Sunday, August 23rd 2020 | By Rev. Michael P. Hanifin
On the 21st Sunday of Ordinary Time, in the Gospel passage from Matthew, Jesus posed a question to the disciples: “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they offered varying responses. Jesus then got personal with them: “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered correctly: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus wants to get personal with us today as well. He poses the same question to each of us who call ourselves His modern-day disciples. But do our lives truly reflect that Jesus is the Lord who saved us? If we really believe that Christ is the Son of God, sent to save us from our sins and lead us to Heaven, then we must say so, not just with words but by our actions. Do my ambitions and priorities in life say that Christ is my Savior and I am His disciple? Does my budget, my family life, my entertainment say so? Does everything I do each day give glory to God for His mighty works in my life?
The gifts and blessings God has given us — our time, our talents, our material possessions — are meant to be used in a manner that says, “Christ is my Savior and I am His disciple.” The most eloquent praise we can offer Him is a life lived in grateful response to His unfathomable love. This is the beauty and power of being a Catholic Christian in today’s world.
Just a reminder that this weekend I return from a few weeks of vacation time. I am especially grateful to have Father Randy Guillen, Father Steve Correz and Father Tim Peters covering the bases in my absence. Father Tim returned to Saint John Seminary in Camarillo for the start of the Fall Semester for the seminarians. I am sure that he is grateful for your love and support of him this summer.
One last reminder that the start of the Fall Semester for Saint Joachim School had been moved from August 24th to September 8th. We pray for our parish families and their student sons and daughters as they prepare for an unusual school opening this year.