Principal’s Message: September 10, 2017
23rd Week of Ordinary Time
Dear St. Luke Families,
8:46 a.m., 9:03 a.m., 9:37 a.m., 10:03 a.m.: Nineteen hijackers, four planes… 2,996 souls lost, 6,000 injured on 9/11/2001.
Victims and evacuees of Hurricane Harvey, which surged through portions of Texas and Louisiana, claimed at least 70 lives and destroying billions in property. Today, as I write, hundreds of families fleeing Florida and the Islands as Hurricane Irma as such a tremendous impact.
California Catholic Bishops urge Immigration Reform for DACA {Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals} Youth and their Families.
Bishop Blaire writes, “It seems that life is being attacked from all sides. Pro-abortion advocates now want the State Legislature to pay for “Family Services” (abortion services) at a higher rate thatn the normal Medi-Care rate. This comes at a time when the State contends that it cannot pay for Medi-Cal for many of needy Californians. The bill is right now before the State Assembly. Tell your Assembly Person to Vote NO on SB 743.”
This week’s mass readings were all about love. Not the hearts & flowers type, but nitt-gritty stuff. What happens when someone misbehaves and hurts me? What should I do, ”punch em out”? No, Jesus lays out a detailed plan in the Gospel about how to help someone who has done you harm. This plan applies whatever the damage was: saying unfair things behind your back, embarrassing you in public, stealing, unfaithfulness, etc. You name it. The underlying reason behind this whole strategy was hinted in the Old Testament reading of Ezekiel who said we must speak out to a person or group of persons who are doing evil.
St. Luke Families ---- We have just finished a wonderful two day parish festival and look forward to a week of Learning. But, at a time like these, when our endurance is tested, we implore God to direct us to yet unknown reserves of strength and human compassion for those suffering so deeply. May our manifestations of love and solidarity be lasting signs in the midst of crisis after crisis in our world.
