These Most Difficult Times

Dear Parishioners,

As I write this, there appears to be a surge in Covid 19 cases in a number of states. What does our faith tell us about where God is in all this? I believe that God causes the rain to fall upon the good and the bad, but I think he is saddened by the suffering that is happening. He hears the cries of those who are in pain. He gave us marvelous bodies that have great ability to protect us against various illnesses and diseases. He gave us reasoning with which to reason out problems and create solutions in the form of medicines, procedures, actions, and great knowledge. God gives us each other to support and love each other but also to use our gifts to aid others, to comfort others, and bring hope and care. God gave us his Son as a shining sign and presence that we are not alone, but that He is with us. 

I believe that God is in the hearts of the medical personnel who are working long hours. I have a friend whose daughter is an intensive care nurse in Kentucky. My friend prays that God is with her as she begins another shift, applying her skills to care for her patients. I pray that God protect my brother in Tennessee who works at Home Depot. I ask God to take away his anxiety about bringing home the virus to his wife who has medical complications. I pray for my Mom who is in a nursing home in Pennsylvania. At one point she had a roommate who had Covid, but she herself did not. I pray for the Michigan facility where my mother in law resides. She is weak and declining, and an added illness would probably overwhelm her fragile body. I ask God to strengthen those who work at jobs that keep the shelves filled and the doors open. I pray that God give courage to the many millions who are unemployed and not sure about next week’s food or mortgage payment. I thank God that my sons have jobs that allow them to do their work online with minimal visits to the office and so support their families. I pray daily that my granddaughter who is immune compromised, will stay safe as she goes in person to her special school. I pray for God’s consolation for my friend whose older co-worker passed quickly away from the virus a few months ago.

We call on God in our prayers, in our actions, in our love for each other. Let us fall on our knees for his mercy, consolation, and protection in these most difficult times.

Blessings,
Deacon Steve

Loving Your Neighbor

Dear Parishioners,

As the days become fewer and fewer leading up to the coming election, so many of us look forward to the end of the most contentious one of our times. Voices on the right and the left have been so mean and vicious that it has been difficult to say, “I’m proud to be an American.” Hopefully, the election will settle angry attitudes, so that once again different factions will be able to disagree more agreeably. 

Last week we saw opposing factions join together to trap Jesus and get rid of him (MT 22:15-21). But Jesus was brilliant and disarmed them with the words, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s but give to God what is God’s.” This week, some other enemies of our Lord’s, the Pharisees, try again to trap Jesus (MT 22:34-40). In asking Jesus which of the commandments is the greatest, they hope Jesus will make a mistake. After all, there were 613 commandments in the Jewish law. How could one be more important than the others? But, of course, there is one, and Jesus tells what it is: “Love God.” And even though they haven’t asked him, Jesus tells them the second greatest commandment: “You shall love your neighbors as yourself.”

Let us pray that all political factions may be able to adhere to the second commandment up to and following the election. But they better start with the first one. For if you can’t love the loveable (God), how can you learn to love the unlovable (your neighbor)?

Fr. Carl

Giving To Caesar

Dear Parishioners,

We hear today in our Gospel reading Christ say, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” (Mt 22:15-21) We are in a political season of great import but also, great tumult and intensity. Political debate is not so much debate as it is an argument. There is, at times, little dignity given to one’s opponent and insult added for good measure. For me, I am sickened by this level of acrimony. And here comes Jesus asking us to differentiate where God is in all this. It is a good question.

Where are we as far as the guidance our faith can offer? What does my Christianity, my Catholicism, call for in this situation? I refuse to fall for the call to hatred of the other that seems to be present. I refuse to see others as enemies or somehow less than full human beings. I want to keep hold of my peace that comes from Christ, my confidence in his Resurrection and Salvation. I must remind myself of his call to love one another, and—amid all the noise—to love God with my mind, heart and strength.

All of this will pass as will the virus. There may be rancor over these divisions that last for a while. The virus may leave its imprint on us for a while. But my faith is my anchor. It is the thing which I must protect and hold onto, no matter the circumstance, no matter the issue, no matter the current state of affairs. My faith is the light that will brighten my way when all this darkness engulfs me. Yes, I will vote, and I will participate in this fragile democracy. I will do my social duty. But I will also not forget the teachings of my Lord, the teachings of my Church, the wisdom of scripture. I will hold onto the stability and dignity of my faith that will, no doubt, still carry me long after November!

Blessings,
Deacon Steve

Helping Out Where We Are Able

Dear Parishioners,

 As you know during these unprecedent times in our world, the Coronavirus has changed the way “normal” society and communities operate. We have seen the unfortunate outcome of businesses closing, people losing their jobs, and of course the adjustments with our day to day family activities. One thing that we are reminded of during these times is that we need to rely on one another and help out where we are able.

