Dear Friends,

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus predicts, for a second time, the high price He will have to pay in order to be faithful to the mission that the Father sent Him to do. What strikes me about this excerpt from Mark is the stark contrast between Jesus and his disciples. Jesus was trying to prepare them for the suffering He would endure while they were preoccupied with which of them was the greatest. They didn’t understand what Jesus was trying to tell them. The narrative here reveals key aspects of Jesus’ teaching on discipleship and the values of the Kingdom of God. This passage provides important lessons on humility and service, while redefining “greatness.”

The passage begins with Jesus and His disciples traveling through Galilee. Jesus, once again, takes this opportunity to foretell His impending suffering, Death, and Resurrection. He says, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.” This prediction is central to Jesus’ mission and the suffering that awaits Him. However, the disciples do not fully grasp the meaning of His words. Mark notes that they were afraid to ask Him about it. This moment also highlights the disciples’ lack of comprehension to the nature of Jesus’ mission and the concept of a suffering Messiah, which contrasts with their expectations of a triumphant earthly king.

Upon arriving in Capernaum, Jesus asks his disciples what they were arguing about on the way. Jesus turns to those who are left out of the circle and pulls them to the center. He teaches his disciples that the one who appears most vulnerable and seems to need the greatest amount of care can also be the one who has the most to teach us about what it is to be Christlike and Godlike.

This passage reminds me a lot of my dad. He was low key and humble. He was one of eight children, and I guess one could get lost in that crowd. I remember the conversations I heard while I was growing up from his siblings about how unskilled and reserved they thought he was. They thought only they knew the way to happiness and success. This never bothered my dad. He just pressed on and lived his best life. He didn’t seem to care that they undervalued his gifts and his vulnerability. My dad would work two or three jobs just to give us a better life than what he had. I’ve never seen anyone work as hard as he did. My dad was the example of being a “servant for all.” No matter what someone else needs, it came before his own.

When I became a teenager and I was able to work, I would ride the train afterschool and meet my dad at his second job to eat dinner together. One day, his boss was working late and asked if I would like to work at night alongside my dad. I agreed and it was amazing to see the skills my dad had on the massive machinery he worked with. He never shared his work with his family and friends, because he felt they didn’t need to know, since they already had their own ideas of him. Another time, I visited him at his day job and it was much the same thing. He knew how to handle everything that was put in front of him. He was using his God-given natural skills. He didn’t have to brag to his family and friends he just did the work that God put in front of him, and he did it well.

That wasn’t even his greatest gift. His greatest gift was the love he gave me, my sister, and my mother. I was with him at the Hospice the day he passed. The last words he spoke, in Spanish, were telling me “Take care of her for me.” I was blown away that my mom was on his mind till his last breath. My dad was Christlike to me. I can only strive to be half the man he was.

Jesus moves on to address His disciples, responding to their debate by teaching them a radical lesson about greatness. He says, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” This teaching turns their understanding of greatness on its head. In Jesus’ view, true greatness is not about power or prestige, but about humility and service.

This passage has some profound implications for how we understand leadership or greatness today. Jesus’ teaching challenges us to rethink our values and priorities. In a world where success is often measured by power, influence, and recognition, Jesus invites us to consider greatness in terms of humility and service. The message is clear: true leadership in the Kingdom of God is characterized by a servant heart and a willingness to embrace those who are marginalized or in need. It’s about putting others before ourselves and finding value in the seemingly insignificant.

As we strive to follow Jesus’ example, we are invited to redefine our understanding of what it means to be truly great. As St. Teresa of Calcutta said, “We are not called to be successful, but to be faithful.”

Peace of Christ,
– Deacon Ray

Saints of God, the Lord be with you!

My favorite Broadway musical of all time is A Chorus Line (I only saw it seven times during its original run). What I most loved about it was its immediacy, I really felt like I was watching an audition NOW, in the present, as the book and lyrics made timely references. I think the newest Broadway revival somewhat failed since neither the book nor the lyrics were updated, thus losing the show’s immediacy and making it a “period piece.” Today’s Gospel according to Mark (8:27-35) could be read in the same light. It’s a period piece since the question of Jesus, “who do people say that I am?” has been answered. Jesus is the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity, the Word of God made flesh, both fully human and fully divine and is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, the Savior of the Universe….I could go on, but you get the point.

