Today
we hear from Paul in our first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, as he
bids farewell to the presbyters he has been training and forming in
Ephesus. Paul explains to them how his
journey has not been an easy one. He
knows that prison may await him as he travels to Jerusalem. Yet, he feels led by the Holy Spirit. He feels a strong sense of conviction, a
strong sense of mission, to the Gospel that he has preached to both the Jews
and the Gentiles in many corners of the ancient Mediterranean world.
We are celebrating Lucy’s anniversary
in Pax Christi today, and we give thanks for the commitment she and many others
have made to this organization. Since I
have been in the diocese, I’ve been hearing stories of Father Nathaniel
Machesky, about the ministry he and the other Franciscans have done in the
Greenwood, about the founding of St Francis of Assisi parish there, of their
courage during the Civil Rights movement, and of the founding of the Pax
Christi organization in Greenwood. It is
so appropriate that on the day when we hear about Paul’s courage and
steadfastness and love of the Gospel, we celebrate Lucy’s commitment to an organization
that is committed to the Gospel of peace and justice that Jesus preached
throughout his ministry. And it is also
appropriate that we have the mass of anointing as part of our celebration
today, because reconciliation and healing are a big part of what Pax Christi is
all about as well.
I am going to have some of the other
priests make a few comments at the end of the mass. Just know Lucy, that we are so happy to celebrate
with you today. And we thank all of you
members of Pax Christi for the way that you are witnesses to the Gospel
throughout our diocese.
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