Notes from the Pastor

In our Second Reading today (2 Timothy 2:8-13) Saint Paul declares that “The word of God is not chained.” This message is written from prison, as Paul’s preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ has landed him in jail and in chains. After his own conversion, Paul was willing to pay any price to bring the message of redemption to the ends of the earth. He suffered beatings, banishment, chains and imprisonment as a consequence of proclaiming the Gospel. The most prolific writer of the New Testament and the most travelled of any Apostle, Saint Paul literally went to the four corners of the known world of his day, to preach that there was a new and powerful way in which people were being called to live out their lives.

At the 12:00 noon Parish Fiesta Mass this coming Sunday, October 13th, a member of Our Lady of Fatima Parish will be presented with the Archbishop’s St. Francis of Assisi Award for outstanding service in our parish. Each year, the Pastors of the Archdiocese nominate a person or couple from their parish to receive this award, and this year, I am pleased to announce that I have selected Mr. Joe Vigil for this honor.

The month of October is recognized as a month of special devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, with particular emphasis on the praying of the Rosary. The Catholic Church looks upon the Blessed Virgin Mary as not only the Mother of God, but also as the Mother of the Church. She is a model of faith, a sign of hope, and holds a special place in the Communion of Saints. God honored Mary above all human persons by inviting her to be the mother of His Son.

It is always interesting to reflect on the kind of people Jesus hung around with in the Gospels. More often than not, Jesus is found associating with and even dining with what the scribes and Pharisees considered to be socially unacceptable people – public sinners and outcasts. In fact, Jesus usually avoided the “acceptable people” for they had no real use for his message, and clearly resented his influence and ability to connect with the poor, the sinner, and the outcast. Over and over again, it is the “socially acceptable” people who question Jesus’ authority to speak on behalf of God, and even accuse him of being an accomplice of Satan when he healed the sick and forgave sinners. It becomes evident that they are the true “outcasts” for they are on the outside looking in – observing the good that Jesus is doing, but distancing themselves from him.

Today’s Gospel passage (Luke 15:1-32) contains three related parables. They are the parable of the shepherd going after the lost sheep, a woman searching diligently for a lost coin, and the familiar parable of the prodigal son which is unique to the Gospel of Luke. The common thread running through each of them is obvious. All three stories are about being lost and getting found.

The coming days are rich with feast days of the Church. On Monday, September 9 th we observe the feast day of St. Peter Claver, a Jesuit priest from Spain who provided ministry for the Black slaves who had been brought from Africa to Colombia in the 16th century. He attended to their physical and spiritual needs which were many, considering the harsh conditions in which they found themselves. On Thursday the 12th is the Feast of The Most Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary. “Mary” was a popular name among the Hebrew people, in memory of Miriam, the sister of Moses and Aaron. Some scholars think that this name is perhaps related to an Egyptian word meaning “beloved,” which certainly fits Mary of Nazareth. She was so beloved by God that God chose her to be the Mother of Jesus, and for this purpose God preserved her from the stain of sin from the first moment of her conception in the womb of her mother, St. Ann (Doctrine of the Immaculate Conception). No sin would distort or destroy her relationship with God. We honor Mary’s name and the holiness that it represents, and we call upon her intercession in our times of need.

It is said that when you think you have the virtue of humility it is a sure sign that you do not have it. Today’s readings center around this virtue, which is essential to the life of a Christian if we are to reach our goal of Heaven.

In today’s Gospel (Luke 13:22-30), Jesus is asked if many people will be saved. He warns that a place in the Kingdom of God is not a birthright reserved to the Jewish people, nor is it a given exclusively to those who hear him preach. Jesus tells the people, “strive to enter through the narrow gate,” adding that many will not be strong enough. He then adds insult to injury by telling them that outsiders from other nations will enter the Kingdom of God before them.