Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki
Archbishop of Milwaukee
 

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

My sister and I always commented on the fact that my dad loved game shows. In the early days, it would be “What’s My Line?” “Name that Tune,” “Password” and “The Price is Right.” But we both agreed that today, we would have had to pry him out of his favorite chair with the current Game Show Network; it replays all the game shows over the last 50 years.
 
I must admit, I do “pretty good” in answering the questions posed to the contestants. However, if it has anything to do with pop culture beyond the 70s, I will definitely fail. There was a game show called “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?” hosted by Regis Philbin (a Notre Dame Catholic). One of the first questions asked was, “Finish the following: Duck, Duck, _______.” I never heard of it. I had no idea. I was watching with friends, and as I lamented my ignorance, their young son quickly answered, “Oh! Fr. Jerry, it’s goose! It’s goose!” I felt like a silly goose. It was obvious to me that I would have been of no help to phone a friend.
 
It is always fascinating to me the types of game shows out there, and how they’re fashioned. Most are molded around general knowledge. But again, for me when you throw in pop culture, I am a loser.
 
I wonder how good we would score if a game were fashioned around our Catholic Identity. Those with grey hair or a little less hair, who would be in their late 60s and beyond, were schooled in the old Baltimore Catechism. I know that there are some who criticize the Baltimore Catechism, but I can tell you without hesitancy that it offers a framework for thinking with the Church’s teaching. Knowing the teaching and getting an “A” on an exam did not assure us that it had been integrated into our lives. However, it did give us a blueprint of truth through the teachings of the Church – His Church – which leads us to salvation.
 
I was presiding at a Confirmation, and in preaching the homily, I asked the Confirmands the question, “Why did God make you?” I mentioned that many of their grandparents could easily answer that question because they were schooled in the Baltimore Catechism. I watched the lips move of those who were seniors in the congregation as they followed my pronouncement that God made me to know Him, and to love Him, and to serve Him, so that I might be happy with Him in Heaven. In that succinct answer, a pathway to a successful life is given.
 
We are all called to seek God, to know Him through the person of Jesus, through Scripture and through His Church.
 
To love Him – our Jewish Brothers and Sisters recite the Shema Israel:
 
“Hear O Israel, the Lord is Our God, the Lord alone! Therefore, you shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength. Take to heart these words which I enjoin on you today. Drill them into your children. Speak of them at home and abroad whether you are busy or at rest.” 
 
This prayer is recited at Night Prayer on Saturday. It is this same God who sacrifices His Son Jesus out of His love for us.
 
To Serve Him – we can do nothing for God but, as Jesus tells us, we can extend His Love to the least among us.
 
“Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty, and give you drink?” … “Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:37-40
 
God’s love is served by following the command of His Son to LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Sincerely,

Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki

Archbishop of Milwaukee          

Note: This blog originally appeared as the July 16, 2024, "Love One Another" email sent to Catholics throughout the Archdiocese of Milwaukee by Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki. If you are interested in signing up for these email messages, please click here.