A Reflection from Fr. Paul - Sunday, October 16th

In our reading from Exodus this weekend, we have a wonderful story of everyone working together, with God, to bring about victory.  Amalekites were attacking Israel and Moses sent Joshua with some men to fight them, while Moses prayed on a hill, holding the Staff of God (the same one he used to part the Red Sea). As long as Moses held his arm out with the staff, the Israelites would be winning.  When he tired and let his arm down, they would be losing.  So, Moses got Aaron and Hur to hold his arm up. With all of them doing their part, the Israelites prevailed.
 
My friends, as human beings, we need one another.  Moses could not carry the weight alone.  Life is difficult: there are many burdens and temptations.  Alone we are weak and vulnerable, as was Moses.  But together, we are strong.
 
There are two points I would like to make.  First, we need to come to Mass each week. At Mass we celebrate together and give thanks to God, praying with and for each other.  In addition to our praying community, we receive God’s Word and the Eucharist.  These three gifts will support us in our life struggles, as Aaron and Hur supported Moses, who was supporting Joshua.
 
Second, we need to be involved in our community. Our primary responsibility as Christians is to bring Christ to the world.  We do that as individuals by living our daily lives according to Gospel values, but we also do it as a community.  Like Moses, Joshua, Aaron, and Hur, we each have to do our part so that the community can be effective in its witnessing and in its service to those most in need. 
 
I invite you to reflect his week on the value of allowing the community to support you and of doing your part to support the community.  You will never be sorry, if you hold these two values close to your heart.  God bless.
 
Church sign of the week: Be strong enough to stand alone, smart enough to know when you need help, and brave enough to ask for it.