Sister Marie Josepha Kluczny, RSM, Executive Director of Catholic
Charities of Southwest Louisiana, reflects on the readings for the Feast
of the Holy Family.
 â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â
**Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph**
Today's Lectionary Readings
Luke movingly tells us that as Jesus was approaching his death and
entering Jerusalem, He wept over the holy city with these words, "If
this day you only knew what makes for
**peace**-but now it is hidden from your eyes" (19:42).Â
In today's Gospel, however, we hear of a man in Jerusalem to whom
"what makes for peace" was
**not** hidden.  We hear of Simeon, to whom the light of faith had
revealed what was hidden to the eyes of others.  Thirty-three years
prior, when Mary and Joseph brought the Christ Child into the temple, he
had taken our Lord in his arms and blessed God, saying:
"Now, Master, you may let your servant go in
**peace**...for my eyes have seen your salvation..." (Luke 2:29-30)
It is the privilege of Catholic Charities organizations across our
country to relieve the burdens of the poor.  To bring them, in a
sense, peace.  But surely, there are more needs than we can ever
meet.  Even for those we assist, how long does the "peace"
last?  Anxiety rises again as the cupboard empties or the next
month's rent comes due.
It is not a full stomach, stable housing, health, or security that
ultimately brings peace.  No, it is the salvation of God that brings
peace: Jesus Christ Himself.  It is in embracing the Savior that the
peace of Christ, and not the anxieties of life, comes to control our
hearts (cf. Colossians 3:15).
This is why at Catholic Charities we must, above all, be bearers of
Christ to others.  Jesus Christ must be unapologetically at the heart
of all our efforts to serve the needs of the poor.  For without Him
there is no peace; but with Him is peace everlasting-a peace which the
world cannot give (cf. John 14:27).
**Sister Marie Josepha Kluczny is a member of the Religious Sisters of
Mercy of Alma, Michigan and the Executive Director of Catholic Charities
of Southwest Louisiana. **
Forward this message.
Was this message forwarded to you? Click here to subscribe.
[link removed]
Catholic Charities USA
2050 Ballenger Ave., #400
Alexandria, VA 22314
United States
[link removed]
[link removed]
[link removed]
[link removed]
Sent to:
[email protected]
Click here to unsubscribe
