It is hard to believe that our day school is beginning this week!  Time flies.  It seems like we spend the whole summer slowing down so that we can ramp back up again!  I was recently at a summer reading event at a nearby park with our students and I told them that I am happy that school is so close.  They bring life, love, loud noises and cheering to the campus that gives us an energy like no other!  As we begin every school year, a theme is given to the students and staff to help focus our mission on the gospel.  This year, the theme is BE HOLY!  In all we do, holiness is at the center of our lives.  BE HOLY!  It seems so simple, but at the same time, so complex.  Jesus is calling us to live HOLY lives.  How are we responding to that call?

When the Benedictine monk, Fr. Cassian, came on mission to preach and celebrate Mass with us, I was so energized by his message to BE HOLY—that each of us are called to become saints, living lives that are true to the gospel.  St. Paul in his letter to the Ephesians, outlines what a holy life looks like and is all about:  “Brothers and sisters: Watch carefully how you live, not as foolish persons but as wise, making the most of the opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not continue in ignorance, but try to understand what is the will of the Lord. And do not get drunk on wine, in which lies debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and playing to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks always and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.”

Are we watching and examining how we live?  Are we combating ignorance by continually diving deep into the teachings of our faith?  Are we striving to understand day by day the will of the heavenly Father?  Do we know the psalms well enough to use them for ministry in our lives?  Do we spend time with praise and worship songs so as to lift up our hearts?  Do we give thanks to the Lord for where we are and who we are in Christ Jesus?

These are good starting points on the journey to become HOLY!

Let’s start the journey now,
Fr. Jeremy