Canada’s recent victory over the United States in the NHL’s “4 Nations Face-Off” seemed like a moment of jubilant affirmation in a long winter of disbelief and worry. Truly, there are many challenges facing our country and people around the world today. But as a Priest remarked in response to my concerns, when times are difficult and the challenges are great, God’s gift of Grace flows to us even more abundantly when we need it most.
Of Course! God is with us always! Our job is to stay with God; more specifically, to remain focused on furthering His mission of bringing about the reign of God on earth. To this end, I am immensely proud, grateful and humbled by the service of my Brother Knights who are fully engaged in God’s great design through our extensive program of council charitable activities, and many other good works through participation and leadership of initiatives in the Fourth Degree, our parish, our archdiocese, and our
wider community. Truly, this is a wonderful testament to the zeal of my Brother Knights in putting their faith into action. It is also a tribute to the patience and dedication of our dear wives and children in supporting and encouraging our work as servants of God.
I believe that when we, as Knights of Columbus, strive to put our faith into action as the hands and feet of Jesus on earth, we are more than recipients of God’s Grace. In opening our hearts to the plight of others, in willing the good of others, and in serving the needs of others, we are passing on that abundance of saving Grace, participating in what Bishop Barron describes as
the loop of Grace, multiplying and enhancing the gift, as were the loaves and fishes in the Gospel story of Jesus feeding the crowd. As God’s servants, we become the conduit of God’s Grace to our neighbour, sharing in our Lord’s mission of establishing His kingdom on earth, and becoming more like our Saviour, Jesus Christ. What a privilege and honour!
Brothers, as the season of Lent begins in this Jubilee Year of Hope, let us believe in our bones that God is with us now and always. Let us thank God for his abundant gift of Grace. Let us reflect on how we can draw closer to God our Father, and how we can serve His Holy Will by putting our faith into action.
Vivat Jesus!
Shaun Tymchuk
Grand Knight