Bishop Robert Barron: Understanding God
Do faith and science conflict?
People sometimes think that to be a scientific person means you have to reject God.But in fact, modern discoveries such as the Big Bang theory actually point towards God.
Watch this short video to see how:
An excerpt from
CHAPTER FOUR
Boldness and Passion
132. Parrhesía is a seal of the Spirit; it testifies to the authenticity of our preaching. It is a joyful assurance that leads us to glory in the Gospel we proclaim. It is an unshakeable trust in the faithful Witness who gives us the certainty that nothing can “separate us from the love of God” (Rom 8:39).
Deacon Dave's Homily for the 15th Sunday in OT
As we listen to the Scripture readings for this 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time, we once more reflect on the wonderful parable of the Good Samaritan. I would like to share a true story about some present day “Good Samaritans.”
Their plans and dreams for this senior couple just were not working out. They were grade school sweethearts, married at a relatively young age, raised their family, and planned to spend the rest of their lives enjoying the fruits of their labors. They enjoyed a very special relationship with one another. They were not extravagant in their tastes or lifestyle; in fact, we might characterize them as frugal. They enjoyed spending time in their comfortable, but simple home.
But that dream did not seem to be materializing – at least not in the fullest sense. Both encountered serious health problems in their “early” retirement years. Then came added financial problems. The budget was tight from the beginning and along came medical expenses that were not covered by insurance. Perhaps the icing on the cake was having to re-mortgage their home to help one of their children with some serious financial issues of his making. Retirement brought on the need for both to continue working.
When she asked to meet with me, it was with sense of failure and even embarrassment. She explained that he needed significant oral surgery and a complete set of dentures. The cost would be prohibitive. On the other hand, given the condition of his teeth, something would have to be done sooner rather than later.
We set about trying to help with this huge problem. I suppose you could say we were acting in a way similar to today’s Gospel parable about the Good Samaritan. Agencies were contacted that could potentially help medically or financially. The word was put out about the need for help. Finally, an oral surgeon stepped forward who could do the work without charge. Talk about an answer to prayer! This all happened through the prayer and work of several “Good Samaritans” coming together in love for their neighbor.
The parable of the Good Samaritan is a story with many, many levels of meaning. I hardly need remind you that Jews and Samaritans hated each other – the most extreme example of racial prejudice of that day. Jesus is questioned by a scholar of the law about the greatest commandment. Jesus answers the scholar’s question with a question. The scholar of the law responds to Jesus’ question with the correct answer: “you shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus tells the scholar of the law that if he lives this message, he will inherit eternal life. But then it seems, the scholar of the law wants to demonstrate just how clever he is and asks Jesus: “and who is my neighbor?” Jesus responds with the parable of the Good Samaritan.
Jesus provides this powerful lesson to the scholar of the law and by extension to all of us. Loving our neighbor carries with it a high calling and a sacred responsibility. Humans do not determine who is acceptable or unacceptable to God. A neighbor is anyone who acts out of love for God and meets people’s needs with love. In this world, we are constantly challenged to ask ourselves about the treatment of others – the poor, the outcast, the ones who have wronged us, the ones we would rather not associate with, the ones who are just plain different than us.
When we are “gut-level” honest with ourselves, we will likely acknowledge that loving our neighbor is not always easy. It does not always come naturally.
There are many “Good Samaritans” among us right here at St. Benedict, right here in Southwestern Indiana – Christian people who are dedicated to loving God with everything and to loving their neighbor as themselves.
Deuteronomy reminds us that following God is not mysterious or remote; it is something very near; already in our hearts. We are simply called to return to the Lord with all our hearts and souls. As Church, as the Body of Christ, we are called to that wonderful journey of life in Christ through loving God and neighbor!
As we listen to the Scripture readings for this 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time, we once more reflect on the wonderful parable of the Good Samaritan. I would like to share a true story about some present day “Good Samaritans.”
