Dear Parishioners,
The summer is drawing to a close. In a short two weeks, it will be Labor Day weekend, and school will begin. This year God has blessed us with much more sunshine than last year, and much better tomatoes, corn, and melons. Thank you, Lord.
However, this week’s readings are not very uplifting (Jer 38:4-6, 8-10; Heb 12:1-4; Lk 12:49-53). The loyal prophet Jeremiah has been thrown into an empty water-well where he sits in mud left to die.
His words from God made people angry as it challenged and criticized their way of life. True believers are rarely popular with the lax and sinful. People don’t like being reminded of their faults. Saints do, but sinners don’t. The gospel goes even further; as Jesus tells us, following the gospel can even cause trouble in families for the same reason. Nevertheless, the benefits of our communion with the Lord far outweigh the difficulties of being at odds with our family and friends.
Hopefully, it will cause them to think and cause them to return to God where true happiness resides.
God Bless,
Father 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.
