Other fires have hit churches in France these last months and years, including Saint Jacques in Grenoble in January 2019, where arson was confirmed and attributed to the ‘extreme left,’ and the church of Saint Paul of Corbeil-Essonnes, near Paris two weeks ago, with the evidence also pointing to arson.
We live in difficult times for the Church; from many sectors the very legitimate cry for reform goes up frequently. Beyond the sexual abuse scandal there are also deep concerns regarding the uncertain trumpet of Catholic preaching, lukewarm and nominal Catholics, an overall lack of self-discipline among Catholics, and a lack of disciplining by the bishops and clergy of those Catholics (lay and clergy) who cause scandal. The list of concerns is long, and in general I have been sympathetic on this blog to the need for reform and greater zeal in the Church
Homily God is the one sowing the seeds, cultivating the soil, causing us to grow, sending us out, and empowering by the Holy Spirit.
Homily We were taught it today in our second reading from Romans: Holy Spirit, help us! What a simple prayer! It’s literally four words In the first parable we have the weeds and the wheat. God is saying leave the weeds there today! Be patient, and call people back to God, and deal with what the world throws at you. And leave the final judgment up to Him. In the second parable, we have this little mustard seed. And somehow it’s supposed to become a big tree. Our outreach is difficult. How do we reach people with the Gospel message?
Homily If you are suffering in some way, it means that you are qualified. It means that you have something meaningful to offer. Use this suffering and unite it with Jesus.
Homily All have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God. That is you and that is me. We are all in need of mercy and conversion.
My View For Awhile… well… this one might have to be postponed for a while.
I’ve signed up with NASA for some news and links for the upcoming launch of PERSEVERANCE and the little Martian chopper INGENUITY.
The way I see it, when I get to Mars in 2026, and everything goes sidewise because of a really big green stripe rearranging storm, and I have to make a trek to Jezero Crater to find the rover so I can establish contact with Earth again, I’ll have a slight advantage.