Mother Teresa—now honored as St. Teresa of Calcutta—inspired possibly millions of people, Catholic and non-Catholic alike, for her devotion to the poor around the world. But a decade after Mother Teresa’s death in 1997, those she had inspired were shocked to learn that for over 50 years—even as she was working vigorously to serve others--she had felt not the presence of God but the absence of God, along with great loneliness, sadness, and doubt.
If, as the Letter to the Hebrews tells us, Christ sympathizes with our weaknesses, he is certainly aware of our weaknesses. I think Christ wants us to be aware of our weaknesses, too—especially if we intend to follow his example of service. Only if we are aware of those areas of our life where we are deficient or struggling—those areas where we are lacking in ability, those areas where we are prone to fail, even sin—can we then avoid the arrogance Jesus warns against in our gospel. We can’t get the mistaken notion that we are somehow higher or better than others if we remember all the reasons we aren’t.
Only when we are aware of our own lowliness can we truly accept the lowliness of being not people who are served but people who serve.
THANK YOU AGAIN . . .
to all who worked so hard to make the Country Fair a success. We couldn't have done it without you!
AND AGAIN
On this weekend of my formal installation as pastor of the parish, I express my gratitude for the warm welcome, prayers, and support that I received since my arrival at St. Mary. It is never easy for pastors--or parishes--to make the transition from one pastor to another, but the kindness and friendliness of this community have been a great help. Through the prayers of Mary Immaculate, may God bless all of us now and in all the years ahead.