Keys of the Kingdom Cont'd
the triumph of forgiving love
Announcements for September 5, 2020:
It looks like our outside Masses will go on as planned this weekend. As I've done in recent weeks, I'll send a text/email update on Sunday to confirm. If you haven't been receiving these texts/emails, let me know.
Our weekend Masses are: Saturday 5:15pm in the church; Sunday at 7:30am and 9:00am in the church; Sunday at 9:00am at Walmart; and Sunday at 11:00am outside.
Please be in touch with me if you need anything at all, or if you'd like to share any questions or concerns.
Dear Saints,
I can't recommend Dave Ramsey highly enough. In the few short years we've been running his course, our parishioners have paid down hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt, and have found financial freedom.
Our new Financial Peace University class begins Sunday, September 13. Check out this short video clip and join us to find financial peace!
In our Gospel passage this weekend, we hear Jesus take up the topic of reconciliation and prayer with his disciples.
Let me cut to the chase here: The Church exists to pray and forgive.
Just two weeks ago, following on from Saint Peter's swearing allegiance to Jesus as God's anointed king, we heard Jesus say, Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. This Sunday, having instructed his followers in how they are to live as a forgiving people, Jesus says, Amen, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
To put it very mildly, this repetition is not insignificant. The meaning we are meant to uncover is that the Church's founding on allegiance to Jesus and the commitment to bringing God's forgiving love to life are different aspects of one reality. Again, the Church exists to pray and forgive.
Prayer and forgiveness are the beating heart of the Church. Without our allegiance to Jesus as the Lord of our hearts, our lives, and the world and an absolute commitment to bringing his mercy to life for everyone we encounter (and reshaping the world according to his merciful rule), we can be almost nothing of what God intends us to be.
We can get to this by another route, just so you know I'm not pulling this out of thin air.
As Christians, each of us is called to be an alter Christus (other Christ). And what is the life of Christ other than prayer and merciful love? Not convinced? Jesus' first and last words at the time of his enthronement were, "Father, forgive them, they know not what they do," and "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit." Respectively, mercy and prayer.
Are you struggling at all with the demands of prayer and love? Are you struggling to forgive - either others or yourself! - or seek forgiveness? Jesus is our answer: he has called us to walk this way with him, and he is here and now equipping us to meet the challenge.
But let's also talk about it. Drop me a line. We were made to live the prayer-and-love life together.
I love you, my friends, and I look forward to seeing you very soon.
Christ's Peace,
Father Daniel
δοῦλος Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ
Preparing for Mass?
Check out this weekend's readings:
Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Cattura di Cristo nell'orto
Caravaggio, 1602