Reflection for the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time / Back To Church Sunday 2023

Moved with compassion the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan.

Welcome on this Back To Church Sunday.

For those who are new here or newer, we keep this national day of welcome each year to provide an opportunity for those who may be exploring church for the first time or the first time in a long time.

For others of us, church is a regular thing. We are here almost all-the-time. Yet sometimes even among us who are frequent church goers – well we need a chance to reconnect, to re-establish in our lives those things that make church so very special.

The National Back To Church team surveys participating congregations each year to arrive at the next year’s theme. There have been some really great themes, but this one – well it is extra special. This year’s Back To Church theme is CELEBRATION!

You see, whether we are here for the first time, the first time in a long time, or for the millionth time we need to find in this experience of Jesus reason to celebrate.

Now, I must plainly admit, in my life getting up and going to church always seemed like a chore. I can hear my mom now, Get ready! Let’s go! We’re going to be late. Sometimes we face weather or just common driving challenges in getting to church. Then there’s the parking and walking. It could be a turn-off. Sometimes we don’t quite understand the pastor (I hope that’s not true…). It can be many things.

If our focus is on those things, perhaps we have lost touch with with the many things we have to celebrate in Jesus?

Peter asks Jesus about forgiveness: “how often must I forgive?” Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.”

That is not an answer that relies on counting things, for we rely too much on keeping account of. Jesus’ answer means an uncountable number of times, an entire life filled with and marked by forgiveness, the forgiveness of a good and loving God.

That, brothers and sisters, is what we celebrate, that as Christians we have been forgiven everything, every time, an uncountable number of times. We are reconciled to God and saved forever. We celebrate because God gave Himself totally to save us. Because we can look at ourselves and each other differently, as freed people. Because Jesus instituted this – church – where regardless of former relationships we are family and care for each other – living Jesus’ way forever.

Bible Study for the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time 2023

This week’s memory verse: “Do not mistreat an alien or oppress him, for you were aliens in Egypt.”

Exodus 22:21
  • 9/10 – Exodus 23:9
  • 9/11 – Leviticus 25:23
  • 9/12 – Deuteronomy 10:19
  • 9/13 – Ezekiel 22:29
  • 9/14 – Deut. 24:17-22
  • 9/15 – Deuteronomy 27:19
  • 9/16 – Zechariah 7:10

Pray the week: Lord Jesus, Grant that my eyes may not be blinded by political agendas nor by prejudice but that I be attentive to Your commandment of love for all. Amen.

Reflection for the Solemnity of Brotherly Love 2023

‘Teacher,’ he said, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’

Thank you for joining today as we continue our journey focused on listening to, obeying, and witnessing to Jesus.

Our Holy Church drives this listening, obeying, and witnessing home in very particular ways through special Solemnities celebrated throughout the year.

Today listening, obeying, and witnessing is stressed through our call to love. This Solemnity of Brotherly Love was instituted a long time ago, in 1923, when members of our Church were persecuted for their faith.

Yes, our people faced a hatred that resulted in beatings, firings from jobs, homes being foreclosed on, and even murder. 

They, the Church, decided they would not respond in-kind, they would not fight back with fists and clubs, but would focus themselves on Jesus’ teaching on love toward all.

Was that the past? It seems many have not listened to Jesus: ‘Go and do likewise.’ 

Love is harder to find, hate is far easier to see. Sometimes alleged Christians are right up front in fermenting something quite different from Brotherly Love. Let’s use a real-life example. Perhaps you have seen Deuteronomy 28:43-44 quoted in social media: Aliens residing among you shall ascend above you higher and higher, while you shall descend lower and lower. They shall lend to you but you shall not lend to them; they shall be the head and you shall be the tail. Of course, we should fear immigrants.

This scripture was from the listing of curses against Israel if they were unfaithful to God’s law. Everything they would do would fail. They would lose their crops, children, and nation. 

All this was set forth in a ceremony to be performed by the entire nation, so that they would understand the gravity of their choice whether to actually walk in the ways of God.

In the blessings and curses God warns in several places related to foreigners (see Exodus 22:21, and 23:9) and most particularly in Leviticus 19:33-34 “‘When an alien lives with you in your land, do not mistreat him. The stranger who lives as a foreigner with you shall be to you as the native-born among you, and you shall love him as yourself.” 

Brotherly love is a choice, an eternal choice. We must choose to stop for the stranger, to love all people totally, or face God’s consequences. What must I do? Love!

Additional Scriptural references:

  • Exodus 22:21
  • Exodus 23:9
  • Leviticus 19:33-34
  • Leviticus 25:23
  • Numbers 15:15
  • Deuteronomy 10:19
  • Deuteronomy 23:7
  • Deuteronomy 24:14
  • Deuteronomy 24:17-22
  • Deuteronomy 27:19
  • Ezekiel 22:7
  • Ezekiel 22:29
  • Ezekiel 47:22
  • Zechariah 7:10
  • Matthew 25:31-46

September 2023 Newsletter – Christian In Every Way

Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?

