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The Word from Father Pat My bulletin column for Sunday, February 16, 2025

Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose hope is the LORD. Jeremiah 17:7a

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

In today’s Gospel reading, we hear Saint Luke’s account of the Beatitudes. You can also read the Beatitudes in Saint Matthew’s Gospel. What makes Luke’s account different is that he includes, in addition to the blessings, the “woes:” woe to you who are rich, who are filled, who laugh, who have people speaking well of you. What grabs me is the final line: “For their ancestors treated the false prophets in this way.”

Everybody likes to hear a false prophet. These are the people who foretell wonderful things for the ears of people who are in power. The false prophets have a symbiotic relationship with power: they build up the egos of those in power, and those in power build up the false prophets’ pocketbooks. Obviously this is a problem, or several problems: it’s not spiritually or professionally healthy for either party, it’s inauthentic religiosity, and it marginalizes everyone except the powerful and the false prophets.

Marginalization was what Jesus was addressing in the Beatitudes. He declares woe for the rich, those filled with what they need and want, those who laugh at the misfortunes of others. But the ones who are truly blessed are, in fact, the marginalized: the poor, the hungry, the mourning, those laughed at by the ones in power. This was, in fact, what Jesus’ ministry on earth was all about: shaking up the powerful and giving consolation to the marginalized. There’s an old saying that says Jesus came to comfort the afflicted, and to afflict the comfortable. And that was with a view toward salvation for both groups: Jesus loved people enough to speak truth to power so that conversion could happen. But it takes a powerful heart to receive that correction.

Jesus continues to preach this message to the world today. Through the Church (which is you and me, remember), Jesus wants to console the poor, the hungry, and those in sorrow; and he wants to afflict the rich, those full of themselves, and those who laugh at the needy so that they will convert and all will be saved. So we must do a few things. First, we need to pray to find out where we are in all of this. Are we the poor who need consolation, the rich who need repentance, the authentic prophet that ministers to one or the other or both, or some combination thereof? Then we have to respond to this word according to our discernment. We have to look to Jesus if we need consolation, we have to be open to Jesus if we need correction, and we have to speak the truth to power and care for the marginalized if we are called to prophesy.

I really want all of us to pray through Luke’s Beatitudes this week. Reread Luke 6:20-26. Reread it again. Reflect: where am I in this preaching? What am I called to do? How can I open my heart to God’s will for me? How can I speak the truth with concern for salvation of all? Can I see the other with the eyes of God? Can I comfort those in need, and advocate for them? Can I call those in power to make a real difference for the Kingdom of God? Can I live as an authentic prophet in what I say and do?

Yours in Christ and His Blessed Mother, Father Pat Mulcahy, Pastor

I removed the share to X/Twitter button from my homily blog today. It's time to stop overlooking Elon's behavior as eccentricities and start holding him accountable for his contributions to destroying our society.

When I was a kid learning about the second world war, and learning about the fascism of the Nazi regime, I was comforted by the fact that I lived in a society where that could never happen. I wouldn't have dreamed that, on a presidential inauguration day, a major player in the president's circle of influence would twice – twice in case you missed it the first time, I guess – perform what can only be reasonably interpreted as a Nazi salute.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Otaim9_cknM

I'm sure lots of people will try to pass it off as just an excited gesture, or socially awkward support of his president, but that, excuse my French, is b.s.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy48v1x4dv4o

And the fact that it has had little, if any, play in mainstream media, and almost no outrage on social media, says absolutely revolting things about our society at this point in history.

Frankly, it's time to decide where we want to be in the history of all this. I had loved ones who fought in World War II, and allowing this to happen is an absolute affront to their memory. If you are on X/Twitter, it's time to get off; if you own a Tesla, it's time to sell it. He needs to know that this kind of thing won't be tolerated.

I wrote this the day before I tested positive for COVID, so it was what I like to call “accidental prophecy.” But it was the column in our parish bulletin this past Sunday.

