Rejoice! Dear friends in Christ: I mention this word because it is the theme for Year Two of our three-year period of preparation for the 2024 celebration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Diocese of Arlington. Year two begins today as we celebrate the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe.
It is amazing how quickly Year One went by, with our theme “Remember” and a renewed focus on the precious gift of the Holy Eucharist. It was a year filled with amazing blessings, including those that came forth from the celebration of Forty Hours in every parish, mission and community throughout our diocese. Pray God, we will continue to have Eucharistic wonder and awe, a firm belief in the Real Presence and a resolve to reflect the unity that is ours as the Body of Christ.
How pleased Our Lord must be that we are dedicating Year Two to his Mother. May our three goals be that: (1) we will deepen our intimate relationship with Mary and draw closer to her; (2) rededicate ourselves to following her example of trust and faithful obedience; (3) and, like her, bring forth her Son into a world so much in need of the Truth of his Gospel and the peace that only he can give as together we echo her words: “My Spirit Rejoices in God, My Savior.”
(1) May we deepen our relationship with Mary. Rejoice in knowing that Our Blessed Mother accompanies you in all your endeavors. She, who stood at the foot of the cross, is also with you especially in your hour of need as you accept a share in the sufferings and cross of her Son. Throughout our diocesan Preparatory Year II, rely more deeply on her help, consolation and powerful intercession. May I make these two practical suggestions. Make sure there is a prominent religious image of Mary in your home to remind you of how near she is to you. Secondly, promise to pray the Rosary or at least a decade of it each day. I suggest that you use the beautiful booklet with meditations on the mysteries of the Rosary prepared by the Women Religious serving in our diocese and available on our diocesan website.
(2) Rededicate yourself to following Mary’s example of faithful obedience. Rejoice in knowing that, like her, God has a special plan and vocation for you. Sometimes his call is mysterious and what he is asking seems a bit overwhelming. But be convinced that he always provides you with the grace and strength you need to carry out whatever he has entrusted to you. So, another practical suggestion: Each day, like Mary in faithful trust and obedience, renew your “yes” to the vocation that is yours and to all the Lord asks of you in any given day with the assurance that: “With God, all things are possible.”
(3) Bring forth Jesus to all those you love and meet. Rejoice in realizing that in Christ’s Gospel you are able to proclaim the Truth in Love to a world that is so confused and in such need of the faith and moral convictions we hold dear, especially as they relate to the sacredness of life, the dignity of the human person, the sanctity of marriage and the freedom that is ours as we live according to the ways of God. Do so with total reliance on the divine assistance of Jesus and His Holy Spirit. One more practical suggestion: Do not be overwhelmed. Remember Our Lord does not demand success but only our best efforts, which he will bless and use in miraculous ways to transform the world in which we live and to touch the hearts of his people, especially those who are finding it difficult to rejoice at this time in their lives due to their struggles, burdens and sufferings.
Dear friends: As we spend this time in the presence of our Eucharistic Lord, be quiet and still and allow him to speak the message that he wants you to hear this day. In his presence, may we pray for one another and all in our diocese so that throughout the second year of our preparation for our Golden Jubilee, we will: (1) deepen our intimate relationship with Mary and draw closer to her; (2) rededicate ourselves to following her example of trust and faithful obedience; (3) and, like her, bring forth her Son into a world so much in need of the Truth of his Gospel and the peace that only he can give as together we say: “My Spirit Rejoices in God, My Savior.”
