Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time – August 18, 2024
-
August 15, 2024Dear Parishioners,
It is not too late to join in our Parish Novena to Our Lady of Knock. The novena prayers, recited after all Masses, will continue to Thursday, August 22nd, the Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary – the Octave of the Assumption. You may take home copies of the prayers to use personally and in your families. At IHM Church we always have before us the Mystery of Mary’s Assumption into heaven and her Queenship, because of the painting that functions as the reredos of the High Altar. Therefore, we are always strengthened in faith and thus hope from Mary herself, who loves us and mirrors to us the depths of the Catholic faith. The same grace that transformed her is available to us. What happened to Mary can happen to us if we choose wisely.
In the vision at Knock, Ireland, in 1879, Mary raised her eyes to heaven. She reminded us to keep our gaze firmly on the Lord. With Mary we look to Him all the days of our lives, so that He may show us the way. The early Christians often asked non-believers: “Do you know the Way?” They had found the Lord and couldn’t contain themselves in witnessing to others. In our day we need to rediscover this enthusiasm for Christ. Each must do his part.
St. Anselm once wrote: “Credo ut intelligam; I believe that I may understand.” It is our complete trust of God in faith, a response to His love, that moves us beyond darkness to light. This is the key to the door through which He opens Himself up to us. In one song we pray: “Dear Mary won’t you show us the right and shining way.” In the official Knock Hymn we sing out: “And the woman clothed in the sun will shine her light on every one.” Her words from the Gospel re-echo in our ears: “Do whatever he tells you! (John 2:5)”
We must never forget that the greatest gift to us from God is His love. All know John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” In Galatians 2:20 we read: “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
At Knock Mary showed her compassionate, embracing, consoling love, reflected in her from above. We are all called to receive love and bring love to others.
Yours in the Immaculate Heart of Mary,
Fr. Mark G. Mazza
