From the Pastor&

     This year, 2001, couples married in 1951 and 1976 are celebrating special anniversaries--their Golden or Silver.  Some couples might celebrate with a party; others might choose to take a special trip, just the two of them.  Some might renew their marriage vows either at a public gathering or in private.  Even though the last fifty or twenty-five years may not have been perfect, they pledge to make a new effort to live those marriage vows:
"I take you to be my wife/husband.  I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health.  I will love you and honor
you all the days of my life.:
     A vow is a solemn pledge a person makes to God.  We believe that God dwells in our hearts and in our lives.  And when a man and woman speak those marriage vows to each other on their wedding day, they speak them to God living in their partner. 
     Some people choose to live the single life, and, some singles vow to live as celibates.  And, there are men or women who vow to live the celibate life as priests, sisters and brothers... with the help of God.  And, yes, there are people who vow to God to live lives of simplicity and poverty as single people or as married couples.  Hopefully, everyone who makes a vow to God, either in marriage or in religious life, in priesthood or in the single life, becomes more loving.  Without love, vows are rather lifeless.
     On Easter Sunday, Catholics around the world will again renew vows from our Baptismal ceremony.  Baptism is about our intention to follow Christ and live the gospel together.  We are asked:  Do you renounce Satan?  (Well, who wouldn't?) And all his works?  And all his empty promises?  And then we are asked if we believe in God, and in the Son, and in the Holy Spirit.
     We answer "I do" to six questions that sound so formal, so harmless.  "Yeah, I believe.  Now, let's go on with Mass so I can get home and eat my Easter meal."  Is it that simple to be a disciple of Jesus Christ?  Once upon a time people risked their lives if they were baptized as a Christian.  Does baptism in the name of Jesus really mean something to us?  Let's think about it during the rest of Lent.
     Is Jesus your teacher, your example whom you will always imitate?  Do you really believe God's love for the human race was fully revealed in Jesus? 
     As a Christian in a special relationship with God through Jesus Christ, do you dedicate your life to seeking the kingdom of God and God's justice?  Because of your relationship with God will you pray daily, meditate on the Gospels, and celebrate the Eucharist every Sunday as a person in love with God?  Do you realize that there is no Christian life without prayer, and that the Eucharist is the center of our prayer life?  Do you realize that prayer changes you?
     Are you willing to commit yourself to the spirit of poverty and detachment that Jesus required of his disciples?  Can you resist the spirit of consumerism and materialism that is so strong in our present American culture?  (Satan tempts us to love things instead of loving our poor neighbor!)
     Do you accept your responsibility to build community instead of being an individualistic type person?  Will you be compassionate and work for reconciliation among people?  Do you really care for the poor and oppressed?  Can you forgive those who have offended you?
     Will you praise God everyday, both in terms of prosperity and in moments of suffering?  Will you be a loyal witness to the Risen Christ by your faith, by your hope and by your style of living?
     Will you continue to surrender yourself to God each day and completely at death?  Do you choose to live as a companion of Jesus?  If we believe that Jesus rose from the dead and lives as the glorified Christ, then what choice do we have except to follow him?
     Baptism is only completed on the day of death.  Let's put some loving energy into our vows this Easter!

     Fr. Bill
P.S. As I think about these questions, I pray that I can change into the disciple Christ wants me to be.