September 22nd, 2024 – Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
“Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships.”
(Michael Jordan)
Dear Friends,
Jesus must have had his patience tried in this Sunday’s Gospel as he finally reveals the course of events that will lead to his suffering, but also the glory of the Resurrection. As he talks about this great unfolding of the mystery of salvation, his disciples are arguing about who amongst them is the greatest. Man, talk about missing the point. I was taken back to coaches who said things like “There is no “I” in team,” and “All for one, one for all”, and I wish the disciples, our ancestors in the faith, would have said – “We are with you, Jesus! Bring it on, and we will face it together!”
In a time of history in which cooperation and collaboration seem dirty words, and respectful dialogue and civil disagreement even worse, perhaps we are being challenged to start with small victories. Jesus faced the inadequacies of his first followers not with anger or disappointment, but as one more chance to teach his followers to become more child-like, not childish, more innocent and open, more part of a team and not operating with selfishness. Perhaps we can start with small acts of kindness even with those most different from us, and even most disagreeable to us. Perhaps the simpler and smaller, the more powerful in effecting real change for the better: not our plans, but God’s plan of renewal for all! God’s call of unity!
We are with you, Jesus! Bring it on and we will face it together!
Sincerely, with love,
Fr. Tim
September 15th, 2024 – Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Happy Sunday!
Somehow, we made it to the middle of September. I have no idea where summer went, and the school year is well on its way. For the rest of Ordinary Time, we continue to read the Gospel of Mark.
Today’s second reading is a thought provoking passage from the Letter of James. Among Christian denominations, there is great misunderstanding and debate about this passage. Does our faith or do our works save us? It has been long debated, and people have misunderstood this passage. Let me try to provide an answer to the debate on faith vs. works.
Some will say that today’s passage proves that our work is what saves us. That is not what the passage is saying because we must understand it with the letters of Paul who says several times that our faith in Jesus Christ is what saves us and not our works. In the passage for today, James agrees with Paul while explaining it a little more. James agrees that faith saves you, as shown in the end passage, saying that he will show his faith. James adds that if you have true, genuine faith in Jesus Christ, your faith compels you to do good works for the glory of God.
The works do not save us, but if we truly have faith that Jesus Christ is our savior and our redemption, we will desire to do work to build up the kingdom of God. True faith does not lead to selfishness, but to a genuine gift of self to others as Christ gives his life to God for us.
I hope this helps in the debate of faith vs works. Have a great week!
God Bless,
Fr. Joseph
September 8th, 2024 – Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
“My brothers and sisters, show no partiality as you adhere to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ.”
Jas 2:1
Dear friends,
his weekend, the letter of Saint James invites us to live out the Christian life in a very intentional way.
In society today, it is easy to treat people differently according to their status or the favors they can provide. Some make “social calculations” and decide in their hearts what people are worth being kind towards or patient with, and what people are not. Friendship becomes a form of currency and those who do not represent a “benefit” are treated poorly, and little effort is made to show them care and respect.
The invitation for the Christian people this weekend is clear, namely, to “show no partiality” in the way we treat others. We are all created in the image and likeness of God (Gen 1:27), and everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, as beloved children of God. As Saint Paul says in his letter to the Romans, “love one another with mutual affection; anticipate one another in showing honor” (12:10.)
May the Holy Spirit help us live out the Christian life as Christ has taught us!
With love,
Fr. Carlos
September 1st, 2024 – Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
This Sunday, we begin a five-week reading of the Letter of James. This book of the New Testament is actually less of a “letter” than it is a book of exhortations. It is similar in structure to the wisdom books of the Hebrew Scriptures. James insists that belief and ethical living go hand in hand and that one cannot be part of a Christian’s life without the other.
In today’s reading, James writes that we should humbly welcome the word that has been planted in [us] and is able to save your souls. He then says, “Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves.”
In James’ view, a life based on following Jesus Christ is more than simply knowing the Scriptures (and, I think we could also say, the teachings of the Church). It is easy to memorize Scripture verses and passages, and we can all recite Church teachings we learned as children. While that is a good thing, James insists that we must put these into practice in our daily lives. This is not to somehow earn our way into heaven, as some believe. It is a response to receiving the word that God has planted in our hearts. God’s word is alive, and it is the Holy Spirit who plants it into our hearts. The Holy Spirit teaches and empowers us to live out God’s word.
Over the next five Sundays, I invite you to listen carefully to the second reading at Mass. Better yet, take your Bible off the bookshelf and read the entire Letter of James yourself. If you find one or two passages that lead you to reflect on how you live your life as a follower of Christ, you will begin to open yourself to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, and learn to follow Christ just a little more closely.
