Love Drives out Fear

Bishop Michael Mulvey celebrated a Baccalaureate Mass for St. John Paul II High School graduates on Saturday morning, May 24, at Corpus Christi Cathedral. Bishop Edmund Carmody, who founded the school in 2006, and Father Peter Martinez, the current President of St. John Paul II, concelebrated with him, along with other priests from throughout the diocese.
 
During his homily, Bishop Mulvey shared his appreciation for the parents and families of the graduates, who made sacrifices to entrust the education of their children to Catholic schools. He also recognized faculty and staff at St. John Paul II for their unwavering dedication to molding future leaders, not only with a stellar education but also by solidifying their faith in God.
 
He also reminded the graduates that without God, fear is a reality.
 
“God is love, and where there is no love, there is fear. That word fear, for you, students of St. John Paul II, is important – you’ve heard it so many times: ‘Do not be afraid.’ But if you are afraid, there is no love. Love drives out fear. Your life, as you leave here and into the future, is about love. It’s about true love that is willing to go beyond oneself for another,” he said. “It’s about the humility to serve.”
 
Bishop Mulvey called on the graduates to be peacemakers with others, especially in this year of hope.
 
“Dedicate yourself to peace and making peace with others and bringing that peace to the world. We should not live our lives in opposition to each other. We should not live our lives trying to be better than others. Be missionary disciples – people that are not afraid to enter this world and speak about peace and harmony,” Bishop Mulvey said.