To: all of my friends

From: Father Bill Muench

 

Father Bill says…February 7, 2009

 

In preparation for the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

 

 

 

Getting back into the life in the North Country – I went skiing this week – first time this year – I joined Fathers Peter, Dick and Vinny for a one day trip up to Mount Tremblant in Canada – we were treated to a cold but clear and beautiful day – and my skies seemed to work okay – I must admit that I was rather exhausted at the end of the day – well, not quite a full day of skiing – but it was a good experience.

 

Beginning Friday, we have begun here a week for our celebration of Catholic Schools Week – each year – there is a week for all Catholic Schools to celebrate the many great accomplishments of Catholic Schools throughout our Diocese and country – it is sad that in many places Catholic schools have had to close or be amalgamated – but Catholic schools have had a profound influence on education in our country – here in Ticonderoga, St. Mary’s School will celebrate its fiftieth year this Spring with a celebration – I have been blessed to work with an excellent principal, Sister Sharon, and she has an excellent faculty – I continue to meet many people – local folks or folks who have moved away – who tell me stories of the good things they came to them through St. Mary’s School.  And we seem to be rather solid at this time – with God’s good graces St. Mary’s School will continue strong.  I have been impressed with the readiness of the people of this parish who continue to support St. Mary’s School with their contributions – and also many folks who volunteer at the school.  And, of course, it is always so good to see the success of our graduates when they go on to high school – many becoming the valedictorian of their graduating class.  I must admit there is something special about out students.

 

On Friday, there was the monthly school Mass – it was the official beginning of the Catholic Schools Week – the homily for the school Mass is always great fun for me – I try to get the students to speak a bit – answering a few of my questions – and some times the answers truly knock my socks off – and often I am amazed by how insightful their answers are – they teach me a great deal – they give me new ideas and thoughts that I often use in my Sunday homilies.  The little ones are always ready to give an answer – whether they knew the answer or not, they have their hands up – but every once in a while they come up with something wonderful – I am thinking of a second grader named Nick – I was talking about Reconciliation – and that there was a positive side – not just remembering our failings but planning to do something positive for God – and thinking of an example – I suggested giving your mother a hug each morning – and Nick piped up, “I have already taken care of that one.”

 

This Sunday’s Scriptures are rather curious – not always easy to talk about – the Old Testament reading is from Job – that curious story of a dialogue between God and Satan – God points out the great faith of Job – but Satan says it is only because all sorts of good things have been part of his life – he goes on to indicate that Job would lose his faith if tragedy touched his life – and so God allows Satan to bring tragedy into Job’s life – and he does – Job is faced with huge troubles – and today’s reading expresses Job’s unhappiness and anger at his fate – however, we know that if we were to read on, Job keeps his faith in God and finds strength in the Lord.  With God’s help, Job was able to change his attitude from anger to acceptance, Job experienced God in a deeper, truer way.

 

The second reading from St. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, expresses his effort to form his attitude toward others is formed by his effort to see through another’s eyes – his words are familiar – “To the weak I became weak, to win over the weak; I have become all things to all, to save at least some.”  By forming a more positive attitude, he could help others to truly see and accept the Gospel.

 

And then Jesus – in the Gospel story – Jesus must have been overwhelmed to see all the people in that town coming to the place where he was staying to see him, to hear his message, to touch him seeking healing – then, he goes over to an isolated place to pray – to form his own approach to others – and as one of the children told me on Friday, “to talk with his father.” –

 

The message for this week – attitude makes a world of difference – what is my attitude toward God – toward the people I will meet today – toward the way I live my life – as many of you know medical doctors are certain that a positive attitude can great enhance the healing process – even for the seriously ill.  May we be positive in the way in which we live today – and many we have a loving and open attitude to those we meet today.

 

LET US PRAY

Almighty God, my Father – I come to you this day to give me a open heart and loving mind that I may live each day with a truly positive attitude today life, toward you, my God, toward myself – toward my world.  This is my prayer.  Amen.

Please join me as we say together the Lord’s Prayer.