News and Views

 
 
The Cardinal appeals to our generosity
 
 

“The Lord is my light and my salvation.”

This has been our response to the Word of God at this Mass. It is from the 27th Psalm, and saying it moves us to ask just what kind of light is the Lord?

The first book of the Bible, the book of Genesis, begins with God saying: “Let there be light.” God’s own light is not physical, but physical light is the beginning of creation.

Since all of creation comes from God and reflects his glory, light not only marks the path of God to him but is also in some sense the goal of our search for God.

The prophet Isaiah said that the promised Servant of God would be a light to the nations, and Jesus, the Gospels proclaim, is the light of the world. Light is a sign of God’s presence.

The Star of Bethlehem lit up the sky when Jesus was born. God’s messengers, the angels, who are without physical bodies, are pictured as pillars of light. Jesus was himself transfigured with a brilliance that told his apostles who he was even before his resurrection.

“God is light,” St. John teaches; and Christ’s disciples are to walk in the
light of his commandments. Those among the saints who reached the heights of mystical prayer used descriptions of light to speak of union with God.

To be united with Christ, to walk always in the light of the Lord, is to open our soul to the light of grace and to witness to the ways of the Lord in the world. God enlightens us with grace in the sacramental life of the Church, and I am always grateful for the many ways our parishes pray liturgically with great beauty.

We, as God’s sons and daughters are to enlighten the world with works that transform our society, that change it into something more just and loving. We are to be Christ’s beacons in the world.

Each year, the Archdiocese uses the “Annual Catholic Appeal” to help parishes and the Archdiocese itself become centers of light for the world.

The works that shed God’s light in Cook and Lake Counties are Catholic schools and religious education ministries, as well as programs for lay ministers, priests and deacons that strengthen the light of faith.

The Appeal funds foreign missionaries, so that the light of Christ extends to the ends of the earth. Money from your gifts to the Appeal makes possible capital improvements in many parishes, to keep them visible signs of God’s presence in our neighborhoods.

The Appeal helps promote respect for life; it aids young people to guard safely and chastely their own inner light; it funds programs of faith formation for all ages and evangelization for all peoples.

As Jesus’ friends and disciples, we are not to hide our light but to let it shine before all.“The Annual Catholic Appeal” is an occasion to shine; and I ask you to reflect in your giving God’s generosity to you. You have my gratitude and that of all who are helped by the Appeal.

May God’s light shine on you and those you love as you share God’s light and love through the Annual Catholic Appeal in 2008.

Thank you, and may God bless you.

 

Francis Cardinal George, OMI

Archbishop of Chicago