Monsignor and I went to the Priests’ Workshop last week and Archbishop Chaput spoke with us, kind of updating us on various events and projects. One of the things he spoke about was the fuss being made by the media over Pope Francis’ interviews.

He asked us to ‘wait and read.’

It is obvious by now that the media possess a rather superficial perspective. They want to buy their product solely on the attraction of a headline without really going into depth about the issue itself. They are afraid if they go beyond the superficial, they might be drawn into something that is reasonable and unpopular. They might be challenged to believe and turn back to God.

When you read the pope’s interviews, you sense his responses are well thought out, very faithful to Catholic Doctrine and delivered with charity and truth. So when we hear a headline about the Pope changing Church teaching or when things don’t sound right, you want to wait and read: wait for the Vatican to respond and read what the pope actually said.

It is so easy to do today. We can look at the Vatican website; catholicphilly.com, newadvent.com and even the Pope App and find the truth.

Or have we ourselves succumbed to superficiality? Do we depend just on the headline to determine the truth? Do we rely on gossip and hearsay because we can’t be bothered to look for what is true? Are we afraid that if we delve into the truth, we are going to have our lives changed, or made uncomfortable? The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”

It is not a question of whether or not we are satisfied with a faith the size of a mustard seed, it is a question of whether or not you have the guts to say to a mulberry tree, “Be uprooted and planted in the sea.”

The Catholic Church has meditated for two thousand years on the life of Jesus Christ. There is so much we can learn if we just look in the right places. Paul says,“I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God that you have….God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control.”

We are celebrating this month, Mary Mother of the Church because we need her to help us and to walk with us in our journey of faith. Don’t be afraid to pray the Rosary. Don’t be afraid to tell people you practice what you believe. Paul says, “Bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God!”

October is also respect life month. Our committee will be resourcing you information about how Catholics approach life in those areas that are endangered. Read them, dare to look more deeply and learn what it means to believe. You have asked, now allow Christ to increase your faith!