As a young, newly ordained priest, I admired a senior priest who was gifted, beloved, and had changed countless lives. But soon I learned that he had fallen in catastrophic and destructive ways. The painful juxtaposition of good and evil was complex to process. How could someone so seemingly good also be so broken and deceptive? It forced me to confront a sobering truth: leadership in the Church is no guarantee against weakness or sin.
Peter teaches that truth in this week’s Gospel. When he sees Jesus walking on the sea, Peter does what leaders do. He goes first. “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” But when he sees how strong the wind is, he becomes frightened and, beginning to sink, cries out, “Lord, save me.” Immediately, Jesus stretches out his hand and catches him.
St. Thomas Aquinas observes that Peter overcomes the greater danger of the waves but falters before the lesser threat of the wind. This is the paradox leaders often face. It is not always the great trials that undo us, but the smaller, quieter temptations, such as subtle fears and compromises, that lead us to sink.
The good news is that Jesus does not abandon Peter. He saves him before it is too late. Our frail humanity lives within a rhythm of grace, risk, failure, and mercy. Jesus helps Peter overcome both the obvious and hidden sources of fear, and he promises to do the same for us. So, let us pray for all, especially our spiritual leaders.
— Father John Muir
©LPi
General Mass Notes
Welcome
Good afternoon and welcome to St. Joseph,
As we begin our liturgy, we would like to extend a special welcome to everyone visiting our parish for the first time. We also warmly welcome all of you who are here today. We are so grateful and blessed to have you with us. As we settle in and prepare our hearts for Mass, please take a moment to make sure your cell phones are turned off so as not to disturb our prayer.
(Wait a few seconds to allow people to turn off their phones)
Let us now take a moment to prepare for Mass and open our hearts and minds to the message we will hear today. The intentions of this Mass are for all those in our special intention basket and for…
Please stand and greet those beside you.
Mass Intentions
Universal Prayer (Petitions)
A. For the Church, that by stretching out our hands to assist those who are struggling to weather the storms in their lives, we may strengthen both their faith and ours in a merciful and compassionate God, let us pray to the Lord.
B. For refugees fleeing war, danger, and adversity, who have had to battle trials and storms to reach a land of promise, let us pray to the Lord.
C. That we may work toward building a world where using nuclear weapons is unimaginable and that the peace the Lord proclaims may be achieved without fearful threats of mutual destruction, let us pray to the Lord.
D. That kindness and truth shall meet and that justice and peace shall kiss as we respond to Jesus’ call by courageously giving witness to our faith, let us pray to the Lord.
E. For those whose lives have been upended by dangerous storms, fires, and earthquakes, that they may find promise and hope in the compassion and assistance of those who come to their aid, let us pray to the Lord.
F. For all the prayers that we hold in the silence of our hearts; for all our intentions spoken and unspoken, and for (read all intentions from 1st page), let us pray to the Lord.
Announcements
The St. Vincent de Paul truck will be in the school parking lot today from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. or until their truck is filled with your donations. Due to limited storage space, we ask that you not leave your donations at the parish office. We appreciate your generosity.
Today, the Señor de Esquipulas ministry will be selling champurrado, coffee, bread and tamales in the Madonna Plaza until 11:00am. We thank you for your support.
We are hiring a part time janitor. A job description can be picked up at the office or viewed on our Parish website.
