From the Pastor's Desk….

July 6, 2003

My Dear Fellow Parishioners,

Have you ever heard the term "game face"?  Or, how about the term "street face"?  Sometimes in sports, a commentator will talk about a particular player having his "game face" on.  What that means is that a particular ball player is determined to play hard and win the game.  Other times, young people are taught to wear a "street face" when they are in public --- not to let their inner feelings or emotions show --- as a means of self-defense.  Perhaps, sometimes this type of demeanor is required when facing very difficult circumstances.  Not in our relationship with God, however!

In our first scripture reading for this Sunday, the fourteenth in Ordinary Time, from the Old Testament Book of Ezekiel, The Prophet, God calls the Israelite people "hard of face and obstinate of heart."  Such an attitude is a real hindrance to experiencing God's grace and power in our lives as St. Paul experienced it.  It can even block Jesus' healing touch as evidenced by what happened in today's Gospel when Jesus went back to his home town.  (See Mark 6: 1-6)  Let's ask the Lord to remove our stubborn pride so that he can work His miracle of love in us.

Sincerely yours,

Fr. Ray Tintle, O.F.M.
Pastor