In the card game Spades, there are time when I get a certain kind of hand that seems to put me in a dilemma when it comes to bidding my hand. Either choice I make seems to have undesirable consequences, which leads me to want to do nothing (which would mean, that I was quitting the game). And I don't quit! Instead, I make a decision that will lead to the lesser penalty if I don't get my bid, and the game continues. I say all this because I'm sure more than a few of us have a similar feeling when it comes to the choices we make at election time, whether it be the general election on November 6 or the decisions that we are being asked to vote on that have to do with the future of Hot Springs Village.
I hope you will agree with me that we shouldn't give in to the temptation to do nothing, even when we believe (probably rightly) that either way we go will lead to some undesirable consequences. The fact, hopefully, is that our decision and whatever the outcome of the final vote is, will have some positive consequences for the future.
I urge all of us to take the time to be informed before casting our ballots, and also pray for God's guidance, with the ways and example of the Lord always in our minds and hearts.
While it is true that so much that happens locally and nationally is "out of our hands" on a day-to-day basis, we are certainly affected by decisions that are made by elected and appointed people, and we are blessed to live in a country where we have a say at the ballot box and in other ways - long after elections are over. Getting involved is always a good thing, especially when our doing so has potential benefits for us, others, and for the world in which we live.
PLEASE VOTE and consider joing me for the patriotic rosary on election day, November 6, at 8:30 a.m. followed by Mass at 9:00. We know there are ALWAYS positive results when we pray!
I hope you will agree with me that we shouldn't give in to the temptation to do nothing, even when we believe (probably rightly) that either way we go will lead to some undesirable consequences. The fact, hopefully, is that our decision and whatever the outcome of the final vote is, will have some positive consequences for the future.
I urge all of us to take the time to be informed before casting our ballots, and also pray for God's guidance, with the ways and example of the Lord always in our minds and hearts.
While it is true that so much that happens locally and nationally is "out of our hands" on a day-to-day basis, we are certainly affected by decisions that are made by elected and appointed people, and we are blessed to live in a country where we have a say at the ballot box and in other ways - long after elections are over. Getting involved is always a good thing, especially when our doing so has potential benefits for us, others, and for the world in which we live.
PLEASE VOTE and consider joing me for the patriotic rosary on election day, November 6, at 8:30 a.m. followed by Mass at 9:00. We know there are ALWAYS positive results when we pray!
Some things we all do "differently" because we are forced to do so. Some things we do differently because we want and like a change of pace. Some things we do differently with the hopes of better results. Such is the case with our Holy Days and our uncoming observance of All Soul's Day.
The Solemnity of All Saint's Day is coming up this Thursday, November 1. This begins a string of HOLY DAYS OF OBLIGATION that will end with the Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God on January 1. Firstly, please remember that Catholics are called to treat these Solemnities (along with The Immaculate Conception of Mary, December 8, and Christmas, December 25) as we do every Sunday. In other words, participation at Mass is obligatory for Catholics under the pain of mortal sin if we miss without a serious reason. In regard to all of these, we will celebrate an anticipated Mass the night before these Holy Days and a morning Mass on the actual day of the Solemnity (except on Christmas, when we will also offer a Midnight Mass). This means that we will offer Mass for the Solemnity of All Saint's this Wednesday, October 31, at 5:00 p.m. Please note the change from 6:30 p.m.). On All Saint's Day, the Mass will be at 9:00 a.m. For the few people who still work for a living, know that there are later Masses in Hot Springs at both St. John's and St. Mary's on October 31 at 6:00 p.m. PLEASE make it a priority to participate in Mass on ALL the upcoming Holy Days and receive many graces, and in the case of All Saint's Day, a reminder of the intercession of the saints for us on that day and every day.
I am also going to try something different in regards to the observance of All Soul's on November 2. It is not a Holy Day, but it is a special opportunity for us to remember and lift up our loved ones and all the "Faithful Departed" at Mass (9:00 a.m.) and in our prayers at the Sacred Heart Columbarium (right after Mass and our First Friday devotions). This year we are going to have prayers offered for our deceased at CedarVale Cemetery on SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 4, at 1:00 p.m. I am hoping this change of date and time will lead more to participate in this remembrance and prayers for our deceased at our only local cemetery. I would like to offer the rosary at the cemetery at that time, so if you come, you might choose to bring a folding chair.
I hope that these "differences" will be positive for most people and lead us to gather willingly, and with a sense of purpose, to give praise to the Lord for all the good He has done and continues to do for us and for so many.
