Dear Parishioners,
Discrimination has been very much in the news over the last 50 years. I remember hearing about the race riots in 1968 (I was away in the U.S. Navy at the time). And hardly a day goes by that you don’t hear about some form of racial, sexual, or religious discrimination. In today’s reading from the Letter of James (James 2:1-5), we hear of a different kind of discrimination. It’s called favoritism. St. James describes a rich man fashionably dressed with gold rings entering an assembly and being well received. Whereas a poor man who enters the same assembly being rudely treated. They should both be treated with respect and dignity since they are both created in the image and likeness of God. Of course, it’s natural to behave like the assembly as we are attracted to some people and unattracted to others. Still we are rational creatures, and our minds should override our feelings. That’s why God gave us one.
However, there are times when our failure to discriminate leads us astray. Power and money can blind us from seeing the difference between good and evil, obeying the law or skirting the law, going along with the crowd or going away from it. In the news, we see how those failures to discriminate have resulted in tragic consequences for those who fail to do so.
Let us pray for an end to unjust discrimination and the wisdom to discriminate between sinful and unethical moral choices. We will be happier if we do.
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.
Friday, September 7, 2018
Friday, August 31, 2018
Prayer
Dear Parishioners,
We had a Bridge to Christ prayer service last Sunday evening. A number of people attended, each with prayer requests for people they love and are concerned about. It is a reverent service where we name individuals and pause to pray.
Prayer is a major work of our faith. In prayer, we connect with Christ directly through the Holy Spirit. Prayer allows us to open our heart to God and allows us to enter into God's heart. He hears us and although he doesn't often respond immediately; in prayer we are in His presence. This is good for us. It is refreshing and healing simply to pray as it is opens us up to the greater good of God and gets us out of ourselves. Prayer teaches us that we can’t do this life by ourselves. We are in relationship with others and with God. This is most evident in prayer. It is also the easiest action we can take. It only requires focused attention, silence and time. It can be short and to the point or a slow unwinding of deep care and thanksgiving. I believe and hope that God appreciates our efforts in prayer. Please consider attending our next Bridge to Christ prayer service in October. It will be advertised in the bulletin. In the meantime, exercise your spirit, and talk with God. He and you will appreciate the conversation.
Blessings,
Deacon Steve
We had a Bridge to Christ prayer service last Sunday evening. A number of people attended, each with prayer requests for people they love and are concerned about. It is a reverent service where we name individuals and pause to pray.
Prayer is a major work of our faith. In prayer, we connect with Christ directly through the Holy Spirit. Prayer allows us to open our heart to God and allows us to enter into God's heart. He hears us and although he doesn't often respond immediately; in prayer we are in His presence. This is good for us. It is refreshing and healing simply to pray as it is opens us up to the greater good of God and gets us out of ourselves. Prayer teaches us that we can’t do this life by ourselves. We are in relationship with others and with God. This is most evident in prayer. It is also the easiest action we can take. It only requires focused attention, silence and time. It can be short and to the point or a slow unwinding of deep care and thanksgiving. I believe and hope that God appreciates our efforts in prayer. Please consider attending our next Bridge to Christ prayer service in October. It will be advertised in the bulletin. In the meantime, exercise your spirit, and talk with God. He and you will appreciate the conversation.
Blessings,
Deacon Steve
Friday, August 24, 2018
To Whom Shall We Go?
Dear Parishioners,
“This saying is hard, who can accept it?” These words spoken by the disciples at the beginning of today’s gospel (John 6:60-69) come at the end of a long sermon given by Jesus (John 6:22-59). Basically, he has been saying that if the people want real nourishment, they must come to them. He will feed them with his word and wisdom and especially with his very own flesh and blood. Several times his listeners have questioned how this could be, but Jesus continues to affirm his claim to feed them through his word and sacrament. However, many could not accept his teaching and left finding the teaching too hard. When Jesus questions the twelve if they too want to leave, Peter speaks up and says, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”
The past several weeks, the Catholic Church has been shamed by the revelation that some clergy, including priests and bishops, have been guilty of abuse of seminarians and adolescents. Furthermore, there were often attempts to cover up the abuse. While the Church in America has made significant strides in the past 20 years to eliminate abuse, those who were victimized in the past still suffer the after effects. We need to pray for them and their healing.
