Dear St. Luke friends,
On this 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Christ assures us that there is a place reserved for each one of us in His Heart. In His Heart, we find solace and comfort during times of suffering and trials. In His Heart, we find a refuge each time we fall from our own sinfulness. In His Heart, there is an infinite ocean of mercy where we experience true and lasting forgiveness and peace (especially through the sacrament of reconciliation).
Each time the Lord welcomes us to His Eucharistic feast either at St. Luke's or virtually at home, He also calls us to encounter His saving love and healing mercies found in His own pierced Heart. In each Eucharistic Sacrifice, we commemorate how on the Cross, our Crucified Lord cancelled the debt we owe because of our sins. In each Eucharistic celebration, we gather to worship and give thanks to our God of mercy and compassion.
As Christ welcomes us into His merciful Heart, so are we called to welcome into our hearts our brothers and sisters who have wronged us. Christ asks us to forgive from our hearts, not just seven times, but seventy-seven times, with no limit. We ask God to transform our hearts into His Heart, and allow His divine Spirit to move our hearts to truly forgive for the sake of Christ's love for us all.
I ask you to spend some moments with the Lord. Come and rest in His Heart and thank Him for His gift of merciful love and forgiveness. As you get renewed within the healing balm of His Heart, ask the Holy Spirit to show to you the people in your life whom you need to forgive and reconcile with. Surrender all and allow the Lord to heal your wounds and pain. Lift up to the Lord (especially during Mass) the people whom He calls you to forgive or ask forgiveness from. Pray for them and allow God's Spirit of peace, healing and reconciliation to dwell in your heart and in those persons. Then God will pardon all your iniquities, heal you, redeem your life, and crown you with steadfast love and compassion (cf. Psalm 103:3-4).
Looking forward to another weekend of worship and fellowship with all of you. Let us continue entrusting one another to the Heart of our Merciful Savior.
Blessings of peace in Christ,
Rev. Jonathan Paala
Pastor
Jesus answered..."So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives your brother from your heart." (Matthew 18:35)
Reminders:
1) WEEKEND MASSES will be CELEBRATED OUTDOORS on SATURDAYS at 5:00pm and SUNDAYS at 8:00am and 10:00am. No signing up required. Chairs will be provided.
2) You are required to submit your CONSENT FORM (click here to download and print) each time you attend Sunday Mass. This is in compliance with the San Mateo Health Officer's guideline and will serve as a waiver to limit St. Luke's liability and will be used for contact tracing purposes. Forms will be kept confidential and will be discarded after 45 days.