The Solemnity of All Saint's Day is coming up this Thursday, November 1. This begins a string of HOLY DAYS OF OBLIGATION that will end with the Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God on January 1. Firstly, please remember that Catholics are called to treat these Solemnities (along with The Immaculate Conception of Mary, December 8, and Christmas, December 25) as we do every Sunday. In other words, participation at Mass is obligatory for Catholics under the pain of mortal sin if we miss without a serious reason. In regard to all of these, we will celebrate an anticipated Mass the night before these Holy Days and a morning Mass on the actual day of the Solemnity (except on Christmas, when we will also offer a Midnight Mass). This means that we will offer Mass for the Solemnity of All Saint's this Wednesday, October 31, at 5:00 p.m. Please note the change from 6:30 p.m.). On All Saint's Day, the Mass will be at 9:00 a.m. For the few people who still work for a living, know that there are later Masses in Hot Springs at both St. John's and St. Mary's on October 31 at 6:00 p.m. PLEASE make it a priority to participate in Mass on ALL the upcoming Holy Days and receive many graces, and in the case of All Saint's Day, a reminder of the intercession of the saints for us on that day and every day.
I am also going to try something different in regards to the observance of All Soul's on November 2. It is not a Holy Day, but it is a special opportunity for us to remember and lift up our loved ones and all the "Faithful Departed" at Mass (9:00 a.m.) and in our prayers at the Sacred Heart Columbarium (right after Mass and our First Friday devotions). This year we are going to have prayers offered for our deceased at CedarVale Cemetery on SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 4, at 1:00 p.m. I am hoping this change of date and time will lead more to participate in this remembrance and prayers for our deceased at our only local cemetery. I would like to offer the rosary at the cemetery at that time, so if you come, you might choose to bring a folding chair.
I hope that these "differences" will be positive for most people and lead us to gather willingly, and with a sense of purpose, to give praise to the Lord for all the good He has done and continues to do for us and for so many.
I'm sure you wouldn't be surprised if I tell you that there are instances, after I have preached a homily, when something "comes out" that leads me to regret that I didn't have that information before I preached that homily. Such was the case last weekend as one of my points about Jesus' encounter with the rich man was that He called on the man who wanted to know how to "inherit eternal life" (Mk 10:17) to sell his possesions and give the money to the poor. (Mk 10:21). This is one of a number of Gospel passages in which Jesus called on "would be followers" to show love and generosity toward the poor.
I'm sure Pope Francis was pleased with the Gospel for this past Sunday, because it fell on the day of the canonization of Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador, Pope Paul VI, and five others. Archbishop Romero was martyred on March 24, 1980, in large part, because of his love and care for the poor in a country where those in power did what they could to oppress the poor. Pope (and now Saint) Paul VI wrote in his famous encyclical, "On the Development of Peoples" (1967): "On the part of the rich man, it calls for great generosity, willing sacrifice and diligent effort, " when it comes to care of those who are hungry and poor.
I believe it's clear through the words and example of Saints Oscar Romero, Pope Paul VI and, firstly, that of Jesus himself, that the path to eternal life is walked by those who regularly and generously care about and care for the poor. In addition to many avenues in which we can directly help the poor with our God-given resources, there are opportunities we have to generally improve the living conditions for the poor -- like our generosity to the Campaign for Human Development collection, November 17 and 18, and the power of our vote on election day. I urge you to educate yourself on Issue 5 which will be voted on November 6, 2018 which, if passed, will gradually increase the state's minimum wage to $11 an hour by 2021. Among other things, this has the real potential to lift some people out of the status of "poverty level" and give them a chance to care better for their own and their family's basic needs.
I'm sure Pope Francis was pleased with the Gospel for this past Sunday, because it fell on the day of the canonization of Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador, Pope Paul VI, and five others. Archbishop Romero was martyred on March 24, 1980, in large part, because of his love and care for the poor in a country where those in power did what they could to oppress the poor. Pope (and now Saint) Paul VI wrote in his famous encyclical, "On the Development of Peoples" (1967): "On the part of the rich man, it calls for great generosity, willing sacrifice and diligent effort, " when it comes to care of those who are hungry and poor.
I believe it's clear through the words and example of Saints Oscar Romero, Pope Paul VI and, firstly, that of Jesus himself, that the path to eternal life is walked by those who regularly and generously care about and care for the poor. In addition to many avenues in which we can directly help the poor with our God-given resources, there are opportunities we have to generally improve the living conditions for the poor -- like our generosity to the Campaign for Human Development collection, November 17 and 18, and the power of our vote on election day. I urge you to educate yourself on Issue 5 which will be voted on November 6, 2018 which, if passed, will gradually increase the state's minimum wage to $11 an hour by 2021. Among other things, this has the real potential to lift some people out of the status of "poverty level" and give them a chance to care better for their own and their family's basic needs.