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August 9, 2020PULLING US UP
In the gospel, we find ourselves inside Peter’s fishing boat. The winds are strong and rocking the boat back and forth. And then the apostles see him. They see Jesus walking on the water!
Just to be sure it’s really him, Peter tells Jesus to let him go to him—on the water—which Jesus allows. Peter walks on water—until he realizes there’s no way that could be possible, which is when he begins to sink. He’s thinking of the waves, the storm, and fear takes over. Then, feeling like he’s drowning, he does the natural thing; the thing we’d probably all do. He calls out to Jesus: “save me!” And that’s when he finds Jesus’ hand pulling him up and into the boat.
It’s a remarkable passage to bring to prayer—especially during turbulent times like we’re experiencing. I love that our church ceiling is meant to remind us that we’re in the boat with Jesus Christ, forging ahead even when the winds toss us back and forth and we feel afraid. Because one of the messages of the gospel today is trust. Like Peter’s trust, our trust in Christ is what allows us to walk on water—to walk above the chaos of the waves and the wind and everything that’s taking place underneath, even if it’s temporary.
But if we do find ourselves sinking into it all—which, let’s be honest, is very easy to do especially when we watch the news—we can reach out and go to Jesus with a simple, honest prayer: “help me!” And he’ll find a way to pull us up and pull us through.
I guess when we think about it, there are a couple of responses we can have to turbulent times: we can be skeptical that God really cares one way or the other (maybe even letting us find our own way back into the boat), or we can trust that he is there walking above it and encouraging us to have the trust to come to him above all that seems frightening. The storm is still there—and we shouldn’t pretend that it isn’t. But we can also find gentle moments of peace above it through prayer, staying connected to the Mass, and being part of a community of faith that cares for each other and is in the boat with us.
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION: TUESDAYS FROM 5:00 TO 7:00 PM
We’re trying hard to make a healthy and safe environment to be in our boat here at Saint Hubert. Parishioners tell me they have tears in their eyes when they come back and find themselves in a comforting and familiar place. We are adding a third Sunday Mass next week at noon so more parishioners can attend. But also know on Tuesday nights, in addition to the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we have Eucharistic Adoration from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, and you don’t even have to sign up!
FOR THOSE NOT READY TO COME BACK YET
We also realize many of parishioners feel vulnerable and aren’t ready to come into a public space, and so we continue to offer opportunities on-line so we can feel like we’re inside the church without being there. In addition to streaming Sunday Mass, look for resources on our website under Pray/Devotional Prayer. Pray the Rosary or the Chaplet of Divine Mercy with parishioners and images of the church. There are also musical selections from our talented Saint Hubert cantors and even Deacon Allen’s Adore & Worship service, which offers Eucharistic Adoration with contemporary and traditional music.
GOOD NEWS- Congratulations to our first group of teens to receive their Confirmation! Fr. Bob Rizzo, our Pastor Emeritus, returned home to us to preside at this very special moment in the lives our young Catholics. The second group will receive Confirmation next Saturday.
- We’re blessed to announce that one of our parishioners, Jazmine “Jazzy” Rangel, has made the joyful decision to enter into the religious life! See page 6 to hear about the life-fulling journey of this remarkable young woman.
–Fr. Mike