Moving The Heart Of God

Brothers and Sisters,

The woman in this week’s gospel is a pagan from the region of Canaan, a place full of sinful and idolatrous people (Mt 15:21-28). She was seeking a healing miracle not for herself, but for the sake of her beloved daughter.

Jesus does not mind her when she initially calls out to him using the title “Son of David.” From her seeking, we can imagine that she believed in Christ. Upon the insistence of the apostles, Jesus tells her: “It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.” But she does not give up.

Even if pagans like her do not believe in the teachings of Jesus, she persists: “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.” As you know, dogs and swine were common expressions among Jews for Gentiles or pagans. It is hard to imagine how she had come to believe in Jesus. Perhaps her initial faith was quite small, but contact with Jesus increased her faith. Her persistence paid off. The woman had what Christ’s heart yearns for which is love, faith, and humility. She knew that he could heal her daughter. She also knew that he would not do it because she deserved it, but simply because Jesus cared. She was not angry with God for sending this trial. She did not come to Jesus angry or demanding. She accepted her trial and recognized that a miracle would be a gift. This enabled her to take the rejection and come right back with another petition to the Lord.

Are we persistent in our prayers to God just like this woman? Our persistent prayer may not necessarily change God, but it will change us. It increases our faith, because we are putting our faith in action. All things are possible if we let God take control and let His will, His plan, materialize in our lives. Love, faith, and humility: these are the ingredients for prayer that moves the heart of God, even a simple prayer such as, “Lord, help me.”

God Bless,
Deacon Howard

Peter’s Bold Move

Peter’s bold move. If there’s one thing to admire in Peter in today’s gospel (Matt 14:22-33), it’s his boldness. In the midst of a terrifying storm at sea, Peter sees Jesus walking on the water and yells out: “Lord, if it is you, command me...” Stop and think what’s happening. Peter here is requesting that Jesus command him to walk on the water, with the implication being that only if it is Jesus’ will. In other words, “It’s up to you Jesus, do with me what you will.” Peter knows that only Jesus has the power to enable him to walk on the water. This is courageous faith.

The sin of presumption. Peter’s bold request is different than committing the sin of presumption: “presum(ing) upon God’s almighty power or his mercy” such as attempting to obtain God’s forgiveness without conversion (Catechism paragraph #2092). One can also presume upon God’s power to achieve something for selfish gain, such as some popular televangelists in the “Word of Faith” movement do who erroneously teach that Christians can get power and financial prosperity through prayer, and that those who believe in Jesus have the right to physical health …“All you have to do is ‘believe’.” Such presumption (expecting with confidence) that God will do something because you ask Him for it “in faith, in Jesus’ name” implies in the Word of Faith movement that if God doesn’t grant it, you must have too little faith. Whereas Peter asks in faith to walk on water if it is Jesus’ will, presumption asks for something believing absolutely that it is God’s will.

Peter is not bold enough! Back to the gospel. After asking Jesus in faith to walk on water, Peter waits… and Jesus responds “Come!” As long as Peter keeps his eyes of faith on Jesus, he walks on water, but when he depends only on his own ability, he sinks. Jesus says, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" not to condemn Peter but to correct and encourage him to have even greater and more courageous and enduring faith. It’s as if Jesus were saying, “You’re asking for too little! …Ask for more! …Do not doubt that I will give to you far more than what you can do on your own!”

Our take-away. Jesus DOES want us to ask in faith and confidence to receive what He wants to give (“Ask and you will receive…”), however the context of His promise is that we are to ask for that which will help us to get to heaven (Luke 11:13), not to stay on earth. Jesus didn’t abandon Peter in the storm, and neither does He abandon us in the storms of our life. He is always near with hand outstretched, ready to save us when we call out to him, to lift us up from any doubt of faith. And He always wants us to ask for more!

Peace in Christ,
Father Jim

Being Transformed In The Presence Of Jesus Christ

The Transfiguration (Carl Bloch, c. 1865)

Dear Parishioners,

Since today’s gospel reading takes us with the 3 apostles to the top of a mountain where Jesus’ face is transfigured like the sun (Mt 17:1-9), we might ask: How can I relate to the Transfiguration of Christ?

First, by realizing that the other people present were like us: Moses and Peter did not initially want to answer God’s call, Elijah fell into despair, Peter was double minded and he denied Christ, and James and John sought their own glory. They were human just like us, with strengths and weaknesses. Also, each of them did not choose God, but God chose them first, just like He calls each of us, regardless of what we’ve done or not done.

