Search
From the Pastor's Desk: August 23, 2020
-
“Who do the crowds say that I am?” “Who do you say that I am?” Jesus asked these two questions to His disciple’s two millennia ago as they were wrestling with these questions themselves. They heard Jesus preach, watched Him heal the sick, cleanse lepers, exorcise demons, multiply food, walk on water and calm storms, but they stayed silent. They probably feared going on record even if every ounce of their being recognized that Jesus was someone beyond what the mob was murmuring.
Over two thousand years have passed and we continue to wrestle with the same questions as we struggle to offer an answer. For some, Jesus was a good man, maybe even a great man. Many compared Him to the great and holy men they knew: John the Baptist, Elijah, one of the prophets. Likewise, today, many people say that Jesus was a good person, a great teacher, perhaps the holiest man who ever lived. But that was not enough for Jesus then and is not enough for Him now. Jesus expects more from people who follow Him. What Jesus expects is what is at the heart of Christian life: Peter's confession of faith in Jesus – “You are the Christ of God.” Jesus praises Peter for his insight, changes his name and made him the head of the universal church of Christ: “You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."
In giving Peter the keys of the Kingdom of God, Jesus gave Peter- and his successors- the power to provide access to the Church, and through the Church to the Kingdom of God and ultimately to God. The authority given to Peter does not come from hunger for position of power but through his care to what God has revealed to him. His authority in the Church was not arbitrary; rather, it was be rooted in obedience to the truth that came "from God", and "the values will bring us lasting joy!”
Today, we as “one holy catholic and apostolic Church” benefit from the profession of faith Peter made in today’s Gospel. Therefore, today we stand and make the proclamation of faith in Jesus our own, as we acknowledge our role as His disciples, that now we must "take up the cross daily and follow" Jesus. The "ordinary" Christian life is a challenge, yet we have confidence in God, as we follow and act as His disciples. The proclamation of faith is our call to Evangelization - an authentic communication of the Gospel based on true and trusting relationship needed to be established with others as we answer the question: “Who are we” as Christians, followers of Christ, and therefore people who try as much as we can to become like Him. And that will include that we have to bear the cross with Him as our companion in life, “the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
On Thursday, August 27th, a year after the groundbreaking, we will celebrate the Dedication and Blessing of the Bell Tower/Gift Shop Project. After years of planning and anticipation and months of construction we will be able to joyfully dedicate this project for total use for our community. This project is directly connected with the Stained Glass Window Project that reminds us of such a powerful spirit of collaboration in sharing the gifts of Stewardship for the glory of God and advancing in holiness in our own ways of life. The carillon bells of St. Luke will ring daily as a reminder that God’s voice is calling us to worship and for other special occasions including funerals and weddings. The Gift Shop will be dedicated in memory of Jerry Williams and will provide greater convenience to serve our parishioners and community to purchase religious articles, sacramental and seasonal gifts, as well as religious and inspirational unique items for many of life’s celebrations. With great support of a group of volunteers, the gift shop is scheduled to be open daily. With gratitude and thanksgiving, let us offer our praise to God for a successful completion of another project in our parish. Due to strict guidelines of social distancing to prevent the spread of the virus, unfortunately this celebration is not open to the entire community but by invitation only. I greatly appreciate your understanding.
I wish you a blessed and peace-filled week. Please say safe and healthy with Christ at the center of our lives as we slowly return to our regular daily routines.
With prayers,
Fr. Andy
