Dear Parishioners,
 
In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus surprises His audience in the Synagogue by reminding them that all people are children of God and that God works through everyone.  The insular nature of society in Jesus’ day would have taken great offense to Jesus’ remarks in this Gospel.  These references are the first, but not the last from His public ministry that all people are called to build the “Kingdom of God” on earth.
 
Later on, there would be stories concerning the Roman Centurion, the Samaritan Woman as well as people who were judged unclean as a result of their diseases and, of course, let us not forget tax collectors and sinners.  These circumstances clearly remind us that tolerance, understanding and openness to those who are different than ourselves are still life lessons for us all.  Our world is now more diverse within the nations on earth and more instantaneously connected than ever before.  Issues such as the status of immigrants and refugees in many nations, both legal and illegal, confront us every day.  The complexities of our foreign policy are overwhelming and are continuously challenging sometimes in life and death struggles in so many nations.  As we have seen, solutions and answers do not come easily.
 
Jesus would have his work cut out for Him were He alive today, but in reality, we are His servants who must engage the world concerning all these issues and hopefully we will be mindful of the wisdom that He places before us.
 

 In Christ,