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Pastor's Desk Msgr. Ralph Carroll The Twenty-First Sunday of Ordinary Time August 21, 2005 |
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Today is the Twenty-First Sunday of Ordinary Time. In St. Matthew's Gospel, we have the basis for our Church's claim that Peter and his successors — the Popes — are the head of our Church. As you know, Jesus had changed Simon's name to Peter which means "Rock." When he responded to Jesus' question, "Who do men (the Apostles) think that I am?" Peter stated that Jesus was "the Son of the living God." Jesus then acknowledged that Peter did not have this knowledge on his own, but that the Father had revealed it to him. Jesus then stated that on that Rock (Peter), He would establish His Church and not even Hell itself would overcome the Church. Additionally, it is also noteworthy that whenever the Apostles' names are listed in Scripture, Peter's name is always first. The Jews would always put the name of the most important person first in any listing. Throughout history, the Bishop of Rome has always been recognized as the first of the Bishops although, in the Eastern Church, they recognized the Patriarch of Constantinople as being on an equal footing with the Pope while recognizing the Pope as the first in honor. So it is that we have always acknowledged the Bishop of Rome as the leader of the Catholic Church. The importance of the role of the Pope — not only as head of the Catholic Church, but also as a person giving moral leadership to the world — was recently recognized by the tremendous acclaim and media coverage given to the death and burial of Pope John Paul II. This then continued through the election of Benedict XVI. This is the reason that we always pray for the Pope at every Mass throughout the world.
We know how Peter answered Jesus' question, "But who do YOU say I am?" The scripture addresses the same question to each of us. We say that we are Christians. We have been baptized, and most of us have also been confirmed and received Holy Communion. As a disciple of Jesus, what do we think of Him? Is Jesus a wonder worker for us, a prophet, a preacher, or God, or a redeemer, or what? How do we live our lives in conformity with what we say we believe? Do we really walk the walk with Him, or do we just talk the talk about Him? In what way is Jesus in your life? To what extent do others realize that they really see Jesus in us? How is the world better because we are here and believe in Jesus? These and other similar questions are things we should think and pray about this week.
The Young Elders will sponsor a dinner next Saturday, August 27. The dinner will begin at 12:00 noon in Vosbein Hall. Have you purchased your ticket yet? Their dinners and meetings are always interesting.
I will take my first week of vacation this week. I will be away from the parish from Monday, August 22, through Saturday, August 27. I thank you for your prayers for my brother. Please keep them up. Thank you.
Have a good week in the Lord.
Your Brother in Christ,
Send e-mail to Father Ralph
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