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.