The Sunday Eucharist is the foundation and confirmation of all Christian practice. For this reason the faithful are obliged to participate in the Eucharist on days of obligation, unless excused for a serious reason (for example, illness, the care of infants) or dispensed by their own pastor. Those who deliberately fail in this obligation commit a grave sin. Catechism, no. 2181

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Since this is the season for all kinds of seasonal illness (flu, COVID, RSV, norvovirus, etc.), I wanted to take the opportunity to catechize on how we should respond to illness (of any kind) with regard to fulfilling our Sunday obligation.

First, if you are sick, or caring for someone who is sick (whether that be a long-term or short-term illness), you are excused for a serious reason, as noted in the quotation from the Catechism, above. I think a lot of people still feel like they should do everything they can to get to church (“Oh, I’m sick, but I’ll be alright.”). The problem is, that might make them more sick in the long run, and even worse, it can spread the illness to others around them. Sometimes staying home is an act of charity, which, I would remind you, is the foremost of the virtues. So if you’re sick, stay home.

Second, if you are sick with a long-term illness, or if you’re immunocompromised (because of treatment for cancer or some other serious illness), or even if you regularly care for someone who is immunocompromised, then the obligation does not apply. In those cases, please know that the parish is here to minister to you. Call our parish office, and we can arrange for someone to bring you and/or your loved one Holy Communion.

Third, if you are immunocompromised (or caring for someone who is) and wish to come to Mass wearing a mask, or if you are at the stage of some illness like COVID or the flu, where it is okay to be around people as long as you wear a mask, please do so, and please feel free to do so. This community will not judge you for wearing a mask if you need one. If you need one and forget, please inquire with our ushers, as we will have some on hand to give to you. No one is required to wear a mask, but if they wish to do so, they will be supported and not judged here at Saint Mary’s.

Fourth, if you are unable to come to Mass, I would strongly encourage you to make some time on Sunday to spend either alone or as a family in prayer (Code of Canon Law, no. 1248 §2). You can do this by watching the Holy Mass on television, or on our live stream from the parish (https://www.facebook.com/StMaryImmaculate/videos). You could also spend time reading Scripture, praying the rosary, or partaking in some other devotion. Again, please let us know if you are ill for an extended time, and we can arrange to bring you communion.

Finally, please know of my daily prayers for all of you. I pray that you may remain well, or if you are sick, that you would find healing in the ministry of Jesus.

Yours in Christ and His Blessed Mother, Father Pat Mulcahy, Pastor

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The aftermath of an election, particularly a presidential election, is always a mixture of hope, disappointment, anger, fear, vindication, defeat, and so many other emotions. This particular election was all of that and more.

As a pastor, I empathize with all of the emotions that are out there; I’ve had several of them myself. I know how frustrating it is to try to vote your Catholic conscience when neither candidate adequately espouses those views, and is even beholden to groups who would destroy the sanctity of life, the unity of the family, and so much more. So the best we can ever do is to educate ourselves well on each candidate’s platform and past record, pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and casting our vote based on our best efforts along those ways.

And so what do you do now, now that the deed is done, the results are clear, and you have that lingering issue with your conscience, or the pit in your stomach as you fear what comes ahead? Here are some suggestions from Catholic teaching.

• If you’re sure that you violated your conscience, you might need to bring that to your next confession. The priest can help you sort it out if you’re still having trouble.

• Whether the results are something you support or not, commit to making the world a little better. Be a positive influence in the community, build everyone up and be the light of Jesus in a world that is dark and confusing.

• Pray for our nation. Pray that grace would abound and peace would reign, and that God’s will would be done. Pray for our leaders and pray for each other, as we all have a part in building up the kingdom here and now.

• Remember that God is in control. No matter who is in what office, God’s will will be done at the end of the day. There aren’t forces in this world or anywhere else that can oppose God and win. The price has been paid, and salvation has already been won.

• Take care of yourself. You can’t control what anyone else says, thinks, or feels. So make sure you are taking care of yourself and that you bring the joy of God’s presence into your life and those around you.

• Give sacrificially. Give of yourself so that others can live. Support causes you believe in with your time, talent, and treasure.

In the end, friends, it’s up to us and God. God will direct our paths, and if we let him, he will help us to build the world up in love. That’s something we can all do, and be proud of at the end of the day.

Yours in Christ and His Blessed Mother, Father Pat Mulcahy, Pastor

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