Today’s gospel from Luke is a shorter and more direct version of Matthew’s coverage of the Beatitudes:the teachings of Jesus Christ. In Matthew the sermon takes place on the mountain top, in Luke it is on a stretch of land down below. The certainty of the locale is not all that important, but rather the teachings and their meanings are the key message.

Each of the apostle’s accounts of Jesus’ teachings offer us various aspects of the love, compassion and Word of God. Luke speaks directly to the poor, Matthew’s is more spiritual. Both contain difficult and hard sayings for anyone in any time to hear.

Luke appears to say to us that “you are blessed when you are hungry, homeless and on welfare. And all the rich are going to hell.” But is that really his message?

What we do need to hear is that hunger, suffering and poverty all lead to God--for it reminds us of where our “bread” actually comes from: God. In fact, Luke wishes us to recognize that all blessings lead us to God in gratitude. Certainly he does not mean that we should be happy with abject poverty--for all who live in it wish to exit that state in life. But, in the end, participating in the Kingdom of God means to be firmly planted, as the words of the first reading today, from
Jeremiah, note: “Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose hope is the LORD. He is like a tree planted beside the waters that stretches out its roots to the stream: it fears not the heat
when it comes; its leaves stay green; in the year of drought it shows no distress, but still bears fruit.”

When we are firmly planted in the Lord, watered and nourished by His Body and Blood, Soul and
Divinity--then we become His likeness in the world around us.

This past Friday I interviewed Archbishop Emeritus Henry J. Mansell for the achieves of the
Archdiocese of Hartford and in our conversation on a host of topics I asked the Archbishop how the Church can continue to grow--to act in the world with our corporal and spiritual works of mercy. He answered that we need to be rooted in the Lord. He begins each day with Mass and prayer and that’s how as disciples, we should go out into the world with care, as a Church, for His people.

The Archbishop noted many of the good works of the “Church” and stated that these good works are done by the people of God--who when they believe in Him and are firmly planted in His ways, they do many good things. The Archbishop’s words rung true to this Sunday’s readings: be planted and rooted in the Lord and you will accomplish much.

There is a great quote of Saint Catherine of Siena that says: Be who God meant you to be, and you will set the world ablaze!”

You may have noticed in the Youth Ministry News in this bulletin the overwhelming and humbling announcement of how this parish responded to the youth ministry’s silent auction, bake sale and second collection to support the 2019 Mission Trip in March--with more than $14,000! That is not only amazing--highlighting the generosity and support of the people of this parish but also shows that the people of Saint Catherine of Siena are firmly rooted in the Lord, in His Eucharistic meal, and in the Mystical Body of Christ--the Church. And that when one is One with the Lord, by His grace so much good work comes of it.

Your generosity and prayerfulness will not simply bring food to the hungry or shelter to the homeless--all very important in a practical way--but will also inspire our youth with a desire to respond to God’s command to “Follow Me.” And they are. Your firmness in faith lived out
has also sent a record amount of support to the Malta House of Care and to our own Neighbors in Need fund via Advent. By way of follow-up, I am celebrating the television Mass on Tuesday--for airing next Sunday--and I thought to ask Manuela Hanshaw to invite some members of the
youth ministry to lector and be the audience for the TV Mass. More than 10 youths agreed to go (and on Tuesday morning--their last day of school vacation) and represent the parish and the Church to those who watch this vital television ministry. I am sure many will be amazed to see so
many young people at Mass and involved in their church and parish. This only happens because of your faith and your support: you are truly, as a parish, an inspiration to others--
the current and future leaders of our parish communities. Thank you for that--and for all that you do. I pray that you will continue to be firmly rooted in the Lord and planted beside the flowing streams of the living river of Himself. May no draught or heat give you fear, but rather may you
have the blessings of hope, faith and charity--now and forever.
 

“He is like a tree planted beside
the waters that stretches out
its roots to the stream: it fears
not the heat when it comes; its
leaves stay green; in the year of
drought it shows no distress, but
still bears fruit.” (Jer.)