The Men’s faith sharing group meets on Thursday mornings and we are currently reading the book How to Know A Person by David Brooks. This week’s chapter has been particularly insightful and provocative. It challenges us to listen attentively to each other on a deeper level. We often project onto others what we want to hear, making it harder for us to hear what they are really saying and preventing us from really knowing the other person in a deeper way. He challenges us to stand in the other person’s standpoint and try to view it from their point of view. He refers to an old Scottish maritime expression for the horizon called “ken”, meaning stepping into the other person’s watchpoint. The expression we would have today would be to walk in their shoes for a day. In this process, it is critical to avoid labeling as one thing or another but seek first to understand them and attempt to comprehend their readiness or ability to see or hear things differently than us.
The scripture readings for this Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time invites us to listen more carefully to how God is trying to speak to us and call us to follow him more definitely. In particular, the transformative power of God’s Word to guide us in everyday life in and through each other in community. In the book of Deuteronomy, Moses speaks of a prophet like himself who will arise among the people. This prophet will speak God’s words, and we are called to listen and heed their message. It serves as a reminder of our duty to be attentive to the voices that speak God’s truth to us.
The Psalm calls us to worship the Lord, our Shepherd and Guide. It encourages us to listen to His voice and not harden our hearts. Through prayer and reflection, we open ourselves to His guidance and grace. St. Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, reminds us of the value of undivided devotion to the Lord. In a world filled with distractions, our commitment to Christ must remain steadfast and unwavering.
In the Gospel according to Mark, we witness the authority of Jesus as He teaches and heals in the synagogue. His words and actions amaze the people, revealing His divine mission. This Gospel invites us to recognize the power of Christ’s presence in our lives and to embrace His teachings with faith and obedience.
In a world full of so many distractions and interruptions, it is hard to remain focused on God’s word speaking to us. That is why community plays such a powerful and important role as we can encourage each other. We need each other to help us strengthen our faith, listen, empathize, support, encourage one another and to try and do that consistently in our lives. That is why the formation of our young children is so critical. It is more than academics, it is our role to guide them, instill Catholic values and encourage them to discover and develop their talents so they are inspired to serve at a young age and hopefully continue it for a lifetime.
I am excited that this weekend marks the beginning of Catholic Schools Week, a celebration of Catholic education and faith formation. Our Parish Center gym will be a hub of activity with the Fr. Murray basketball tournament that raises money for St. Simon Athletics and provides a place for families to come together to enjoy a snack or meal, cheer on our student players and support the cheer squad. This coming Wednesday is “Generations Day” and our parish community, spanning multiple generations, will come together to pray, learn, and celebrate the rich tradition of Catholic education. Students, parents, grandparents, family friends and parishioners will unite in faith, emphasizing the importance of passing on our Catholic identity and values to the younger generations. You are welcome to join us for the celebration beginning with Mass at 10:00 am.
We are truly blessed with a vibrant and welcoming community at St. Simon, and I extend a heartfelt gratitude to all who participated in the activities of the past weekend. The School Open House showcased the excellence of our parish school in both academics and spiritual formation. The Volunteer Appreciation Dinner was an opportunity to express our deep appreciation for those who generously devote their time and talents to serve our parish community in so many ministries here on campus and those that reach out in the wider community and beyond to others in need. Lastly, the Filipino community’s celebration of Santo Niño was a vibrant expression of faith and cultural diversity within our parish. We are thankful for the unity that these events have brought to us St. Simon.
As we continue our journey through Ordinary Time, may we carry the lessons from this Sunday’s readings in our hearts. May we be open to God’s call, attentive to His Word, and steadfast in our devotion to Christ and his community. Together, as one faith-filled family, we will continue to grow in God’s love and grace.
God bless,
Fr. Brendan