Lex Cordis Caritas - The law of the heart is Love

For the first time in over half a century, we begin this Lenten season in anticipation of our diocesan synod, which will formally open during the chrism Mass celebrated during Holy Week at our Cathedral at 6:30 p.m. in the evening on Tuesday, April 11. The word “synod” in Greek simply means a meeting, but the Catholic Church uses this Greek word to indicate a very special type of meeting. Our diocesan synod will be special and historic not only because it will be only the fourth such meeting since our diocese was founded in 1853 and the first since 1963, but also because it will involve clergy and laity from across our diocese to assist me as diocesan bishop in guiding the pastoral direction of our diocese for the foreseeable future, especially with regard to the themes of discipleship and stewardship.

In our efforts to call people to discipleship, we should follow the example of Jesus and the Apostles. In the first chapter of St. John’s Gospel, two Disciples followed Jesus and asked him, “Where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come, and you will see” (John 1:39). Still in the first chapter of St. John’s Gospel, just a few verses later, Jesus says to Philip, “Follow me.” Philip then finds Nathanael and tells him, “We have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the law, and also the prophets, Jesus, son of Joseph, from Nazareth.” But Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see” (John 1:43-46).

The beginning of a new year is typically a time to make resolutions to do something better, different or new. It is fitting that we make such resolutions at the start of this new year not only for ourselves individually, but also for our diocese collectively. In order to do that, I have decided that during this Year of Our Lord 2017 we will celebrate our fourth Diocesan Synod. The previous diocesan synods were held in 1889 (when our diocese was based in Alton), 1953 and 1963. Since it has been more than half a century since our previous diocesan synod, you might say that we are long overdue to have another one!

As an Advent people, we are people of hope and expectation. We live in hope and expectation of our Lord’s second coming. We also live in the hope of improved relationships with other people and the expectation that our relationships can indeed be improved to become more caring and more loving. We should never give up on anyone, but always have hope that God’s grace can touch the hearts of those who hunger for his nourishment, which he gives us now in the gift of this Eucharist.

Catholics who wish to make sure that they receive a proper Catholic funeral with a Mass of Christian Burial should include their instructions in their last will and should discuss their wishes with whomever will be responsible for their funeral arrangements when they die. People can also pre-arrange their own funerals with a funeral director according to their wishes and instructions in keeping with our Catholic faith.