St James Catholic Church

Today we gather together, as we do each weekend, whether in person or through the TV, as the body of Christ.  As always we worship God, setting aside this sabbath time to be nourished with God’s Word and Eucharist to strengthen us on our journey to the kingdom.  In our first reading from Isaiah, the Lord says, “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all people.”  While we are renovating our church building, we must also renovate each of our ways of living making this a holy place, a true faith community, a home in which all people are welcomed to join us in worship and prayer.

The chosen people and their relationship with God was founded on the covenant.  Throughout the history of Israel from Abraham to Moses to David, was anchored in the covenant and found, as a result, opposition from enemy nations.  We hear Isaiah announce to the people returning from exile that foreigners who held to the covenant would be welcome in God’s house.  Admittance is not based on background, culture, or history; but on one’s own faithfulness and service.

The Canaanite women in today’s Gospel broke through a number of boundaries, but Jesus did too.  He traveled to Tyre and Sidon, where people worshipped pagan gods.  He said, “I was sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”  Jesus went outside Israel and found people of great faith outside the chosen ones.  We too must find open hearts and willing souls outside our own borders.  With all the division in our country, church, and society, its important to see everyone as a potential member of our household.  Non-practicing Catholics, persons of other faiths, people of other races and even atheists as new arrivals in our home.  We are all responsible for creating an environment that is welcoming, hospitable and friendly, praying and singing to the glory of God, and willing to serve others in any way needed.  Then and only then will our parish of St. James reflect a true place where God dwells.

Love, Peace, Joy

Fr. Bob