Bulletins on Sunday Bulletins (Page 16)

We resume the Sunday readings of Ordinary Time, which will continue this year until November 20. “Ordinary” does not imply “regular” or “usual,” but an “ordered” presentation of the weeks, apart from the major seasons (Advent/ Christmas and Lent/Easter). That is why the Sundays are known by a number, for example today is the Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. During the 33 or 34 Sundays of Ordinary Time, we read the gospel (this year from Saint Luke) in order, chapter by chapter; we do the same with the second reading, which usually comes from one of the letters of Saint Paul. The Old Testament reading, however, is chosen for its connection with the gospel reading each Sunday. Often it is from the first reading that one can get a sense of what can be emphasized in the gospel reading. Today’s readings tell of the cost of discipleship: Elisha’s request that Elijah allow him to kiss his father and mother goodbye before he followed him is rejected. And Jesus declares that “No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62). We, who want to be disciples of the same Lord, need to consider its cost in our lives: what are we willing to give up? How committed are we to go where He leads us? As we walk with the Lord these next five months, let us, as the song says, “see Him more clearly, love Him more dearly, follow Him more nearly. . .Day by Day” (from Godspell).

Today, we celebrate Jesus, as the “Living Bread that comes down from heaven.” Which we receive every time we share Holy Communion. On this feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ Catholics across the United States are invited to join in a three-year process of renewal in one of our foundational beliefs: that Jesus Christ is totally and actually present in the Eucharist and that those who receive Holy Communion are sharers of His Body and His Blood. As part of this renewal, each of us can reflect upon the importance of the Eucharist in our lives. What we believe about the Lord’s presence “under the forms” of bread and wine guides us and encourages us, in the words of Saint Augustine, “to see what you are and become what you receive: the living Body and Blood of the Lord.

The great Feast of Pentecost is second only to Easter in its importance in the life of the Church. We do not give gifts, as we do at Christmas or even Easter, but the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples marked the new beginning for the proclamation of Jesus as Messiah and Lord. Today we pray that the same Holy Spirit will enliven our faith and its proclamation by the manner of our lives; may the same Spirit give us wisdom and courage

Just as love, the subject of last week’s Gospel reading, is elusive, so is the peace of Jesus, that he left to the disciples during the Last Supper: Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid (John 14). But Jesus does believe that such peace is possible, because “The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.” The Lord knows that our world today is in need of a peace that is more than just the cessation of violence and war, though that would be a good start. According to Saint Pope John Paul II, “[Peace] involves mutual respect and confidence between peoples and nations. Like a cathedral, peace must be constructed patiently and with unshakable faith.” If the peace we seek for our lives and for the world is founded on Jesus, with Him as our Teacher and Guide, that peace may become real, but if we treat peace as though it is some temporary truce or cease-fire, we will fail. Paraphrasing the words of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., quoted in my homily last weekend, if we allow ourselves to see the image of God in others, then peace has a chance. It must begin there.

In Jesus, all of the prohibitions of the “old” law were cast aside. His new commandment is simple: “Love one another as I have loved you.” While it is easy to state, it is far from easy to live. It has been said that “Love is the only law, and that all the rest is commentary.” If we were completely and totally loving (God, neighbor and ourselves), there would be no need for any other rules or laws. That would be a perfect society; that would be heaven. But for now we depend upon laws to be able to live orderly lives and to protect our relationships between and among others and even with oneself. After 2000 years of Christianity, it is sad that Jesus’ commandment is still new, and that our world has not yet discovered the peace that is the fruit of love. We continue to pray for the people of Ukraine, for an end to the brutal way being waged against them and the conversion of those who lead and direct the invading forces from Russia.

When Good Shepherd Sunday falls on the second Sunday of May, it is not a difficult stretch to connect the image of Jesus as our Good Shepherd with the mothers (and our fathers!) who gave us life and, for the most part, continue to serve as shepherds to their children, no matter how old, successful or independent they may be. May those who still have parents with them rejoice in this gift that God gives us; and may we all join in prayer for the repose of the souls of our mothers who have gone to the Lord. May they all rest in the peace of Christ. This weekend, we ask all our parish families to consider donating to the Diocesan Priest Retirement Appeal. We need the support of every parish family at Saint Clare to be successful. Remember, not everyone can make the same size gift, but everyone can make the same size sacrifice. Please make a gift that truly reflects all the blessings you have received from God and your willingness to support the work of our Diocesan Priests. Donations of all sizes are gratefully accepted and appreciated. Our retired priests rely on their minimal Social Security since they were paid a very modest wage and the Priest Retirement Plan payments for their living expenses and end-of-life needs. Yet, like the general population, priests live longer, more active lives. This has increased the challenge of providing adequate care to our retired priests. Your gift to the Diocesan Priest Retirement Appeal provides vital funding for medications, nursing care, and more to these priests who have been good shepherds and have kept their promises to the faithful of the Diocese. Please know that priests across our Diocese hold you and your loved ones in grateful prayer. As he mentioned at some of the Masses this past weekend, Msgr. Fran will likely be one of our retired priests around 2027/2028, if not before. . .Father George, pastor from 2010-2014, will likely retire within the next five years.

Jesus’ three questions to Simon Peter, asking him, “Do you love me?” must have been painful for Peter to hear. But, in fact, the Lord was giving but another example of God’s tremendous willingness to forgive, no matter how many times we stray. Three times, Peter had denied knowing Jesus. And after Peter declares the third time, “Yes Lord, you know that I love you,” Jesus called to him again, “Follow me.” For us, to know that “God’s mercy is without end” is one of the foundations of our lives. It gives us hope and should endow us with a willingness to forgive those who have offended or hurt us. Being part of a reconciling community of faith demands no less of us. That Christ is victorious over sin and death allows us, in Him, to do the same. Then we can share the joy of the Resurrection. Congratulations to the children who will receive Holy Communion for the first time this weekend and next. We pray that you will remain as close to the Lord in the years to come as you are with him on this special day.