Pastor’s Letter: October 9, 2022

Pastor’s Letter: October 9, 2022

7 Oct 2022 | Posted by: chadmin

Dear friend,

The first reading from the Second Book of Kings and the Gospel from Luke both involve the healing of lepers. Naaman, an outsider to Israel and a non-Jew, visits Elisha the prophet seeking healing from his leprosy. Naaman’s healing concludes in his profession of faith in the God of Israel, a change of who he worshiped as God, and ultimately a conversion of life. The ten lepers in the Gospel reading are from Samaria, another place considered as outsiders to faithful Jews from Jerusalem. This point gets to the depth and meaning of the miracles as God’s power and Word exist for all people. After leaving Jesus, all ten lepers were healed, but only the Samaritan returns with gratitude. “Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine? Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?” In the Jewish First Century culture, a foreigner was not seen as enjoying the same benefits with God as an insider. This healing of the foreigner, along with the healing of the foreigner Naaman, clearly communicates God’s Word is unchained for anyone who will believe. As Jesus tells the Samaritan, “Your faith has saved you,” we also are called to have faith in the power of God’s Word to communicate truth and healing to us. God communicates His Word because He wants to be known. A true and authentic relationship with God results in the conversion of mind and heart, which results in Christ-like living, all guided by the unchangeable truth of God. We may not need healing from leprosy, but we all need some kind of physical, spiritual, or emotional healing. As we take in God’s Word, at Mass or in private Scripture study, it is faith in the Word to provide the healing needed that allows God to provide us His miraculous presence.

The Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary on October 7 remembers the victory against the Islamist Turks in 1571 who sought to take over Europe. Pope Pius V supported the defense of Italy financially and spiritually. The Rosary, consisting of 150 Hail Marys, modeling the 150 Psalms in the Old Testament, was the prayer that Pope Pius attributed to the miraculous victory of the Christians. We see much evidence of miracles from prayer in our Christian history; but, the most important answer to prayer is always one of forgiveness and mercy that calls us to help each other to heaven. This month is a great time to renew our commitment to praying the Rosary in thanksgiving for Mary’s prayers for us.

We recently started the annual RCIA class. The class is held in the Parish Center on Tuesdays at 6:30pm. If you or someone you know would like to be baptized, confirmed or receive Eucharist, or to simply to reflect on the Christian faith, feel most welcome to join us in the banquet room. You can email the parish office at parish@stphils.com for more information.

God bless,

Father David