If you saw someone dead come to life tomorrow, what would you change about your life? Would you say "nothing"? That's what Jesus seems to hope. After all, we already know what to do.

In this Sunday's Gospel, a rich man and a poor man pass away, the former to damnation and the latter to peaceful rest alongside the Jewish patriarchs. The rich man asks if the poor man can appear to his brothers and advise them to live a more virtuous life. The parable offers a strong rebuke: "They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them." In other words, they should already know what to do.

We, too, know what to do. More than Moses, Jesus Christ himself has spoken, and continues to speak through his Church. The rich man did not heed the wise words, despite knowing them. If we are convicted against certain Christian teachings in our heart, how much good will miraculous "proofs" do? We know more than the law and the prophets — we know the prophetic law of love proclaimed by Jesus Christ. Are we living like we believe it?

"Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain…"

Compartmentalization or consistency? In this Sunday's Gospel, Jesus tells a strange story of a sneaky, savvy steward that raises questions about our personal virtue. "How much do you owe? Here is your promissory note, write one for eighty." This parable isn't advice for money management. Historically, there were many positions that acted on behalf of their masters regarding money, like customs agents, household stewards, and tax collectors. Often these workers over-charged and skimmed off the top.

Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain…"

In this Sunday's Gospel, we learn the context for the forthcoming parables about the lost and found. A great mixed crowd surrounds Jesus. The religious elite are present, along with all manner of local lowlifes. The Pharisees seem a bit upset that this wasn't the lecture series they were hoping for. Why would Jesus welcome sinners?

Jesus responds as if it's the most obvious thing in the world. "Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep … rejoice because I have found the coin that I lost … let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine … was lost, and has been found!" Each of the parables features a dramatic example. Of 99 sheep, one has gone astray. Of 10 coins, one has gone missing. The welcomed son has previously been a covetous scoundrel. Jesus' point to the Pharisees is clear. If the Gospel really is "good news," if our faith really has the power to save, why wouldn't we want everyone drawing near? Why wouldn't we do everything in our power to eke out that possibility for every single person, no matter where they have wandered? After all, if this message is not of value to everyone, why is it of value to anyone?

It's said that upon reading the Gospels, Gandhi commented that he very much liked Jesus Christ. It was Christ's followers he found troublesome. One wonders who Gandhi had met and if these Christians had truly counted the cost of their faith.

Following Jesus, really following Jesus, is much more challenging than we may think. He emphasizes this with strong language in this Sunday's Gospel. He compares discipleship to the carrying of one's own execution device – "his own cross" – and for the need even to "hate" what could disrupt one's commitment. Some of this is standard hyperbole, exaggeration for effect common to the time period. Some of this should make us wonder how deep our discipleship goes.

Can you imagine if Jesus threw a party? From the wedding feast at Cana, we know he wouldn’t let the wine run out. From this Sunday’s Gospel, we know there would be quite a lively array of guests! We also knew who the most important people would be — everyone.

Jesus advises throwing a party that turns everything upside down. Everyone should assume they’re the least important attendee, and the guest list shouldn’t include the neighborhood “who’s who.” Rather, we should go looking for “the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind” and hope they RSVP. Jesus describes a particular posture towards our own hospitality.

Have you ever seen a celebrity? Have you ever met a political representative? Did the encounter leave you with newfound acting or musical abilities? Did it give you a grasp of the intricacies of the latest city ordinance or controversial law? Talents, expertise, and skill are hard-won traits, not rewards that spread by contact. Our life of faith is also not so easy.

“We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets!” In this Sunday's Gospel, Jesus notes that it requires moral strength to enter the kingdom of God. It's not mere proximity to righteousness that saves. Rubbing elbows with the righteous is not the same as being truly holy ourselves. Unfortunately, we can have this attitude in many areas.

The Prince of Peace wants to set the world on fire? This Sunday's Gospel can sound more intense than what we may be accustomed to. It's a passage of contradictions. Jesus so clearly prays for unity, yet here he speaks of division. Why would our God who comes as an offering of love speak so frankly about causing relationships to be torn apart?

The sobering truth is that Jesus is divisive. We see this throughout the Gospels, as the Pharisees critique him, the Romans condemn him, and not everyone in the crowd is enthusiastic about his words.

