Dear Parish Family,

We live in a dynamic universe. I like to think it is energized by God’s most creative energy: Love. So, I wonder… if this powerful Love is indeed the most creative force in the universe, why would we allow fear to get in the way of living our best lives? Fear has a chilling effect on our ability see a way out of bad situations—to solve problems that seem insurmountable. Fear can prevent us from deeply engaging with Love and living up to our potential as beings created in the image of Love.

Every Sunday, the last thing I say to you before celebrating the sacrament of the Holy Food and Drink is the admonition to walk in Love. I invite you to think about what would happen if we were to follow that advice all the time—to really walk in Love. Who would we be if we could pull that off?

The world around us shows us that there are very few “pure” substances in the universe. Those building blocks we refer to as the chemical elements are in relationship with one another, forming bonds, coming apart and forming new relationships. These relationships each have their own energy! All matter is in motion, and the energy driving that motion can only be explained theoretically by models. Those models are good for more than elevating our scientific understanding of the universe—they also inform our moral understanding of the universe. There are clues everywhere about the behavior of created things—and beings are created things. Our motion drives us into relationships which each have a unique energy, just like the relationships (compounds) of the chemical elements—each relationship having distinctive properties. We were made to live into the potential of relationships with others because we live in Love, and when we walk in Love…we evolve.

If God is Love and God created it all, then the whole thing—all of creation—exists within that magnificent causal energy—Love. The universe resides in Love, and there is nowhere we can go that we are not surrounded by Love. We can choose to draw upon that deep well of Love, and there’s no telling what we can do and who we can be if we choose to cast aside fear and choose love.

So walk in Love, dear ones. Don’t be afraid. We need this Love now as much as we ever have in the history of humankind. God is with you and in you. Walk in Love.

In hope, peace, joy and love,

Pan +