Friday, September 4, 2015

It’s Sunday… Take A Break!

Dear Parishioners,

“Every worthwhile gift, every genuine benefit comes from above, descending from the Father…” These words we heard last week from the letter of James (James 2:14-18). This week, the readings deal with those lacking some of the gifts we often take for granted (Isaiah 50:5-9a; James 2:14-18; Mark 8:27-35). The gifts of sight, hearing, speech, and society’s approval. The sign of the Messiah’s arrival would be the healing of eyes of the blind, the ears of the deaf, and the legs of the lame. The disadvantaged will be made whole and restored to health. Jesus, in healing the deaf man’s hearing and speech impediment, serves notice that the Messiah has arrived.

It is a hardship for a person lacking hearing and the ability to be understood. However, the greater tragedy is the inability to hear the word of God and to give praise, glory, adoration, and Thanksgiving to the Trinity. And that is our disability when we shut God out of our lives because of our busy schedules.

This weekend is Labor Day, a holiday during which we can rest from our work, spend leisure time with our families, and recharge our emotional and physical batteries. Come to think of it, isn’t that the purpose of each Sunday, worshiping God and resting from unnecessary work? If we make God a priority over the weekend, God will help us through the week.

May you and your families have a blessed Labor Day weekend.

- Fr. Carl

“One serves God better by doing things in which one
takes neither pleasure or delight.”
~ Thoughts of the Cure D’Ars