JESUS, THE CHRIST
AND SON OF GOD
A Pastoral Reflection
When we want to publicize something important, the key is getting as many people as possible involved in spreading the word. Social media online aims at doing this. Why, then, in today’s gospel would Jesus order “his disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ”?
Jesus asked his followers: “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They replied with all sorts of ideas (John the Baptist, Jeremiah, a prophet). Simon Peter, inspired by God, responded with his glorious profession of faith: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus would need more time to teach them about what kind of Messiah he was: a servant, a prophet, an innocent Lamb, faithful and self-giving. He silenced them for this reason. For him, it was never about popularity or power, only about doing things on God’s terms! And giving all of us an example to follow.
Cuando queremos dar a conocer algo importante, la clave es involucrar al mayor número posible de personas en la difusión. Las redes sociales en línea tienen como objetivo hacer esto. Entonces, ¿por qué en el evangelio de hoy Jesús ordenaría a “sus discípulos que no le dijeran a nadie que él era el Cristo”?
Jesús preguntó a sus seguidores: “¿Quién dice la gente que es el Hijo del Hombre?” Respondieron con todo tipo de ideas (Juan el Bautista, Jeremías, un profeta). Simón Pedro, inspirado por Dios, respondió con su gloriosa pro-fesión de fe: “Tú eres el Cristo, el Hijo del Dios viviente”.
Jesús necesitaría más tiempo para enseñarles sobre qué clase de Mesías era: un siervo, un profeta, un Cordero inocente, fiel y abnegado. Los silenció por esta razón. Para él, nunca se trató de popularidad o poder, ¡solo de hacer las cosas en los términos de Dios! Y dándonos a todos un ejemplo a seguir.
Danke Schoen!
We thank The San Antonio Liederkrankz, founded in 1892 as The Men's Choir of St. Joseph's Church, for their joyous, faith-filled music at today's 11:00 Mass. Their presence added so much to our time of prayer and praise to God. Remember: The Liederkranz sings at the 11:00 Mass on the fourth Sunday of the month and also at Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve.
Receiving Holy Communion
Some reminders: 1. In keeping with the Covid-19 protocols of the Archdiocese of San Antonio, Holy Communion is to be received only in the hand at this time. 2. Unless you are members of the same family and live together, you are asked to keep social distancing of six feet between yourself and the next person in line. 3. Please sanitize your hands before coming forward to receive the Body of Christ.
Notes
St. Joseph's Church Downtown is open with the usual schedule of weekday and weekend Masses, sacraments, and ministry. Because of increased coronavirus cases locally, social distancing, hand-sanitizing, and the use of a face mask are observed during church services, in order to keep everyone safe and healthy.
Videos of Sunday Mass and other Masses from St. Joseph's are posted on YouTube at the St. Joseph Church Downtown Media page. Special thanks ro John Francis Strelchun and his parents for filming and editing these videos so beautifully. Some Masses are also live-streamed.
Faith Formation at St. Joseph's Downtown
Presently, we are working on the 2020-2021 calendar for the Sacramental Preparation, Faith Formation, the Rites of Christian Initiation for Children and Adults, Confirmation for Teens and Adults, and First Penance and First Communion. We will abide by the guidelines of the Archdiocese of San Antonio in providing a safe environment for the students and the teachers. Please call Bea at 210-227-0126, ext. 210, if you would like to register your child(ren) in one of these classes.
In a spirit of caring for each other in these difficult days, we encourage you to support efforts to feed our neighbors in need via Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of San Antonio and area food banks.