Well, it's "Back To School" Weekend. Best wishes to all who are returning to school this week. These words from Psalm 25 may be your prayer for the school year: "Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me."
As we listen and reflect on our readings this weekend, I think we are being called to "Be a Fool for God." Prophets sometimes complain that their job description is too demanding. But one of the strangest of these laments is that of Jeremiah who claimed that God had tricked him into his vocation! “You duped me, O Lord, and I let myself be duped!” or as another translation says – perhaps even more poignantly - “You seduced me!” And when the prophet tries to ignore his calling, it burns inside him until it succeeds in bursting forth to do the work for which it was sent. While we may not rank with a biblical prophet, each of us does have a vocation to speak and act with compassion, justice and tolerance when anyone is deprived of these basic dignities.
Monday is the Feast of the Martyrdom of John the Baptist. It is a feast to remind us that we are to prepare the way for peace in our lives. The Palestinian city of Nablus is an important hub of urban life in the West Bank. If ancient tradition is to be believed, it is also the burial place of John the Baptist. Mention of his relics being honored there dates to the fourth century. Today the revered tomb is housed in the Nabi Yahya Mosque, or "John the Baptist Mosque." So it is that one of Christianity’s most revered prophets and saints occupies a special place of respect in the Islamic world. Perhaps John has not stopped proclaiming a prophetic message. If he has earned the respect of Muslims as well as Christians, surely we can follow his example today in these troubled times for interfaith relations. Be a voice for peace and toleration!
Faith formation classes will begin on Sunday, September 25. Registration forms are available at the church entrances and online. Parents are reminded of their responsibility of making sure your child is trained in the practice of the faith. New to Faith Formation this year will be Sunday Morning Chat for youth in grades 7-12. More information to follow!
