November, 29, 2020

Watch your step. Watch your money. Watch who you hang around with. Watch your distance. Watch yourself! Seems like that is all we are doing, especially now with a pandemic. Alert and cautious we have to be. As we enter a new liturgical year, Jesus tells us: “Be constantly on the watch!” The Gospel is telling us to be vigilant for the final coming of Christ because above our other carefulness is the deeper need and anticipation of a Savior.

Nothing is predictable. The year 2020 is an example of this. Our fears, anxiety, uncertainty, vulnerability and doubts have allowed us to recognize our need for Redemption. Advent has a two-fold character, for it is a time of preparation for the Solemnity of Christmas, in which the First Coming of the Son of God to humanity is remembered, and likewise a time when, by remembrance of this, minds and hearts are led to look forward to Christ’s Second Coming at the end of time.

Needless to say, this watchfulness also requires preparation. Prayer and penance are encouraged at this time to sharpen our souls for the proper disposition needed for the Lord’s arrival. When He comes, we surely will hope to be free of sin and filled with grace. That is why it is important that we focus now on where our souls are heading; clearing the obstacles that makes it difficult for the Savior to enter our lives. It is a time to prayerfully prepare for His arrival. Let us do it together...WATCH!

Oplatki Christmas Wafers are available at the Parish Office.

Reconciliation is available after the 8 a.m. Masses on Fridays during Advent: December 4, 11, & 18, from 8:30 to 9:30 while Adoration is also available.

Reconciliation will also take place in our church on Wednesday, December 16, from 12 noon to 1:00 p.m. and again that evening from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in addition to the normal confession times on Saturday afternoon.

Due to the pandemic, we remind our faithful that they are still dispensed from the Sunday and holy day Mass obligation until further notice. Before deciding to attend Mass, everyone is asked to consider their own health condition carefully. All vulnerable individuals should continue to stay at home. People who have symptoms of possible COVID-19 must remain at home. Our Sunday mass will continue to be available on our website, SJBDE.org.
 

November 22, 2020

One thing is for sure; all things come to an end. This is the final Sunday of Ordinary Time. Next Sunday, we begin a new liturgical year with the beginning of Advent. Mostly everyone is anxious to see this calendar year, 2020, leave. It has been a great struggle. The routine has changed and the future will remain much different. People have kept a distance while many left this world. Within the past year, our parish buried nearly 117 people (none related to the pandemic). So why is this Solemnity of Christ the King so important?

Today’s celebration reflects on the fundamental truths of Christianity that Jesus Christ came to restore spiritual life to our world and form humankind into a Kingdom for God the Father. This is made explicit in today’s second reading, where St. Paul

writes that the resurrection of Jesus has restored the life that was lost by mankind. All who belong to Christ will be handed over to God the Father at the end of time.

This act of faith ultimately gives meaning to everything in our lives. If we do not have God in our lives, then our lives are futile, meaningless and dead. Without God we go through the motions secretly asking ourselves, “Why bother? Why bother with raising children? Why bother with caring for others? Why bother with being good? Why bother living?” Without God in our lives, we will easily overlook His Presence reaching out to us in our daily episodes and encounters.

Without God, Thanksgiving is just a day for a holiday meal. Without God, Christmas is merely a day of empty sentiments. But with the presence of God in our lives, each moment is an opportunity to grow closer to Him and steer our lives toward our ultimate goal, what may seem like THE END.

Every sovereignty, every authority and every power in the world will eventually be destroyed. There will be no royalty, presidents or prime ministers, not ayatollahs nor any form of prince. The only King who is eternal is Jesus Christ. The only kingdom that will remain is that of God the Father. And we are members of that Kingdom. Christ is our King. May we be true members of His Kingdom.

The holidays are starting. This year, we will offer two Masses to celebrate Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving Eve Mass: Wednesday, November 25 at 6:30 p.m. in Saint John the Beloved Church. Thanksgiving Day Mass: Thursday, November 26 at 9:00 a.m. in our church.

The collection, at both Masses, of food and/or monetary donations will go to our Parish Outreach Program for the needy.

