The annual bishop’s appeal will take place next Sunday. It should be no secret that at this point in time we continue to prepare the way to receive a new bishop for this Diocese of Knoxville. At the conclusion of each Mass we pray for this intention in the life of the local Church of East Tennessee. It is important for us to understand that this appeal does not go to support the bishop whoever he may be. Instead this appeal is important for it provides for the needs of the many ministries which make up the Diocese of Knoxville.
Through support of this appeal we are able to provide for the formation of our priests and deacons as well as the seminarians of this diocese including our parish’s own Gerald Stults (may we continue to pray for him and support vocations). Support of this appeal assists with Catholic education by supporting young adult faith formation and college campus ministries such as Johnson City’s ETSU Catholic Center. This appeal helps to provide care and counseling to those who are in need by providing for Catholic Charities. This appeal assists with Saint Mary’s Mobile Clinic which goes to areas of this diocese that are in need of medical assistance and cannot afford it. Finally, this appeal works with parishes, such as our own, to enliven faith formation programs.
Our refrain from our Responsorial Psalm instructed us, “If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” The Lord is constantly calling each of us to Him. It is easy for us to fail to look outward in a spirit of charity and thus our heart grows hardened. The Lord always calls us to love. We see this love displayed for us from the wood of the cross as He came to lay down His life out of love for us.
The virtue of charity so often goes misunderstood. This word is love in its highest form. Through charity we give of ourself to another, out of love, and expect nothing in return. The Lord invites us to enter into such charity. Whenever we encounter Him we encounter love. As we depart from here we are to treat others with the love that comes to us from Christ. How we look upon another and how we treat one another must be based upon this reality.
As we continue to say “yes” to the needs of our local parish we must also say “yes” to the needs of the diocese to which we belong. I invite you to pray concerning your participation in this year’s bishop’s appeal for ministries. These ministries provide for the needs of so many people. Through these ministries people are able to be treated and know of the love of Christ. Let us continue to enter into this love and be willing to share it with those whom we encounter.
Let our hearts not grow hardened, but always remain open to the voice of Christ that calls each of us by name.
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