Jesus has not come for the purpose of dividing, but what he does is so radical that it upends the status quo. And it doesn't end with his preaching and miracles! "There is a baptism with which I must be baptized." Jesus isn't talking about his baptism at the Jordan River, which has already occurred, but the passing through the waters of death on the Cross and rising again to new life in the resurrection.

Tickets booked, packing list double-checked, itinerary set - how do you know you're prepared for a trip? Being ready requires plenty of practical preparation. Do we give the same care to our spiritual preparedness? "Your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom," Jesus tells us. In this Sunday's Gospel, Jesus reminds us to have the right attitude for the gifts and callings he wants to give us!

Clear out your clutter! “Where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.” Jesus reminds the disciples that earthly standards of security and success will wear out in time. If our lives are structured around values that don't align with the kingdom of God, we'll miss opportunities to receive God. If we're so concerned with our child's success in sports that we miss Sunday Mass for their tournaments, we're missing out receiving the sacraments and building a consistent community of faith. If our quest for the promotion takes us away from family commitments, we won't be able to fully receive the love intended in our closest relationships.

In keeping with my commitment to transparency, I would like to apprise you on the sale of Saint Mary’s property. Saint Mary’s church and school building have been sold for $376,000 to William Gately of Berlin, Massachusetts. The closing took place July 18, 2019. Every contract related to the school and church (plowing, landscaping, etc.) has been terminated and the keys handed over to the buyer. Most of the Sacred Items were already removed by my predecessor before my arrival. The rest of the items such as the altar, some crucifixes and candle sticks were dismantled and stored away in a safe place at the rectory. I am thinking that perhaps we should donate them to some Catholic churches in developing countries where they could still be used for worship.

— Fr. Emmanuel

As we enter into a new week, I lift you up in prayer and claim 1 Chronicles 4:10. It is the prayer of Jabez.

May God grant your requests as He did for Jabez! May He bless you indeed and enlarge your borders! May the hand of God be with you and keep you from harm, in Jesus mighty Name, Amen!

— Fr. Emmanuel

Today's Gospel tackles a key question in the spiritual life - grateful or greedy?

The best news about saints is that everyone, including you, is called to be a saint.

Maybe you don’t think of yourself as a saint because you have not done anything great.

That’s no excuse. The saint whom Pope Pius XI called the greatest saint was Thérèse of Lisieux, a Carmelite nun who lived in a cloister and died at 24. What made people all over the world admire her is precisely that she did nothing the world called important but found holiness in everyday things.

Isn’t Having Statues or Pictures of Saints Idolatry?

Perhaps, as you are reading this, you have in your wallet pictures of your loved ones, such as your wife, husband, mother, father, son, daughter or pictures of your grandchildren. Maybe you carry their pictures to remind you of people you love, to help you feel that they are close to you when you are not together, or to share with people you meet. But you probably would not say that you worship them.

These are the same reasons we have statues and pictures of Saints. Seeing a statue of Saint Therese of Lisieux, who lost her mother when she was a child, might make us feel less alone when we are grieving. A picture of Saint Francis of Assisi might remind us of how much he loved God’s creation and make us more aware of our environment.

Repairs and Capital Improvements:
The St. Peter’s church building, the parish office as well as the rectory roof have been leaking in many places thereby causing damages to the physical buildings. We have had it rough this spring season. As I mentioned in the past, we had to put a bucket in my office space, as well as the guest room on the third floor of the rectory building to collect water dripping from the leaking roof.

After several meetings with the parish building committee (comprised of engineers, builders and architects) and the parish finance council, we engaged the services of Denis O’Sullivan to inspect the affected areas. Based on his findings, we asked him to put together bid proposals with the description of the work to be done for the above projects.

Many people think that honoring saints was something the Church set up later, but it was part of Christianity from the very beginning. As a matter of fact, this practice came from a long-standing tradition in the Jewish faith of honoring prophets and holy people with shrines. The Church began to honor saints by AD 100. The first saints were martyrs, people who had given up their lives for the faith because of the persecution of Christians.

How Does the Church Choose Saints to Honor?

At first, saints were recognized by popular acclaim. This was very democratic, but it led to problems. Some people honored saints who were only legends or made up stories about saints. So, by the tenth century, the bishops and pope took over the authority for approving saints. The procedure the Church uses to name a saint is called canonization.