Precious Blood of Christ

Dear Members of our Parish Family,

This weekend seminarian Edward Vargas will be introducing himself at all of the Masses. As we announced previously in the bulletin, he will be with us for the month of July. Edward is just completing his first year of discernment and formation. Please join me in welcoming him to Our Lady of Perpetual Help and in praying for him in his journey of seeking God’s will in his life. 

Our Vacation Bible School (VBS) begins this Monday. Let me take this opportunity to thank all of the parishioners who have responded to our call to provide water, drinks and snacks for the children. I am particularly grateful for those who have volunteered to be members of the team this week. Each year, I look forward to VBS. The children are so eager, and throughout the week they learn about the love of Jesus for them. Please pray for our children and the teens and adults who are dedicating their time this week to help these little ones grow in faith and goodness.

In the second reading of today’s liturgy, taken from the Second Letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul shares with his people some profound insights into his own struggles and distress. He speaks of a “thorn in the flesh” which haunted him. We do not know the details of what this “thorn” involved for Paul, but he did share with the Corinthians that he was in anguish. Paul indicates that three times “begged” (in this context a very powerful word) the Lord to be set free. The response he received from the Lord merits our own deep meditation. God said to Paul: “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” As Paul took these words to heart, he told the Corinthians, that he now would “boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell within me. . . for when I am weak, then I am strong.” Paul learned – not easily – the centrality of God’s grace. Despite all his energy, all his talents, all his zeal, he could not do it alone. 

God speaks similarly to you and to me. All of us struggle, at least at times. All of us can feel overwhelmed. All of us find that our own strength, our own wisdom, our own efforts are insufficient. It is only when we humbly acknowledge our insufficiency that we can in turn truly accept Jesus as our Savior. St. Augustine, who thought and wrote profoundly about this subject, reminds us that grace “is not rendered for any merits, but is given gratis, on account of which it is called grace” (Augustine, De natura et gratia, #4). Grace is pure gift! Grace is God’s love poured into us! When St. Paul finally let that truth penetrate him, he was set free. May we embrace that same wisdom. God’s grace is sufficient for us. God’s grace lifts us up. And in our weakness, there is room for that gracious power of God to work.

​Jesus, the prophet not accepted in his native place, may we listen to and live in accord with your teaching with gracious faith. Dear Mary, you who were “full of grace,” pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. 

Father Craig