CHARITY AND WITNESSING TO THE RESURRECTION

Pope Paul VI wrote that “the Church exists in order to evangelise.” We know that the church exists for many reasons and that it is a visible sign of God’s presence among us. We also know that it exists in order that we might praise and worship Him together here on earth. However Pope Paul was making the point that the Church also bears a message and that the message is one which is to be both lived and shared.

In this Sunday’s Gospel Jesus tells Martha “I am the Resurrection”. This is the Good News and this is the message which is given to the Church to proclaim. During this season of Lent we are counselled by the Church to devote extra time to prayer, fasting and almsgiving. By giving material help to others we are acting as Christ wants. However we can also see the call to evangelise and giving God’s message as a work of charity and love.

Many people still need to hear the message of God’s, loving forgiveness and the freedom from sin that Jesus is offering the world. By living as Christians we are the ones that Jesus has called to be ‘a light’ in the darkness of people’s lives. We are also the bearers of the message that Jesus spoke to Martha and that He is ‘the Resurrection’.

This is part of God’s work in our lives. Our parish offers many ways in which people can learn and grow in their faith. Currently we are running a ‘Seeker’s Group’ for those who are looking for deeper meaning in their lives. One upcoming event after the great feast of Easter will also be a visit from two members of a Marian Movement from Italy who will be talking about seeing God’s call to evangelise others as a ‘Work of Love’, that is a way of loving others as Jesus commanded us to. (Easter Monday, 24th 7:30 pm).