Brothers & Sisters in Christ,

In the first reading from the Book of Numbers, we see Moses exclaim to Joshua, “Would that all the people of the Lord were prophets!” What exactly does it mean to be a prophet? For the people of the Old Covenant, it meant calling back the sinful Israelites and foretelling the doom they would undergo if they did not repent. It meant proclaiming that one day God would send a savior, the Messiah, to right all the wrongs of the world. However, what does it mean to be a prophet under the New Covenant?

Dear Fellow Disciples, peace.

In today’s Gospel Jesus teaches His disciples a profound lesson on humility and service. The disciples are arguing about who among them is the greatest. Jesus, aware of their conversation, turns the world’s idea of greatness upside down. He tells them, “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.”

Marian Center
Design work for the new Marian Center is progressing. Bauer Askew Architects have delivered floor plans and renderings, which have been shared through various channels and are on display in the Narthex. Parishioners were invited to vote on the roof design, with over 90% favoring the gable roof option. On August 29, the Finance Committee reviewed the project along with the schematic-level cost estimates and gave their approval to proceed with the final design.

Dear Fellow Disciples, peace.

Today's Gospel focuses on a critical question Jesus poses to His disciples, "Who do you say that I am?" (Mk 8, 29). This question invites both reflection and response. Not just for the disciples of Jesus' time but, even more, for the disciples of today.

Dear Fellow Disciples, peace.

In this Sunday's Gospel we witness Jesus healing a deaf man with a speech impediment. This passage is powerful in its simplicity, illustrating the compassion and healing power of Christ. Jesus takes the man aside, away from the crowd, away from distraction, and intimately engages with him. He touches the man's ears and tongue, looks up to heaven, and with a deep sigh, says, "Ephatha", meaning "be opened".

Dear Fellow Disciples, peace.

As we return to meditating on the Gospel according to Mark, we are confronted with Jesus' critique of the exterior acts of devotion and worship performed by his contemporaries. Acts without depth or conversion of heart and life.

Jesus follows the example of the prophets of Israel, who denounced the peoples' faith and devotion which were based only in exterior actions but empty of interior meaning and conversion. We also risk such empty faith and devotion.

Dear Fellow Disciples, peace.

At the end of the discourse on the bread of life there is drama among Jesus' listeners, "this discourse is too hard". The disciples face a decision, to leave or to stay with Jesus. Jesus doesn't impose himself and always keeps the doors open. Only those who really want to stay do so, nobody is forced.

Dear Fellow Disciples, peace.

As we journey through chapter 6 of the Gospel according to Saint John, we are brought to a deeper sense of the great gift God has given to us in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist.

We are in front of a gift, a mystery, a reality which surpasses our human understanding. In fact, only when we realize who the Giver is will we be able to understand and accept the Gift. The Giver is our Triune God who out of love for us does not desire our failure in discipleship but rather that we become like the image of the Son. The Gift is the Son himself who not only became one of us in the incarnation, in the proclaimed Word we hear in Church, He goes beyond and offers His own life (body and blood) as food for our journey in discipleship, remedy for immortality to heal our soul and broken heart and a pledge of eternal life.

Dear Fellow Disciples, peace.

Jesus' statement, "I am the bread that came down from heaven", was misinterpreted by his adversaries, as we already expected. They interpret it in the literal sense, to accuse him of encouraging anthropophagy.

The metaphoric language of Jesus, even though the Eucharist is not a metaphor, brought to his listeners a theme very dear to them, the manna that came down from heaven, as food for the hungry people in the desert.

Do not work for food in the parishes rather work for the food that endures in eternal life. When we think about obtaining food, we think about the here and now. That means what we will eat as a way of nourishment, and suitable for consumption, while others think about what is in it.

Dear Fellow Disciples, peace.

When the people realized the magnitude of what Jesus did, they wanted to make Him king. He is already the King! Jesus did not fall into their trap. Rather He retired alone on the mountain.

Those who benefited from the miracle of the loaves and fishes thought to have found the solution for their earthly troubles and trials. As He fed them and even got leftovers, so He would resolve all their other troubles.

As stated in the June 16 bulletin, the decision was made and approved by the Parish Council, to build a new structure to replace the current Marian Center building. The assessment concluded that space is desperately needed to accommodate present and future needs for a growing parish and school.

The picture shows the revised interior of the new building. The new Marian Center will serve as a meeting space for large groups (50 or more people), as well as housing the Backpack and Bridge ministries, and the Food Pantry. Final design concepts of the exterior of the building are currently in progress with Bauer Askew Architects. These renderings will be available to the parish for viewing in the coming weeks.

Dear Fellow Disciples, peace.

The four versions of the Gospels relate that Jesus was continuously serving, never tired, always surrounded by people in some kind of need. Even when He would search for a quiet place to rest with his disciples, people would find it out and press them to serve. Today's Gospel passage shows how Jesus deals with those in need. His words are full of wisdom and his willingness to serve attracted and fascinated them.

Dear Fellow Disciples, peace.

Jesus sends the disciples two by two, with the task to proclaim conversion. For the Kingdom of God requires conversion, metanoia, radical change of course, of mentality, so that our entire life would be conformed with God.

They are to stay in the same house. To stay is a verb very dear to Jesus especially in John's Gospel version. To stay often means to be fully present to the reality in which He is brought.

This spring we presented our comprehensive campus plan to various stakeholders and parishioners, outlining the funding requirements and interim milestones for each major phase of the program. While contributions have been steady, they have not reached the level necessary for the major projects needed. We hope parishioners will recognize the importance of having adequate facilities for present and future needs, as did the visionaries that previously laid the foundation of our present campus.

Dear Fellow Disciples, peace.

Jesus was a victim of a lot of prejudice by his countrymen. His good news of the Kingdom was met with suspicion and questioning. This attitude has its origin in their knowledge of Jesus' origin. They knew his town, his family, his profession. Coming from humble beginnings was a stumbling block for them to believe and trust in his teachings. He taught them as someone who had authority. The miracles which accompanied his teaching also brought prejudice and suspicion. His challenging attitude towards them and the signs shocked them and they rejected him.