From Our Pastor
Dear Folks,
This week has been unlike any other in my lifetime.
All people of good will looked in horror, shock and anger at the video of George Floyd pleading for his life with his last breaths. Msgr. Charles Pope wrote that this “moment of shared outrage and unified demands for action has so quickly devolved into partisan hatred, venomous blame-game accusations, racial strife and bitter division.” Ouch.
I am your called by God to be your pastor, shepherd, and father. I condemn racism, violence, rioting, and theft. I applaud working, demonstrating and speaking for justice. I applaud those who live lives of public service protecting society.
To borrow from G.K. Chesterton, when asked “what is wrong with the world?” the answer is “I am.”
We will not have substantial change unless we can change hearts. Satan prowls throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls and he does so through deadly sins: pride, anger, envy, greed, gluttony, lust, and sloth. I condemn all sin. And I condemn it first while looking in the mirror.
But none of us can change our hearts on our own. The battle is too ferocious, the wounds too deep, and the weapons of the enemy are too strong. Jesus Christ has given us the only thing that can change hearts: Himself.
I exhort you to root out resentment and bitterness from your own soul. These are the feeding ground of sin and the playground of the devil. The group with whom I served as a missionary in Mexico prayed every morning as a part of their morning prayers, “I renounce Satan and all his works and I bind myself to you Jesus Christ forever.” The world needs you and me to live what we profess.
You likely know the songs from the 70’s “The Lord Hears The Cry of the Poor,” and “Taste and See.” Did you know that they both come from Psalm 34? In this time of pandemic we have a greater hunger than ever for social justice and for the Bread of Life.
This poor one cried out and the LORD heard,
and from all his distress he saved him.
The angel of the LORD encamps
around those who fear him, and he saves them.
Taste and see that the LORD is good;
blessed is the stalwart one who takes refuge in him.
The angel of the LORD encamps
around those who fear him, and he saves them.
Taste and see that the LORD is good;
blessed is the stalwart one who takes refuge in him.
Psalm 34: 7-9
pax,
fr mosimann