A safe and God filled Thanksgiving Day to everyone!
Fathers Piekarski & Szczur, Deacons Wuebbels, Fontana and Bailey and the staff of St. John the Beloved Parish

Thanksgiving Table Prayer

Father in Heaven, Creator of all and source of all goodness and love,
please look kindly upon us and receive our heartfelt gratitude in this time of thanksgiving. Thank You for all the graces and blessings You have bestowed upon us, spiritual and temporal: our faith, religious heritage and natural freedoms. Our food and shelter, our health, the loves we have for one another, our family and friends.

Dear Father, in Your infinite generosity, please grant us continued graces and blessings throughout the coming year. Keep all of us safe from illness and despair.

Bless us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

And may the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen.

November 15, 2020

Should we be frightened? Should we be afraid of the end of time, afraid of death? This is what we hear addressed in our second reading today, where St. Paul tells the Thessalonians, and us, that we know we should be ready for the end, but we shouldn’t be afraid that it will catch us off guard. Some of the people in Thessalonica were convinced that the end was soon, that they stopped working. Paul convinces them to continue living as children of the light and be ready for when the Lord returns.

Our Gospel, today, tells us to be faithful to the

Lord and to develop the talents that we have been given, fulfilling our responsibilities in our families and community, as exemplified by the worthy wife in

the first reading. Do not worry that the end is near but live each day to the best of your ability in preparation for whatever comes.

Next Sunday is the Final Sunday of this Liturgical Year... we will celebrate the culmination of everything in the Kingship of Jesus Christ. In the end when Our Lord returns, He brings His Kingdom that has no end. We must keep busy doing good, being light in an often darkened world, and not be caught off guard.

Christmas music is already being played. The holidays are starting. This year, we will offer two Masses to celebrate Thanksgiving:

Thanksgiving Eve Mass: Wednesday, November 25 at 6:30 p.m. in Saint John the Beloved Church.

Thanksgiving Day Mass: Thursday November 26 at 9 a.m. in our church. The collection, at both Masses, of food and/or monetary donations will go to our Parish Outreach Program for the needy.

November 8, 2020

There were ten bridesmaids; five who were foolish and squandered their time and five who were wise by making the best use of every moment. The wise bridesmaids entered into the banquet of the Master’s love.  The foolish bridesmaids were too busy wasting time to be ready for their Master’s return.  Wisdom is a way of life as we hear in today’s first reading.  The wise are always ready for the Lord because they are always united to Him.  Our lesson is simple; be wise by being always ready to celebrate the banquet of the Lord’s love.

It is in the present moment that we have the opportunity to be charitable, forgiving, just, patient and virtuous.  These are the attributes that lighten our path into the banquet of heaven and they are necessary because that is what heaven is all about.  Jesus repeatedly speaks of heaven being like a banquet or a wedding feast that is beyond earthly description.  It is the coming together of good people, we call saints, in the oneness of God where you enjoy perfect peace, justice and love forever.  

St. Paul says: “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.” (1 Cor. 2:9).  Saint Pope John Paul II said:  “We know that the “heaven” or “happiness” in which we will find ourselves is neither an abstraction nor a physical place in the clouds, but a living, personal relationship with the Holy Trinity. It is our meeting with the Father which takes place in the risen Christ through the communion of the Holy Spirit.”

Put simply, you won’t want to miss it.  Perhaps the real sadness, in the afterlife, is not having the life that “I could have had and that God wanted to give me.”  Instead I wasted the opportunity and am not prepared to enter the feast.  Ever reminding ourselves that I was given 86,400 seconds each day of my life to lighten my path but I was foolish.  God forbid.  

November 1, 2020

All baptized Christians who have died and are now with God in glory are considered saints. All Saints Day is intended to honor the memory of countless unknown and uncanonized saints who have no feast days. I am sure that you can recall some people from your life who were genuinely holy people on earth and who are among the Communion of Saints.

