Pastor's Letter

God. Myself. Others.

God’s Amazing Insight into Human Life
 
As I write this, the images and stories about the latest act of violence in the Tree of Life Synagogue are still very real.  Once again, we find ourselves saying “again.” 
 
In the midst of thoughts that can pull us toward hopelessness in the human spirit, we find ourselves with today’s gospel: Jesus’ radical insistence that the greatest commandments God ever gave us are to love Him with everything we have, and to love our neighbor as ourselves.
 
Jesus, of course, doesn’t tell us what our neighbors look like, what country they come from, what race they are, or what economic background they must have.  God loves human beings for who they are—created in his image and likeness.  Just as God loves, we’re meant to love.
 
According to St. John, St. Paul and St. Thomas Aquinas, love isn’t tied to warm and fuzzy emotional feelings.  Love is an act of the will—a decision, a choice, an attitude to want what’s best for someone else.  It’s Jesus’ mindset.  And, as his followers, hopefully it is our mindset, too.
 
We see the greatest commandment at work in the love that is seen in the midst of every single tragedy.  When hate and division try to overcome love and unity, love and unity and belief in the human spirit find ways to break through. 
 
It happens in the outpouring of love and support of those who come to the side of the families who cry in anguish at the violent loss of their loved one.  It happens in the human desire of doctors and nurses to help tend the wounds of someone hurt—even those of a murderer.  It happens in the need of people like us, who turn to God and pray for justice, wholeness and strength because we care about strangers whom we see as neighbors.
 
The greatest commandment is great because love is greater than hate.  God is the one we turn to when we don’t know where else to turn.  He holds us in his hands, and he also holds our neighbor—we’re not meant to experience life alone, but together.
 
Our Young People Experience a Holy Fire!
Our St. Hubert School 8 ^th graders and our Religious Ed 7 ^th graders attended a great gathering of 10,000 middle school students from the Archdiocese of Chicago last weekend, called Holy Fire.  Through music, dancing, listening, laughing, and being together with teens their age, they were able to experience how God the Holy Spirit moves in many different ways.  The Spirit was definitely on fire at the UIC Pavilion!  Thank you to the teachers, catechists and chaperones for making the opportunity happen for our young people!
 
A Salute to Veterans…And You—Our St. Hubert Volunteers!
On Friday morning, St. Hubert School will once again honor local veterans of the armed forces.  We are grateful for the selfless service our vets have given to our nation. 
 
Later that evening, our parish will also salute everyone who volunteered their time and talents this past year to build up our parish community.  If you haven’t registered, there’s still time to do so.  See page 6 for more information.
 
Peace and good things,