Dear Parishioners,
The Second Reading for this Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, taken from the beginning of St. Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians, is one of my favorites. While we will hear a fuller version in the church at Mass, in this message I wanted to share a part of this passage: -- Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him. In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his will, for the praise of the glory of his grace that he granted us in the beloved. In him we have redemption by his blood, the forgiveness of transgressions, in accord with the riches of his grace that he lavished upon us. In all wisdom and insight, he has made known to us the mystery of his will in accord with his favor that he set forth in him as a plan for the fullness of times, to sum up all things in Christ, in heaven and on earth. In him we were also chosen, destined in accord with the purpose of the One who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will, so that we might exist for the praise of his glory, we who first hoped in Christ. (Ephesians 1:3-12) -- There's so much packed into these ten verses. Paul begins with an exclamation praising and thanking God who has blessed us not merely with various things or graces, but with the very person of Jesus Himself. He then spoke powerfully of our identity, our purpose, our destiny. We are each chosen by God, chosen for holiness. That word “holiness” as used Scripture is something much more profound than piety – it is the fullness of life, a life lived in harmony with God and all creation, a wholeness, a completeness of being. Out of super-abundant divine love, God destines us for union with God’s own Self. Many of the early Fathers of the Church speak of this in a powerful word that might sound strange to our ears – divinization. As early as the second century, St. Irenaeus of Lyons taught that Jesus “became what we are, that He might bring us to be even what He is Himself.” (Against Heresies, Book 4, Chapter 38). St. Augustine (referring to St. Athanasius) proclaimed: “To make human beings gods, he was made man, who was God” (Augustine, Sermon 192,1). The Catechism of the Catholic Church summarizes this theme by pulling together several statements of the Scriptures and saints: -- The Word became flesh to make us “partakers of the divine nature” (from 2 Peter 1:4). “For this is why the Word became man, and the Son of God became the Son of man: so that man, by entering into communion with the Word and thus receiving divine sonship, might become a son of God” (from St. Irenaeus). “For the Son of God became man so that we might become God” (from St. Athanasius). “The only-begotten Son of God, wanting to make us sharers in his divinity, assumed our nature, so that he, made man, might make men gods” (from St. Thomas Aquinas). (Catechism of the Catholic Church, article 460) -- This is God’s purpose. This is the reason for our creation. This glory is God’s will for us. As we hear these words proclaimed, hopefully they will sink deep into us and inspire us to join Paul in praising the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who calls us to holiness, to the fullness of life, and blesses us Jesus, Brother and Savior, thank you for your transforming love. Holy Mary, pray that we live up to our deepest identity, purpose and calling. Father Craig 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 |
Fr. EnriqueOur associate pastor, Fr. Enrique Piceno, Archives
January 2025
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