Their plans and dreams for this senior couple just were not working out. They were grade school sweethearts, married at a relatively young age, raised their family, and planned to spend the rest of their lives enjoying the fruits of their labors. They enjoyed a very special relationship with one another. They were not extravagant in their tastes or lifestyle; in fact, we might characterize them as frugal. They enjoyed spending time in their comfortable, but simple home.
But that dream did not seem to be materializing – at least not in the fullest sense. Both encountered serious health problems in their “early” retirement years. Then came added financial problems. The budget was tight from the beginning and along came medical expenses that were not covered by insurance. Perhaps the icing on the cake was having to re-mortgage their home to help one of their children with some serious financial issues of his making. Retirement brought on the need for both to continue working.
When she asked to meet with me, it was with sense of failure and even embarrassment. She explained that he needed significant oral surgery and a complete set of dentures. The cost would be prohibitive. On the other hand, given the condition of his teeth, something would have to be done sooner rather than later.
We set about trying to help with this huge problem. I suppose you could say we were acting in a way similar to today’s Gospel parable about the Good Samaritan. Agencies were contacted that could potentially help medically or financially. The word was put out about the need for help. Finally, an oral surgeon stepped forward who could do the work without charge. Talk about an answer to prayer! This all happened through the prayer and work of several “Good Samaritans” coming together in love for their neighbor.
The parable of the Good Samaritan is a story with many, many levels of meaning. I hardly need remind you that Jews and Samaritans hated each other – the most extreme example of racial prejudice of that day. Jesus is questioned by a scholar of the law about the greatest commandment. Jesus answers the scholar’s question with a question. The scholar of the law responds to Jesus’ question with the correct answer: “you shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus tells the scholar of the law that if he lives this message, he will inherit eternal life. But then it seems, the scholar of the law wants to demonstrate just how clever he is and asks Jesus: “and who is my neighbor?” Jesus responds with the parable of the Good Samaritan.
Jesus provides this powerful lesson to the scholar of the law and by extension to all of us. Loving our neighbor carries with it a high calling and a sacred responsibility. Humans do not determine who is acceptable or unacceptable to God. A neighbor is anyone who acts out of love for God and meets people’s needs with love. In this world, we are constantly challenged to ask ourselves about the treatment of others – the poor, the outcast, the ones who have wronged us, the ones we would rather not associate with, the ones who are just plain different than us.
When we are “gut-level” honest with ourselves, we will likely acknowledge that loving our neighbor is not always easy. It does not always come naturally.
There are many “Good Samaritans” among us right here at St. Benedict, right here in Southwestern Indiana – Christian people who are dedicated to loving God with everything and to loving their neighbor as themselves.
Deuteronomy reminds us that following God is not mysterious or remote; it is something very near; already in our hearts. We are simply called to return to the Lord with all our hearts and souls. As Church, as the Body of Christ, we are called to that wonderful journey of life in Christ through loving God and neighbor!
Photo Credit: Mark Valenzuela
Coming Up...
St. Ben's SUMMER SOCIAL
Saturday, September 7, 2019, Noon-8PM.
Please call the parish office or see the FaceBook page (St. Bens Summer Social) to sign up. This is a great opportunity for us to meet new people as we work together for the good of our parish and school.
St. Ben’s Annual Yard Sale - July 19 & 20 and July 26 & 27 from 7AM-3PM
Items will be accepted from 11 AM to 2 PM on June 23 and 30, July 7, 14, and 21.
Please use Door 10 on the SE Corner of the building for drop offs. We need clothing from infant to 8th grade as well as furniture and household items. We will not be accepting adult clothing, tube TV’s or CRT computer monitors. Please contact Lisa Calvert at (812) 430-7585 if you have any questions or would like to volunteer.
Religious Education, First Communion & Confirmation Registration
August 11 & 18 after the morning Masses
A copy of the child's baptismal certificate is required for registration