I recall the dreams I have had where my deceased aunt is joyfully doing house chores arrayed in a blinding room of light. Perhaps a message from heaven because she was a typical housewife, mom, grandmother who loved Dollar Day at the Dry and was fervent in prayer. My great nephew passed at seven and in that short time was uncommonly compassionate in playing with his peers who nobody would play with. The grocer down the street from my house charitably gave food to those who could not pay him saying: “The more I give...the more God repays me.” These, too, are the saints we celebrate today...Ordinary people practicing extraordinary virtue.

Today we thank God for giving men, women and children a share in His holiness and Heavenly glory as a reward for their Faith. This feast reminds us today that God’s call for holiness is universal; that all of us are called to live in His love and to make His love real in the lives of those around us. Holiness is related to the word wholesomeness. We grow in holiness when we live wholesome lives of integrity, truth, justice, charity, mercy, and compassion, sharing our blessings with others.

Many saints have been captured for us in their stories and many are artistically depicted in stained glass windows and holy cards, but there are numerous ones that also are exemplary. More than likely, we knew some personally and must realize that holiness is possible even today. In other words...Yes, you and I are called to be saints. This is something to celebrate.

Monday. November 2nd is dedicated to all the dead; those who need our prayerful support to reach the ultimate destiny of heaven. God alone knows what is in each soul. Thus we pray that our beloved dead, especially those in most need of God’s mercy, will enter into heaven. It is a wholesome thing to pray for the dead. Masses on this day are 8:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. (with the special remembrance of those who passed away this year at both Masses).

Pre-Election Prayer Opportunity: This Tuesday, November 2nd is Election Day. In preparation for this important time, The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed for prayerful meditation in our church on Monday, November 2nd, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Please pray for God’s intervention and Will to be accomplished for Our Nation.

October 25, 2020

A Note From Most Reverend W. Francis Malooly, Bishop of Wilmington 

Dear Friends in Christ,

Each of us are called as Catholics and as citizens to active participation in the political process. This means that we must learn about the issues and where each candidate and party stand on them and vote for those candidates we believe will advance our common good. It is one very important way for us to answer Christ’s call to be salt of the earth and light of the world and to let our light shine before others. (Matt 5: 13-16) It is a requirement of our faith that is protected by our country’s Constitution.

It is incumbent on each of us to research the candidates for national, statewide, and local offices to see if their stance on issues are in keeping with our values and the teachings of our Church. Do they, in word and policy, uphold the dignity of every human person? As Catholics, our preeminent priority is to protect the right to life. Do they support the restriction of, and ultimately bringing to an end, the destruction of unborn children through abortion; and strongly oppose euthanasia and the death penalty? Do they show care for the poor, sick, and marginalized that reflect Gospel values? Are they

open to choice in education to help underprivileged children break the cycle of poverty? Do they attack racial bias, hatred, and injustice? Do they support religious freedom in all matters, especially in health care?

I urge you to read: Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility, the U.S. Bishops’ teaching document on the political responsibilities of Catholics found on the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops website: www.usccb.org It offers excellent guidance as we exercise our rights and duties as participants in democracy.

During this contentious election season, it would be easy for us to throw our hands up in exasperation and retreat to the sidelines. However, that would be in direct contradiction to our responsibilities. If we don’t bring civility and Christian values into the public arena, who will?

I ask that you join me and Catholics from across Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore in praying the Litany of St. Thomas More, Martyr, and Patron Saint of Statesmen, Politicians and Lawyers, after ALL Masses in the Diocese the weekend of October 31 and November 1. May God bless you and God bless America.

