Our three readings today challenge us to embrace an active role in the formation of our faith lives. The words we hear this week ask us to think about what it means not just to believe, but to set our hearts on fire with love and radiate the Good News for our brothers and sisters. But what does this actually look like in practice? How can we demonstrate for ourselves and for our neighbors the actions of a full Catholic life?

Like Philip, we are called today to “proclaim the Christ” — to exemplify for others the joy of salvation and invite them to share in our Christian bounty. We are called “sanctify Christ as Lord” in our hearts, to “keep the commandments” as a manifestation of our unwavering devotion. Especially now, with the future uncertain and members of our community scattered throughout the world, we are called to walk with Christ in our every word and deed. When we do these things, as Jesus reminds us: “I am in my Father and you are in me and I in you.” We transform ourselves and our lives, He explains, coming to know our Father as a part
of our own beings. We receive the Eucharist, nourish our spirits with the precious body, and unite our joy with His. The joy of living our faith in Christ animates every hour of our existence. This joy necessarily transcends our own lives and extends into the lives of others.

Here at STM, we are accustomed to channeling Christ’s love in the classroom, in conversation with our friends and roommates, in our smiles around campus and New Haven. And while our world has changed in recent months, drawing us many miles apart from one another, the light of faith our blazes on. Even from afar, we can manifest our Catholic mission in anything from a kind note or phone call to serving on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. No matter how we choose to act in our adjusted circumstances, we can still keep ourselves in Christ and proclaim the fullness of His love. Our readings today remind us to cherish  this gift as we enter into a most unusual summer break, perhaps teeming with vast stretches of unforeseen free time. Each of must seek for ourselves how we might use this time to grow in the faith, what particular actions will allow us to exemplify the joy of salvation for ourselves and
our neighbors.