At this year’s Central Diocesan Clergy Retreat we were drawn into a deep discussion on living holy and consecrated lives as bishops, priests, and deacons and our obligation to call our people to holy lives. Our retreat master reminded us that our baptism into the Body of Christ, our regeneration, was not a one- and-done event but rather entry into an ongoing process of relationship to Jesus and His Body, the Church. As Christians we need to be constantly becoming.

An important question to ponder over, to reflect on for a holy life, is whether or not we have really united ourselves with Christ Jesus. Is Jesus our center and our all-in-all or does He take a back seat to other priorities? Worse yet, do we put Jesus in the trunk and only fish Him out when we feel we might need Him. I know He’s back there somewhere… maybe under the blankets…? If we are united with Jesus we work daily at our becoming. Jesus is part of our day, minute-by-minute. If that is so:

  • We pray in all things, before we step out the door, cook, drive, go to work and go home, and eat, and we end all tasks with a prayer of thanksgiving. Moreover, we do not hide that fact. We do not make a show of it of course, but neither do we hide our intentionality. Note – it is especially important for our families to see and participate in this prayer.
  • We worship regularly – at a minimum each Sunday.
  • We commit to the work of the Church and our parish by active participation, for the family of God is the best hangout possible.

Jesus has great expectations of us. If we reflect and find ourselves falling short we can start with this question: Can I invite Jesus to come along with me? If I cannot, I need to discover why and then fix that issue. If I can invite Him, why might I not be doing that in each thing.

Mr. Eddie Gibbs wrote a book, In Name Only: Tackling the Problem of Nominal Christianity. Our call is to be more than a person labeled Christian, but to be so in every way.

Welcome to our September 2023 Newsletter. September opens a whole new season in the life of our parish. There are so many great things coming up..

We reflect on this summer’s activities, prepare for Back-To-Church Sunday, honor all workers on Labor Day at Good Shepherd Cemetery, Remember 9-11-01, and continue to look ahead with eager expectation (who knows – you might be a winner in this year’s Vigil Dinner raffle).

Please join us for the Solemnity of Brotherly Love on September 10th — we are the only Church that has a special day set aside to reflect on and reinforce our obligation to love — and remember to invite and bring someone new to church on September 17th.

Check out all that and more in our September 2023 Newsletter.

Bible Study for the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time 2023

This week’s memory verse: Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Romans 10:9
  • 9/3 – Acts 18:9-10
  • 9/4 – Ephesians 4:29
  • 9/5 – 1 Peter 3:15-16
  • 9/6 – Romans 1:16
  • 9/7 – Colossians 3:16
  • 9/8 – Ephesians 4:15
  • 9/9 – Colossians 4:6

Pray the week: Lord Jesus, Grant that I may have ears to listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and that I speak only His words burning within me. Amen.

Reflection for the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time 2023

“You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”

Thank you for joining today as we continue our Ordinary Time journey focused on listening to, obeying, and witnessing to Jesus.

We’ve seen quite a bit over August. In our gospels we experience the Transfiguration, Jesus revealed to Peter, James, and John as the Son of God. Moses and Eli’jah give witness to Him. 

The power of Jesus was further revealed as He walks on the sea, teaches Peter a lesson in faith, and calms the sea. He heals the Canaanite woman’s child after her faith is tested and she perseveres in that faith.

As we discussed last Sunday, the disciples, who would become the Apostles, debated and discussed all this. That discussion was brought to a head in a conclusionary statement by Peter: “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

An amazing revelation in the Transfiguration, amazing power at work – power over nature and illness, and then affirmation. Yet today we hear Peter advising Jesus on the future: “God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you.”

I remember back in my school and early workdays hearing a very wise saying – ‘a little knowledge is dangerous.’ That was often heard when I would venture an opinion that did not take everything into account. I needed to know more before venturing an opinion. Peter fell into that trap.

What should Peter have done? Firstly, Peter should have trusted Jesus, he should have let God be God. Second, he should have realized he did not know it all, gone to humility rather than advice.

Last week Peter followed what Jeremiah spoke about – the need to confess God’s revelation – when He declared Jesus’ identity. He could not keep it shut up within himself – so it shouted out of him.

Certainly, Peter’s statement today was not God revealed, was not worthy of trust nor necessary to say. It was whispered out of him in almost secret – Then Peter took Jesus aside.

Thinking as God does requires that thing Peter fell short of; that is the faith to trust and listen. We must attune ourselves to the Holy Spirit’s call, His revelation. All it takes is that we listen, and when we hear Him it will burn in us. Then we will have a hard time holding it in. Then we must speak and act.