The Apostles’ Mountaintop Experience. We also discover how we are like the men present at the Transfiguration by looking at Matthew’s context of the Transfiguration. Just prior to the Transfiguration, Matthew records that Peter’s profession in Jesus’ identity as the Messiah, the Son of God, was revealed to him by the Father; we, too, have received this truth of the Catholic faith handed down to us. During the Transfiguration itself, we can relate to the apostles’ experience of the presence of the Transfigured Christ on the mountain when we receive the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist—a real Communion with the living God in our midst. After the strengthening experience of the Transfiguration, the apostles suffered (living through Christ’s suffering on the cross, and Peter and James suffering martyrdom). Similarly, Jesus in the Eucharist strengthens us in our current and future suffering.

Our Mountaintop Experience. As I mentioned last week, during this Year of Eucharistic Revival, starting in October, all of us in the pastorate are invited to spend a Holy Hour (or part of it) with Jesus during Eucharistic Adoration on the 1st Friday of the month at 7:00 pm in St. Jane’s church. Throughout the year, Eucharistic Adoration occurs at Our Lady of the Chesapeake in the church on the first Friday of the month from 9 to 10 am, and at St. Jane’s in the church 9 am to 2 pm. St. Jane’s also has weekly Eucharistic Adoration every Monday 9 to 3 pm in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. These are precious opportunities to be transformed in Jesus’ Presence similar to the way Peter, James, and John were transformed on the mountaintop. Come and spend time with Jesus “face to face!”

Peace in Christ,
Father Jim

What Is The Kingdom Of God Like?

Dear Parishioners,

What is the Kingdom of God like? Jesus taught a lot about the kingdom of heaven or kingdom of God (kingdom is used 126 times in the gospels). While it may seem that the kingdom is complex—Is it now or in the future? Is it here on earth or in heaven? Does it have to be sought, or is it given automatically—Jesus also seems to make it simple: “The kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:21).

In Matthew’s gospel readings from last weekend and today, Jesus’ six descriptions of what the kingdom of heaven is like have some common characteristics: it’s something discovered (like a buried treasure or a pearl of great price) and it seems to magically grow (like a mustard seed or activated yeast).

Ask. In what ways can we discover the kingdom of heaven and make it grow within us? King Solomon provides a model for us in today’s 1st reading:

God said, “Ask something of me and I will give it to you.”
Solomon answered, “Give your servant, therefore, an understanding heart to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong.”
God replied, “I do as you requested.”

Solomon does not ask for “a long life for yourself, nor for riches, nor for the life of your enemies.” Rather, he asks God, in effect, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done… in my heart.”

While we receive the kingdom of heaven at our Baptism, we are called to preserve it in our hearts through prayer and frequently receiving the sacraments of the Eucharist and Reconciliation, so that God grows His kingdom in our hearts like a mustard seed and we continually discover it like finding a buried treasure. St. Paul describes this transforming effect in Romans 12:2: “Be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Ask. Wouldn’t it be great if God would say to you and me what He said to Solomon: “Ask something of me and I will give it to you?” He did! Jesus said, “Ask and it will be given you.” (Matthew 7:7). We just need to ask, like Solomon did, for what He wants to give us, which is the kingdom of God in our hearts.

Ask. Discover. Grow. With Jesus. Can you think of a better setting to dialogue with Jesus and discover and grow His Kingdom in your heart than being in His Real Presence? Starting in October, during this Year of Eucharistic Revival, all in our pastorate are invited to spend a Holy Hour (or part of it) with Jesus in Eucharistic Adoration on the 1st Friday of the month at 7:00 pm in St. Jane’s church. Jesus longs for us to spend time with Him in this special way, to fill us with His radiant love, so we can carry His Kingdom in our hearts through all our prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of each day.

Peace in Christ,
Father Jim

The Garden of Weedin’

Dear Friends of St. Jane Frances and Our Lady of the Chesapeake,

This weekend, we celebrate the 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time. This weekend’s Gospel is another parable from Jesus involving the sowing of seed (Mt 13:24-43). This parable speaks to us of how the Lord sows good seed, but the evil one sows weeds with the good seed. It is difficult to pull the weeds without damaging the good seed. Any of us who have planted gardens know how challenging this can be. Weeds seem to grow and thrive in the absolute worst conditions. If we try to remove them while the good seed is growing, we tend to damage the good plants. The parable tells us that at harvest time, the Lord will separate the good plants from the weeds. One of the messages for us is to continue to do the good works we have been instructed to do as Jesus’ disciples and not worry about what others are doing. It is the Lord who sees our good works, and He will be the one to ultimately separate the good from the bad. So remain faithful to the mission entrusted to you, produce good fruit, and trust that the Lord will take care of the rest.

