One of my favorite quotes of all time is from Winston Churchill. At the beginning of the Second World War, he went on British radio and gave a speech to rally the British people. In it he said, “…we will never give up….” Another great quote comes from President Woodrow Wilson. He said, “Genius is divine perseverance. Genius I cannot claim nor even extra brightness but perseverance all can have.” Both quotes are a good way to understand the scriptures this weekend and to understand what we are doing here in our parish.
One of the truths about our faith is that at the basis of it is a work of gratitude to God. The Greek root of the word Eucharist means thanks. The word liturgy implies a “public work.” So Every time we come to celebrate Mass, we are taking on the “work” of thanking God for the gift of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. It is a ongoing grace to be called into this work and we are blessed to have this knowledge, that Jesus the Christ has been sent by the Father for each of us.