Fr. Jim Lowe Seventeenth Sunday of Ordinary Time 7/26/20

Today’s opening prayer indicates that without God, “nothing has firm foundation, nothing is holy”. This is a powerful statement. Solomon believed firmly in this truth. This is why, when told by God, that whatever he asked of God would be given to him, he asked for “an understanding heart to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong”. I have come to a similar conclusion, with the help of God, and many wise mentors. I cannot lead God’s people unless I continually remind myself that it is not I who am leading them, but God who is leading all of us as one body united by Jesus and the Holy Spirit. As soon as I think I have everything figured out according to my own brilliant plans, God never ceases to remind me that His plans are much greater than mine. God is in control of everything. He is still the Creator, the Sanctifier, and the Redeemer. The very fact that I am alive is because he chose to create me in my mother’s womb. We hear in today’s second reading, “For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son…and those he predestined he also called; and those he called he also justified; and those he justified he also glorified”. This passage refers to every human person ever conceived. We are all predestined by God for a specific plan and purpose. What is that purpose? We are all created for an encounter with God and to share that encounter with everyone we encounter ourselves. This is why the main characters in the Gospel were willing to sell everything once they encountered God. They discovered their true identity. They realized that they always were searching for God, and when they found Him, they were willing to let go of everything else to continue to maintain this encounter. Friends, the message of today’s scriptures is simple. Without God, we do not have a foundation. We do not have a purpose in life. We cannot make wise decisions. Solomon understood this. This is why he asked for knowledge to always do God’s will. The founder of the Companions of the Cross, Fr. Bob Bedard, always reminded us that there are many good things we could be doing, but the only thing worth doing is the will of God! Friends, this is why we have been preparing so long as a parish for our visioning day this Saturday, August 1st. I could come up with a vision and mission for the parish. The parish council and leadership team could come up with a vision and mission for the parish. But unless it is God coming up with the vision and mission of the parish, we are wasting our time doing things that will not produce fruit. This Saturday, I invite all parishioners to come together in prayer to discern what God wants for the future of this parish. We will collectively turn to God in humility and prayerfully ask him to reveal to us what his plans are for St. Scholastica Parish. Everyone who comes to our visioning day will have the opportunity to openly and honestly share what the Holy Spirit has put on each of our hearts for the future of our parish. We will use our baptismal gifts of knowledge, wisdom, and understanding to listen to what God reveals to each of us in prayer. I strongly encourage you to sacrifice the time to participate in this visioning day. I firmly believe that God has great plans for St. Scholastica Parish. We simply have to listen to His voice and let Him reveal these plans to us. Come Holy Spirit, grant us all the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, especially knowledge! Your brother in Christ, Fr. Jim Lowe, CC