As we have, during the past few weeks, been showing that the month of October is dedicated to the Guardian Angels and to Our Lady of the Rosary, we now come to the pinnacle of where such knowledge and devotion leads us. October is also dedicated to a profound “Respect for Life”, from conception to natural death.
We have to go back to the New Testament, specifically to the First Letter of Saint John, chapter 4, verse 20: “If anyone says, “I love God,” but hates his brother, he is a liar; for whoever does not love a brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.” Because of the miracles of modern science, we can see the child in the womb, we can hear the heartbeat and we can feel the kick. How much more will it take to say that this truly is a child? We can believe in Guardian Angels and in the Blessed Virgin Mary, whom we don’t see, but cast doubt on the child in the womb whom we do. Does this make sense?
What trips people up, I find, is the expression of feelings that guide women and men when they find an unwanted, unplanned or a medical anomaly, in regards to a pregnancy.
Years ago, I had a pastor who said to me: “feelings are the most dishonest emotions you will ever have”. Relationships are built on more than just feelings. How many of us have loved someone at nine in the morning and then can’t stand them at nine at night. We are rational beings. We must use our heads and not our hearts when God gives a gift. Of course, emotions are part of the human condition, but they should not rule our lives. A profound sense of faith, of God active in our lives, of His paternal care, of a mother who will not forget her children, these are what gives us an overwhelming respect for life, from conception to natural death.
Where are we headed? We live in a time when “relativism” is rampant. This means that what I want, what I feel and what I desire is more important than anything else. When the “I” is more important then the “we” then we are headed in the wrong direction. Can you imagine if Jesus had that mindset, that frame of reference? Then there would have been no death, no resurrection and no salvation for any of us. Jesus knew that all life is precious. Why do you think He came?
WELCOME
This weekend we will be welcoming the members (men, women and children) of the Brotherhood of the Lord of the Miracles to their annual Feast Day Mass. While this devotion began in Peru, it has spread throughout the world and people of all languages and cultures participate in this beautiful devotion to our Lord.
Over the last number of years we have been seeking to strengthen our spiritual life, here in the parish an among the many who come to our Church, by expanding the spiritual opportunities that are available. Every week we celebrate 12 weekday Masses, 6 Sunday Masses and have at least 6 hours devoted to the Sacrament of Confession. Once a month we have a first Sunday of the month Mass in French. There is also a last Sunday of the month Mass in Spanish at 2:30pm for the members of the Brotherhood and anyone else who would like to attend. On First Friday’s we have exposition of the Blessed Sacrament from after the 12:10pm Mass till the Three O’clock hour when prayers are offered to The Divine Mercy. We now have 4 Nine day Novenas and celebratory Masses throughout the year. These celebration are to: Santo Nino (January), El Niño Divino (July), The Lord of the Miracles (October) and to Our Lady of Guadalupe (December). We also have 1 perpetual Novena, which takes place every Monday at the 12:10pm Mass, to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal.
We can only live (rather than survive) in this world if we are properly grounded with a vibrant spiritual life. That is our task here at Blessed Sacrament.