Sunday, February 17, 2019

Trust is not easy to define in the abstract, but we know it when we see it. We also know that we must “take the leap,” before something can be experienced. Today’s readings invite us to take the leap and trust in the Lord who gives life. The First Reading consists of a collection of wisdom sayings centered on the importance of trusting in God and the foolishness of turning away and trusting in human values. The imagery of a tree with deep roots (Psalm 1:3; 52:10; Proverbs 3:18;11:13; Sirach 24:13-22) is frequently used to describe those who trust in God because even in times of trouble they will survive. In today’s Gospel, we encounter Jesus and a large crowd of Jews and non-Jews gathered on a plain in Galilee to hear him speak. He goes on to deliver the Beatitudes, which are, in fact, about trust in God who cares for those who suffer. Jesus also includes a matching series of “woes” that focus on those who have turned away from God by refusing to do their part in alleviating these sufferings. Where will you stand? At Home With The Word.

In His love and mine, Fr. Ken

In the Spring of 1988, Bishop William D. Keeler formed a new parish to accommodate the rapid growth in Silver Spring Township and named Reverend James R. O’Brien as the founding pastor. That same year, Mother Katharine Drexel was beatified by Pope John Paul, II. At Bishop Keeler’s request, the Holy Father gave his permission to name the Parish in Silver Spring Township as the first parish in the world to be named in her honor. Eighteen years later, on October 1, 2000, Blessed Katharine Drexel was canonized and the church’s name changed to Saint Katharine Drexel.

The Saint Katharine Drexel Parish Family, guided by the Holy Spirit, commits itself to reaching out and sharing with all people the love and service modeled by our patroness, with the Eucharist as our source of strength. Through prayer and action, we will serve God, our Lord and Savior, and our community, exhibiting a special concern for the poor, oppressed and marginalized of our society, especially those among the African-American & Native-American peoples.