During the recent weeks, we received a request to help out an independent Catholic School who, because of COVID and regulations, were unable to use their expected space. After weeks of searching from Bowie, Baltimore, and Annapolis, Divine Mercy Academy still needed to find a location. After they wrote a letter to the Archbishop’s office, they were granted permission to hold classes here at the Parish Center at St. Jane Frances. Beginning on Monday, October 5, Divine Mercy Academy will occupy our Parish Center for their K–8 school of about 35 Children Monday through Friday.

Divine Mercy Academy will use our Parish during the day and will not have an effect on our current Preschool program in the school. Both schools will remain two different entities.

As always, we are happy to help out a sister Catholic organization as best we can, when it is needed. If you have any questions please call the Parish Office.

May God continue to bless you and your families and keep you safe.

Fr. Carl

What An Idea!

Dear Parishioners,

It is easy to get down about all that is happening. Social media reflects the great polarity of views that Americans hold concerning politics, government, social relations, sports, and even medicine. For me, I am tired of the restrictions in my life. I would like it to be like it was before. I liked my life before, but now it is difficult, and my mood is not happy and joy-filled. What has helped me is that I can pray to a God who is bigger than all of this. 

Humanity has always struggled with tension, division, war, and conflict. We are a selfish and self-centered lot, seeking control and possession. That is why the message of Christ is so revolutionary. We are to love each other. What an idea! We are to treat each other with respect. We are brothers and sisters. We are to seek the good for others. We are to work with others. God offers us a glimpse of a world that is so different than the world I see. And yet, there are examples of fidelity, honesty, care, solidarity, reverence, and healing everyday. There are many instances of kindness that people show each other. 

God is present in our brokenness. He does continue to offer us his mercy and love. There is a healing balm for our wounds that resides in the powerful presence of Christ, in his words, in his sacrifice, in his wisdom, and in his invitation. That invitation is for us to let go of our pride and anger, and to believe in the greater love that God offers. He has placed the Holy Spirit within us so that we may imitate Christ in thought and action. Let us allow that Spirit to guide us, to build up rather than tear down, to join rather than separate, to seek similarity rather than difference. We may try to fix things, but only through the perfection of God can things be truly solved.

Blessings,
Deacon Steve

The Road To Hell

Dear Parishioners,

When I was a young boy and failed to do some chore or put off an unpleasant job, my father would call me in for a little talk. My usual excuse was that I intended to do the task but just hadn’t gotten around to it. My father would often respond by saying, “The road to Hell is paved with good intentions.”

In today’s gospel (MT 21:28-32), the older son intended to carry out his father’s request. He had the right intention, spoke courteously to his father, but never got around to fulfilling his father’s request. Meanwhile, the second son’s intention was just the opposite of his brother’s. But he changed his mind and did as his father asked. 

Why did he change his mind? Was it out of guilt or love or fear of punishment? Maybe it was a little bit of all those reactions. The important thing is that he did it because his father asked him. God our Father asks us to work for him in the fields of life. It would be best if we did it out of love and gratitude, but maybe we have to start with less noble motives. The important thing is that we do it and serve him simply because he asks us. After all, our loving Father only wants what is best for us. As the title of the 1950s sitcom suggested “Father Knows Best.”

Fr. Carl

Generosity and Thankfulness

Dear Parishioners,

Our Gospel today points to an important quality of God, his generosity (Mt 20:1-16A). This is a mysterious quality of God. God has given us so much, from the world to our very lives, while there is little we can do to make the awesomeness of His gifts. It points to the idea that God can give of himself yet never be diminished by giving. He has created the universe, has created humanity, and has given us the Holy Spirit, and continues to be present in our everyday lives. God’s generosity does not enrich God but leaves us with a beautiful world filled with wonderment and awe.

During the pandemic, I have watched numerous travel shows going around the world. There is such beauty around the world. The mountains, the rivers, the forests and plains, the magnificent ocean views. We are blessed ourselves with the Bay and its surroundings. If you let it, you can be filled with a great sense of awe and humility. The night sky, for instance, just can take your breath at times. 

What can we return to God for this gift of beauty and awe? Nothing really. But we can honor and glorify God in all his gifts. We can read the Scriptures and allow them to be a guide to our lives. We can attend to the life of Christ and live according to His example. We can participate actively and fully in the life of the church here at St. Jane Frances. We can appreciate all we have been given and all the lives placed in our paths through this life. We can thank the Lord for His work in our lives and strive to listen to His voice calling us to goodness and truth. Let us be thankful for the generosity of God, and respect and appreciate his creation.

Blessings,
Deacon Steve