Message from Fr. Brito:

14th Sunday Year A

     God created human beings in his image and likeness, male and female he created them, yet we have distorted the image of God within us. So God has chosen to come to us in our image and likeness to restore his image in us. So how does God come to us? He comes to us not in glory and splendor, but rather he comes “meek, and riding on an ass “.  The mighty God comes in humility. The glorious one, the almighty God, the one who no man can see and live, empties himself to come among us so that we may approach him.  Listen to his invitation to us from today’s gospel; “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

     In the world we live in, we human beings are going around like sheep without a shepherd. We really need the good shepherd to guide us and give us direction in our lives. Human being have always struggled with the flesh and human being will always struggle with the flesh. In our day and age we see the flesh triumphing over the spirit. We celebrate those who champion the flesh as heroes.

      This world of ours is always championing science. Now the Church is not against science, in fact we honor the natural world with all its wonders and mysteries. Science often times helps us understand and unlock many of theses mysteries. But in a world that celebrates disordered human desires and the confusion between sexes, science is being denied.  We are so obsessed with the flesh that we even begin to deny science. There is no longer male and female, but all sorts of disordered variation.

     St. Paul writes to us in the second reading: Brothers and sisters: You are not in the flesh; on the contrary, you are in the spirit, if only the Spirit of God dwells in you. Whoever does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. Then, He concludes with these words of warning: “Consequently, brothers and sisters, we are not debtors to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death deeds of the body, you will live”.

     My Brothers and sisters there are consequences to straying from God’s law,  and this can be frightening. But as you can see, Jesus has come among us to give us direction and to show us the way to the Father. So what ever you are struggling with Jesus will help you. He has invited you to come to him. Accept his gentle and loving invitation; for he is meek and humble of heart. And you will find your rest. Remember what St. Augustine said: “our hearts are restless until they rest in you” refering to our rest and peace with God.

Amen