Encouraging the Culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All People
 
Dear Brothers and Sister in Christ,
 
This week I reproduce here a blog entry from Monsignor Charles Pope of the Archdiocese of Washington DC.  I often find he has excellent reflections on Catholic matters. He also writes a column for Our Sunday Visitor. Here he reflects upon a reading from last Monday’s Mass which also connects with this Sunday’s Gospel.
 
From Mt 10:34ff - “ Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. From now on a household of five will be divided, three against two and two against three; a father will be divided against his son and a son against his father, a mother against her daughter and a daughter against her mother, a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”
 
From Monsignor Pope: “ The words shock, but they speak a truth that sets aside worldly notions of compromise and coexistence with evil. In order for there to be true peace, holiness, and victory over Satan, there must be distinction not equivocation, clarity not compromise. Fire and water do not mix; you can hear the conflict when they come together: hissing, popping, searing, and steaming. One must win; the other must lose. Compromise and coexistence are not possible.
In this there is a kind of analogy to a surgeon ’ s scalpel. The surgeon must wield this “ sword ” to separate out healthy flesh from that which is diseased. Coexistence is not possible; the diseased flesh must be removed. The moment one talks of “ coexisting ” with cancer, the disease wins. Were a doctor to take this stance he would be guilty of malpractice. When there is cancer, the battle must be engaged.
Thus, in this great and cosmic battle, the Lord cannot and will not tolerate a false peace based on compromise or an accepting coexistence. He has come to wield a sword, to divide. Many moderns do not like it, but Scripture is clear: there are wheat and tares, sheep and goats, those on the Lord ’ s right and those on His left, the just and wicked, the lowly and the proud, the narrow road to salvation and the wide road to damnation.
These distinctions, these divisions, extend into our very families, into our most intimate relationships. This is the battle. There are two armies, two camps. No third way is given. Jesus says, Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters (Matt 12:30). While it is common that honor for one ’ s parents and family love are in conformity with God ’ s will, nothing and absolutely no one can or should take precedence over the Lord. His reign is absolute in our lives. Further commentary will tend only to obscure, so I stop here.”
 
From Fr. Pfeiffer: When it comes to politics, morality, debates within the Church, media, and now even health there is much confusion and equivocation. Again I say we must simplify and get to fundamentals: coming to Jesus Who is the Divine Physician.  May our prayer and penance bring us closer to Him.
 
Thank you for your cooperation with the ever changing civil directives and diocesan guidelines regarding COVID-19.  Even with the increased threat level for Summit county, last weekends masses seemed to go quite smoothly.
 
Some notes regarding music (no pun intended): The 4:30 Vigil Mass continues but without music what remains one could call a “low Mass” meaning there is no singing at all even by a cantor. All parts are comply recited.  You may have noticed at the 10am Sunday Mass where some parts are sung, that we are switching some of the musical variations. Even as we incorporate these other parts, please remember the guideline that discourages congregational singing. 
 
We continue to livestream the 10am Mass via facebook. This is for those who choose to remain at home during the pandemic.  It is also used to project the video on the wall of the Parish Activity Center. If the church reaches capacity, more people can sit in the PAC during Mass and still participate by watching and then still receiving Communion.  The past few weeks we have found that while the church has not reached its capacity there are still people who choose to sit in the PAC in order to maintain more distance.  This is fine and if others out there who are worried about being in the church want to come to the PAC on Sunday morning, please do so.  We are still tweaking the technology to improve video and audio quality as well. 
 
Some have asked about restarting our regular ministry to the home bound.  Due to the current situation I do not believe it would be prudent to start it back as it was.  There are a number of vulnerable people involved in that ministry.  At the same time, I want to make sure those who are unable to come to Mass still have connection with the parish.  If you or someone you know is remaining at home, and wants a visit and especially if they desire to receive Holy Communion, please call the rectory. I or Dcn. John will schedule visits with them. 
 
Stay Holy and healthy!
Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Pfr