FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK…


AUGUST 29, 2004


Dear Fellow Parishioners,

    I enjoy listening to baseball games on the radio.  I especially enjoy the post-game interviews of the star player for that particular game.  I've noticed lately that when a winning pitcher is interviewed and asked the reason for his success,most often he will reply that he has learned to "stay within myself."  What does this phrase mean?  The ballplayer is saying that his success is based on his sticking only with what he is physically capable of doing and not exceeding his own personal limitations.

    In today's first reading for the 22^nd Sunday in Ordinary Time from the Old Testament Book of Sirach, God counsels us to do likewise when He tells us:  "WHAT IS TOO SUBLIME FOR YOU, SEEK NOT; INTO THINGS BEYOND YOUR STRENGTH SEARCH NOT."  (See Sirach 3: 20) This is the key to successful living as a baptized Christian.  Our second reading from the letter to the Hebrews gives us the clue as to how we can put this sage advice into practice:  by putting our reliance on Jesus instead of on ourselves to handle the curveballs life sometimes throws us.  (See Hebrews 12: 18-24) St. Paul put it this way: "BUT WHATEVER GAINS I HAD, THESE I HAVE COME TO CONSIDER A LOSS BECAUSE OF CHRIST.  MORE THAN THAT, I EVEN CONSIDER EVERYTHING AS A LOSS BECAUSE OF THE SUPREME GOOD OF KNOWING CHRIST JESUS MY LORD…TO KNOW HIM AND THE POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION." (See Philippians 3: 7 & 10) 

    Something to think about as we come to the end of another summer!

                                         Sincerely yours in Christ,

                                        Rev. Raymond Tintle, OFM
                                                        Pastor