Dear Parishioners and Friends:
I am grateful to all those who build up the parish community at IHM. During my six years as your pastor, I have been deeply touched by your hospitality, kindness, and faith. Again and again, you show that you have what it takes to build up a Christian community of faith and hope and love. I wish to encourage each and every one of you in all that you do. Let us consecrate all that we do to the greater honor and glory of God (Ad maiorem Dei gloriam; A.M.D.G). If you can get more involved or begin to get involved, please know that your presence can make a difference. You are wanted and needed.
This Sunday, we are invited to reflect on the tenth chapter of St. Mark’s Gospel, verses 17-30. Who cannot be touched by the man, who kneels before the Lord, and calls out: “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life (Mk. 10:17)?’’ Jesus responds by pointing him to the Ten Commandments. Then the man claims that he has kept these since his youth. But, apparently, he has missed something in these commandments, something deeper, from the heart, beyond a legalistic observance of the rules. Playing by the rules is not enough. Then St. Mark describes Jesus (verse 21, a) in a way that gives all of us hope, because he writes: “Jesus, looking at him, LOVED HIM.” Stop at this moment and receive that love! I pray that you can feel it. It is always warm and encouraging. His love is meant for us right now and always. Yes, right now. Jesus makes clear that He loves us and because of that love we can and must love others. Jesus then gives an indication of what that love is looks like.
“You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me (Mk. 10:21b),” Jesus proclaims. These words, Jesus tells us, are not easy ones to digest, to take into our lives. They do not mean that we must hate material things and live in abject poverty. Jesus is calling us to live in the world, but not be of the world. It is a matter of priorities. The greatest treasure we possess is the love of God and the ability to bring that love to others. LOVE, St. Paul tells us, is paramount in following Christ. The true nature of love is seen in Christ crucified. LOVE is the summation of all the commandments, in fact, the greatest commandment.
After the man heard the authentic teaching of Jesus, St. Mark observes: “At that statement his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions (Mk. 10:22).” Perhaps I am a romantic, but I believe that at some time after his personal encounter with the Lord, that man searched his soul; and then he returned to join Jesus as a disciple. That would make sense. It is never too late for us to join Jesus and His Church. It is never too late to fall in love with the Lord of love. That is the power of God’s unconditional love for us all our days.
And now here are a few short prayers. I’m sure that you have your favorites. When I was about ten years old, I knelt at the altar steps as an altar boy and heard the priest pray in the name of the whole Church: “I will go in unto the altar of God; Introibo ad altare dei (Ps. 42:4a).” To which I responded: “The God Who giveth joy to my youth; Ad Deum qui laetificat iuventutem meam (Ps. 42:4b).” Jesus will never abandon us. He continues to love us all our days. In Holy Communion Jesus enters into the most profound communion with our souls to preserve them unto life eternal.
With St. Alphonsus (Stations of the Cross) I have prayed for many years: “I love Thee, Jesus, my love. I repent of having offended Thee. Grant that I may love Thee always, and then do with me what Thou wilt.”
Every school day after Mass I remember that we prayed: “Jesus, for Thee I live! Jesus, for Thee I die! Jesus, I am Thine in life and in death! Amen.”
Don’t forget to pray as you genuflect before the Blessed Sacrament upon entering and leaving the church: “My Jesus, I adore Thee, here present in the Blessed Sacrament!”
Lastly, “O my Queen, O my Mother, remember that I am thine own. Keep me and guard me as thy property and possession. Amen.”
Yours In Her Immaculate Heart,
Fr. Mark G. Mazza, Pastor
P.S. Please make use of the Family Prayer cards always in the vestibule along with the summary of how to make a good confession. During October let us storm heaven with the daily rosary.