In the wake of these scandals, one might be tempted to leave the faith. To paraphrase the opening of the gospel in regard to our belief that the Church is the Body of Christ, one might ask: “This saying is hard, who can accept it?” But then we are reminded that Jesus likened the Church to a dragnet cast into the sea to bring in bad fish as well as good (Matt 13:47-50), and a field that had tares mixed up with wheat (Matt 13:24). In a different vein, he said to the apostles in Luke’s gospel, “He who hears you hears me and he who rejects you rejects me.” And in Matthew’s gospel, he ends with these promising words, “And know that I am with you until the end of the world.” (Matt 28:20)
Besides… “to whom shall we go? You (Jesus) have the words of eternal life.”
Again, let us pray for the victims and the development of a process in the Church and wider society to ensure the safety of our young people.
Fr. Carl
“This saying is hard, who can accept it?” These words spoken by the disciples at the beginning of today’s gospel (John 6:60-69) come at the end of a long sermon given by Jesus (John 6:22-59). Basically, he has been saying that if the people want real nourishment, they must come to them. He will feed them with his word and wisdom and especially with his very own flesh and blood. Several times his listeners have questioned how this could be, but Jesus continues to affirm his claim to feed them through his word and sacrament. However, many could not accept his teaching and left finding the teaching too hard. When Jesus questions the twelve if they too want to leave, Peter speaks up and says, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”
The past several weeks, the Catholic Church has been shamed by the revelation that some clergy, including priests and bishops, have been guilty of abuse of seminarians and adolescents. Furthermore, there were often attempts to cover up the abuse. While the Church in America has made significant strides in the past 20 years to eliminate abuse, those who were victimized in the past still suffer the after effects. We need to pray for them and their healing.
In the wake of these scandals, one might be tempted to leave the faith. To paraphrase the opening of the gospel in regard to our belief that the Church is the Body of Christ, one might ask: “This saying is hard, who can accept it?” But then we are reminded that Jesus likened the Church to a dragnet cast into the sea to bring in bad fish as well as good (Matt 13:47-50), and a field that had tares mixed up with wheat (Matt 13:24). In a different vein, he said to the apostles in Luke’s gospel, “He who hears you hears me and he who rejects you rejects me.” And in Matthew’s gospel, he ends with these promising words, “And know that I am with you until the end of the world.” (Matt 28:20)
Besides… “to whom shall we go? You (Jesus) have the words of eternal life.”
Again, let us pray for the victims and the development of a process in the Church and wider society to ensure the safety of our young people.
Fr. Carl
Friday, August 17, 2018
We Are Not Alone
Dear Parishioners,
We recently had a Clergy Appreciation breakfast where I received a stone cross that bore the scripture, “Do not be afraid or discouraged for the Lord your God is with you always...” (Joshua 1:9). Those are beautiful words of reassurance inspired by God. I find myself needing them from time to time. It is easy to become discouraged, to lose confidence, to grow timid in the face of difficulty and stress. There are many sources of conflict and pressure that add to anxiety and stress. Sometimes life just throws stuff at you that you cannot control, and you must find a way to deal with situations not of your choosing, out of your comfort zone, or something for which you are not prepared. Why should we think that this great world we find ourselves in should meet our expectations or go the way we planned?
