Sunday's readings offer us a message of hope — God is with us and wants to heal us. May this message come ablaze in our hearts so that we might live with unwavering faith. The Gospel presents us with the story of the profound physical healing of a deaf man with a speech impediment. People brought him to Jesus and begged for his healing. Jesus took the man off by himself, touched his ears and his tongue, then proclaimed, “Be opened!” Immediately he was healed. This story in our Gospel overwhelms us with comfort and peace because we have a compassionate God who sees our physical needs. Yet if we reflect further on this reading, we see that God uses this moment of physical healing as an opportunity to restore something much deeper—our souls. Often, we are blind and deaf to God in our lives. We miss countless opportunities to see God working in our day-to-day moments—through our loved ones, our community, or even a stranger. We miss the quiet voice of Jesus in our hearts telling us to choose Him instead of sin, respond in love instead of anger, or care for someone else in a moment instead of ourselves. These are how we need to be spiritually healed. And the scriptures remind us that God is with us and wants to heal us. This week let us seek God to heal our souls and transform our hearts. Let us pray that our eyes and our ears might “be open" to His workings, words, and promptings in our lives. 

— Stewardship Reflections by Catholic Stewardship Consultants 

This coming week the Church will celebrate the birthday of Mary. A September birth was chosen because the Eastern Church begins its Church year with September. The September 8 date helped determine the date for the feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8. Saint Augustine connects Mary’s birth with Jesus’ saving work. He tells the earth to rejoice and shine forth in the light of her birth. “She is the flower of the field from whom bloomed the precious lily of the valley. Through her birth the nature inherited from our first parents is changed.” Take time to celebrate with our Blessed Mother. Come to church for Mass, pray the Rosary, or sing a Marian hymn. You are also invited to take part in the birthday party for Mary at our Parish.

911. For years, those numbers simply meant a call for help. Now they also remind us of September 11, 2001, the date of the worst terrorist attack on the United States of America and one of the deadliest days ever on American soil. This coming Saturday we will mark the twentieth anniversary of 9/11. Let us continue to pray often for our country and all those who lost their lives. 

God bless America. Eternal Rest grant unto them O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.