From the Pastor – 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time

June 21, 2020

From the Pastor – 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time

We are reminded in today’s readings that we are human, and that as a result of that we are sinners, and we inherit that sin from the very beginning, from Adam. St. Paul points that out in our Second Reading from Romans 2. Were you aware that in Hebrew the name Adam means “humanity?”

In today’s Gospel Reading from Matthew, Jesus also reminds us of the fact that we are sinners, but He also prompts us to remember that one of the reasons we sin is because we fear other humans and the consequences of living out our faith more than we fear the Lord Himself. Jesus says, “…do not be afraid of those who kill the body, but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.”

“Gehenna” is translated in some Bible versions as “Hell.” What the Lord is trying to communicate to us may be that we probably tend to fear earthly matters and earthly people more than we fear God. If we are “killed” by someone or something on earth it is the body only which dies. However, shrinking back from God’s call can have eternal consequences.

“Saving grace” and being saved are probably not thoughts on which we like to dwell, but they are real, and we need to recognize that. St. Alphonsus Liguori wrote, “The saved are few, but we must live with the few if we would be saved with the few. O God, too few indeed they are; yet amongst those few I wish to be.”

Pastoral Pondering

At the end of this week, we will hopefully be able to begin Phase III of the reopening. If this turns out to be the case, I would expect that we will be able to make some adjustments in terms of church occupancy and a return to some normalcy. Over the last couple of weeks, we have also seen widespread protests, some of which have devolved into riots and calls for the defunding or disbanding of police departments. While the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis should be roundly condemned by people of good will, we should never allow an isolated incident of police brutality to force us into accepting a mob mentality. It was a mob after all that called for the Crucifixion of Christ.

My father was a police officer when I was a young child. He was well known as someone who was fair and who cared about people. Over the years since then I have met many police officers, too many to count, all of whom placed their lives on the line each day to protect the communities in which they lived. I have also encountered a few who were simply not suited for their job, and one or two who I would consider “bad apples”. I’ve encountered doctors, lawyers, politicians, soldiers and myriads of others. I can say by and large most were fine people; but, there too, there were some bad or even rotten apples. The same can be said about priests, ministers, rabbis and bishops. Because we are human, we are fallible. Sadly, some of us give in to our base desires and emotions. This has been true since Cain killed Abel and has been played out countless times throughout history. That’s why on Trinity Sunday I noted that we are dealing with a sin problem rather than a skin problem.

This in no way denies that there are people who have been mistreated and harmed by those in authority, but it also recognizes that not every person should be judged because of the sins of a few. This is not only dangerous, as we saw in the treatment of the Jews in WW2 Germany or the treatment of Japanese immigrants in WW2 USA; but, it is also destructive of the common good. We should never deny or forget history. There have been plenty of examples of racism and discrimination throughout the world to be sure, and in our own country without a doubt. However, simply because something happened in the past does not mean it has to be repeated. As human beings we have the capacity to change. We have the capacity to grow, and we have the capacity to repent.

Learning to respect the dignity of each human person, created in the image and likeness of God, is the task of every Christian. This is true whether we are dealing with friend or foe. The Gospel requires us to oppose injustice where we find it and to strive to eradicate it with Christian love and compassion. Sadly, there seems to be a pervasive attitude that if you are not willing to accept responsibility for every wrong ever done to a person of color that you are somehow part of the problem and a supporter of racism. This is simply flawed thinking and an irrational conclusion. Mobs, however, are not rational. They operate out of emotion and the facts matter very little to them. As a Christian people, we have to strive for holiness which is built on the foundational belief that in order to love God, we also have to love our neighbor. If we actually start doing that, then we can eliminate injustice across the board and at every level. Politicians will not solve the problem and crowds of protestors will not solve the problem; although, exercising our first amendment rights by assembling peacefully and making our voices heard is important and necessary. The only true solutions will come from a return to God, a desire for repentance and conversion.

