I hope you all had a safe and enjoyable Fourth of July!
Prophets can be annoying, always harping about change, so it shouldn’t be surprising that Jesus’ message – “Repent! Change your heart!” – was not popular. In our own day, we are bombarded by messages of all kinds by those who claim to have unique insights into what constitutes a good and successful life. As a member of a thinking and holy people, your responsibility is twofold: first, to have a healthy skepticism unafraid to challenge cultural assumptions; and second, to be open – you could be wrong! Most of all, pray about these messages in the quiet presence of the Holy Spirit who helps you to discern the true prophets of your time. They may not be the ones you expect. In today’s first reading from Ezekiel, we heard “As the Lord spoke to me, the spirit entered into me and set me on my feet.” This reminds us that we are all called to share in the life of the prophets.
Saturday, July 14 is the Memorial of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha. She will be canonized a Saint by Pope Benedict on October 21, 2012. She was born at Osserneon (Auriesville, New York), her mother was a Christian Algonquin from Quebec, and her father was a non-Christian Mohawk Turtle chief. At age 4, a smallpox epidemic killed her parents and brother and left her with impaired eyesight and a disfigured face. Inspired by Jesuit missionaries, Tekakwitha was baptized on Easter Sunday in 1676 and assumed the name Kateri, probably in honor of Saint Catherine of Siena. Soon after, amidst growing persecution in her community, Kateri escaped to Kahnawake, near Montreal. She is called the “Lily of the Mohawks” and is the patroness of ecology and the environment. May we follow her example of courageous dedication to faith: "I am not my own: I have given myself to Jesus.”
Vacation Bible School begins on July 16 and concludes on July 19 with a family Mass and picnic on the rectory lawn! If you have not registered your child please do so. It is going to be a very exciting week!
Our Responsorial Psalm this week, "Our eyes are fixed on the Lord, pleading for his mercy," reminds us to turn to God to fulfill our needs.