Most Reverend W. Francis Malooly, Bishop of Wilmington

 

LITANY OF ST. THOMAS MORE, Martyr and Patron Saint of Statesmen, Politicians, and Lawyers

V. Lord, have mercy
V. Christ, have mercy
V. Lord, have mercy
V. Christ hear us
V. St. Thomas More, Saint, and Martyr,

R. Lord have mercy
R. Christ have mercy
R. Lord have mercy
R. Christ, graciously hear us
R. Pray for us (Repeat after each invocation)

St. Thomas More, Patron of Statesmen, Politicians, and Lawyers
St. Thomas More, Patron of Justices, Judges, and Magistrates
St. Thomas More, Model of Integrity and Virtue in Public and Private Life
St. Thomas More, Servant of the Word of God and the Body and Blood of Christ St. Thomas More, Model of Holiness in the Sacrament of Marriage
St. Thomas More, Teacher of his Children in the Catholic Faith
St. Thomas More, Defender of the Weak and the Poor
St. Thomas More, Promoter of Human Life and Dignity

V. Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world R. Spare us O Lord
V. Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world R. Graciously hear us O Lord V. Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world R. Have mercy on us

Let us pray: O Glorious St. Thomas More, Patron of Statesmen, Politicians, Judges and Lawyers, your life of prayer and penance and your zeal for justice, integrity, and firm principle in public and family life led you to the path of martyrdom and sainthood. Intercede for our Statesmen, Politicians, Judges, and Lawyers, that they may be courageous and effective in their defense and promotion of the sanctity of human life - the foundation of all other human rights. We ask this through Christ our Lord. 
R. Amen.

October 18, 2020

These days, there is a polarization about patriotism, standing for the Pledge of Allegiance, desecrating monuments, etc. Without getting political, personally, I know our Nation is not perfect; neither is the Church, you or I. Jesus alone was perfect and He ministered in an imperfect government and with imperfect followers...including the Apostles. Look at today’s Gospel, how He was being trapped into an answer that would make Him the villain as a Roman sympathizer or a traitor. Jesus settled the question with a simple, but profound answer: "Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God's."

This passage leads us to consider how we carry out our responsibilities to our Country and to our God. The logical answer is this: Render to God what is God’s. Well... everything is God’s. He created everything from nothing. We are His creation. We are first...citizens of the Kingdom of God. Our responsibility to God is absolute.

We are also citizens of the United States. Many people worked at; fought and died for the liberties we enjoy...and continue to do so. The Freedom of Religion is just one of the many benefits we share. We have to take our citizenship in our Country extremely seriously and care for it. We need to work hard to direct our Country's paths to morality. We need to do all in our power to help our Nation make good, moral laws so that we might always be "one nation under God."

There are genuine ways that we can guide our Country to being one that serves God in its care for all our citizens. Here, we have the possibility to change a system that fails the respect and dignity of each individual. We have a responsibility to fight against laws that depreciate and destroy life. We are privileged citizens in being active in helping our Nation make moral choices, support noble ideals.

We are reminded, today, that we have to be active, courageous, and moral citizens of this great Nation. That is how we can render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s and unto God what is God’s.

Today is World Mission Sunday. It is a central moment each year to provide for the building up of over one thousand local churches in Asia and Africa, the Pacific Islands, and parts of Latin America and Europe, an area that covers more than half the territory of the globe. Through the work of these churches, and their witness to Christ, the poor receive practical help and experience God’s love and mercy, His hope, and peace. Extra envelopes are available at the entrance of the church.

October 11, 2020

You are cordially invited to the Heavenly Banquet. Today’s Scripture readings offer us a standing invitation. The first reading describes the Messianic banquet on God’s holy mountain. The great feast of “rich food and choice wines” will be served to all who enter. In today’s Gospel, Jesus accuses the Jewish religious and civil leaders of rejecting God’s invitation to the Heavenly Banquet given to them through Himself, God’s own Son. They just would not reform their lives. Hence, God is inviting Gentiles, non-Jews, along with reformed sinners for His banquet.

The one requirement for entrance into the feast is the wedding garment which is being in the state of grace at all times by avoiding sin and remaining holy and righteous. The wedding garment is the sanctifying grace we put on at Baptism. The other sacraments provide the additional graces we need to retain the sacred identity worthy of entrance into the banquet provided by God.

Our participation in the Eucharistic celebration, the Holy Mass, is the foretaste of this banquet in heaven. Jesus nourishes us in the Church through the proclamation of The Word of God and through His Body and Blood offered to us as spiritual Food and Drink in Holy Communion. We need to participate in the Eucharistic banquet with proper preparation by repenting of our sins and by actively participating in the prayers and song during the Holy Mass. Participating in Holy Mass is the best preparation and greatest Source of power for our future participation in the Heavenly banquet.