Life has a way of testing us with surprises and bends in the road that are unexpected. But then we are reminded by God not to get discouraged, to keep the faith, and to believe that all will be well. If God is at our side, then we should not be afraid or discouraged. Even though our feelings don’t often listen to our brain! Let this truth sink in. God is with us always, even to the end of time. Let us be reassured that darkness will be followed by light. The candle of God’s love extends even to the coldest night. We are not alone. God’s spirit is upon us even when we feel alone and afraid. That is the best time for a simple prayer asking for comfort and reassurance. “God be with me in my time of trial and struggle. Do not leave me alone.” Take a breath and breathe in His presence.
Blessings,
Deacon Steve
We recently had a Clergy Appreciation breakfast where I received a stone cross that bore the scripture, “Do not be afraid or discouraged for the Lord your God is with you always...” (Joshua 1:9). Those are beautiful words of reassurance inspired by God. I find myself needing them from time to time. It is easy to become discouraged, to lose confidence, to grow timid in the face of difficulty and stress. There are many sources of conflict and pressure that add to anxiety and stress. Sometimes life just throws stuff at you that you cannot control, and you must find a way to deal with situations not of your choosing, out of your comfort zone, or something for which you are not prepared. Why should we think that this great world we find ourselves in should meet our expectations or go the way we planned?
Life has a way of testing us with surprises and bends in the road that are unexpected. But then we are reminded by God not to get discouraged, to keep the faith, and to believe that all will be well. If God is at our side, then we should not be afraid or discouraged. Even though our feelings don’t often listen to our brain! Let this truth sink in. God is with us always, even to the end of time. Let us be reassured that darkness will be followed by light. The candle of God’s love extends even to the coldest night. We are not alone. God’s spirit is upon us even when we feel alone and afraid. That is the best time for a simple prayer asking for comfort and reassurance. “God be with me in my time of trial and struggle. Do not leave me alone.” Take a breath and breathe in His presence.
Blessings,
Deacon Steve
Friday, August 10, 2018
Food For The Journey
Dear Parishioners,
First, my email has been hacked again. If I ask you for money, gift cards, or favors, please delete the email, it is not me!
If you feel stressed out, you might want to talk to the prophet Elijah. He has just won a contest with the false prophets of the pagan God, Baal. Elijah then punished them by having them killed. However, King Ahab and Queen Jezebel were unhappy and wanted Elijah killed as well. So today’s first reading (1 Kgs 19:4-8) shows Elijah on the move to get away to God on Mount Sinai.
He is completely worn out, hungry, and thirsty. He is ready to die until the angel of God gave him food and drink which allowed him to walk 40 days and 40 nights to God’s mountain. In a real sense, our life is a journey to God’s mountain. We need not just food and drink; we need the bread of life, Jesus, if we are going to make it. Each week at Mass, Jesus offers us the nourishment we need, the Word of God in the scriptures and his body and blood in the Eucharist. What a great blessing! If we continue to take advantage of these gifts, we can be confident of our safe arrival no matter what difficulties we meet along the way.
Fr Carl
First, my email has been hacked again. If I ask you for money, gift cards, or favors, please delete the email, it is not me!
If you feel stressed out, you might want to talk to the prophet Elijah. He has just won a contest with the false prophets of the pagan God, Baal. Elijah then punished them by having them killed. However, King Ahab and Queen Jezebel were unhappy and wanted Elijah killed as well. So today’s first reading (1 Kgs 19:4-8) shows Elijah on the move to get away to God on Mount Sinai.
He is completely worn out, hungry, and thirsty. He is ready to die until the angel of God gave him food and drink which allowed him to walk 40 days and 40 nights to God’s mountain. In a real sense, our life is a journey to God’s mountain. We need not just food and drink; we need the bread of life, Jesus, if we are going to make it. Each week at Mass, Jesus offers us the nourishment we need, the Word of God in the scriptures and his body and blood in the Eucharist. What a great blessing! If we continue to take advantage of these gifts, we can be confident of our safe arrival no matter what difficulties we meet along the way.
