Dear Parishioners,

This week we will be having our Annual Catholic Appeal. This Appeal raises money for the many programs the Diocese of Trenton provides: assistance to the poor, Catholic Education, evangelization, supporting vocations to the priesthood, taking care of our retired priests and so many other ministries. I am doing this a week earlier than normal because I will be away at a wedding next weekend and I want to make sure everything goes well. So, if you have not received your mailing from the Diocese, yet, it is probably on its way. Since there will not be a normal homily this weekend, I would just like to share a reflection on this week’s readings.

In today’s Gospel reading, Our Lord, Jesus gives His sermon on the plains in which He depicts what the life of His follower is like. He labels many groups that are blessed: those who are poor, hungry, weeping and hated. In a worldly sense, these are very negative things. But, Jesus says they are a blessing because God fills in what is missing. Those who are poor will receive the Kingdom of God, for instance, because they have not received riches in this life; they are able to receive riches in the next. That is why Jesus also offers “woes” or curses to those who have much in this life. They have received their reward in this life and are not open to the graces God wishes to give them. Our Lord is asking us to radically re-evaluate what we think is most important in this world.

One can easily wonder why God would want us to suffer at all. The Catechism of the Catholic Church has some insight into these Beatitudes (the blessings) saying, “The Beatitudes depict the countenance of Jesus Christ and portray His charity. They express the vocation of the faithful associated with the glory of His Passion and Resurrection; they shed light on the actions and attitudes characteristic of the Christian life; they are the paradoxical promises that sustain hope in the midst of tribulations; they proclaim the blessings and rewards already secured, however dimly, for Christ’s disciples; they have begun in the lives of the Virgin Mary and all the saints.” (CCC 1717)

The point of this sermon is that the Lord is asking us to embrace His life and His ways which is the way of the cross. Love calls us to sacrifice. It is the only way that we can really be fulfilled in this life. If we live a life of clinging to what is pleasing and easy, then we are serving ourselves and missing out on the grace of God. Life is a formation process by which we prepare ourselves for heaven. I am reminded by something St. Francis of Assisi once said, “Remember that when you leave this earth, you can take with you nothing that you have received, but only what you have given: a full heart, enriched by honest service, love, sacrifice and courage.” May each of us give our full hearts to God and be prepared to receive His blessings.

God bless!

Father Carter