This morning, nearly 90 volunteers throughout Missouri started Steubenville Week 1 off right with an opening Mass celebrated by Bishop Edward Rice. The O’Reilly Catholic Student Center at Missouri State University was filled with the call – in Scripture, the homily, and hymns – to leave fear at the door as we serve teens and help them grow closer to Jesus.
“Straight are the paths of the Lord, in them the just walk.” True service always starts with examining our own hearts. The first reading from Hosea and Psalm 51 ask us to courageously seek forgiveness in the areas of our lives that we haven’t fully given over to God. The Gospel reading from Matthew calls us to live out radical dependence on the Holy Spirit, especially when it’s not easy.
Bishop Rice of the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau reminded us in his homily that following Jesus Christ and helping others do the same, “is worth every sacrifice.” This is why so many volunteers (and the 2,800 participants from over 100 groups joining them this weekend) are inspired to return to Steubenville year after year.
For all of us, volunteer, teen and leader alike, being a follower of Jesus Christ “is worth every sacrifice” in both ordinary times — as we carry out our daily duties at work, school, home, and among friends — and the more extraordinary times as we bravely proclaim the Gospel of Life in a post-Roe world and live out the Church’s teaching on chastity, love, and marriage that challenge our culture. When we face opposition and difficulty, “let those experiences unite us to the sacrifice of Christ and [remember] that our names are written in heaven.”
At all times, Bishop Rice advised us to “rely on the Holy Spirit to speak through you, then you will have nothing to worry about… Remember the good news: do not be afraid.”
God’s call for us to be fearless at today’s Mass began with Scripture, continued in the bishop’s homily, and concluded when Mary Kate Westrich sang “Be Not Afraid.”
And blessed are your poor for the kingdom shall be theirs
Blest are you that weep and mourn for one day you shall laugh
And if wicked men insult and hate you all because of me
Blessed, blessed are you!
Be not afraid
I go before you always
Come, follow me and I will give you rest
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