We have completed our Pastorate Synodal Listening Sessions this past week. I would like to thank everyone who took the time to attend one of the four sessions we offered over the past two weeks. I would also like to thank our Parish Renewal Team members, Wayne Ripley and Becky Kamen, for helping our pastorate to begin the process of discerning our vision for our future. There is still much work to be done, but we are now beginning to walk the path toward our future. I will publish the findings of our listening sessions once they have been compiled. If you were not able to attend but would still like to contribute, please feel free to send me your vision for our future. What are your hopes for our pastorate in the next five years? What can we do to begin moving toward those hopes and dreams? What can the pastorate do to support you in reaching them?

Summer vacation season is in full swing. I hope and pray that everyone will have a chance to relax and enjoy the remaining days of summer. Fr. Jim and I will be going on vacations over the next month. In fact, between today and September 2nd, between our different vacation and retreat plans, we will only be together at the pastorate a total of 7 days! There are still many things happening behind the scenes, so stay informed by reading our bulletin and receiving our Flocknote announcements.

Finally, please welcome priests from Cross Catholic Outreach to both parishes in the coming days. Fr. Collins will be at St. Jane Frances this weekend, and another priest will be at OLC the weekend of July 29–30.

Thank you for keeping our Pastorate in your daily prayers!

God Bless,
Father Steve

God’s Extravagant Generosity

Brothers and Sisters,

The way we hear the parable story in this week’s Gospel tells us how receptive we really are to the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Mt 13:1-23). The parable is about the character of God, and how God reveals that character to those who recognize it. It shows how a parable can reflect back to us our ability to understand them. As you listen to the story, it will reveal and identify which kind of recipient you are by the way you hear it. The depth of our understanding depends on our willingness to be changed by what we hear. We can’t change the kind of soil we are—only God can do that.

The story is not about the type of soil we are since that would make the story be about us—about the soil. But the story is not about us; but the story is for us. This parable, like all scripture, is really about God and God’s extravagant generosity.

God is the Sower, scattering seed liberally, even wastefully, everywhere. It’s what God does. It’s what God keeps on doing. God keeps throwing seeds, regardless of where the seed might land. God is loving, generous, lavish, abundant, eager to share what is good. God will not withhold His Word from anyone. God will not deny anyone access to the Good News. How we understand the Word and absorb it into our lives will determine the extent to which it can change us, transforming us into fruitful plants that bear abundantly.

As we listen to the parables of Jesus over the next few weeks, what will they reveal about us? How will our ears hear them? How will we be changed by God’s Word which “… achieves the end for which it was sent?” As we find ourselves drawn into God’s story and as God invites us to become part of it, how willing are we to be transformed by that story, becoming someone we have not been before?

God Bless,
Deacon Howard

God Is Near

Dear Friends of St. Jane Frances and Our Lady of the Chesapeake,

This weekend we celebrate the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Our Gospel passage this weekend from Matthew’s Gospel is with words that are meant to express God’s closeness and comfort to us (Mt 11:25-30). The coming of Jesus among us has revealed to us the living God in the flesh. God has come to his people and walked among us in the incarnation of Jesus Christ. This great gift from God ought to give us an overwhelming reminder of the Lord’s care and concern for us. Wherever we are on our journey of faith or even how far we may have wandered away from the Lord, Jesus gently invites us to come to him, to rest in him, to learn from him, and to share our burdens with him. What more could we ask for from our God than his longing to join us and walk with us on this earthly journey. May you experience this warm embrace from Jesus during this coming week!

This Sunday, July 9th, we are welcoming Fr. Sampson Onwumere to the 10:45am Mass at Our Lady of the Chesapeake. Fr. Sampson was ordained to the priesthood on June 24th at the Cathedral and has been assigned to the Pastorate of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and St. Clare. He will be celebrating Mass with us as we celebrate his priesthood with him. There will be a reception following Mass. Welcome Fr. Sampson!

Our Pastorate Synodal Listening Sessions begin this week. All parishioners and friends of the parishes are invited to join us at one of the four scheduled sessions. The session schedule is as follows:

1. OLC (Gathering Place) Monday, 7/10 at 7pm
2. OLC (Gathering Place) Saturday, 7/15 at 9:30am
3. SJF (Parish Hall) Monday, 7/17 at 7pm
4. SJF (Parish Hall) Tuesday, 7/18 at 9:30am

We will be using this time to envision what we would like our Pastorate to become in the years ahead as we continue to implement Archbishop Lori’s vision for the Archdiocese as outline in A Light Brightly Visible 2.0. Please join us for whichever session works best with your schedule, even if it is not at your home parish. I will also have a summary of the proposed pastorate names that I have received so far. If you have a suggestion for a name for our Pastorate, please send it to me at Shook@olchesapeake.org.

I would like to thank everyone who joined us for our Pastorate Fourth of July Mass at St. Jane Frances. I am especially thankful to Kevin Garner and the music ministry at OLC for supplying our music for the celebration.

Thank you for keeping our Pastorate in your daily prayers!

God Bless,
Father Steve