FM's Message | Sunday, January 28th

I have introduced the Gospel of Mark several times and always keep in mind that one of the great themes of the story is that no one knows or recognizes who Jesus is or what he is doing. His style is compassionate authority, and it catches people off guard because they were accustomed to the rabbis and scribes leaning on history and tradition to defend their interpretation of a teaching. Jesus, on the other hand, teaches in a way that leaves no doubt about what he is saying and what effects his words have. He is God and so we need to remember that when God speaks, the things are or become. Not knowing who He is in the Gospel is challenging. It is also particularly aggravating to the Pharisees and scribes who do not command the instant respect and hearing Jesus does. In effect, Jesus is stepping on their authority and is much more effective in his use of the word. The words that Jesus speaks immediately are clear and effective. Later on, after the resurrection, we will see that the Apostles and many others received the gift of healing. 
In our own parish, we have a trained and in-training healing team that prays regularly over people and who has continued to expand this ministry beyond the once-a-month Tuesday prayer experiences. We have seen some wonderful healings and reports from people who have been, “slain in the Spirit” and some people who have reported improvement in conditions that they had. This is one of the most mysterious parts of the Holy Spirit in my opinion. We are never sure what God particularly wants to do to help a person and so we trust that God will use us as instruments. Like any instrument, we need to be prepared for use. In this case, we pray together, study the practices of healing ministry, and work together to pray over those who ask us. 
In the community, there are various gifts, and we can see that some people are called to be healers. One of the many ways that we use to heal is through the process called the “Five Keys”. It is a process of opening oneself to God and letting him guide us through our lives to examine where we need the most healing and to learn what lies we may have adopted for ourselves and then go through the process of rejecting the lies and, having experienced healing, are re-introduced to the father through Jesus and Mary. There is more to say of course, but the reality is that we are called to evangelize and heal in Salem. This Sunday’s Gospel reminds us that Jesus said to use his name and call for healing. We are still at it and hope you will pray that all those who come to us for healing of any type might experience this healing and then give testimony to it. 
Pro-life Holy Hours. This past week, we asked people to join in some Pro-life Holy Hours and then I forgot to schedule them in a way that allowed everyone to participate in them. I apologize and will get ready for next year to do better. 
Saturday Holy Hours. We are beginning to plan Saturday night Holy Hours. We plan to use the chapel and have the church open from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM. We plan to use this opportunity to invite young people to come and be with Jesus in this Eucharist and to offer a space for prayer and quiet music for young people. Parents, young people, and young adults are welcome, and we ask that everyone pray for the success of this initiative to invite our younger brothers and sisters to know Jesus in this intimate and prayerful way. We plan to start on Saturday, February 4 at 6:30 and pray for 90 minutes. Come for all or part of this spiritual event. 
Peace, 
Father Murray 
Building news. Although this is a little off the topic, the folks at the homeless shelter, Lifebridge asked us about the use of the lower church as an overnight shelter for the homeless at the tent city site. They would have paid staff overnight from 8:00 PM to 7:00 AM. The police and the Fire department have their concerns, but we will see what the future brings. It would be a good way to live the great judgment scene at the end of the Gospel of Luke and Matthew. (I was naked, thirsty, hungry, sick and you served me.) It is also a recognition of what St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta said, that we would encounter Jesus in a distressed form.