A Letter from Fr. Paul - Sunday, January 16th

This weekend, we have our annual “Salvatorian Sunday” collection, in which the Society of the Divine Savior asks for your financial support, especially for our formation program, which prepares future ministers for this parish and other ministries.  Envelopes are being handed out that can be dropped in the collection box or returned to the parish office over the coming weeks.  Donations can also be made online.  I thank you in advance for your support of my community.
 
Today we celebrate the 2nd Sunday of Ordinary time. During Ordinary time, we are learning how to bring God’s love and compassion into the world by reflecting on the words and actions of Jesus.
 
Our Gospel today presents the wedding feast at Cana.  I would like to comment on the interaction presented between Mary and Jesus.  The wine is running out and the hosts would be very embarrassed.  Mary says to Jesus, “They have no wine,” implicitly asking Him to do something.  Jesus replies, “How does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come,” implying that He will do nothing.  Mary says nothing to Jesus, but tells the servants to do whatever He tells them.  She knew that Jesus loved her and would do what was right. And the problem was solved!
 
What does this say to us?  There a lot of things we need as we go through life.  It might be to get a job or solve a problem. Often, it might be because we or someone we love is sick.  Like Mary, we turn to God and we ask for help.  But it might seem that God doesn’t hear us or is not answering.  The situation might even get worse and all we experience is a deafening silence.
 
That is when we have to act like Mary and simply move forward, trusting that Jesus HAS heard us and, since He loves us and has promised to be with us, He will answer our prayer.  It might not be right now. It might not be the way we want it to be answered. But Jesus knows best, Jesus loves us, and Jesus will answer our prayer in the best way possible.  We simply need to move forward, as did Mary, and all will be well.  This is called “trusting in Divine Providence” and it was one of the central charisms of Blessed Francis Jordan, the founder of the Salvatorian Family.  The medieval mystic Julian of Norwich expressed it as, “All will be well, and all will be well, and all
manner of things will be well.” 
 
When I am stressed about something, I repeat those words to myself as a mantra, reminding myself how everything turned out so well for Francis Jordan, despite some incredible difficulties that were thrown at him.
 
I invite you this week to reflect on Mary forging ahead, despite the seeming reluctance of Jesus to do anything.  Are you allowing trust in Divine Providence to calm any fears and anxieties?  Can you pray with Julian of Norwich, “All will be well, and all will be well, and all manner of things will be well”? 
 
St. Thomas said it well: “Lord I believe, help my unbelief.”
 
Church sign of the week: Never let adversity get you down, except on your knees.