Pastor’s Letter & June 27, 2021 Bulletin

Pastor’s Letter & June 27, 2021 Bulletin

25 Jun 2021 | Posted by: chadmin

The June 27 bulletin is available online.

Dear friend,

This Sunday we have one of the most significant and powerful readings in the Old Testament. The Book of Wisdom is truly filled with “wisdom” for life. This reading communicates that God can only do good. God cannot do anything evil. It would be against God’s nature to act against life or the good of human nature. This is an important reflection because so many people struggle with the evils of this world, as if God created or caused them. It is right-thinking to pray for guidance and protection from God. However, it is improper to think that God controls us or causes the difficulties that come to us in life. God is not a puppet master and we are not puppets. God does not control us. We live in a world that has cause and effect. We are all subject to the decisions of others. People can choose to love and support us or they can choose to hurt or sin against us. All judgment is based on personal responsibility and accountably. God does not do evil things in this world, people do. Of course, temptation is a part of the evil of this world; but, it is never on the heart of God for people to suffer or to do evil. This is why the Book of Wisdom says that “God did not make death” and that “God formed man to be imperishable.” The Book of Genesis records that before The Fall, Adam and Eve walked in friendship with God. Before sin, they were not aware of their nakedness, they had no shame, and they felt no division from God. Sin brought The Fall and the division between God and humanity. For this reason, God planned to come Himself into the world in Christ Jesus to restore humanity and restore the possibility of eternal friendship with God.

The Gospel passage this weekend flows from the effects of sin. Prior to The Fall, humanity did not fear death, destruction, decay, or isolation. The broken friendship with God required a Savior. The twelve-year-old daughter of Jairus and the woman suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years, sets a framework for Jesus to show his powers of restoration. In the Bible, the number 12 represents “fullness” or “completeness.” This girl was dead at 12 and this woman we completely suffering for 12 years. However, God is never limited by the human condition. Jesus raises the twelve-year-old girl from death and He restores the suffering woman from her hemorrhages. In the first-century culture, women were not allowed to participate in public worship during a menstrual cycle. This woman was thus excluded from public worship for twelve years, while in that permanent state. Christ not only heals her body, He heals her soul and restores her to the community. Every time we attend Mass, we are supposed to approach the Eucharist as the most important gift God gives to humanity. The Eucharist is the way to heaven, the way we are healed in body and soul, and the reminder that God calls us to life and holiness and not sin and death. May the readings this weekend inspire us to love God and one another while we seek to focus on God as one who can only will our good and never cause us evil or destruction to our lives. Have a great week!

God bless,

Father David