FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK……

October 12, 2003

Dear Fellow Parishioners,

For quite sometime now, I've been hearing an ad on the radio promoting the benefits of a full body scan that is painless, quick, and doesn't require disrobing, but is so sensitive that it can detect cancerous tumors, arterial disease, and other potentially life-threatening health problems long before a routine physical exam would discover them.  The advertisement goes on to say that patients are wise when they avail themselves of these new technological advances in medicine since early detection often ensures a complete cure.

Our First Reading on this 28th Sunday In Ordinary Time, praises the pursuit of wisdom.  (See Wisdom 7: 7-11)  Real wisdom begins by looking deep within ourselves by reading God's word.  Our Second Reading from the New Testament Letter To The Hebrews tells us that "...the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart."  (Hebrews 4: 12-13)

St. John the Evangelist tells us that Jesus is God's Word made manifest in the flesh.  In his Gospel, he says:  "And the Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us, and we saw His glory, the glory of the Father's only Son, full of grace and truth."  (John 1: 14)  In today's Gospel, Jesus tells the young man to set his priorities right by putting the Word first before all else.  True wisdom, then, begins also by putting Jesus first.

One practical way for me to do this is to unite daily Scripture reading with my daily prayers.  Perhaps you have thought of doing this too, but don't know how to begin.  One method I have found helpful in my life is to take the Sunday Scripture Readings and reflect on them during the week.  Monday, I reflect upon the Old Testament Reading from the previous Sunday.  On Tuesday, I read and reflect on the New Testament Reading and add the Responsorial Psalm from the previous Sunday to my prayer.  On Wednesday, I read and reflect on the Gospel from the previous Sunday.  On Thursday, I read and reflect on the Old Testament Reading from the Sunday coming up.  On Friday, I read and reflect on the upcoming New Testament Reading and pray the Responsorial Psalm.  On Saturday, I read the Gospel for the Sunday coming up.  This helps me to get a head start on what I am going to listen to at church the next day.  This is a simple and easy way to use the Scriptures to gain true wisdom and to be a blessing to others throughout the week.  If you haven't done so already, why don't you give it a try!

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Rev. Raymond Tintle, OFM
Pastor