Eucharistic Rally

10-29-2023Weekly ReflectionFr. Aruldoss

Dear People of God, Good morning to you!

The Diocese of La Crosse is very excited to announce that a EUCHARISTIC RALLY will be held on June 7, 2024 at the La Crosse Center in La Crosse, WI. This event kicks off the six days that the Marian Route of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage will be in the Diocese of La Crosse. “The Answer” Eucharistic Rally will begin with a Eucharistic Procession across the Cameron Street Bridge in La Crosse and will end at the La Crosse Center where the rest of the rally will take place.

The day will include Mass, Adoration, Confession, powerful speakers such as Chris Stefanick, Immaculee Ilibagize, and Josh Rosa, music from Luke Spehar, and plenty of vendors. The cost for this event is only $15 per person. This rally is for youth, young adults, adults, families, etc. Tickets will go on sale Fri, Dec 15. You can find more information about the event and the other days the Marian Route will be in our diocese by visiting: diolc.org/the-answer.

On this thirtieth Sunday, the readings are all about love — the radical love of God for His people and the radical love we live out in response. Jesus gives us the two dimensions of love.

In today’s gospel, the Pharisees posed Christ another “difficult” question: “Master, which is the greatest commandment of the Law?” As usual, this was in in order to test him. A close look at Jesus’ response today, reveals that Jesus presents us with, first the vertical dimension of love: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your soul….” It is important to note that to love God with one’s body and soul requires a lot of sacrifice, and humility. To love God is the most important perquisite of being like him.

The second dimension of love is the horizontal: “You must love your neighbor as yourself?” The best way of expressing our love for God is through our neighbors. We must affect others positively in order to love God well. Therefore, in talking of love, charity must begin at home, with your neighbor, with your friends and those around you. Jesus offers us the way of love. He asks us to do this wherever we live and with all we encounter. Let us pray likewise when we pray “Lord Jesus, thank you for loving us. By the grace of the Holy Spirit may we love God and our neighbor as you taught us to. Amen.”