?We know how to love and we have the ability to create love because we carry Christ within us."
With those words, senior Maria Le called the community of Magnificat High School to worship on April 11 for an all-school Mass celebrated by Bishop Nelson Perez in the Performing Arts Center. The feast was the memorial of St. Stanislaus, bishop and martyr.
In his homily, Bishop Perez noted that it?s the middle of the Easter season and at the center of our faith is the risen Christ. ?We relive and revisit the story of the resurrection, which stands at the middle of who we are as Christians. Jesus told us, ?I am the resurrection; he who believes in me will never die,?? he said.
Bishop Perez talked about how our concept of love differs from God?s love, explaining that we often use the word indiscriminately, whereas Jesus? love for us is signified by his death on the cross. He quoted another Scripture passage, ?Greater love has no man than this: to lay down one?s life for one?s friends,? illustrating God?s unconditional love for us. ?This kind of love always results in life,? he said, challenging the congregation to ask themselves what is the depth of their belief. He asked them to listen to the Scripture readings for the next few weeks.
?What is the risen Christ telling his followers?? he asked. ?He poured out his heart to them, telling his disciples he would suffer, die and rise again. But they don?t get it,? he said, adding the Jesus must have been frustrated with the disciples at times. Yet, he was patient and walked with them.
?His unconditional love sustained them,? he said.
After Mass, the bishop greeted students, faculty, staff and guests and posed for photos before taking a brief tour of the school. He ate lunch with a group of student representatives, Moira Clark, Magnificat president, and Sister Helen Jean Novy, HM who is Magnificat?s vice president for mission.
After lunch, the students peppered the bishop with a variety of questions which he answered patiently and candidly.
One asked about when he got the call to the priesthood. His answer was that it took some time, but he realized it after college. As far as the call to be a bishop, ?That?s a process that involves everyone but you. You get a phone call
