Happy Sunday, dear Friends!
We are given yet another challenging Gospel passage today. Gospels like last weekend and this weekend are good reminders that it is not easy or comfortable to be a Christian! But God has our happiness in mind. “I have come that you may have joy and your joy may be full!” (John 15:11).
In today’s Gospel, Jesus is asked, “Lord, will only a few people be saved?” “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough,” our Lord answers. A challenging aspect of our life of faith is evident here: we are powerless to pass through the narrow gate without God’s lavish mercies. No worldly wisdom, material successes, or novelties can give us the strength we need to pass through. Daily friendship with God and having the heart and mind of Jesus is what makes us strong and able to pass through the narrow gate.
God is drawn to the weak to help them. This is a profound paradox that saints like Paul and Therese of Lisieux understood well. “In my weakness, I am strong,” St. Paul says. St. Therese once wrote to her sister, “What pleases (God) is that He sees me loving my littleness and my poverty, the blind hope that I have in His mercy… This is my only treasure… Oh dear Sister, I beg you, understand your little girl, understand that to love Jesus, to be His victim of love, the weaker one is… the more suited one is for the workings of this consuming and transforming love.”
Let yourself be loved, forgiven, healed, and lifted up by God. He is drawn to the powerless and the needy. He is delighted to walk with us hand in hand, even to carry us, through the narrow gate of His Pierced Heart.
Alas, it is back to school time. The end of summer blues is understandable! May the Lord bless all of our teachers, students and parents in the new school year. May friendships, planning and studies, and sacrifices be blessed. As schedules get busy, may we keep Christ at the center through Sunday Mass and daily prayer.
If you find yourself with a few extra minutes in the car or on the bus with the onset of morning (and afternoon) traffic, this bonus time can be a nice opportunity to invite God into the day ahead, to pray the Rosary, or to listen to a podcast like The Bible in a Year by Ascension Presents.
If you or someone you know is interested in becoming Catholic or learning more about the Catholic faith, please email me about registering for our Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) program! Participants in OCIA must be 18 or older. Other arrangements can be made for any inquirers under 18.
God bless you abundantly and thank you for keeping the Pastorate of the Visitation in your daily prayers!!
Father John
