Dear Friends in Christ,

How many people do you know who seem to always be dwelling on the things of the past? It is certainly true that one can learn a lot from the past. However, it is also true that thinking only in the past can keep a person stuck from moving forward. It can be difficult to receive God's loving help when a person cannot stop thinking about what they should have done or what could have happened. Through the Prophet Isaiah, God says, "Remember not the events of the past, the things of long ago consider not; see, I am doing something new! Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?"

Having a current perception of the work of God in our midst will require a certain focus that allows the power of God to be fruitful. In the Gospel of Mark, we witness Jesus once again proclaiming forgiveness of sins and healing through the person called the paralytic. Along with the four men who brought him to Jesus, the focus of this story might be the faith these men placed in Jesus to provide the paralytic what he needed. We hear no words of disbelief or blame coming from these four bearers but only a strong recognition and faith in Jesus to bring comfort to their friend. Instead of being focused on the past as to why this man deserved to be sick or why God allowed him to be sick, they kept their focus and faith in the loving presence of Jesus who provided what was needed. Some of the scribes who were also in attendance only passed judgment and disbelief. Their minds and hearts were closed to the power of God in their midst.

My friends, how often are we closed to the power of God in our midst? Due to the pressure of current "market forces," our focus can seem to be everywhere else but in God who is right where we are – always present to us in each and every moment. Scripture tells us, "Jesus knew in his mind what they were thinking to themselves, so he said, "Why are you thinking such things in your hearts?" They were thinking only in their own narrow minded way and not in the "way" of God. Such thinking and such living will not afford any person much "blessing" from above. Too many of us are solely focused on our own plans and on how to achieve what we want rather than on what God is offering. Such self-focus can easily miss the "something new" that God wants us to perceive and experience. Notice, it was the FAITH of the men who brought the paralytic to Jesus that moved Jesus to grant his blessing of forgiveness and healing. No one can out-wit, out-bargain or bypass that which is required to receive God's blessings – but only with true faith in God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Consequently, I enjoin you to embrace the wisdom of St. Paul who told the Corinthians, "As God is faithful, our word to you is not yes and no." Be faithful in your "yes" in being a follower of God by virtue of your Baptismal call. Be fully "engaged" as a member of God's holy people. Together, let us pray that God will give each of us the grace to live our Mission Statement in word and in deed.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. James Tarantino,
Pastor