Even the more personal question Jesus asks of his disciples, “But who do YOU say that I am?”, has been answered by each of us or none of us, would be here in Church this weekend. What speaks to my heart is that Jesus, while being all of the above and more, is also the Son of Man (one of us) who has suffered, and been rejected. And who of us hasn’t suffered or been rejected? Jesus, His reputation in tatters, His hopes dashed, yet clinging to hope was “crucified, died and was buried”. And for what? Well, back to A Chorus Line and to paraphrase its most popular song: what He did He did for love: love of the Father and love for each one of us.

In its big opening number, the question asked by the character Paul is “Who am I anyway, am I my resume?” The answer to that question is a “resounding, NO!” We are more than our resume, our bank account, our marital status, our gender identity, our sexual orientation; we are the beloved children of God the Father, brothers and sisters of Christ, baptized into the love of the Holy Trinity, so that the life and mission of Jesus Christ might continue through us. We are the ones whom God invites to clothe those with nothing to wear, to give food, to give the necessities of the body (James 2:14-18) to those in need. In other words, we are called to give flesh to our faith. This is the cross that Christ invites us to carry in our daily lives; our charity begins in our homes but shouldn’t end there.

Perhaps this weekend we should ask, “Who does Christ say that I am? Who does Christ say the parish of Sacred Heart is?” May I suggest that our charity towards one another, our visitors, and the homeless men and women at our door speaks volumes of who we are. And why do we do it? We do it out of love.

– Fr. Steve

My Good Friends,

Coming off Labor Day weekend, from a Catholic perspective, we have an opportunity to reflect on the dignity of work and the rights of workers, particularly the working poor. Rooted in Catholic Social Teaching, the Church emphasizes that work is not just a means of economic production but a vital expression of human dignity. Labor Day invites the faithful to remember that the value of work is not merely in profit or productivity, but in the human person who performs it.

Church teaching, especially in encyclicals like Rerum Novarum (1891) and Laborem Exercens (1981), highlight the need for just working conditions, fair wages, and the right to organize. These principles are particularly significant for the working poor—those who, despite being employed, struggle to meet basic needs due to low wages, inadequate benefits, or insecure employment. Labor Day serves as a reminder that the economic system must be aligned with the common good, ensuring that all workers, especially the most vulnerable, are treated with dignity and justice.

This Sunday’s second reading from The Letter of James (2:1-5) offers a reflection on partiality and the treatment of others, which resonates with the spirit of Labor Day. The passage warns against showing favoritism, particularly toward the wealthy, and instead calls for honoring the dignity of every individual, regardless of their social or economic status. On Labor Day, a time dedicated to recognizing the contributions of workers, this scripture reminds us that all laborers deserve respect and fair treatment.

James emphasizes that faith in Christ must be free from discrimination, encouraging us to treat the poor with the same honor as the rich. In the context of Labor Day, this can be seen as a call to ensure that all workers, whether they are in high-paying jobs or minimum-wage positions, are valued equally. It challenges us to reflect on our attitudes toward those in various professions and to advocate for just wages, safe working conditions, and respect for all laborers. By applying the principles in James 2:1-5, we can honor Labor Day not just as a holiday, but as a commitment to upholding the dignity of all workers, ensuring that no one is overlooked or undervalued.

The Catholic concept of the “preferential option for the poor” underscores the importance of prioritizing the needs of the working poor. This principle challenges society to create conditions where workers are not merely surviving but thriving, with access to fair wages, health care, and safe working environments. The Church also calls for solidarity with the working poor, urging individuals and communities to advocate for policies and practices that protect and uplift them.

On Labor Day, as Catholics we are encouraged not only to honor workers but to recommit to the struggle for social justice. This includes advocating for systemic changes that address the root causes of poverty and inequality, ensuring that all workers can live with dignity and security.

– Fr. Zack

Dear Friends,

This weekend’s Gospel stands out as a pivotal moment that highlights the essence of faith, discipleship, and the challenge of understanding Jesus’ teachings. Since over these past few weeks we have been reading about Jesus being the Bread of Eternal Life and the challenges the disciples had with His words, I would like to make this week’s reflection about our understanding of discipleship.

