Dear Parishioners,
In today’s first reading, Job is down in the dumps (Jb 7:1-4, 6-7). He sees his current life as one of drudgery and misery. Many of us have had times in our lives where we feel the same. And when the weather is dreary and overcast as it has been recently, our morale is impacted even more. If we are not careful, those feelings can lead to depression. However, when we look at the passion and death of Jesus, we realize our problems can’t compare. Furthermore, we can see our suffering as an opportunity to connect more intimately with Jesus. As St. John Vianney said, “We complain when we suffer. We have more reason to complain when we do not suffer, since nothing so likens us to the Lord as the bearing of His cross.” When looked upon this way, our suffering and misery quickly fade into the background.
Fr. Carl
Rev. Stephen Hook is Pastor of the Pastorate of the Visitation which includes the Catholic Churches of Pasadena, Maryland: St. Jane Frances de Chantal (Riviera Beach) and Our Lady of the Chesapeake (Lakeshore). He is assisted by Associate Pastor Rev. John Belinki, Deacon Howard Klohr, and Deacon Rick Clemens. To learn more about our pastorate, please visit www.catholicpasadena.org.
