August 24, 2021
Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,
Greetings and blessings!
The Gospel reading for this 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Mark 7: 1-8, 14-15, 21-23) has sparked a thought and reflection about the verities of the very real world we live in as Christians. It is often challenging to live the life-giving virtues of the Christian life.
In the hurts, indignities and injustices perpetrated against us, as individuals, as a community, as a nation, as a world, what is often worse than the act itself is what the act does to us. We can often respond with suspicion, cynicism, anger, vengeance, and retaliation. That hurts us more than it hurts our so-called enemies.
One of the most difficult challenges to being a disciple of Jesus is not to let those things “outside” of us diminish who we are “inside.” When we are attacked, it is difficult not to let such anger or vengeance displace the things of God in the sacred place of our hearts. It is difficult but not impossible. Rather than let someone’s aggression and hatred transform us into hateful people, let God’s presence transform us and the evil around us into compassion and forgiveness.
Think of people you know who hold grudges. What happens to them? Better yet, look into our own hearts and see what anger can do to us. It is one thing to let someone who loves us transform us into a more loving person. It is quite another thing to let someone who hates us turn us into hateful persons.
Jesus says it so well. The evil outside us, the evil that is leveled at us cannot hurt. The evil that comes from within truly defiles us. Jesus invites us to always pursue that safe place, that beautiful place where the goodness that God has placed in our hearts can not only survive but be passed on to others.
UPDATE ON COVID-19 (Delta) safety:
For the deepest concern and respect for all Catholics in the Archdiocese of Hartford, Archbishop Blair announced and requested on August 7th, that all those attending Masses and other events be encouraged to resume the wearing of masks due to the rise in the virus infections in our state.
Additionally, the Town of Rocky Hill issued a mandate on Friday, August 20th that masks be worn while in indoor public spaces.
I personally think this is a wise and prudent decision.
Peace and Blessings,
Fr. George Couturier
Pastor
