This weekend we were joined by five Religious Sisters from three different communities and 30 priests from 19 different dioceses.
What does our faith mean to us – both as individuals and as a Church?
In today’s first reading, we hear the story of the prophet Amos. Amos was called by God, but he didn’t desire to be a prophet. He didn’t know how to prophesy when God called him, but he still said yes. He trusted that God would provide what was necessary. Amos went and told God’s people to reform, turn away from their sins, and be faithful to God. King Amaziah sent Amos away, because like many of us, he didn’t want to hear a challenging message. But Amos never gave up, because he knew God’s call for him was real. Even though it was difficult to pursue God’s calling, Amos stayed faithful.
Today, we go home to people we love. God has given us a memory, an experience, an encounter with Him this weekend, but that isn’t only meant for us. It’s meant for the people in our lives.
We go home to a battle against sin, temptation, self-doubt, guilt. There are wars in our relationships, schools, homes, and hearts. God called us here like a boot camp, preparing us to go home and fight for the people we love.
During the Battle of Hacksaw Ridge, a medic named Desmond Doss single handedly saved 75 men by running back into the battle and asking God, “Please Lord, help me save one more.”