Oct 21/22, 2023 - Sunday Bulletin

Leslie Mendonca
Oct 20, 2023
7 min read

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Evangelization of Nations Sunday

A MESSAGE FROM FATHER STENY

ABOUT PRAYING FOR PEACE

Dear brothers and sisters, as the Holy Land is immersed in this violence and bloodshed, we remember that Jesus, the Son of God, who lived and walked there as Love Incarnate, through His teaching by word and deed, calls us as brothers and sisters to be always united by the bond of charity.

Therefore, I invite all of you to join other people of good will, here and around the world, in imploring God to move the hearts of those leaders engaged in the present conflict in order to de-escalate the acts of terrorism, cease violence and war, and resume constructive efforts that are aimed at establishing lasting peace and concord. As we pray for peace, let us remember all the families and individuals suffering because of this most recent outbreak of violence.

As a Catholic Parish Community, we are compelled by the teachings and example of Jesus to pray for peace throughout the world. In a fraternal spirit of solidarity with Christian, Jewish, and Muslim, brothers and sisters, let us join together in recalling God’s desire for peace in the land that Jesus Christ called home and the whole world.

Prayer for the Peace

Lord, come to our aid! Grant us peace, teach us peace; guide our steps in the way of peace. Open our eyes and our hearts and give us the courage to say no to war. Instill in our hearts the courage to take concrete steps to achieve peace. Keep alive within us the flame of hope, so that with patience and perseverance we may opt for dialogue and reconciliation. In this way may peace triumph. Lord God, defuse the violence of our tongues and our hands.

Gracious God, we pray for all people who are suffering from war. May they be held in your loving care and protection and given the strength to endure great suffering and hardship. Transform the hearts and minds of all those who perpetuate violence and oppression. Through Christ our Lord. Amen

This Week in the Church

To prepare for All Souls Day and November, the month of the Holy Souls, offertory envelopes are available at the Church entrance & on table in front of Our Lady's Altar.

Important Updates

UPCOMING EVENTS AT ST. EDMUND’S, SAVE THE FOLLOWING DATES:

SATURDAY, DEC. 2ND ADVENT RETREAT
SATURDAY, DEC. 16TH – CHRISTMAS DINNER

CWL Coffee Sunday & Bake Sale is after all Masses on Sunday, October 29th. Baking donations will be gratefully received prior to the Masses. Please allow the CWL to price your baked goods.

Project Advance : Every gift, regardless of its size, makes a difference. Every gift, regardless of its size, makes a difference. All pledge forms were mailed out; if you receive it and already have given; please disregard and we thank you for your donation.
- Please look over information on your pledge form before sending in and make sure it is up to date, make any corrections as needed.
- You may also make a donation online here: https://support.rcav.org/project-advance-2023/ Be sure to select St. Edmund's in the parish drop down menu to ensure the excess funds come back to our community.
PREP 2023-2024 INFORMATION
- PREP Registration is now open and forms are available in the Parish office.
- PREP classes will be held every Wednesday 6:00 - 7:00 pm at St Edmund’s School and begin on September 27, 2023
THE MONTHLY FILIPINO MASS – is on the 2nd Sunday of each month at 6pm.
2023/2024 Sunday Missals are in and available at parish office - Cost $5 each
SPECIAL OFFER – go to the Knights of Columbus notices for important information
Announcing the Knights 62nd Annual Charity Appeal - there are great prizes

Reflections

Keeping Things in their Proper Perspective

In today’s Gospel Jesus and the religious leaders in Jerusalem continue their tense exchange of questions and challenges. At this point the disciples of the Pharisees, together with the Herodians, try to entrap Jesus by their question about the payment of taxes.

Matthew sets up an unusual partnership between the Pharisees and the Herodians. The Herodians were supporters of Herod Antipas, a Jewish political leader who collaborated with the Romans. Such collaboration would have required a compromised observance of the Mosaic Law. The Pharisees, on the other hand, taught scrupulous observance of the Mosaic Law and opposed Roman occupation. Herodians favored the payment of taxes; the Pharisees opposed it. The Herodians and the Pharisees approach Jesus, asking that he take sides in their dispute. If Jesus answers with the Pharisees, he shows himself to be an enemy of Rome. If he answers with the Herodians, he offends popular Jewish religious sensibilities.

Jesus’ response to this attempt to trap him exposes the guile of his questioners. From his first words to them, Jesus shows that he is very much aware of what they are trying to do. He asks to see a Roman coin, which is readily provided to him. It may have come from the hand of a Herodian, but the Pharisees show themselves to be quite willing to accept this compromise. Jesus has already exposed the Pharisees as hypocrites.

Jesus takes his response one step further. He asks that his questioners examine the coin. Agreeing that it is Caesar’s image on the coin, Jesus tells them that it must belong to Caesar. Avoiding the question of lawfulness altogether, Jesus answers their question with simple logic. Then, going further still, Jesus tells them that their obligation is to pay to God that which belongs to God.

Jesus’ response to the Herodians and Pharisees suggests the ethic that Christians ought to adopt. It reminds us of the importance of keeping things in their proper perspective. Do we attach ourselves to worldly things at the expense of the love and honor that we owe to God?

- Loyola Press

Mass Intentions

Sunday, October 22