be complete." God wants us to be filled with His peace and joy. God's peace and joy is the result of living His way and not our way.

May God bless you and all of your efforts to truly live an authentic life of faith.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. James Tarantino,
Pastor