Pastor's Letter 20230903 - 03 September 2023 - Love Implies Sacrifice

[Father Michael]

September 3^rd, 2023

22^nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

“Get Behind Me, Satan!"

A Message from Father ^†Michael

Today’s Theme:  “Love Implies Sacrifice”

Reflections on Today’s Scripture

(Jeremiah 20:7-9)  Jeremiah remained silent, even though speaking God’s message to the people brought him nothing but insults.  

Taken from Jeremiah’s “confessions,” this Reading lets us understand how overwhelmed he was and how human he felt by the burdens of the duties of a prophet.  It is never easy to remain faithful in the face of public rejection.

~~~

(Romans 12:1-2)  ^†Paul urges faithful Romans not to live like people they see around them.  

^†Paul teaches that Christian striving is less an effort to become fully ourselves at some future date, than to express the Spirit-endowed being that we have already become.  

~~~

(Matthew 16:21-27)  Jesus tells His disciples they must be prepared to suffer, as He foretells of His imminent suffering and death.

^†Peter’s refusal to accept Christ’s earthly path toward death and resurrection is apparent in our Reading, today.  He doesn’t see himself favorably disposed to follow such a Messiah.  Jeremiah was not alone in feeling the oppression and constraint of God’s call—every disciple of Christ must, in their own way, come to terms with it.

The Cost of Discipleship

Faith should be a positive force in our lives, especially in times of weakness.  Not only a crutch in times of sadness and strife, faith should be like a “pair of wings,” when we experience joy and strength.  

The trouble is, religion has become so “respectable,” that its acceptance involves neither risk or strain.  Our faith should challenge and stretch us to our limits…and beyond…so we gain new standards by which to judge ourselves.

There is a religion of devotion, and also a religion of commitment.  Devotion implies comfort, and is often centered on “self,” rather than on others.  Commitment, however, suggests challenge, risk and unselfishness.

This is what Jesus asks of us, like He did of His disciples—commitment to renounce “self,” “take up our cross,” and follow Him.  Today, the word “cross,” has been softened, so that the saying of Jesus has lost its force.  The cross doesn’t mean our arthritis, indigestion or difficult relationships—at least, not in the first place.  Such conditions come to us in spite of ourselves.  The “cross” of the New Testament means suffering that comes into our lives because of the choices we have made for the Kingdom.  In that sense, it is always something we choose.

Being a disciple is serious business, but it doesn’t mean it is something that Christians should seek.  Jesus did not seek suffering…His agony in the garden of Gethsemane makes that clear.  But suffering will inevitably be part of Christian life as it was a part of His.  

Following Christ can be done in small steps.  God is patient…His challenge is invitation.  In practice, following Christ means faithfulness to one’s way of life, concern for others in whatever manner—the caring gesture; the kind word.  Over time, these accumulate to significance.  Our Blessed Lord does not overlook the painful decision, the unspoken sorrow, the secret suffering.  There can be so much heroism in ordinary life.  There are more saints living among us than those whose holy lives we revere in our prayers.

May we serve the Lord as He deserves:  to give and not count the cost; to fight and not heed the wounds; to toil and not seek for rest; to labor and not ask for any reward, except that of knowing that our lives are aligned with His teaching and example.  

Gaining and Losing

There is a way of losing by gaining:

You can win an argument but lose a friend.

Though competition and promotion

We may advance in our profession,

But in terms of relationships, we are impoverished.

Our energies are so focused on efficiency and success

That we haven’t time to grow emotionally

And to develop the capacity for meaningful affiliations.

In the consuming drive to attain power,

A person may sacrifice friendship and loyalty,

So much so, that they end up alone.

Lord, let us never forget Your haunting words:

“What good will it do you to gain the whole world

If you lose your soul?”

~~Anonymous~~

May God Richly Bless You!

 

Desert Psalm.docx

To view a recording of today's Holy Mass, click here:

https://youtu.be/3mHK6U4wrlc

Edited September 3, 2023 by Father Michael