12th sunday in ordinary time

​My dear friends in Christ,
 
This Sunday in our Gospel from Mark 4:35-41, we will hear Jesus speak the words “Quiet!  Be Still!”  For these last 15 plus months we have been exactly that.  Quietly, in our homes and residences, we have done our part to “flatten the curve” in the midst of this pandemic.  We have waited patiently for things to reopen, not once, not twice, but now a third time.  Having just received my second vaccination on Friday, there is indeed the feeling that we are emerging from this time of quietness, stillness, and this time of being apart, physically, as a spiritual family.  With our ability to welcome 15% maximum capacity this past weekend and more in the near future, under the masks, I see the joy in those able to be with me in returning to Mass.  And to do what?  To be fed with the Word of God and physically with the Body of Christ.  To kneel in a sacred space.  To be with fellow disciples.  To offer prayers of thanksgiving.  And to be still. 
 
In this same Gospel, is very clear when it questions us:  Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?  If we accept the Gospel account that the wind and the sea obeyed Jesus, then we must answer this question.  If we reject that the wind and the sea obeyed Jesus, then we are left without faith and without any belief that this Jesus has any special role.
 
It is this Jesus, I pray, who has a very special role in your life.  This Jesus who you hunger to welcome into the very depths of your soul.  To open your heart to, and to simply be with, in our home of St. Julia.
 
To those joining us this weekend after some time, I look forward to welcoming you home.  To those in the coming weeks, we are ready for your return. 
 
It is our faith and belief in Jesus that has carried us through these times together.  And when we are faced with the next winds in life, it will be Jesus who carries us once again, and to bring the calm we so desire.  That is faith in action.  That is who we are.
 
May God continue to bless each of you and those that you love, and I look forward to you joining me for the celebration of Mass this weekend.
 
Fr. Greg