THE GOOD NEWS
ARCHBISHOP BELTRAN

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August 16, 2009

The Good News...

           ...What Matters Most

Thousands of students of all ages are returning to school at this time.  Preschool  children  through  high school and college ages and many adults are back in the classroom or  sitting before computer screens studying. Yes, education is an important part of our lives as individuals and as members of society.

While all of us recognize the need for education, we often limit it to what we have to do or what seems necessary. Too often we have no interest in furthering our education unless it leads to increased income or greater prestige.  As a result, our priorities are misplaced and we are the losers.

Jesus often addressed the need for education, sending us out into the world to be learners and teachers for the Kingdom of God. He encouraged us to use and develop the gifts God has given us. He prioritized the commandments, telling which is the first and the greatest.  He warned us that a lack of correct priorities and following false directions could be dangerous and even deadly. He posed a simple question for us to contemplate when He said: “What does it profit a person to gain the whole world and to suffer the loss of his immortal soul?”

It is wonderful that we spend time, effort and expense for a child to get an elementary school education, a high school diploma and a college degree. This is necessary and it is good. However, this education cannot be solely about the world in which we live. Yes, it needs to be about the world but also about the dignity and nature of the human persons who live on this earth and God Who created us and our world.

Our time on this earth will pass away and indeed the world will, too.  We all know this and therefore realize that authentic, complete education must include religious education.

Whether children attend a Catholic school or parish religious education program, these are only supplements to the religious education every child should receive. The Church has always taught that parents are the first and most important teachers of their children in the way of faith.  This is the fact.  This we all already know. I pray therefore that parents of this Archdiocese will faithfully and enthusiastically fulfill this grave responsibility.

I also hope that parents and indeed all young adults and adult Catholic people of this Archdiocese  are recognizing the urgent need for continuing religious education. Formation and growth in our Catholic faith are absolutely essential for us to come to know, love and serve God; absolutely essential for us to develop a true relationship with the Lord.

As this new school year has begun, I encourage every Catholic  person to enter into a new phase of religious education. The opportunities available are countless and exciting, but you cannot just dream about it.  You must do something. You must study, which means you must be led by God Who invites us to a new and better life. Guided by the Church established by Jesus Who saves us, we can discover again how good God is and discern more clearly His plan for us individually and personally as well as our role in the community. Then we shall better appreciate the great eternal plan He has for us.

Almighty God created us in His Image and Likeness so that we can know, love and serve Him on this earth and someday have eternal life with Him in heaven. This is the reason each of us must hear and answer the    question of Jesus: “What does it profit a person to gain the whole world and to suffer the loss of his immortal soul?”