Today’s readings are a good reminder to us that the Lord wants us in the eternal, bountiful feast of heaven. We are assured that those who enter are well satisfied. We are invited by Jesus but each of us needs to give this invitation priority over every other good and important thing in life. Also, it is not enough just to show up. We must be properly dressed with our grace-assisted works of justice, charity and holiness in response to the Divine love that invites us. Jesus warns us to be ready to wear the wedding garment.

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in our church will begin on Friday, October 16, 2020, after the 8:00 a.m. Mass, through 10:00 a.m. We will continue this devotion on Fridays when most mornings are available. We ask that the faithful keep a vigil at this time. It is a wonderful opportunity for private prayer for our many needs.
 

October 4, 2020

The Bible is not always about “feeling good.” Today’s readings are not necessarily uplifting and we tend to shy away from these darker chapters by wanting to turn the page. The prophet Isaiah is frank in addressing ancient Israel. Paraphrasing, he states: “Israel, you are God’s chosen people and much is expected from you. God is our friend and created us like a fertile vineyard with planted vines to yield choice grapes.” As the prophecy concludes, this vineyard yielded wild grapes because of Israel’s infidelity and the Lord allowed the vineyard to be overgrown with great disappointment.

This is Respect Life Sunday, and today’s readings are appropriate; opening our eyes to the darker chapters of our society. This year’s theme, ‘Live the Gospel of Life,’ was inspired by the commemoration of the 25th anniversary of Saint Pope John Paul II’s encyclical, The Gospel of Life. Pope John Paul masterfully articulated defense of the right to life for children in their mothers’ wombs, the elderly, persons with disabilities, and the marginalized.

More relevant today than ever before, we have to ask ourselves: How are we, the “New Israel” tending the Lord’s vineyard? How are we receptive to God’s Covenant, God’s Law, God’s Incarnate Son, His Church? They are given to us to nurture and sustain life and should be evident in our daily response to one another.

Instead, there is an increasing relativism throughout society that is rejecting God, deafening the Fruits of the Spirit to grow among us. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5) are overtaken by hate, sadness, turmoil, rage, intolerance, indecency, faithlessness, and indulgence. The wild grapes of our times are the effects of infidelity to the Lord. Saint Pope John Paul termed it best: “We have become a Culture of Death.”

Last November, the U.S. bishops reaffirmed that “the threat of abortion remains their preeminent priority because it directly attacks life itself, because it takes place within the sanctuary of the family, and because of the number of lives destroyed.” While they noted not to ‘dismiss or ignore other serious threats to human life and dignity such as racism, the environmental crisis, poverty, and the death penalty,’ the U.S. bishops renewed their commitment to protect the most fundamental of all human rights – the right to live. Pope Francis extols the Church’s firm stand that if we fail to protect life, no other rights matter. Pope Francis also said that abortion is not primarily a Catholic or even a religious issue; it is first and foremost a human rights issue.

The Gospel of Life provides a blueprint for building a fruitful vineyard, a culture of life and a civilization of love. The important work of transforming our culture begins by allowing the Gospel of Christ to touch and transform our own hearts and the decisions we make. May we strive to imitate Christ and follow in His footsteps, caring for the most vulnerable among us as we courageously and faithfully cultivate The Gospel of Life.

September 27, 2020

In today’s parable, one son tells his father he will not work and then does. The other son tells his father he will work, and then does not. Jesus teaches that the son who had a change of heart did the right thing. Like the two different sons, this parable has two different angles.

The reversal of the first son’s inclination addresses the smug attitude of the self-righteous and their condescending attitude toward the less righteous. All those who are “sinners” and change their mind, repent, and follow the Lord will share in the Kingdom of God. Sometimes,

people know what is right but self-serving decisions and perhaps immoral choices get in the way when all of a sudden the better angels of the conscience take over. The Lord shows, in His parable, how the Will of the Father can still be accomplished by sinners with a change of heart.

