Christ Mission, is Our Mission: Reflections on the 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Beloved parishioners,
This weekend’s readings speak about the difficulty associated with prophetic ministry. It is fraught with danger for the prophet. Jeremiah was persecuted and rejected (First Reading), and Our Lord Jesus tells us that rejection comes with following him. Some people might have difficulty reconciling a Jesus who preached peace and reconciliation with the one speaking in this weekend’s gospel. We might wonder why Jesus is saying he has come for war rather than for peace, to stir up strife within families, rather than mend relationships. However, this is not the sense Jesus is communicating to his listeners in the gospel. War and strife within families are not the goals of his mission, but could be consequences of that mission. This should not be surprising to us. Recall that when Jesus was presented in the temple at his dedication, Simeon the prophet spoke the following prophetic words about him, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted…” (Luke 2:34). From the attempts of Herod to destroy the child, the rejection by his own people who tried to kill him, to his crucifixion and taunting by a fellow condemned criminal on the cross, we see that this Jesus was a sign of contradiction. He is God, yet he becomes one with his creatures. He is impassible, yet he suffers the ignominy of his own creatures and goes to a cross for their sakes. He is immortal, yet he dies.

These paradoxes in the life of Christ continue in the lives of Christians today, and of the Church. We are in the world, but must be separated from the world. We do not live our lives based on worldly precepts but according to the laws of God. The mission of the Church is a continuation, and a perpetuation on earth of the mission of Christ. This is why rejection and opposition of the Church and her teachings should not surprise us. If they rejected the master, they will not treat his servants any different (see Matthew 10:25). Yes, it is sad when friends and members of your own family reject you because of your decision to follow Christ and live according to his teachings and that of his Church. But we must never be discouraged. Human approval has nothing to do with our eternal destiny. We are not seeking to please people but God (Galatians 1:10). So, push on. Keep striving to be faithful to God and follow him as best you can. This is how we will overcome the opposition, just like Jesus, who never backed down from his mission but pressed on, for the joy that lay ahead of him (Second Reading). Jesus is our example of faith and trust in God.

I want to thank all our staff, Knights of Columbus, and parishioners for an amazing Corn and Sausage roast last Sunday. From what I hear and the pictures from the event, I could see that our parishioners had a very enjoyable fellowship. I missed it. May the Lord bless you all for coming out to support this event, and give us many more years to celebrate with our beloved parish family.

Please say a prayer for me; tomorrow August 15th is my 13th anniversary of priestly ordination. With love from my heart,