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The Gift of Persistence
Dear Friends,
In this weekend’s Gospel passage from Matthew, we are presented with one of those rare encounters in which Jesus is both challenged and softened by the persistent pleas of a mother. Though, certainly, this is not the first time he has found himself in such a situation. His own mother, Mary, refused to let him off the hook at the wedding at Cana, urging him to remember that he is the embodiment of generosity, abundant mercy, and tender compassion before he proceeds to produce vats of a legendary vintage.
Jesus is moved by this persistence—and he knows that mothers especially, those who endure the pains of childbirth, late nights with a sick child, and the interminable ups and downs of family life and all it demands, reflect something of his own intense and abiding love and compassion for us. A son or daughter can, in the words of author Kathy Coffey, “melt their hardened edges and break their hearts with love.”
For Jesus, this mother’s unwavering determination and confidence in his power to heal and make whole was suddenly right in front of him. And she wasn’t going to budge. Her faith became a reminder that the God proclaimed by the prophet Isaiah as we hear in our first reading, and preached by Paul, was a God whose mercy extended to all nations and peoples. And with Jesus, not only was the answer “yes,” but he credited the healing to the mother. The gift of her faith—and the grace of her persistence—became the teaching for all who stood near that day.
This message could not be more pressing as all of us continue to confront the tremendous brokenness that surrounds us and afflicts our world today. May we, like this feisty, immovable Canaanite mother, come to know the grace and power of persistence. May our faith in the God of boundless mercy be steadfast!
Speaking of the importance of persistence, we continue to move forward with the launch of our new church database system, Realm Connect. We hope those who have already begun using the app and system are experiencing the benefits and potential it offers.
If you haven’t yet connected, technical assistants will be available after the Masses again this weekend to answer questions and help you get connected. We also encourage you to stop by and meet our new Executive Director, Colleen Burns. Colleen will be available in the auditorium after all the Masses.
For those who can’t join us this weekend, there will be another opportunity to learn more and receive assistance with Realm Connect on the weekend of September 12–13. That weekend, we will also offer a special blessing and commissioning for Colleen as she begins her ministry among us.
Wishing all of you peace and rest in these final weeks of summer.
Norm, on behalf of the Paulist Center staff
Alvaro, Colleen, Deb, Dorothy, Gus, Norm, Fr. Rick, Rob, Sal, Susan, and Timmy
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