January 29, 2023

 

Dear Parishioners,

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Last Tuesday ten second graders from St. Julie Parish celebrated the Sacrament of Penance for the first time. They were well prepared and came that evening having reviewed their lives. Each of them had written down their sins and confessed them seeking the forgiveness of the Lord.

 

Not only did they experience God’s mercy. They also took a step in developing the virtue of humility. Dr. Ray Guarendi, a Catholic psychologist and radio call in host of The Doctor is In, has spoken about the imbalance our culture has regarding how we view ourselves. Dr. Ray points out that there are many resources for developing a child’s self-esteem. However, there are few resources for helping a child grow in humility.

 

Though the focus of the Sacrament of Penance is God’s mercy and forgiveness, confessing one’s sins does requires a person to make an act of humility. And perhaps there is no more necessary virtue for salvation. St. Bernard of Clairvaux said that the three most important virtues for a Christian are…humility, humility and humility.

 

Today’s readings also highlight this virtue. From the Book of the Prophet Zephaniah we hear, Seek the Lord, all you humble of the earth…seek humility…I will leave as a remnant in your midst a people humble and lowly. And though St. Paul does not use the word “humility” in our passage from this first letter to the Corinthians, he emphasizes that God has chosen the seemingly foolish, weak, low, and despised to reduce to nothing those who thought they were really something! Why? So that no human being might boast before God. It is due to Him that you are in Christ Jesus. It is all God’s grace. And humility is the door to God’s grace.

 

In today’s gospel we begin a series of readings from the Sermon on the Mount. This passage is famously called The Beatitudes because these sayings of Jesus underscore the keys to a Blessed earthly life that would lead to eternal life. These beatitudes, for the most part, are counter intuitive. How will the meek inherit the land? It seems that those who are assertive get the goods. How will those who hunger and thirst for righteousness be satisfied? It seems that the corrupt often climb to the top.

 

Two thoughts: First, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness and the like receive their rewards because God is in charge. Secondly, the promises of the beatitudes are rooted in the future - the eternal future. And that’s the place of permanent blessing.

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I believe the key to all the beatitudes lies in the first one: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Who are those who are poor in spirit? Simply put, people who are humble. May the Lord help us to grow in humility through the Sacrament of Penance and by the other opportunities that our daily lives present to us

 

This Sunday begins Catholic Schools Week. This is a week for Catholic Schools throughout the United States to host Open Houses, Science Fairs, and other events that display what Catholic Schools are about. One such school in our area is St. Peter School, just down the road from St. Julie’s. While upholding traditional values, St. Peter School has helped its student body excel academically, socially, and spiritually. Open House at St. Peter School is this Sunday, January 29 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. All are welcome. Mr. Roger Brooks, the St. Peter School Principal (a product of St. Peter School himself), would put it this way: Come and see why we are the difference.

 

Just a reminder: Friday, February 3rd , is the feast of St. Blaise, bishop and martyr. There is a tradition of blessing throats on this day. I will be doing this at the 5:30 p.m. Mass and all are welcome.

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                                                                    In Christ,

                                                                               Fr. Bob Franco