27TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME - CYCLE C

If we approach life with the attitude that something is possible, we’ll probably accomplish it. On the other hand, if we approach life with the attitude that something is impossible, we’ll probably fail to accomplish it.

Faith is a gift from God, a gift that lifts us above self-interest and prompts us to reach out to those in need of us. Once a visitor from England to Mother Teresa’s children’s home in Calcutta asked the sister in charge whether constant exposure to such unmerited suffering ever shook her faith. “No,” she replied, “I see Our Lord in all of them.” That is faith.

In today’s gospel, Jesus teaches his apostles that faith is sharing in God’s power and hence it enables us to work miracles in our lives and in the lives of others. While the apostles ask for an increase in the quantity of their faith, Jesus reminds them that the quality of faith is more important. Therefore Jesus says, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can ask the mulberry tree to uproot it and plant, it will obey you.

Following the example of the Apostles, we must pray for great faith and trust in God. Most of us are inclined to forget God’s providence when our earthly affairs are well. How often do we thank Him when we enjoy good health, or when our home life and business are going smoothly? How many of us thank God for all the gifts we have received? We often attribute our good health to correct use of food and exercise. Often we attribute our success to our hard work and intelligence.

It is only when a storm arises in our life that we think of God. We pray to Him only when troubles strike. That is the moment in the life of every Christian when his faith gets shaky. There happens to us something similar to what happened to Peter when Jesus told him to come to him walking over the water. For a time everything went fine, but when Peter saw the sea becoming rough he started doubting, and the moment he doubted, he started sinking. When the sea was quiet and calm, Peter was confident of walking over the water, but when it turned violent and rough, he lost his faith in himself and cried out, “Lord, I am sinking.”

This is exactly what happens to us. When everything goes well with us, when the situation is favorable, when life is happy and comfortable, we often don’t think about God.  On the other hand, when things go wrong and get out of our control, we cry out like Peter, “Lord we are sinking.” So the Lord asks us to be steadfast in our faith in every situation of our life.

Fr. Tomy

2025 APPEAL

This year’s theme: “Our Journey United in Hope,” is inspired by the theme of the Jubilee Year, “Pilgrims of Hope.”

 It reflects our collective commitment to walk on the path together with the hope Christ has provided us.

It invites us to be renewed in hope by bringing hope to others through individual gifts. Through our various ministries across the diocese your gift is shared and brings comfort, relief, encouragement and support to many.

Next weekend, February 8^th & 9^th, we will be holding our Catholic Ministries Appeal In-Pew Weekend. In preparation, you should receive a mailing from Bishop Sullivan that will include the 2025 South Jersey Catholic Ministries Appeal materials. I ask that you please consider donating to this year’s campaign. It is important that we come together to support our ministries. They need the resources necessary to continue serving those in need.

By supporting the Catholic Ministries Appeal, you are supporting those who comprise the programs and ministries of the Diocese of Camden. These ministries serve the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the hungry and challenged. When we support the Catholic Ministries Appeal, we can bring the light of hope to those in the Catholic community of South Jersey.

Please prayerfully consider joining us once again.