Bible Study for the 21st Week in Ordinary Time 2023

This week’s Memory Verse: “There is none holy like the Lord: for there is none besides You; there is no rock like our God.”

1 Samuel 2:2
  • 8/27 – Deuteronomy 32:4
  • 8/28 – Matthew 7:24
  • 8/29 – Psalm 18:31
  • 8/30 – Psalm 62:6
  • 8/31 – 1 Corinthians 3:11
  • 9/1 – 1 Corinthians 10:4
  • 9/2 – 2 Samuel 22:32

Pray the week: Lord Jesus, Grant that I may stand on the Rock, which is You alone. May I place all confidence in You for You are all truth. Amen.

Reflection for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time 2023

Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi and He asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”

Thank you for joining today as we continue our Ordinary Time journey focused on listening to, obeying, and witnessing to Jesus.

As we know, the disciples, who would later be Apostles, gave various answers to Jesus’ question of identity. They recounted what they heard and likely discussed among themselves. If there can be one thing said for the Jewish culture it is that it has a propensity for deep study and debate. Questions are asked to make one think. Thoughts and opinions are pondered over. 

We have that heritage within our own pristine Catholic faith. We continue in modeling the early Church. We have debate as part of our democratic decision-making process. It happens at every level within the Church from the parish annual meeting to our quadrennial Holy Synods.

Having just returned from our annual Central Diocese clergy retreat, I can report that this process of debate, discussion, and decision making is alive and active – and we are edified by it. Thinking builds one up.

We can see that Peter’s statement of faith was not a sudden one-off. He is recounting what the disciples have been discussing throughout their journey with Jesus. They thought over and considered what John the Baptist had said. They knew Jesus’ words, that He is the Son of Man, taken from the prophesies of David.

In Daniel 7:13–14 the “Ancient of Days” (God) gives dominion over the earth to “one like a son of man.” In some Jewish thought the “son of man” is interpreted as the Messiah.

What set Peter apart was this admission of faith, taking a discussion and debate to a resolution.

My dear brothers and sisters, that is what we are called to do, to reach a conclusion and resolution about Jesus. If we have resolved, within ourselves, that He is our Savior and Redeemer, that He is God among and alongside us, then we have done well.

The next step for each of us, in different ways, is to permeate our lives with Jesus. Jesus’ call to us is not a Sunday one-and-done faith, but a faith lived in real ways, prayer in each moment, confidence in public witness, and fully living the gospel.

Bible Study for the 20th Week in Ordinary Time 2023

This week’s memory verse: There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Romans 8:1
  • 8/20 – Romans 8:2
  • 8/21 – Romans 8:6-8
  • 8/22 – Romans 8:9-10
  • 8/23 – Romans 8:14
  • 8/24 – Romans 8:15-17
  • 8/25 – Romans 8:18
  • 8/26 – Romans 8:28-30

Pray the week: Lord Jesus, Grant that I may live in the Spirit, proclaim Thy welcome, and greet all who seek you with sincere hearts. May I be humble knowing I was once a stranger too. Amen.

Reflection for the 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2023

for My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.

Thank you for joining today as we continue our Ordinary Time journey focused on listening to, obeying, and witnessing to Jesus.

You may recall St. Paul’s famous line in his letter to the Church at Rome, If God is for us, who is against us? (Romans 8:31). It is a comforting and reassuring statement founded upon deep faith.

If we read the fuller context in Romans 8 we see an excellent description of what it means to live in Jesus. Faith frees us from condemnation, from the law of sin and death. Faith has us alive in the Spirit, no longer in the flesh. We are no longer bound or held down. We have life and peace. We are sons and daughters. Eternal life is ours. Glory awaits us.

There is so much more, I urge you to read Romans 8 this week and to read it slowly. Savor what we have and what awaits us.

The question comes down to – who is us? If God is for us, who is against us?

Our first reading from Isaiah sets forth a vision and a promise concerning The foreigners who join themselves to the LORD.

We all were strangers once, outsiders, dwelling in the realm of the world, but once we set that old way aside and step on that first rung of the ladder to heaven, when we come into the Church, we are set apart in a new life based on faith. As we enter through waters of baptism we rise to new life, Kingdom life. This is what Paul is speaking about in our Epistle from Romans 11. We have all been given an opportunity to enter. Remembering that helps us in being open to all who might enter as well.

We must be very careful, brothers and sisters, about this entering thing, about this us thing. The care we need to exercise and the inclusion we practice must be that of Jesus who includes based on faith alone.

The story of the Canaanite woman is a faith test story. Jesus’ initial rejection of her teaches a lesson about us and who is part of us. We are to welcome all into us based only on faith experienced in togetherness and fellowship. 

Our faith and likeness to Jesus is constantly tested, especially when we encounter unexpected people. The woman’s example – and the provision of Jesus’ grace depend on our having open hearts and willingness to work with all as they approach God in faith.