The Love That Impels

Last updated on: May 2, 2016 at 11:32 am by Joanne McPortland

The Love That Impels 2016-05-02T11:32:35-06:00 Joanne McPortland

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

A personal note about a bright spot in today’s onslaught of spin and viciousness regarding Catholics and our role in American life: Today the generosity of the Catholics of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati took the annual Catholic Ministries Appeal, still underway, to its $4 million goal. It’s a personal note (and a disclaimer of sorts) because I am blessed to be an occasional part of the team that promotes the Appeal in our archdiocese, but the important part is that bright spot: the light of God’s grace working through the six shared ministries the CMA supports.

Year in, year out, no matter what the headlines or the politics, the Catholic Ministries Appeal helps thousands of people of all faith backgrounds (or none at all–we don’t ask) in 19 counties put food on the family table, find jobs, turn crisis pregnancies into new lives, adopt and foster children, settle into freedom after fleeing war and oppression, have their hands held and their spirits healed as they face surgery or pace an ER waiting room, find God and community on college campuses, communicate with their children and grandchildren who had been locked into silence by hearing and speech disorders, know that they are not forgotten in prison. Catholics hear and answer the call to priesthood, the diaconate, and lay ministry. Beyond the costs of promoting the Appeal, every dollar goes to support the six identified ministries.

The Catholics of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati are unfailingly generous, but this is the first year in a long stretch that the Appeal has reached its goal. This year, when according to the mainstream media Catholics are frightened, insular, hate-filled, cowed robots duped by medieval bureaucrats bent on enslaving women and turning all men into fat-cat Republicans, folks here don’t seem to be buying the spin. They’re too busy loving one another, and putting their money where their faith is to widen that embrace in a time when too many of our sisters and brothers are living on the edge. Because that’s what Catholics do in real life.

In his motu proprio announcing the upcoming Year of Faith, Pope Benedict XVI put it this way:

Through faith, we can recognize the face of the risen Lord in those who ask for our love. “As you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me” (Mt 25:40). These words are a warning that must not be forgotten and a perennial invitation to return the love by which he takes care of us. It is faith that enables us to recognize Christ and it is his love that impels us to assist him whenever he becomes our neighbour along the journey of life. Supported by faith, let us look with hope at our commitment in the world, as we await “new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” (2 Pet 3:13; cf. Rev 21:1).

Haters gotta hate, I guess. But tonight I give thanks to and for the loving hearts and generous faith of the folks whose pew I have never been happier to return to and share. GOOOOOOOAAL!!!

Uncategorized

Previous Post

May 20, 2012

Judged and Found Wanting

Next Post

May 24, 2012 Consider the Source

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Abortion Advent Art Bishops Book Review Catholicism Fortnight 4 Freedom In the News Lent Marriage Mary Mental Health New Evangelization Nuns Pilgrimage 2012 Pop Culture Pope Francis Religious Education Reverts Saints' Lives and Legends Sin Staying Catholic Uncategorized Year of Faith

Select a Month May 2016 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 November 2011 April 2011 March 2011 December 2010

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

In 1 Peter, what does Peter say Christ was chosen before but revealed in when?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Before time began, revealed at the resurrection Before the prophets spoke, revealed at Pentecost Before Abraham was born, revealed at his baptism Before the creation of the world, revealed in these last times