Pastor’s Letter & October 17 Bulletin

Pastor’s Letter & October 17 Bulletin

15 Oct 2021 | Posted by: chadmin

The October 17 bulletin is now available online

Dear friend,

The Gospels are filled with many challenges from Jesus about how best to relate to one another. Much of the moral life addresses our personal relationships. How well do we use our personal gifts and talents in service of God and neighbor? This question obviously relates to our personalities, our moods, and the expectations we place upon others. This Sunday we hear Jesus’ challenge to the disciples to think about what they know about how leaders treat those under their authority. “You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you.” Jesus speaks from a framework of understanding how power and authority can corrupt people to mistreat those they are called to serve. While we might think of this as high levels of business or government leadership, the reality is that it applies to all of us. Adults have authority of their children. Teachers have authority over their students. Religious leaders have authority over their subjects. Based on situations, kids can even have perceived authority over friends. It really depends on the situation and the topic involved. The challenge of Jesus is to have a proper understanding of every intrapersonal relationship in our lives to ensure that we are rightly caring for each other. This applies to kids during a kickball game on the playground and to engineering managers in a group work project. If we take the time to pray and know the intricacies of each relationship, the Lord will guide us how best to use our voice. Christ makes it clear that our end-of-life judgement will be wrapped up in how we treated others. This week provides a good opportunity to reevaluate how well we use our words and actions as encouragement, guidance, and care, no matter the level of authority.

As a reminder, the month of October is dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary.  The Church offers us feast days and particular time periods on the liturgical calendar to ensure that we experience the many opportunities for prayer and intellectual growth.  The Rosary serves as a means to meditate more on the mysteries of the Life of Christ.  As we meditate and repeat the Hail Marys and Our Fathers, we further embrace a personal relationship with God that gives us a reprieve from our earthly duties.  If we haven’t in a while, may the Lord encourage all of us to pray the Rosary this month.

God bless,

Father David