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FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK…
AUGUST 22, 2004
Dear Fellow Parishioners,
When I was a child growing up at home, I thought my mom had magical powers to be able to read my mind. For example, when I was sent to my room as punishment for misbehavior, she would warn me that I would get double punishment if I dared to carry out any of my vengeful thoughts against the brother or sister that had told on me to my parents. How did she know what I was thinking?
Whether or not parents can actually read their children's minds, I cannot say for certain. However, I do know that God can read our thoughts. He tells us so in today's first reading for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time from the Prophet Isaiah where we read: "THUS SAYS THE LORD: I KNOW THEIR WORKS AND THEIR THOUGHTS…" (See Isaiah 66: 18)
I never liked being punished as a child. However, I expected it as a natural consequence of my mischief; and, when for some reason or other I wasn't punished for what I did, I felt uncomfortable about it. The author of the Letter to the Hebrews, our second reading for today, admonishes us: "ENDURE YOUR TRIALS AS DISCIPLINE." (See Hebrews 12: 11) We need to be disciplined in the same way as plants and trees in our gardens at times need to be pruned so that we can produce more and better fruit.
Finally, in today's Gospel Jesus exhorts us to avoid trying to take the easy way out. If we truly want to follow Him, then, like Him, we have to be willing to bear the cross. There are no short cuts to heaven!
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Rev. Raymond J. Tintle, OFM
Pastor
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