29th Sunday in Ordinary Time "Let us join Bishop Powers to prepare for Synod 2020"

Let us join Bishop Powers to prepare for Synod 2023

As you know Pope Francis invites us to join to prepare for the Synod in 2023 in Rome. Pope Francis states in his letter, “May we experience this Synod in the spirit of Jesus’ fervent prayer to the Father on behalf of his disciples: “that they may all be one” (Jn 17:21). This is what we are called to: unity, communion, the fraternity born of the realization that all of us are embraced by the one love of God.”

Pope Francis emphasizes three key words for the Synod: communion, participation and mission. “Communion and mission are theological terms describing the mystery of the Church, which we do well to keep in mind” Pope says, “Participation is a requirement of the faith received in baptism... Baptism, the source of our life, gives rise to the equal dignity of the children of God, albeit in the diversity of ministries and charisms.       Consequently, all the baptized are called to take part in the Church’s life and mission.”

In the light of Pope Francis' invitation, Bishop James Powers invites us to join this process in our Diocese from October 2021 to October 2022. The Synodal preparation in our diocese starts with a kick off Mass on Monday, October 18, at 5:00 pm at Our Lady of the Lake Church in Ashland. Bishop invites us to join in person or    virtually: https://www.facebook.com/ourladycc/. We will be joining Bishop Powers and praying for this      process and wait for further information.
Monday, October 18th is the Feast of St. Luke, Evangelist. Every year around the feast of St. Luke who was a physician, we pray for the sick, healthcare professionals and caregivers. This weekend we pray for these      intentions and will have the opportunity to receive Anointing of the Sick.

This weekend reading invites us to reflect on servant leadership. The first reading from the book of Isiah is   taken from the Fourth Servant Song. Isaiah speaks of God crushing the suffering servant.  In the Hebrew term ’asham is used to talk about a particular type of sacrifice. The meaning of ’asham is “be guilty.” It is a         reparation offering. In the book of Leviticus 5:14-26 he talks about the reparation offering. The servant bears the iniquity of the people. Isaiah’s servant song foreshadows the life and mission of Jesus.

In the Gospel, Christ turned towards Jerusalem prepared to accept death and resurrection. This is the third time he is predicting that his suffering will end in death and the resurrection on the third day. It was a reminder for the disciples that they are called to follow his footsteps. Christ taught them that the greatness in the Kingdom is based on the spirit of service.

James and John place a request in front of Jesus, "Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other at your left." In answer to that Jesus told them that they will drink the cup Jesus drinks and will be  baptized in which baptism Jesus will be baptized. Jesus' mission is to suffer which leads to death and     resurrection. Jesus told the disciples that they also will be suffering for their faith. The second reading from the Hebrews tells us that Jesus is like us in all things, but sin. Since the Lord identifies with us in every suffering, we can turn to him for the help to overcome our weakness due to suffering.