Word to the Wise
Sunday, November 7, 2010 - Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time
[2 Maccabees 7:1-2, 9-14; 2 Thessalonians 2:16-35; Luke 20:27-38]May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting encouragement and good hope through his grace, encourage your hearts and strengthen them in every good deed and word.
As I write this, I am at a parish in western Nebraska to preach a parish mission. This is more or less the Catholic version of a revival, although we might use the term "retreat" or "renewal," that begins with me preaching at all the weekend masses (sometimes in both English and Spanish) and continues with services Monday through Wednesday evening. Parish Missions comprise a good portion of my itinerant preaching ministry, along with retreats. The "theme" of this parish mission is GRACE AND ENCOURAGEMENT - LIVING OUR BAPTISMAL COMMITMENT. The words quoted from St. Paul's Second Letter to the Thessalonians suggested the theme, but I think they challenge us whether or not we will be at this parish mission! The first reality to be aware of is the presence of God through grace. God is ever available to us if only we reach out! The second is encouragment! This may be more difficult for us because of the way we have increasingly "privatized" faith and religion! How can we encourage one another with the same encouragement that we receive from God. It is not enough to simply presume that everyone else is aware of God's grace and encouragement! It is my hope that through this parish mission, those attending will become aware of the grace received in their baptism and the encouragement that they owe one another in living faith, forgiveness, and care for each other. Please join me through your prayers for the next few days for the people of this parish, and remember to encourage one another! AMEN
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