“And whoever gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little ones to drink because the little one is a disciple—amen, I say to you, he will surely not lose his reward” (Mt 10:42).
Dear Marian Helpers and Members of our Marian Family,
After my ordination to the priesthood last August, I noticed a remarkable difference in how people treated me. Not only did people call me “Father” and ask for my blessing, but people actually listened to what I had to say!
As Catholics, we naturally understand that deacons, priests, bishops, and religious brothers and sisters deserve our respect. We honour their lives of service to God and the Church through our kindness and support.
While we should respect clergy and religious, everyone is deserving of respect. All of us were made in the image and likeness of God. All of us, as human persons, have infinite value, and our treatment of one another should reflect the reverence we have for the incomprehensible mystery that is each unique human being.
As Christians, however, we are called to something even greater. We are not only to respect one another but to help one another, pray for one another, and build one another up through our words and actions. To show how important this is, Our Lord makes a remarkable promise: “Whoever gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little ones to drink because the little one is a disciple—amen, I say to you, he will surely not lose his reward” (Mt 10:42).
If we are kind to one another because we belong to Christ, if we love and support our fellow Christians, God promises to reward even the smallest act of charity. As we serve one another, we serve the Lord Himself.
This is one reason why we honour deacons, priests, bishops, and religious: we recognize their close relationship with God and their dedication to His service. Yet we must also honour one another, for through Baptism each of us has become a child of God, and the Blessed Trinity dwells within our souls.
Of course, we must be kind and charitable to everyone, whether they are Christian or not. Yet as members of the Church and of the same family of God, our Catholic brothers and sisters have a particular claim on our prayers, support, and encouragement…and we on theirs.
When we respect and honour one another, we ultimately respect and honour God, who created us, loves us, and sent His only Begotten Son so that we might be saved through Him.
May God bless you now and always!
Fr Alex Pumphrey, MIC
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Contact Father Alex at info@divinemercy.org.uk
Please send us your prayer intentions! (click here). We will place them at the foot of our altar in the Divine Mercy Apostolate’s Chapel here in West Ealing, London and will remember them in our daily Chaplets of Divine Mercy.