From the Pastor

From the Pastor - 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time

By John Putnam • July 10, 2026
In today’s Gospel from Matthew, Jesus shares the familiar Parable of the Sower. It is a powerful image for the stewardship way of life, demonstrating the gradual but transformative effect that a life centered on God can have on us over time. In the parable, some seed falls on a path where birds quickly carry it away. Other seed falls on rocky ground, where it begins to grow but cannot develop deep roots. Still more seed falls among thorns that eventually choke the young plants. Finally, some seed falls on rich, fertile soil and produces an abundant harvest. Jesus explains that the seed is the Word of God, generously scattered for all to receive. The question is whether our hearts are prepared to receive it and allow it to take root. This is where the stewardship way of life comes in. When we offer our time, talent, and treasure to God and place Him first in our lives, we help create the “good soil” needed for the Kingdom to flourish within us. Stewardship removes the “rocks” of mistrust as we grow in confidence that God will provide for our needs. It clears away the “thorns” of worldly concerns that can distract us from what matters most. Through prayer, the sacraments, and generous service, the soil of our lives is continually nourished and renewed. Let us deepen our commitment to this way of life, allowing the Divine Sower to do His work within us. In time, He will produce an abundant harvest through our lives. ©Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2026. Pastoral Pondering A Pastoral Reflection on the Earthquakes in Venezuela Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, In these days, our hearts are heavy as we learn of the devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24, 2026. Two powerful tremors, measuring approximately 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, have caused great loss of life, injured thousands, and left many families homeless and grieving. As your pastor, I invite you to join me in prayer for all those affected— the deceased, the injured, the missing, and those working tirelessly in rescue and relief efforts. May the Lord grant them strength and comfort in this time of trial. The Catholic Church offers us clear guidance on how to understand such natural disasters. They are not punishments from God directed at specific sins or peoples. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches, our world is “in a state of journeying” toward its ultimate perfection (CCC 310). In God’s wise plan, creation includes both life-giving and destructive forces of nature—such as the shifting of tectonic plates that cause earthquakes. Physical evils like these remind us of the disorder introduced into the world by Original Sin, yet they are not direct divine judgments. Jesus Himself rejected such thinking when asked about tragedies in His time (see Luke 13:1-5 and John 9:1-3). Instead, these events humble us, turn our eyes from fleeting earthly goods toward heaven, and call forth the best in us: compassion, solidarity, and trust in God’s providence. Our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, has expressed his deep closeness to the Venezuelan people. He has offered prayers for the victims and their families, entrusted the rescuers to the Lord, and sent an initial emergency donation of €100,000 to support relief efforts through the local Church. He urges the international community to respond with generous solidarity. In moments like this, we remember that creation itself “groans” in labor pains as it awaits full redemption (Romans 8:22). Yet we are not without hope. God does not abandon His children. He is present in the suffering Christ who walks with us, and He brings good even from tragedy—through heroic acts of charity, stronger communities, and hearts turned more fully toward Him. What can we do here at St. Mark’s? - Pray: Offer Masses, Rosaries, or personal prayers for Venezuela. Consider a special intention at weekend Masses. - Help: Support reliable Catholic relief organizations such as Catholic Relief Services (CRS) or efforts coordinated by our Diocese of Charlotte. Even small donations can provide food, shelter, and medical aid. - Reflect: Use this as an opportunity for personal conversion and gratitude for the blessings we enjoy.  Let us entrust our Venezuelan brothers and sisters to the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Mark, our patron. May the Risen Lord bring healing, peace, and hope to all who suffer. And may we, as one parish family, respond with the love of Christ.

From the Pastor - 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time

By John Putnam • July 10, 2026
The theme of humility is central to our readings today. God Himself is a humble God, so if we wish to follow Him as Christian stewards, we too, must be humble. In fact, humility is key to the stewardship way of life, and to a peaceful and fulfilling life. In our Gospel passage from Matthew, Jesus Himself speaks to the Father about the privileged role that humble souls play in God’s plan of salvation. “I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to little ones.” What does it mean to be a “little one”? It means that we acknowledge we don’t have it all figured out, but that we are very much in need of a savior. It means we recognize that all we are and all we have been given is a gift from God. It means we embrace the stewardship way of life. It is not easy, but deep peace and consolation come with this way of life. Jesus offers these warm and encouraging words to entice us to embrace them. “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” Let us resolve to follow in the footsteps of our Savior, embracing the humble path of stewardship. It is the path that leads to peace here and now, and ultimately leads us to heaven. © Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2026. Pastoral Pondering One of the struggles that confessors often have to face is the reality of scrupulosity. It is not something new and has in fact been recognized as a spiritual obstacle throughout the centuries. Hence, I thought a discussion of the issue, albeit brief, would be helpful to those who face it or know someone who does.  Scrupulosity is a condition in which a person experiences excessive, persistent anxiety and doubt about sin, often seeing mortal sin where there is none or obsessing over past faults that have already been forgiven. It is sometimes described as a religious form of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and can cause great spiritual distress, frequent confessions, and difficulty trusting in God’s mercy. The Church has long recognized scrupulosity as a heavy cross, not a sign of weak faith but a challenge that even great saints like St. Ignatius of Loyola and St. Alphonsus Liguori faced. The Catholic response emphasizes trust in God’s infinite mercy, the reliability of the sacraments, and obedience to a trusted confessor or spiritual director. Key principles include: once a sin is confessed and absolved, do not revisit it; temptation is not the same as consent or sin; and venial sins are forgiven through ordinary acts of love and the Eucharist. If you struggle with scrupulosity, choose one regular confessor, follow his guidance faithfully, and resist the urge to “priest-hop” for repeated reassurance. Professional help from a therapist familiar with OCD and Catholic teaching can also be a valuable complement. Remember the words of Jesus : “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest” (Mt 11:28). God’s mercy is greater than our fears. If you or someone you know suffers in this way, speak with a priest, seek spiritual direction, and know that you are not alone. Resources such as *Scrupulous Anonymous* (a free newsletter) and books like Fr. Thomas Santa’s *Understanding Scrupulosity* can offer further encouragement. May the Lord grant peace to all who carry this burden.