Catholic Universe Bulletin

Let Us Love One Another
Bishop Richard G. Lennon

Faithful should pray as all move forward
The events of the past fifteen months for the Catholics of the Cleveland Diocese have been difficult and trying as beloved parishes closed or merged with one or two parishes to form a new parish. Change is often times challenging and even fearful. This seems to be even more true when the change involves one’s spiritual home, one’s parish. So much of great significance happens in the lives of people in their parishes that the parish becomes a true spiritual home which touches the very being of a person.
The various feelings people have are feelings which need to be acknowledged with a spirit of support and concern by all people. The loss of one’s parish is not a matter of peripheral concern in that individual’s life; it is the loss of their spiritual home.
As members of the Diocese of Cleveland we need to be concerned for our brothers and sisters in the Household of Faith, for Our Lord came to gather all together. This is what we all need to do by focusing our time and concern upon those who are struggling at this time.
An age-old characteristic of the followers of Jesus Christ has been their hospitality toward those in need. As you may recall the first reading of last Sunday’s Mass told the story of Abraham welcoming the three people who came into this presence. The reading from the Book of Genesis said “When he saw them, he ran from the entrance of the tent to greet them.” Abraham welcomed them into his place—which was really the place of all of them.
The example of Abraham is so clear for all of us today. We should not be hesitant or laid back, rather we need to tell those around us, especially those who have lost their parish, that they are welcomed to be one with us. As St. Paul often said, we are all members of the Household of Faith. When we take seriously that we are all members of the Body of Christ, then we realize we must all do our part to build up the Body by helping our sisters and brothers carry their pain and their sadness. As members of the Body none should be going it alone; rather, it is the challenge for all of us to heal together, to grow together, and to mirror the person of Jesus Christ together to one another and to all people of Northeast Ohio.
The Gospel reading we will hear this Sunday reminds us that these important challenges are met by God and us together. Thus, Jesus said “I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” This is what the line from the Responsorial Psalm means in the concrete: “When I called you answered me; you built up strength within me.”
As the people of God at this time in our Church’s history all of us as individuals, excluding none, need to work together supporting one another for the desired spiritual well-being of everyone. This well-being is most aptly experienced in parish communities which welcome all with graciousness and kindness so that all feel at home in the Household of Faith.
At this time I cannot think of anything that is more urgent—may we all be committed to going forward together!
Last Sunday at the Cathedral one of the petitions was most appropriate for our whole diocese. May it be the petition of all of us: For those affected by the closings and merging of parishes in our diocese—for new beginnings and God’s healing and peace, we pray to the Lord. Lord, graciously hear us.