Clergy Bulletin Articles

Happy Labor Day! Although this is not a religious feast day, we should take time to give thanks to God for the gift of labor. I know that may sound odd, but the ability to work truly is a gift from God. Adam and Eve while in the paradise of the Garden of Eden before the Fall would have worked. They were to “fill the earth and subdue it” (Gen 1:28). Also, Adam needed a “helpmate” (Gen 2:18), so apparently there was work to be done and he needed help! It would originally have been a true joy to have engaged in work. Work only becomes difficult and burdensome because of sin.

It is that time of year when students go back to school. Yes, it may look a little different this year. Let us pray for all students, teachers, and staffs that it goes well. In addition, we should remember that all of us are students, our school year is never out of session, and our teacher is out of this world. Of course, I’m talking about that we are always called to be disciples of Jesus.

This weekend I have my “Welcome Mass” so I am thinking about what “welcoming” is all about. I found some Scripture passages of interest:

Welcome one another, then, as Christ welcomed you, for the glory of God. (Romans 15:7)

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me… (Matthew 25:35)

Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them.” (Mark 6:11)

Did Jesus ever take a vacation? Certainly, He kept the Sabbath and rested on that day, plus He did regularly withdraw to pray, including a 40-day “prayer vacation” in the desert …while fasting. And Jesus to his Apostles after they “reported all they had done and taught… said to them, ‘Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.’” (Mark 6:30–31) I write this since I just was on vacation, which is a bit more difficult during this pandemic, but blessedly I did find a quiet semi-deserted place (by a lake) to get away to spend a week.

In this Sunday’s first reading from the First Book of Kings, Elijah is to encounter God, but God does not speak to him through the wind, the earthquake, or the fire. Instead, God speaks in a “tiny whispering sound” or as other translations say, a “still small voice.”

In the Gospel, Peter walks on water toward Jesus…"But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’”

Since we enter into the month of August and draw nearer to the beginning of a new school year (we pray), I thought I’d talk about math. Did you know the Bible is full of math? This Sunday’s gospel is one example; Jesus multiplies 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish to feed 5000 men, not counting women and children, with 12 baskets left over. Maybe since my background before becoming a priest was in engineering, I always wonder about the exact math here (nerd alert!).

Time flies! Our summer is moving along quickly as this is the last weekend of July. I can’t believe that by the time this article is published I will have been at Prince of Peace already 25 days (of course I have to write this about a week earlier though). I am thinking now it is past time for me to reassess where we are at with re-opening. As of this moment writing this, I do not have all the answers, but I use this column to hone my thoughts on the principles involved.

Lots of parables! In last week’s Sunday gospel we had the parable of the sower and soils. This week we have the parables of the weeds in the field, the mustard seed, and yeast mixed into dough. And next week we receive the parables of the hidden treasure, pearl of great price, and the fishing net.

I thought I’d summarize some of my first homily into this column (so this was from last Sunday). What are my expectations as the new pastor of Prince of Peace? They say in the business world that setting expectations is crucial for leadership. Plus, it is clear that God has certain expectations of us (we could call them commandments). As a priest and pastor, my identity has to be that of a spiritual father. What should a spiritual father expect of his spiritual children? What should be expected of me?

There is such a thing as a good death, a death that, however sad, leaves behind a sense of peace. I have witnessed many of these types of deaths and I have seen many that are not at all peaceful. I think we would enjoy the former over the latter.

In the Gospel of John, Jesus gives a long farewell speech at the Last Supper. Those around him are understandably shaken, afraid, and not prepared to accept the reality of his impending death. He tries to calm them and give them something to cling to with these words: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you” John 14:27.