Hopefully you had a beautiful week.
I’d like to start my reflection with a story from “the golf world.” Everybody knows Arnold Palmer. He played his last Master’s Tournament in 2002. Palmer, who won the Master’s in 1958, 1960, 1962, and 1964, had seen his game slip away with age and his stardom fade with the rise of Tiger Woods and Phil Nicholson. A reporter asked Palmer, “Why did you do it? Why did you quit?” To which Palmer replied, “I didn’t want to get the letter that former champions Ford, Brewer, and Casper have already received asking them to step down.” Rejection hurts. It causes pain.
The story of Jesus’ rejection by his townsfolk from today’s Gospel passage is also a story about how we often ignore and reject God. Do we realize that we expel Jesus from our lives every time we choose to sin? How often have we taken him to the brink of our hearts and given him that eternity–losing push? The Good News is that this Messiah always gives us one more chance. It is up to us to take it. Are we unwilling to be helped by God or by others? Does our pride or lack of trust stop us from seeing or recognizing God’s purpose?
Does our lack of trust or pride prevent us from recognizing God’s direction, help, and support in our lives through His words in the Bible and through the advice and examples of others? God calls us in many ways. Are we willing to listen to this call and discover our role in carrying out God’s purpose? Do not be afraid to be rejected by others; often, it’s the price that we must pay for following Jesus. But never reject Him, never reject His Holy Will, His Love, and never reject anyone! And always remember that God will never reject you because you are His beloved Child!
“Miraculous catch”
We have been thrilled with the number of people who decided to participate in A Biblical Walk through the Mass, for Adults Faith Formation classes. In person or virtually, we have 50 people who have been already trying to learn and understand more about The Holy Eucharist that we celebrate every day in our Catholic Church. St. John Paul II in his Encyclic, Ecclesia the Eucharistia, wrote that: “the Church draws life from the Eucharist.” We are the Church, we must draw our life from the Eucharist. Let’s pray that God will help us better understand, and most importantly, to love The Eucharist —which is Jesus himself.
Thanks Karen, and good luck Kellie!
I’d like to express my gratitude to Karen Gossman, our parish secretary. Not many of you know that Karen, for many years, has been in charge of designing our parish bulletin. For her hard work, dedication, and always cooperative spirit I would like to say Thank You.
Starting February 1st, the torch of her responsibilities will be taken by Kellie Chamberland, the secretary from our Faith Formation Office. Many blessings to You.
Come and worship with us…
This week you are all invited to come and celebrate with us the feast of the Presentation of the Lord on Wednesday at 9 am, and First Friday and First Saturday mass, as we honor God through the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary.
May God bless all of you and your families.
Fr. Tom