In sharing with us his vision for our diocese, Bishop Martin invited us to consider being Missionary Disciples; Catholics who recognize how much Jesus loves us and to continue to fall in love with Jesus. Bishop Martin encourages us then to go forth and proclaim that love to others.

Jesus knows our struggles and our joys, our successes and our failures; and is always with us to give us strength and peace. He is one like us in all things but sin. Yet, he knew what it meant to be tempted. The Gospel for the First Sunday of Lent (Matthew 4:1-11) points this out very clearly. Jesus comes out of the desert after forty days of prayer and fasting in preparation to begin his public ministry. He is hungry and tired, and the devil approaches him with the temptation to “rebel against God the Father and to use his power for his own benefit; rather than being obedient to the Will of the Father.” As we know Jesus rebuffs the devil’s offers and temptation.

We too are tempted when we are tired, hungry, worried, angry, and lonely to lose sight of Jesus’ love for us and our call to share that love with one another. As Missionary Disciples, we are invited to do as Jesus did: put our trust in God the Father through prayer, sacrifice, and generosity, being open to receive the gift of grace and share God’s love with one another.

Please remain open to gift of grace and thank you for being Missionary Disciples.

Fr. Jack

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