Call Us: 617-846-7400

Address: 320 Winthrop St, Winthrop, MA 02152

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • About
    • Ministers and Staff
    • Facilities
    • History
    • Links
  • News & Events
  • Donations
    • Donate Now
    • Planned Gifts
    • Holiday Meal Donations
    • Holiday Flowers
    • Grand Annual Collection
    • Commitment to Parish Life
    • Planned Gifts
  • Ministries
    • Community Help
    • Baptism
    • Parish Ministries
      • Bereavement Group
      • Collections
      • Eucharistic Ministers
      • Kenyan Community
      • Lectors
      • Liturgy Committee
      • Music Ministry and Choirs
      • RCIA
    • Committees
      • Commitment to Parish Life Committee
      • Buildings and Property Committee
      • Communications and Technology
      • Finance Committee
    • CYO Basketball
    • Weddings
      • Marriage Prep Program
  • Religious Education
    • Confirmation
      • Service – Why is it important?
      • Choosing your Sponsor
      • Choosing a Confirmation Name
  • Contact

Call Us: 617-846-7400

Address: 320 Winthrop St, Winthrop, MA 02152

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube

St. John the Evangelist Church

St. John the Evangelist Church

  • About
    • Ministers and Staff
    • Facilities
    • History
    • Links
  • News & Events
  • Donations
    • Donate Now
    • Planned Gifts
    • Holiday Meal Donations
    • Holiday Flowers
    • Grand Annual Collection
    • Commitment to Parish Life
    • Planned Gifts
  • Ministries
    • Community Help
    • Baptism
    • Parish Ministries
      • Bereavement Group
      • Collections
      • Eucharistic Ministers
      • Kenyan Community
      • Lectors
      • Liturgy Committee
      • Music Ministry and Choirs
      • RCIA
    • Committees
      • Commitment to Parish Life Committee
      • Buildings and Property Committee
      • Communications and Technology
      • Finance Committee
    • CYO Basketball
    • Weddings
      • Marriage Prep Program
  • Religious Education
    • Confirmation
      • Service – Why is it important?
      • Choosing your Sponsor
      • Choosing a Confirmation Name
  • Contact

Faith ND

Gospel Reflection

Jim Rice ’79

Last year, I was catching up with an old friend. He and his wife were each raised Catholic, but I never knew them to actively practice the faith. So, it was not a total surprise when he told me that his wife was volunteering at a local Planned Parenthood because they provided free health care for women. But it still shook me. I worried about her soul (and the babies’ souls) as she was supporting an abortion provider. I thought I must say something. But what should I say? How should I say it? And so I thought about it, mustered up my courage and said… nothing.

Today’s gospel leaves no room for such an epic fail – we are called to shine the light of the world on God’s message of love, forgiveness, and salvation. Instead, I was as useful as broken flashlight.

I let fear stop me. Fear of sounding holier-than-thou, fear of being called a misogynist, fear of losing a friend. In retrospect, I should have asked a question, perhaps – how do you feel about supporting an abortion-provider? This would have opened up a discussion and that would allow the light of God’s message to shine on this situation. We don’t have to quote the Bible or doctrine in order to shine the light on God’s message. We just need to talk about it, in a loving and caring way.

Talking about our faith openly is not exactly a cultural norm for Catholics – many prefer to practice our faith in private. But we are called to evangelize, and we can’t do that by staying silent.

Let’s change that culture by speaking up – perhaps with a question to open up a discussion – which will allow us to start talking about our faith. Let the Holy Spirit do the rest. You ARE the light of the world, so start shining!

Share:
Prev
Next

Latest Reflections

Gospel Reflection from Notre Dame

Sean McGraw ’92, ’00 M.Div. Time is...

Daily Inspiration from JesuitPrayer.org

Acts 14:21-27 After they had proclaimed the...

Bishop Barron’s Gospel Reflection

John 13:31-33a,...

Gospel Reflection from Notre Dame

Bill Doyle ’85 ND Parent Director,...

© Copyright 2012-2021 by St John the Evangelist All Rights Reserved

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube