As we enter into another week, I want to take a moment to talk about something essential to our spiritual lives: the Precepts of the Church. These precepts are not just rules but are foundational practices that guide us toward a deeper relationship with God.
The first precept - attending Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation - is particularly important. As Catholics, we might hear the word "obligated" and think it sounds heavy or burdensome. However, this obligation is really an invitation—an invitation to encounter the Lord through the Eucharist, the source and summit of our faith. In coming together as a community, God is all the more glorified, and conversely, for every person missing from Mass, God is that much less glorified. Obligation in this sense is a gift; it’s a sacred responsibility that draws us closer to God’s love.
In French there is an old expression, “I am most obliged.” This is how we respond when someone has done so much for us that there are no words to describe our gratitude. For Christians, our obligations are the least we can do to respond to the gifts that God has given us.
I encourage you to take some time to read the Family Life & Evangelization page (pg. 8) of this bulletin, where you'll find more details and resources about this topic. Over the next few weeks, we will continue to unpack these important teachings.
As we strive to live out these precepts together, let us continue to grow as a parish family in holiness and love for Christ and one another.
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