To fully appreciate John 6:60-69, context is key. In the preceding verses, Jesus has just delivered a challenging sermon in which He declares, “I am the bread of life.” He elaborates that His body is the true food and His blood is the true drink, emphasizing that eating His flesh and drinking His blood are essential for eternal life. This metaphorical language shocks many of His followers, leading to confusion and even disbelief. Many of His disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” Aware that His disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this shock you? Then, what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where He was before! The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life. Yet there are some of you who do not believe.”

The difficulty of Jesus’ teaching leads many disciples to abandon Him. This verse illustrates the challenge of discipleship, which requires not just adherence to teachings but a deep, transformative faith. The abandonment of these followers highlights the separation between those who seek a superficial understanding of Jesus and those who are willing to embrace His deeper, more demanding message. Jesus’ teachings are not for the faint of heart. Resurrection does not happen without suffering and death.

This was especially true for my seven classmates and I during our five years of diaconal formation. We all have our own story on how we came to follow Jesus. What we soon discovered, perhaps like many of you, was that we were going to have to deal with the hard truths of Jesus’s teaching. Would we be able to accept them? There were many obstacles and life lessons from our formation, but the most important understanding each of us had to have was keeping our faith in our loving God, knowing throughout this journey there would be many challenges.

What were we willing to set aside to continue to follow the call? It involved learning from Jesus, imitating His life, and striving to live more like Him. It required leaving behind the comforts of daily life and putting the needs of others first. This is all part of discipleship for every follower of Christ. Being a disciple is not easy. We cannot do it on our own–Jesus knows that. That is why we have the Bread of Life–His presence, in us, to help us go out into the world and spread His message of mercy, love and forgiveness. That is why we are the Body of Christ–many members, yet one body. We need each other to help us along on our journey as disciples.

John 6:60-69 is a critical passage for understanding true discipleship involves grappling with difficult teachings and remaining committed to Jesus. It underscores the necessity of faith in recognizing Jesus as the source of eternal life and divine truth. The passage challenges believers to move beyond their surface-level understanding and engage deeply with the message of Christ.

This Gospel reading serves as a profound exploration of faith, discipleship, and the essence of Jesus’ teachings. It invites us to reflect on own responses to the challenging aspects of Jesus’ message and to reaffirm our commitment to following Him, recognizing Him as the ultimate source of spiritual sustenance and eternal life. So, I ask you, how are we going to grow in our commitment to continue being a disciple of Christ?

Peace of Christ,
Deacon Ray

Saints of God, the Lord be with you!

All three readings this weekend make mention of food and wine, so it might be good to reflect on all those things that we take into our bodies that may or may not nourish us.

In the Book of Proverbs (9:1-6), the author imagines Wisdom setting a feasting table not for the wise, but the simple. It’s not so much that the wise are not invited, it’s that more than likely, they will not respond to the invitation to feast on all the God’s Wisdom has prepared. To those who are humble enough and willing to feast, Wisdom invites them to “forsake foolishness…and advance in the way of understanding.”

Perhaps what we need to come to understand is that God’s ways are not always our ways (…and to some, this is not Good News).

In Saint Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians (5:15-20), he warns us in not overindulging in wine (or any other beverage or substance) that might get us intoxicated and lead us to actions not beneficial to ourselves and others. Instead, we are to “be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms, hymns, and inspired songs.” To be honest, this seems a bit over the top to me. However, Paul does suggest that we “give thanks to the Lord in your hearts.”

Now that, I can do.

Finally, the Gospel according to John (6:51-58) has Jesus saying, “I am the living bread come down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.” How often do we truly feast on Jesus or have we become so complacent that our coming to communion is just a habit with no thought behind it? I say this because many people genuflect to an empty tabernacle after receiving the Eucharistic Bread, the Body of Christ. In a way, we become a living tabernacle, so why the genuflection? When we eat, our food becomes us (my big belly is due to an overabundance of potato chips). With the Eucharist, we are to become the Body of Christ: He whom we have received. His life is now our life, and we are called to take His life into the world. Let us fast from all those things that are detrimental to our life in Christ. Let us feast on Christ, our true life now and into eternity.

– Fr. Steve