Active Membership Pillar: Engagement in at least one parish ministry

This Sunday’s Gospel from Luke contains some of the most thoughtful and challenging teachings of Jesus, inviting us to live out our Catholic faith with radical love and generosity. In this passage, Jesus calls us to love not only those who love us, but also our enemies. This command challenges us to extend mercy, forgive without limits, and bless those who may wrong us. It’s a call to break free from the world’s patterns of retribution and power, and instead live a life rooted in selflessness and compassion. By actively engaging with these teachings, we are called to imitate Christ’s love for all people, regardless of their actions, their beliefs, or their sins. 

In this context, participating in our Catholic faith means more than just attending Mass; it involves embodying the values of the Gospel in our daily interactions—offering kindness to those who are difficult to love, showing patience to those who frustrate us, and seeking peace even in situations of conflict. 

Let us challenge ourselves to engage in at least one volunteer ministry of the parish that calls us to care for others – perhaps those we may not encounter on a daily basis or those who may need additional support in the current times. By doing so, we deepen our relationship with Christ and participate actively in our parish and the larger community—an act that brings about justice, peace, and a reflection of God’s infinite love to those around us.