February 12, 2023
Today we celebrate the 6th Sunday of Ordinary Time. At the end of today’s Gospel, we hear Jesus say, “Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.” He’s continuing His Sermon on the Mount, giving practical challenges to following the mere letter of the Law. This weekend’s scriptures take make a good reflection on the commandments and the choice we have to see in them the path to holiness and life. The first reading from Sirach begins with the phrase, “If you choose you can keep the commandments, they will save you; if you trust in God, you too shall live.” Every day we begin fresh in living out our discipleship. As soon as our feet hit the floor we are on the path of following the Master. Before us are set options. Sirach continues, “Before man are life and death, good and evil, whichever he chooses shall be given him.” Our choices reflect life or death. For every Jew of Jesus’ day, the following of the commandments was the choice for life. But Jesus upsets the apple cart. He has not come to abolish the law as some modern day religious ‘experts’ might want us to believe. We can’t just profess our love for God and then go about as we please. Jesus came to fulfill the Law and uses several challenges to His listeners on how they must choose. Why? Our righteousness must surpass the letter of the Law and reveal to others the heart of it. As we daily choose to follow Jesus let our ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’ and our ‘No’ mean ‘No.’
All Things New Update. I hope you took the opportunity to read my Pastor’s Column last weekend which was sent from the ATN Planning Task Force. It outlined where we are and where we are headed in these final months before the Plan is announced. Of particular importance was the chance for all parishioners to see the Parish Feedback Summary now posted at https//allthingsnew.archstl.org On February 2nd, the Feast of the Presentation, all the priests spent the day with the Archbishop for a lengthy review of revisions to the models being considered following parish feedback. There were several changes to our planning area. St. Luke the Evangelist, Little Flower, Immaculate Conception are no longer merged with Our Lady of Lourdes. OLL is moved in with St. Roch, Christ the King, All Saints, and St. Joseph in Clayton. The Richmond Heights parishes of St. Luke and Little Flower along with Maplewood I.C. are now clustered with St. Mary Magdalen in Brentwood. A full report on the updated changes to the draft models will be posted on the Archdiocesan website sometime in mid-February. That’s what I know so far.
There will not be 8:00 am Masses this coming week. This is my annual time away with my brother priests to warmer climates. Speaking of Masses, you have probably noticed that there are more and more priests’ names for daily Mass intentions. Every priest is a member of the Priests’ Purgatorial Society. When a priest dies, his brother priests are to say 3 masses for the repose of his soul. Currently, St. Luke Parish has very few Mass intentions requested, so I am using the open days to ‘catch-up’ on Masses for my brother priests. We can always use more Mass intentions, and what better gift can we give than our prayers for deceased loved ones? Contact Donna with your requests ([email protected]).
God Bless! Have a great week!
Please continue praying 3 Hail Marys.
Fr. Pete