St. Mary's Catholic Church of Tomahawk, WI

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

We are on the twenty third ordinary Sunday. The first reading addresses all those who are frightened in their hearts. It invites us to have hope, courage and strength when we are really frightened due to the unforeseen, unbearable and unexpected situations that come across in our lives. But the prophet tells us that our God is with us who will enable us with His grace to courageously face and overcome them. Do we try to depend on God or do we remain in fear and timidity without hope and faith in God?

The second reading tells us about economical and spiritual, rich and poor. The world usually looks at and honors those who are materially rich. But God looks at the richness of the faith in the lives of people. We are being warned not to make distinctions by judging others through their external appearances, but instead to focus on growing deeper and richer in our faith to become the heirs of the Kingdom of God.

The Gospel recounts Jesus’ healing of a man who was unable to hear or speak. How important it is for every person to be able to hear and speak. As Jesus healed the deaf and mute man, he invites and heals our external and internal deafness and muteness to hear and proclaim His word. As baptized Catholics we all are entrusted with this mission. How do we try to communicate God’s word and message to those who are deaf and mute to the Lord’s mission and ministry?

Fr. Aloysius Royan Anthony