“Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” (Mk 8: 34)

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This Sunday we begin a series of seven Sunday Gospel readings from Mark’s account of the journey of Jesus and his disciples from northern Galilee to Jerusalem. Along the way Jesus gave
instructions about his identity and what it meant to follow him (discipleship). In training his disciples,Jesus realized that if his disciples did not know who he really was, then his entire ministry,suffering and death would be useless. Hence, he decided to ask a question in two parts. The first question: “who do people say that I am? Their answer was, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others one of the prophets.” The second question: “who do you say that I am?”or what is your personal opinion?” For the first time in their relationship, Peter, speaking for the other disciples, declared publicly: “You are the Christ (Messiah) the Son of the living God.” Peter was the first apostle to recognize Jesus publicly as the Anointed One, the Messiah. However, Jesus was quick to explain to the disciples that he was not a political Messiah who would re-establish the Davidic kingdom after ousting the Romans. Instead, he was the Messiah who would redeem mankind by his suffering, death and Resurrection. Then we see Peter trying to dissuade Jesus from such a course. Jesus makes use of this situation and addresses to wider audience of the crowd and explains the three conditions to his disciple. Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me.” Jesus lays down three conditions of discipleship. Denying self: This means, with God’s grace, evicting selfish thoughts, evil desires and tendencies from our heart and filling it with God. Carrying of the cross with Jesus: The cross always means pain and suffering. Our sufferings become the cross of Jesus with its saving power when we suffer with him by dying to our self-centeredness through serving others selflessly, enduring physical or mental pain and illness without complaint. Following Jesus: This means that, as followers of Christ, we should live our lives according to the word of God, by obeying what is commanded by Jesus.  What does Jesus mean to me? Founder of a religion? Revolutionary Jewish reformer? One of the great teachers? “How do I really see Jesus? Is Jesus a living experience for me, walking with me, loving me, forgiving me, helping me and transforming my life and outlook?

Fr. Kishore Battu SAC

Mass of Anointing  – September 29th

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Having received from the Lord the charge to heal the sick, the Church strives to carry it out by taking care of the sick; and accompanying them with her prayer of intercession.

 Above all, the Church possesses a sacrament specifically intended for the benefit of the sick – the “Sacrament of Anointing”. It was instituted by Christ and is attested to by Saint James:

 

 “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call in the presbyters of the Church and let them pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord” (James 5:14-15).

 During the regularly scheduled, 5:00pm Mass on Saturday, September 29th, our parish will be offering the “Sacrament of Anointing”. This sacrament is intended for:

· Anyone who is seriously ill, including seriously sick children who are old enough to experience the sacramental benefits;

· Individuals about to undergo surgery due to a serious illness;

· The elderly, suffering the maladies of old age; and

· All individuals who are chronically ill or permanently disabled.

 If you, or a family member, fit any of the descriptions above, we encourage you to register your name; attend this Mass; and receive an anointing. All you need do is:

 Call the Rectory Office (313) 532-4394;

 Register your name by Wednesday, September 26th;

And attend the Mass on September 29th.

 

Part of God’s plan for each of us is that we should fight strenuously against all sickness; and carefully seek His blessings for good health. This special Mass on September 29, along with the Sacrament of Anointing, provide an opportunity to do just that.

 

– St. Valentine Worship Commission

21st Sunday in Ordinary Time.

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Are you going to serve God or not? We hear this question from Joshua in the first reading today. It should go right to our own hearts. It is a question that is part of our lives: serve God or not? The readings today put this question to us and we are asked to answer it.

 John’s Gospel reports that many of those who had been Jesus’ disciples ceased to follow him at this point. The number of people following Jesus dwindled from a crowd of more than 5,000 to only 12 people. And it is to these 12 that Jesus now turns his attention and he asks them: Do you also want to leave?” Peter speaks up for the 12 responding, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”

 We have to remember that this statement, although it sounds so very clear, is not very clear. For instance, Peter betrayed Jesus. Thomas refused to believe. The Apostles are good examples to us because they are not people who just believed without having any failures or faults. They made a lot of mistakes and were not faithful always–but in the end, they decided to walk with the Lord.

We must seek to respond to the invitation of our Lord. Even if we have gone away from the Lord Jesus, He still invites us to return. Let us not be afraid of turning back to the Lord if we have left Him. If we have remained faithful, let us strive to love Him even more. And so we need to ask ourselves ‘Are we going to serve God or not’?

 Here’s just a verse and a chorus of the Gospel song sung by Bob Dylan – “Gotta Serve Somebody” – it has many more verses to it.

 You may be an ambassador to England or France

You may like to gamble, you might like to dance

You may be the heavyweight champion of the world

You may be a socialite with a long string of pearls

 But you’re gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed

You’re gonna have to serve somebody

It may be the devil or it may be the Lord

But you’re gonna have to serve somebody.

 

I hope you will be able to join us for the Parish Picnic on Sunday!

Blessings,

Fr. Socorro

 

Stewardship Thoughts

In today’s First Reading from the Book of Joshua, he gives the ancient Israelites a choice to either serve their God, the God of Israel, or the pagan gods: Amorite gods or gods beyond the River. Joshua then boldly professes, As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord. In St. Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians, he raises marriage to a sacrament and likens the marital bond in love between husband and wife to Christ’s relationship with the Church. In St. John’s Gospel, many of the disciples find Christ’s truth on the everlasting gift of His Body and Blood hard to accept and leave His company. Jesus questions His Apostles to see if they, too, will leave Him and go back to their former way of life. Discipleship in the Lord is challenging, but Simon-Peter proclaims to Jesus, Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Being Christ’s disciple has a definite cost, but He assures us of His strength to accept that cost. Jesus’ strength, peace, and joy can be attained through Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction in your parish, or at an Awaken Eucharistic Adoration in your area.

Labor Day Holiday –Office Hours

The Parish Office will be closed Friday, August 31 thru Monday, September 3rd for the Labor Day Holiday. We will reopen Tuesday, September 4th at 8:30 a.m.