From the Pastor&#039;s Desk: January 29, 2023

From the Pastor’s Desk: January 29, 2023

This Sunday, our journey through the Gospel of Matthew brings us to the beginning of Jesus' famous Sermon on the Mount. This is the most famous Sermon ever preached and the most famous teaching from the Gospel of Matthew. Today, we begin with the teaching called, “The Eight Beatitudes,” “The heart of Jesus’ preaching” (CCC # 1716). These eight Beatitudes are the center of all of Jesus’ teaching and they give life to His teaching— just like the heart gives life to the body—so we really want to pay attention to them. “If anyone were to ponder with piety and seriousness the Sermon which our Lord Jesus Christ gave on the mount. I believe that He would discover there, as far as norms for a high moral living are concerned, the perfect way to lead the Christian life.” -St. Augustine, the Bishop of Hippo.

As we look for the common denominator of the person who is blessed presented by the Lord in His Sermon, we learn that humility is the unifying idea that undergirds the eight Beatitudes. They summarize Jesus' teaching about how to live the “perfect Christian life.” The poor in spirit and those who suffer persecution
gracefully realize that they are not the center of the universe but rather God is. The clean of heart realize that other people do not live only for the sake of one’s pleasure. The peacemaker is concerned about the needs and problems of others. The merciful is concerned about the suffering of others. The mournful is concerned about the damage his sins cause to the Church, the world, and other people. The meek care more about getting things done than getting credit for doing things. Those who hunger for righteousness realize that their life has a higher purpose, and that life is part of a bigger story. Underlying all the Beatitudes is this fundamental attitude that puts God and others ahead of ourselves. Instead of staring in, fixated on self, it looks out at the world and those in need. After all, humility is the bedrock of basic human maturity.

Together with thousands of students from Catholic Schools across the nation, we celebrate National Catholic Schools Week beginning January 29 through February 4, 2023. The theme this year is, “Catholic Schools: Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed.” We celebrate National Catholic Schools Week to continue to build community awareness and involvement in Catholic Education. When people look for value in every purchase or decision, it is reassuring to know that the values are not added in a Catholic school; rather, they are embedded in its very foundation. The mission and intent of Catholic schools is to provide a Catholic Education within an academically rich environment.

This special week offers us a great opportunity to thank those whose generosity makes Catholic Education possible. For us at St. Luke Parish, we are proud and extremely blessed that we can teach, form, and influence children in the values of Catholic Education from 6 weeks old to 8th grade. This is the mission of St. Luke’s Child Care Center and Annunciation Catholic School. With most profound gratitude, I want to thank Mrs. Amy Roberts, the Director of the Child Care Center, and Mr. Steve Eiswert, the Principal of ACS, for their exemplary leadership, dedication, and support of Catholic Education.

My words of gratitude go to all the teachers for their love, passion, and example in which they inspire and teach students and the support staff of the schools who often go unnoticed to make the mission and success of Catholic Education possible. I want to thank students for their desire to learn, serve, lead, and succeed. I am grateful to the parents for choosing to educate their children in the values of the Gospel, rooted in the mission of the Catholic Church. I also recognize the many challenges you experience and the many sacrifices you offer in order that your children can advance and benefit in their future. Please know how grateful I am for your decision and to all the parishioners of St. Luke’s Parish who offer their sacrifices and commitment in supporting the success of Catholic Education for both the St Luke Child Care Center and Annunciation Catholic School.

The Beatitudes offer us some incredible opportunities for Holy moments. “The beauty of a single moment is that it is not overwhelming. It is not a day, a week, a month, or even a whole hour. It is just one moment. In that one moment, you discover what you are capable of doing and who you are capable of being. Both discoveries will amaze you…in which you open yourself to God” Holy Moments, p.36.

Have a blessed week!

With prayers, Fr. Andy