30th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dear Parishioners,
Last Sunday we had a wonderful celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the laying of the cornerstone of Sacred Heart Parish. There was much happiness that was shared. I congratulate all who worked so hard on this great historical event. It was an example of what can happen when we come together as a parish inspired by our love of the Lord and work together as a church community.
One of the things that I love about being a Catholic is that we know how to celebrate. When I was in seminary there was a saying that the Benedictine monks taught the seminarians was from Hilaire Belloc. It went like this:
“Wherever the Catholic Sun doth shine,
There’s always laughter and good red wine.
At least I have always found it so.
Benedicamus Domino!”
The monks who taught me Theology lived a disciplined austere life. Many times, it seemed like they were kind of melancholy. Many of them had personal problems like we all do. They were human and did not feel that their human weaknesses made them any less Christian. They reflected on faith, life, death and eternal life each day. But they had an authenticity about them, a peace amid the storms that came their way.
Our country and the church are going through difficult times, as we all know. The list of reasons to be pessimistic is long. But there is one thing that buoys our spirits. And that is the truth that we come together to celebrate at Eucharist (Eucharist means Thanksgiving). The one thing we come together to remember each Sunday is the truth of the Resurrection. We do not deny the crosses of our lives, we acknowledge them. Too many people who are Christian walk around with plastic smiles on their faces denying the pain of life because they think that it will build up others. People see through such charades.
As Christians we believe in the Resurrection, even in the most trying times. For that reason, we have a joy that the world does not have and can’t quite understand. When faith is deep, thoughtful people see and believe.
Our parish had a great celebration. We now move forward into an unknown future. We are a pilgrim people, but last Sunday was a moment on the journey when we were renewed and refreshed. As the last line of the poem says in Latin, “Let us Praise the Lord!”
Blessings,
Fr. Mark