Greetings,

The Hog Roast is finally here at St. Boniface. And of course, I would like to extend an invitation to everyone from St. Mary’s to join us. This weekend we start off with the Polka Mass at 10:30am. Then everyone is invited to join us in our annual celebration of the fall festival. Last year I had a very good time with the good people of St. Boniface out here in God’s Country… It was the second time that I called Bingo (Sept. of 2008 was the first). I fondly remember the band and their music. One of my Carmelite Brothers came out to enjoy the festivities and was very impressed with the parish and especially the pork dinner. I would like to ask everyone to pitch in at least a little bit if you haven’t already with your time and energy to make this Hog Roast the best ever! Please feel free to invite family and friends, parishioners from other parishes to come and enjoy our celebration. It should be a good time to catch up with those we maybe haven’t seen for a while. It is good to work alongside and to be with our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. We do this certainly as a fundraiser but more important than that is the idea that we are all here together as part of an extended family, having fun, enjoying ourselves and each other in a good positive healthy way.
I might even find my way to the beer garden early on to catch some of the Packers game… But most importantly, to be with all of you on this wonderful day of fun and relaxation. Let us not forget that we participate in this celebration with the common goal of growing in our relationship with Christ. That even in our fun and play we give honor and glory to our God. I look forward to seeing everyone there…

Peace, Fr. Tom

Greetings,

“Lord, will only a few people be saved?” We hear these words in last week’s gospel that should send shivers down our backs… that is if being saved is important to us. I believe it is a very good comparison to make, between the Israelites as the chosen people with that of our Catholic Church being the one true faith. The Jewish people knew that they were the chosen ones. Us Catholics know that our Official Magisterial Teaching is without error. But does being the chosen people of the Old Testament where God slowly reveals Himself to the world through them, make them automatically saved? Does being Catholic and understanding all of our Teaching give us a free ride to heaven? Jesus heals the Roman Centurion’s servant because of his great faith. The Roman’s were gentiles, pagans, outside the chosen people and here we see that they can be saved. The Syro-phoenician woman whose daughter was being haunted by a demon… asks the Lord for healing and He says “Why give what belongs to the children and throw it to the dogs?” The woman responds with “Even the dogs receive scraps from the table.” What great faith this pagan woman has, and of course Jesus heals her daughter because of her great faith.
So, who will be saved? Jesus’ response to the original question of who will be saved, I think, is very cautious and restrictive. Throughout this passage there seems to be a tone of urgency and the requirement of great effort. Mother Theresa of Calcutta would tell us that we need to work as hard as we can as is everything depended on us, but realizing that everything really does depend on God. If we were to take some quality time and really read over last week’s gospel passage, I think, we would find that Jesus actually indicates that far more than a few will be saved. The catch, however, seems to be that those who think they will be among the saved, will not be, and many who are considered unfit to be saved will be included. My mom and dad told us kids that when they were younger, back in their small town in Western Minnesota back in the 1940’s that there were religion wars. The Catholics thought the Protestants were going to hell and vice versa. How far we’ve come!
The pattern from which Jesus continues to teach the people in the gospels is one in which He turns things upside down. He challenges the people in many different ways. Many respond with great faith, some who you would not expect. Many of Jesus’ disciples understand the mission to the gentiles, of which was very successful after much of Judaism had rejected Jesus. Remember that the first couple of centuries is when the Church develops and then eventually overcomes even the Roman Empire. We have heard this said many times… some who are last will be first, and some are first who will be last. Much of our faith remains a mystery. And I think sometimes we must learn to let that stand as it is. We are given no answers to the many questions that this passage raises:

Why must the gate be narrow?
Why are some rejected? (How can God create a human being that He knows will eventually reject His love and then suffer eternal torment?)
How will we know when we have done enough?

It is important for humanity to remember that God does not owe us an explanation. The point is that no one is guaranteed salvation because it is always a grace from God. No one can presume on this grace and so everyone must strive diligently to enter by the narrow gate. Salvation allows of no entitlement. Let us become profoundly aware that we cannot buy or earn our way into heaven. Going to church is not a guarantee or a ticket to heaven. Our church going hopefully will lead us to a deeper understanding and knowledge of God’s ways. That we may learn to love God whole heartedly and our neighbor as our self. That we may realize our ability to live the ideal is enhanced by the good example of others. And that we seek the support of God’s friends especially in times of need. That the way we choose to live our lives is a response to God’s love for us, and not for us to try to earn His love. Jesus teaches us… “Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, you do unto me.” And, “for when I was hungry, you gave me to eat… when I was thirsty…” These sayings are a wonderful way to chart our lives and hopefully after a long life of goodness, He will bring us to share in eternal life.

Peace, Fr. Tom