We have been here before, because Jesus has been here before. From the rejection and ridicule heaped on the Prophet Jeremiah as recorded in today’s first reading, to the chaos Jesus prepares his hearers to withstand in today’s Gospel, life does not always go well or smoothly.
In fact, Jesus steps into the fury that imperfect living generates from the time of his birth, to the time of his “protective custody” in Egypt, from the time of his encounter with the Evil One in the desert as he prepared to embark upon his ministry to the questions posed during that ministry meant to trip him up, from the sham trial where he was condemned to the fury of the scourging at the pillar and being nailed to the cross that was rightly ours, the truth of today’s second reading rings out:
“For the sake of the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising its shame, and has taken his seat at the right of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:3
The daily situations in which we encounter this kind of clash and then, hopefully, this kind of resolution and triumph, might not often, perhaps very seldom seem on a scale that really makes a difference to anyone. It is, in fact, in the nooks and crannies of our lives where most of this takes place, where that which makes a difference happens.
***********************
As many of you realize, there has been a great deal of conversation concerning the programs of religious education here at St. Peter’s. I want to thank you who have shared in that conversation either via email or during the meetings which have been held at the Parish Center. With the strong participation and commitment of our families here at St. Peter’s, I am happy to say that Registration materials and information regarding Loretto, Edge, and Life-Teen programs as well as Sacramental Preparation programs will be coming to you in late August. Other announcements will follow, via texts and emails to all families as well as in the parish bulletin. There will be a “Registration Night” to which all families will be invited, and there will be “directions” regarding the completion of registration forms to be handed in at this night, or by alternate means if that night presents an impossibility for you. Thank you!