The second son simply offers lips service that gives credence to the proverb “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.” Individuals may have the intention to undertake good actions but never the less fail to take action due to procrastination, laziness or other subversive vices. Thus, a good intention is meaningless unless followed through.

St. Paul tells us today that we must have the same attitude that is also in Jesus. Why? Because when we encounter Christ who “did not regard equality with God something to be grasped,” we find happiness and that makes it the wiser choice to leave behind our grasping ways and obey the One who Himself became obedient to the point of death.

Share in the Spirit --- Today’s second collection envelope is taken in support of the diocesan tuition assistance program. Money raised through this collection coupled with the diocese’s tuition assistance endowment provides financial assistance to hundreds of deserving families who seek a Catholic education for their children but who cannot afford the full cost of tuition.

If you are not prepared to contribute today, you may drop your contribution off at the parish office or place it in next week’s collection basket. For further information and on-line giving options, visit the Share in the Spirit website at www.cdow.org/sharespirit.html.

September 20, 2020

Today’s Gospel reading is one of the most confounding. Many people struggle with this parable about the landowner and the workers as being unfair, but as the old saying goes, where you stumble, that’s where you should dig for treasure. The parable offers a powerful reminder to focus on the mission of God’s kingdom, not who gets credit for it.

Mission focuses the mind. The present pandemic has made each individual, globally, decide what his /her priority in life is. For the majority of us, it is health, wellbeing, and safety. Job security and economic stability are also a priority. The needed quarantine has favorably allowed many folks to rediscover the value of family, friends ... faith. COVID 19 has made us prioritize what is important to us.

Hopefully, we have recognized the numerous efforts of those around us that have worked hard to heal the sick, assist the needy, and create a safe environment for all of us. Yes, some have greatly risked their own lives to ensure the general good and wellbeing of total strangers. Most have cooperated at various levels to end the plight. To that end...we ALL equally benefit. We need to be grateful to each other. All trivia falls by the side.

That is the point of the Gospel. Keep an eye on the Kingdom of God. Do your part at your level to enhance the Mission of the Church. Distraction from what really matters is the work of the devil. Recognition, awards, titles, increase in benefits are not what matters. Rather we are given the privilege of doing our part for the Kingdom. That we should do.

This parable, like so many, is meant to bug us. Instead of comparing, contrasting, and calculating each individual input in the Kingdom, do your part well and encourage each other to achieve the noble goal set for all of us. It is a privilege to have been summoned at various times, in various ways by the Lord and equally share in His generous reward.

With the close of summer, we are continuing to follow the guidelines of the government and diocese in what we can make available to the faithful. Still, at this time, the future is uncertain and therefore affecting what was before public activities within our parish. For example this fall, close contact sports have been canceled. Safe distancing between our school children has altered classroom size. Parish committees are still only meeting virtually or on hold.

Since the opening of our Masses in June, the format we followed was recommended by our diocese to keep social distance, sanitize the environment, and limit the congregating of groups. Wherever there may be the possibility of air-bound contamination, precautions still have to be enforced. This explains our lack of choir or congregational music.

The present cooperation and comfort level of our parishioners and friends have ensured us to begin having some music reintroduced into our Masses. Also, beginning in October, the recessional after Communion will discontinue. Keeping a safe distance, people can return to their pews after receiving Holy Communion and then dismiss after the final blessing. Please know that we are seeing the safety and health of everyone while keeping within our limitations of time and space; and any fears and anxiety of our parishioners. Thank you to everyone who is making this possible. 

September 13, 2020

 

What do you do when someone continually hurts you deeply? Through habit or mean intention, some people create an atmosphere of pain that makes living the Christian life almost impossible. As much as we try, forgiveness seems to slip away. At these times, we want to cry out, "Lord! I have really tried. Enough!"

Peter asked Jesus the same question and thought that “seven,” the biblical number for completeness, would be satisfactory. Jesus responded with a wordplay representing an uncountable number of times that explains how forgiveness was not a matter of social grace but integral to the Christian lifestyle.

