The Gospel, in very strong language, reminds us to eliminate from our lives those things which cause us to commit sin, which can be different things to different people. Jesus reminds those who are listening that eliminating sinful behavior is often an enormous challenge because any change in life can be difficult as we are all well aware.

The challenge is to purge our lives of sinful behavior at the very beginning when it is obvious where this behavior is leading us. A simple example would be for a young person to stop smoking knowing what the long-term effect would be even before it becomes a destructive habit. We certainly know the difference between right and wrong and when the wrong rears its ugly head the time to end it is immediately.

Jesus used the gross and severe examples of eliminating the bad things to remind us that He knows how difficult it can be. The saving grace is, of course, that we are not abandoned by God and left to face our demons alone. Rather through prayer and staying close to Jesus by virtue of the sacraments, we can keep evil at bay.

Christ admonishes us in many parables never to abandon our faith in God knowing with great certainty that God will not abandon us in the face of the personal challenges that sin does to us all.

In Christ,

 

 

WELCOME BACK STUDENTS, PARENTS AND CATECHISTS!

 
Today begins the 2018/19 session of CCD classes! Today is also Catechetical Sunday, the day we celebrate our Catechists and all who play a role in handing on the faith and being a witness to the Gospel.  It is so fitting that the first day of class falls on the day we honor those who selflessly and willingly catechize to our youth.
 
SO, WHAT IS A CATECHIST?
 
We are all called to be disciples of Christ. We are called to grow in our faith and pass that knowledge onto others.

• A Catechist is a role model to our youth.

• A Catechist speaks the truth about God, faith and morals.

• A Catechist’s own relationship with God becomes deeper and more meaningful.

• A Catechist supports the faith journey of our youth.

• A Catechist takes time out of their hectic lives to show our children what it means to love, to serve and to share “The Good News” enthusiastically and willingly.

They are not perfect, they are not theologians or necessarily experienced teachers; but they have answered the call and are fully committed to bringing God’s grace to others.
 
I am thrilled to begin another year of Religious Education classes. I ask for God’s blessing upon our children and their parents as we enter a new year of growing in their faith, knowledge and wisdom. “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”  Matthew 28:19

On Thursday night, September 13th, the OLC Bible Study Group celebrated its 15th Anniversary. 

The group meets every Thursday evening at 7:15 p.m. The average member enjoys 80+ hours a year enriching their understanding of the inspired Word. The group has started the gospel of Matthew this month. New members always welcome. Come join us! For more information, please contact Rich Seraphine at 973-633-5404.

The truth of this gospel comes at the very end, “From within people, from their hearts, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly. All these evils come from within.” Jesus is letting us know to rid our lives of that which defiles us.

Every one of us has dealt personally with sinfulness as defined in the above Gospel quotation. Earlier in the Gospel, Jesus warns us that going through the motion of rituals will not save us… it’s what’s in your heart that counts. While that might be an old and tired saying, it really hits the mark. It is the reason why we begin Mass with a Penitential Rite so that what might be lurking in our hearts can be handed over to God before we receive the Body and Blood of His Son.

I leave you with this my friends… search your hearts and may your heart’s desire be the things of heaven.