Our 2021 food drive, benefitting the Huffman Food Bank begins this weekend.

My dear parishioners, because earth, heaven and purgatory are united by Our Lord in the communion of saints, we are obliged not to forget the souls of those who died in his peace.  At the time of death, many souls still groan under the weight of serious sins not confessed, those transgressions for which atonement was never made. Simply expressed, the mercy of Jesus is priestly absolution of sins in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The mercy of Jesus, moreover, is the corporal and spiritual works of mercy offered as atonement for sins. God’s justice is proven by its fairness: “He who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.”  [Mt 10:38]  Hence, no soul is dispensed from the saving work of reconciliation and atonement.  

My dear parishioners, the principalities and powers of this world march by, indeed they trample over countless persons deemed to be expendable. Two words describe well “little ones” who are left behind in the global dust, even crushed and left for dead. They are abused and forgotten. To them Jesus opens his arms, saying, “See that you do not despise one of these little ones; for I tell you that in heaven their angels always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven.”  [Mt 18:10] 

Beloved of St. Philip, grace and peace in the Lord’s name! The times we live in are not just edgy but deeply tormented. Violence, drugs, perversion, lawlessness and civil anarchy are widely accepted behavior models. Our dysfunctional political leaders loathe the citizens who elected them. Through the smoke and haze of lawless cities and mangled borders, our natural human confidence falters and dread of the future grows. Through all this noise and claptrap, our loving God speaks to us a word of courage and fortitude. Courage is the giving of self to others even at great price. Fortitude is the strength to bear up when good things and good people are taken from us.