Tough Love

Dear Parishioners,

If we truly love somebody, we want what is best for them. If we truly love, we offer our support when encouragement is needed, but we also confront and point out self-destructive behavior when we become aware of it. Ezekiel in today’s first reading (Ezekiel 33:7-9) recognizes his responsibility as a prophet to point out the sins of his people. He hopes they will repent and avoid punishment. But even if the situation seems hopeless, because the people are hard-hearted, he must try. Perhaps they will, and that would be for the best. Ezekiel’s warning wasn’t heeded, and he suffered for his message, but he was saved by God in the end. It is no different with us if we don’t warn our friends when we see them going astray. God will hold us responsible. So let us be good friends and neighbors and give gentle correction when it is needed.

- Fr. Carl

“We become what we love.”
~ St. Claire

Doing the Right Thing

Dear Parishioners,

“How low can you go?” This simple lyric from a 60’s song by Chubby Checker, The Limbo Rock, captures Jesus’ thought about St. Peter in this week’s gospel (Matthew 16:21-27). Last week, St. Peter was riding high after calling Jesus the Messiah; and so Jesus praises him and gives him a new name, Peter (“Rock”) (Matthew 16:13-20). This week Jesus calls him Satan because Peter is discouraging Jesus from the suffering and death awaiting him in Jerusalem. Peter doesn’t want the cross for Jesus. There are crosses for all who wish to follow Jesus. When we encourage others to take the easy way and avoid the cross, we act like Peter in today’s gospel. If we truly love others, we will encourage them to do the right thing instead of the easy thing.

- Father Carl

“It is not enough just to wish well;
we must also do well.”
~ St. Ambrose

Who Do You Say That I Am?

Dear Parishioners,

Saint Peter got the question right, but he needed time to grow into it before he was ready to share it with others (Matthew 16:13-20). He did not yet understand, or approve of, a Messiah that suffers and who calls his followers to bear a cross, too. He did not yet understand that even death does not get the last word, or the last laugh, over those who give up their lives in service to Christ. He did not yet understand how fickle was his own faith, and how easily he could deny knowing the Lord when pressed by a curious little girl around a charcoal fire. He did not know yet, but he would soon. And then, on the far side of his failure, on the far side of Calvary, after the resurrection of Jesus, Peter would be ready, having grown into his confession. And so can we.

- Deacon Robert

“We must not consult our own inclinations,
but endeavor always to do that which
will give the most pleasure to God.”
~ Thoughts of the Cure D’Ars

If It’s Good Enough For Jesus…

Dear Parishioners,

Last week’s gospel is primarily remembered for our Lord and St. Peter walking on water (Matthew 14:22-33). But at the beginning of that episode, Jesus had gone up on the mountain to pray after feeding the 5,000 and curing the sick. Humanly speaking, he needed some time to rest and recharge his energy. Last week, I did the same by going on retreat in Larchmont, New York. Prayer, good talks and spiritual direction, some nice walks, and some time for reflection were wonderful. Even after a maddeningly long, slow drive down the New Jersey Turnpike on Friday, I felt renewed.

Later on this past weekend, in talking to a family who had just returned from a vacation trip, I was told by the father that he felt like he needed some time to rest up from his vacation. I suspect many of you have shared that feeling. It’s go, go, go on our fun-filled vacations, but we are exhausted afterwards. Maybe it would be good to add on an extra day at the end to do what I did last week and Jesus did the week before—spend some time in prayer. You don’t have to go to Larchmont or go up a mountain to be with God. You can do it at home. Go to a weekday Mass; crack open the bible; spend some quiet time in church, and I’m sure you will come away refreshed. After all, if it’s good enough for Jesus, it should be good enough for you and me.

- Fr. Carl

“God made all the days of the week. He
might have kept them all, but he has given you six
and has reserved to himself only the seventh.”
~ Thoughts of the Cure D’Ars

Walking on Water

Dear Parishioners,

Peter trying and failing, part faith and part doubt is a story to which we can all relate (Matthew 14:22-33). For that is our story, each and every one of us. Who among us has not started a great endeavor only to find that the waves are often against us, that the risks of failure are all around us? And suddenly our resolve and confidence begin to wane, our strength and perseverance begins to weaken, and we abandon the course before it is finished, slinking back to the safety of the boat. This is Peter’s story, but it is our story, too.

Our Lord excels where we do not. He is faithful, even when we are not. He walks on water, even when we sink. It is his voice that calls us out of our safety zone and take a risk, and his hand that holds us magnificently while daring great things.

- Deacon Robert

“There is hardly a day when we shall not
be obliged to make some sacrifice for God,
if we do not want to displease him and
if we want to love him.”
~ Thoughts of the Cure D’Ars

Facing the Difficulties of Life

Dear Parishioners,

If you are having difficulties in your life and your morale is low and still sinking, the Bible has some reading just for you.

There is a long read and a short read. The long read is the Book of Job which tells how the godly Job is allowed to be tested by Satan. After unbelievable calamities are orchestrated by Satan on this good man, and he is tempted to curse God and die, Job remains peaceful, serene, and faithful to God. At the end of the story, Job receives greater blessings than he had at the beginning.

The short read is Paul’s letter to the Romans, Chapter 8. Over the past 4 weeks, we have heard parts of that chapter. The 1st week taught us that the Spirit of God dwells in us. What an awesome privilege that is, but with the privilege is the responsibility to live according to the Spirit and not the flesh (earthly desires). The 2nd week taught us the insignificance of present sufferings compared to the glory to be revealed in us. The 3rd week taught us that the Spirit in us helps us to pray. Last week, we learned that “God makes all things work together for the good of those who love him.” Even the bad things that happen to us, God will use for our good. This week we hear that nothing can separate us from the love of God. In other words, as long as we have God we have everything we need. We have it all. How awesome is that!

- Fr. Carl

“There is no one who cannot pray—and pray
at all times and in all places; by night or day, when
hard at work or resting; in the country, at home, or
when traveling.”
~ Thoughts of the Cure D’Ars

The Treasure Hunt

Dear Parishioners,

In today’s Gospel (Matthew 13:44-52), Jesus may be teaching us that with the Kingdom of Heaven there is an element of hiddenness, of mystery, of search and discovery. The Kingdom of Heaven is the reign and realm of God, where God’s rule and will are lived out, where relationships are marked by justice and love, where ego is sacrificed for the greater good, where communion with God and each other is more important than personal gain and accomplishment. That sounds heavenly, but it can happen on earth as well. Remember, Jesus taught us to pray, “Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

- Deacon Robert

“Jesus Christ expressly tells us that it is
impossible to be for God and the World at the
same time, because when we want to please
the one, it means becoming the enemy of the other.”
~ Thoughts of the Cure D’Ars