FM's Message | Sunday, January 29th, 2023

In season three of the popular series, The Chosen, we see Jesus gather a band of people whom he trains and works with until the moment when he gives his largest discourse. It is in effect the beatitudes that we read and hear today. It is part of the repentance message that we heard from Jesus last week and the beginning of seeing the church as including many people with many gifts. It is also a way of looking at the way we live as Christians in this world. Holiness (blessedness) does not come from one action only. The beatitudes imply that there are many ways to be holy and that it is available across the spectrum of all humanity. So holiness can come as result of living our faith as authentically as possible—even if it means that we will be criticized or falsely accused of being counter cultural for our beliefs and actions.  This is the first revelation of the good news from Jesus and encourages us to look at the holiness from a different perspective. All holiness has one source, of course, the Grace of God. It is expressed in a variety of ways throughout the human family over time and history. It is available to all people and broadens our understanding of how we see ourselves as the people of God. We repent from the old way of thinking that God is setting us up for failure and really is on our side and setting us up for salvation. There are lots of examples of this in the Gospels in the healing, feeding, and teaching of Jesus.

A few years ago, now Bishop Robert Barron recorded and presented a wonderful series called simply “Catholicism”. It traced the roots of the church from a small town on the sea of Galilee to the most modern and soaring churches around the world. Teachings, moments of triumph and suffering, architecture and art, all were part of this ten-part series. In the middle of all of it was a section on saints from around the world. Starting with Peter and ending with Mother Teresa of Calcutta, saints around the world were presented and reflected upon. What was very evident was the variety of work and charisms each saint performed. It was like watching a film of the beatitudes coming alive in the series.  Across the centuries, different people have used their “modernity” to affect the world and preach the Gospel.  And that is the point that we need to learn. Our church in this modern time must go out to the world as it is and using the tools available to us, can then bring the Gospel to those who need to hear it most.

Finally, by now all registered parishioners have received last year’s financial statement. It is sobering, but we are experiencing what many parishes across the world are experiencing. Our task will always be the same, to be proclaimers of the good news of Jesus Christ. However, practically speaking, we need to remember that we are also stewards of these historic buildings. It is costly, and not getting less expensive. I humbly ask all parishioners to consider who and what they give to support the work of the church. Remember that we are “prophets of a future not our own.”

Peace,
Father Murray

Building news: This week we had a visit from the plumber who repaired two pumps for two different boilers. It has not been a terribly cold winter, and thankfully we have good plumbers. We also have had the lights changed under Mary and now the last action is to have the lighting expert from the Peabody Essex Museum come and adjust them so that Mary will be lit correctly. As I have mentioned, the whole painting needs to be “washed” in light. I am grateful to the donors who made all this possible without affecting the budget.