Just a word before we go...Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time...September 19, 2021

Where are we to find hope in this world of ours, torn as it is by strife, hatred, jealousy, greed and violence, along with a host of other evils? Our readings today address issues such as these and bring us to the gospel where Jesus is again trying to prepare his disciples for his passion and death...but all they can talk about is their ambition to be the greatest. One might think that having Jesus walk among them, indeed, living with them, the disciples might have a distinct advantage over us in terms of understanding what Jesus was preaching. Sadly, that is not the case, as the gospel illustrates.

Ever the teacher, Jesus tells them that the true path to greatness is counterintuitive...it is a commitment to the service to others. Fr. Donald Senior, President Emeritus of the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, writes “ the authentic spirit of Christian life is not self-aggrandizement or crowding out others for our own gain, but being attentive to the needs of others and being willing to expend one’s life and energy for the sake of others.”

By this, he doesn’t mean that we don’t take care of ourselves and our own, but that we are mindful of our gifts and are willing to share our time, talent and treasure with others...to consider the common good when we make decisions. 

Fr. Senior continues: “At the conclusion of his instructions to the disciples, Jesus embraces a child. In the ancient word (and to an extent in our own), the child had no standing and was completely vulnerable. Jesus tells his disciples to receive, protect and care for the vulnerable child. This is a sign of authentic service and a sure path to life.” And I would add, a sure path to hope, for our children are our legacy and our hope for the future.

So, in spite of all the bad news there is in the world, it is our children who are our most precious resource. We are called to love, protect and care for them and to help them grow in the love of God, as that love that will sustain them, and us, in the future. Our service to that end can enrich our lives in the present and provide hope for the future of all.

The Religious Education Program at St. Anthony’s aims to do just that. I would like to introduce our parishioner Deirdre Walsh who will speak briefly about our program. Thank you for your attention.