Fr Carl
Friday, August 3, 2018
Reaching Our Full Potential
Dear Parishioners,
I heard a story from a colleague at the NCEON Food Pantry recently. It was about a mom and two little boys. The mom bought glow sticks for the older boy. The little one made a big fuss in the store so the mom opened up the package and gave him one. A little while later the older boy took it from the younger boy, and he started fussing again. Before the mom could say anything, the older boy bent the glow stick and handed it back to his brother. The stick was now glowing to the delight of the younger boy. The older boy told his mom that he had to break the stick so that it would glow, that was what it was supposed to do. The story goes on to say that this is also a part of our relationship with God. God gives us challenges that “break us” so that we may fulfill the reason we were created, to fulfill our purpose. The baby thought the glow stick was fine unbroken and not glowing, just as some people are content with “being” and getting by. But God uses our brokenness, uses our sickness, the divorce, the death of our spouse, parent, best friend or child, or the trauma of the accident or job loss, even though these are especially difficult and painful, to further reach our full potential in God. In our brokenness, in our sensitivity to suffering, our own and that of others, we can better see our purpose or be more useful in God’s design and plan. Remember Christ took on our sin, was broken and died on the cross, only to assure us of salvation.
Blessings,
Deacon Steve
I heard a story from a colleague at the NCEON Food Pantry recently. It was about a mom and two little boys. The mom bought glow sticks for the older boy. The little one made a big fuss in the store so the mom opened up the package and gave him one. A little while later the older boy took it from the younger boy, and he started fussing again. Before the mom could say anything, the older boy bent the glow stick and handed it back to his brother. The stick was now glowing to the delight of the younger boy. The older boy told his mom that he had to break the stick so that it would glow, that was what it was supposed to do. The story goes on to say that this is also a part of our relationship with God. God gives us challenges that “break us” so that we may fulfill the reason we were created, to fulfill our purpose. The baby thought the glow stick was fine unbroken and not glowing, just as some people are content with “being” and getting by. But God uses our brokenness, uses our sickness, the divorce, the death of our spouse, parent, best friend or child, or the trauma of the accident or job loss, even though these are especially difficult and painful, to further reach our full potential in God. In our brokenness, in our sensitivity to suffering, our own and that of others, we can better see our purpose or be more useful in God’s design and plan. Remember Christ took on our sin, was broken and died on the cross, only to assure us of salvation.
Blessings,
Deacon Steve
Friday, July 27, 2018
Sharing Our Gifts
Dear Parishioners,
Last week we saw Jesus as the good shepherd (Mk 6:30-34). Even though he was tired and ready for rest, when he saw the needs of the people, he forgot his needs and ministered to them. He gave generously of his time and talent to serve them.
This week we see the generosity of God working through Elisha and Jesus (2 Kgs 4:42-44 and Jn 6:1-15). We have come to take that kind of generosity for granted sometimes. That’s why we need the Eucharist. This Greek word means “thanksgiving,” and it’s why we come to Mass each weekend—to give thanks to God. But we also come to learn what God expects from us. His generosity is the big clue. He expects us to be generous stewards of the time, talent, and treasure he has given us. From time to time, we need to ask ourselves how we can better share these gifts.
I have come to realize that the happiest people I know are not those who have the most but those who give and share the most.
Fr. Carl
Last week we saw Jesus as the good shepherd (Mk 6:30-34). Even though he was tired and ready for rest, when he saw the needs of the people, he forgot his needs and ministered to them. He gave generously of his time and talent to serve them.
This week we see the generosity of God working through Elisha and Jesus (2 Kgs 4:42-44 and Jn 6:1-15). We have come to take that kind of generosity for granted sometimes. That’s why we need the Eucharist. This Greek word means “thanksgiving,” and it’s why we come to Mass each weekend—to give thanks to God. But we also come to learn what God expects from us. His generosity is the big clue. He expects us to be generous stewards of the time, talent, and treasure he has given us. From time to time, we need to ask ourselves how we can better share these gifts.
I have come to realize that the happiest people I know are not those who have the most but those who give and share the most.
Fr. Carl
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