Pastor’s Letter & November 15 Bulletin

Pastor’s Letter & November 15 Bulletin

13 Nov 2020 | Posted by: chadmin

The November 15 bulletin is available online. 

Dear friend, 

“Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting.” These words from Proverbs Chapter 31, along with many scriptural passages, invite us to put life into perspective. By our nature, we are people who sense the world around us. The gifts of hearing, seeing, feeling, smelling and tasting allow us to participate as active members in this world. The loss of one sense or another may effect the full picture of a situation. But often, one loss adds to one’s ability to more acutely use another sense. People that have limited or no vision are often reported as having extraordinary hearing capabilities. The body and our senses can be quite adaptive. However, no matter how well we sense the world around us, the interpretation of our senses requires a well-formed conscience. Charm and beauty may involve positive attributes; but, if they are an end in themselves, they lose divine significance. Our Church teaching is clear about the importance to wonder at God’s creation, but that wonder and awe is always directed at the One who created. Whenever we grasp onto an aspect of the created order as an end in itself, we end up disappointed. All things in the physical world are constantly changing. Whether it is physical beauty, money, power, prestige, honor, recognition, or even affirmation, they all change in significance throughout time. 

The Scriptures and our Church Theology call us to affirm the gifts of the created order as temporary extensions of the eternal beauty of God. It is the Spirit of God and the human soul that alone carry eternal significance. While the Bible calls us to ponder and reflect on the gifts of our senses and the gift that we can be to each other, no created physical gift has the same eternal value as the human soul. If we participate in the physical world, in all its beauty, with our senses focused on appreciation of the Creator, all the worldly aspects of God’s beauty elevate the soul and conscience to appreciate God’s eternal beauty. The passage from Proverbs this week emphasizes the value and beauty to the spousal relationship. Not because of personal physical attributes, but because true friendship and marital companionship complete the self, while helping one multiply personal gifts beyond oneself.

Special thank you to all who participated in the St. Philomena School Auction. While the format of the auction had to change from our usual celebration in the school gym and cafeteria, we are so grateful that we were able to have the auction this year. This important fund raiser allows us to continue offering the best education to our St. Philomena Tigers. Thank you for the support!

Have a great week.

God bless,

Father David

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