BRIDGEPORT—In light of the events of the past few weeks, people of faith must work to build a more loving and just society that reflects the love that Jesus has brought into the world, Bishop Frank J. Caggiano said in his homily during the Mass for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity.
In his weekly online Mass from the Catholic Center chapel, the bishop issued a powerful appeal for a change of heart and conversion based on the unity and love of the Holy Trinity.
He said the great suffering of the poor during the pandemic and the senseless killing “of a man begging to breathe” have forced us to look at the social and economic inequality that leaves so many struggling with racism and “standing on the edge of hunger and poverty.”
Reflecting on the Gospel of John (3: 16-18), “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,” the bishop said that the gift from God is love, not necessarily as the world defines it, but rather as “a self-giving that expects nothing in return,” and sacrifices all for the good of others.
“For disciples of the Lord it is not enough simply for myself to live a loving life. You and I must become agents so that the very world in which we live and society we are a part of must also reflect God’s love. That is why society exists to give honor and glory to the God of us all.”
The bishop said we are living in a world where we are divided and polarized, and there is much inequality of opportunity based on the color of someone’s skin, the language they speak or the country they come from.
“Where is the love in all that? How does it reflect the one who created us?” the bishop asked pointedly, saying that people must work to change things.
“The time has come for real action, real repentance, real conversion, real commitment to effect justice, equality, charity, understanding, dialogue, respect and peace-making in every corner of our society, regardless of race, creed or color. “
The bishop began his homily by noting that one benefit of sheltering in place for him during the pandemic was the time he found to look at the science channel, particularly the discussion of scientists about the origin of the universe.
He said that even preeminent physicists and astronomers come to a place where they are “lost for words when they speak of the depth, breadth, order and beauty of all creation,” and that some “stumble on words like ‘creator’ and then correct themselves” as they wrestle with the concept of infinity.
The bishop said that as believers in Jesus, people can find answers in their faith and that God revealed in the Trinity is a “community of love.”
“You and I are made in image and likeness of the Trinity and are called to be agents of love. If we are truly to worship this one true God, this is the moment, when we are coming out of the pandemic and looking at one man, George Floyd, who represents the tragic death of so many other of our brothers and sisters in this society.”
“We must rebuild our society one living brick at a time based on what God has revealed about himself. He calls us to dream of a world that we will build that is color blind, race blind and economic-strata blind, where all God’s children will have opportunities to live in in peace and justice.”
The Bishop said such a vision may sound utopian, but it is the obligation of all Christians to work to fulfill God’s love in the world.
“You and I will begin to see this dream become reality, one choice at a time, one person at a time, one day at a time. For if it is not now, when? If it is not you and me, then who will do it?As we honor the most Holy Trinity, let us honor him in word, let us honor him in deed.”
To join in the Bishop’s Sunday Mass, live-streamed weekly, click this link or visit the YouTube Mass Playlist.