To make that point, Jesus told a parable about one official who owed his king an immeasurable amount, equal to the gross national product. Begging for mercy when the official could not repay, the king graciously forgives the debt. Then the official left the court only to throttle a co-worker over a mere amount of one hundred days wages. When the king heard of the official's lack of mercy, he condemned the official to an unending torture since the debt was immeasurable. The symbolism is clear. The king is God the Father. The comparison of debt is obvious. God forgives the huge debt we owe Him while we become petty in forgiving much smaller debts. The official sinned by squandering the money, but he committed a greater sin when he abused the trust the king placed in him.

What wealth has the Lord bestowed on us? He gave us the Good News that Christ died for our sins and shares His Divine Life with us. How great is His trust in us! Yet, we squander this gift so easily when our selfish hearts shut Him out and our pettiness stops us from forgiving our neighbor. If we refuse to forgive others, even their smallest transgressions, will we be any better than the unrepentant? On the last day, would we be surprised if the Lord treated us like we treated others? The moral of the story is clear. As the Lord always forgives us from the inner depths of His heart, we, too, must forgive others. It is necessary for conversion.

When have we forgiven enough times? Imagine God asking us that question from His perspective! As we forever receive pardon for our shortcomings, we should always forgive others for theirs. The next time someone hurts us and challenges our patience; let us remember the source of forgiveness.
 

Sunday, September 6, 2020

Modern Christians are aligning with conventional thinking whereby they avoid interfering in the lives of others. While some people may feel overly confident standing on the moral high ground, most have misgivings in getting involved or correcting the moral faults of others. Evading the issue, we often say, “As a sinner, I don’t have the courage to admonish anyone.” But Jesus emphatically affirms that we are our brothers’ keepers, and we have the serious obligation to correct others.

As brothers and sisters in Christ, we take on a painful, triple responsibility. We must lovingly and prudently correct each other when we err, forgive those who offend us, and ask forgiveness from those we have offended. We need to heed to loving correction, in

private, for a personal offense where that is possible and offer advice and encouragement when it is needed. Jesus makes it clear how important we are, one to another. One in Christ, our community can draw on God’s power to make His healing, life-giving love, more effective among His people.

A shouting voice and a condescending attitude in an embarrassing situation do not rectify an error without bitterness and resentment. Stubbornness in being corrected or blocking solid counsel are obstacles to repair. It seems that fraternal correction is accepted and possible when carried out in a gentle, charitable manner. Recall the episodes in life when you were open to listening and changing a negative behavior. Most likely it resulted after a one-on-one, wise conversation that could only benefit you if you altered what you were doing. The same goes for those who may have challenged someone to be better. A kind approach makes all the difference in acceptance or rejection.

At times, we all need to be corrected and this is most important when our spiritual good is involved. That is why we have to be meaningfully present to and take responsibility for, each other. Inhuman, unchristian behavior is something about which we need to be really concerned. This individual responsibility in a Christian society includes, as today’s readings remind us, our responsibility for each other. Perhaps the most painful obligations of watchful love are fraternal correction and generosity in forgiving and forgetting injuries.

Flowers at the Holy Family Shrine are in memory of Julia A. Delikat.

Labor Day is Monday, September 7, 2020. The one Mass, that day, will be at 9 a.m. As we celebrate Labor Day Weekend, we state that human labor is honorable and celebrate the contributions of workers that make up the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our Country. And this is achieved through the sacrifices, toil and sweat of countless people. Remember that all that we do is for the betterment of our brothers and sisters in the world and our goal is to build Christ’s Kingdom. May God Bless the work of our hands. Happy Labor Day!

School is opening on Tuesday, September 8. With new directives, our parish school will hold full-day sessions for the beginning levels while the upper grades will rotate their days between virtual classes at home and classes in school. The “new” system is following diocesan guidelines for the safety of everyone. A word of appreciation to our school principal, Richard Hart, and parish and school staff that worked diligently to create a healthy environment. God Bless our new school year.