" God is faithful: he made himself our debtor not by accepting anything from us, but by promising us such great blessings.” ~ St. Augustine
In this Sunday's Gospel Jesus picks up where John the Baptist's witness leaves off in preaching the good news of the kingdom of heaven - the same good news prophesied by Isaiah in the first reading. Jesus also begins calling his disciples, the very men who will carry on that same mission of bringing the good news to the rest of the world. Fast forward to our time when we, as baptized Christians, are called to continue this mission. What is the good news that Jesus brings? It is the good news of peace, hope, salvation, truth, light in the darkness - in exchange for a repentant heart, a turning back to God. As you prepare for Mass this weekend here are some questions for reflection: In what specific ways can I be a bearer of the good news to others? Who in my life is particularly in need of the good news? 
Today, the Third Sunday of Ordinary Time, has been newly designated as Word of God Sunday in the Church's liturgical calendar. Pope Francis announced this new celebration last September 30th on the Feast of St. Jerome, a man who had a great love for Scripture and was responsible for translating the bible to Latin 1600 years ago. In his document announcing this new celebration, Aperuit Illis , the Pope uses the scene of the Risen Lord appearing to the disciples at Emmaus to demonstrate what he calls “the unbreakable bond between Sacred Scripture and the Eucharist”. Since the Scriptures everywhere speak of Christ, he writes, “they enable us to believe that His death and resurrection are not myth but history, and are central to the faith of His disciples”. Through this celebration, the faithful are reminded that in reading the Sacred Scriptures, we too can come to know Jesus Christ better, discern the ways of God more deeply, and see how he works in our lives and in our world today.
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During flu season, the reception of Holy Communion from the chalice, the Most Precious Blood, is suspended for the duration of the flu season effective immediately. You are reminded that the exchange of peace during Mass can and should be made without touching one another, that is, with a smile, nod and verbal greeting. 
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