Today, on the Feast of St. Bonaventure, 97 volunteers gathered at Mass to pray for everyone journeying to Steubenville Mid-America, Fearless: Week 2! Bishop Rice, of the Diocese of Springfield – Cape Girardeau, celebrated the liturgy.
In the First Reading, the prophet Isaiah calls Hezekiah, a dying man, to “put your house in order.” Bishop Rice reminded the volunteers that these same words can be spoken to us. One day, we too shall die. However, as people of faith, we know that our story doesn’t end there. Even though fear might be present in our final moment, we know that dying becomes our, “last and greatest act of faith,” as we trust in the life of the world to come.
Before Mass ended, we had the opportunity to pause and reflect on God’s call in our lives. Fr. Joe Freedy reminded us that we all share a universal vocation: holiness. That vocation is about becoming perfect in love. Additionally, each individual has a particular vocation, which is how God specifically asks that person to live perfect love. A person might be called to the priesthood, religious life, consecrated singlehood, or marriage.
Our evening keynote speaker, Lisa, walked us through the story of four gardens. In the gardens of Eden, Gethsemane, the garden of Jesus’ tomb, and the garden in Revelation, the story of our journey to fearlessness unfolds. Through the life and actions of Jesus, we discover the ultimate foundation for our hope.