“Fixed on the Lord”

Dear Parishioners,

            Thank you for being a vibrant and vital part of our parish family. I truly appreciate your ongoing support and the devotion you bring to our daily spiritual journey. We invite you to join us in celebrating the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and our Parish Picnic. 

            Anyone who has tried to follow Jesus’ example of spending quiet time alone in prayer has likely experienced the challenge of staying focused and open to the Lord’s movement during that time. Our minds easily wander. Whether it is noise, suddenly remembering something we need to get done, nodding off because we’re tired, or other worries on our minds, a challenge we all face is learning not to let those things distract us from staying focused on the Lord.

            In the first reading, the Lord instructed Elijah to come out of the cave when He, the Lord, passed by. Elijah waited in the cave, watchful and attentive. But when the wind, the earthquake, and the fire came, he discerned that the Lord wasn’t present in any of them. So, he remained watchful and attentive until finally the Lord came by in a whispering sound. It was then that he recognized the Lord’s presence and stepped out. 

            Recognizing the Lord’s presence is a precious skill we can all nurture and improve. Elijah spent years listening to and obeying the Lord’s commands, which helped him build a close relationship with Him. By this point in his journey, Elijah could filter out distractions and focus on what truly mattered. We too can develop this skill through prayer, but remember, it takes patience and consistent practice. With time, we can strengthen our ability to feel and recognize His presence in our lives. 

            In the Gospel, Jesus comes toward the disciples walking on water. Peter boldly asks to join him. When Jesus beckons him to come, Peter steps out of the boat, and at first his attention is fixed on Jesus. The wind was blowing, and the waves were crashing against the boat, but as long as Peter kept his attention on Jesus, all was well. The moment his attention veered away and he noticed the wind, fear found an opening and moved in. Peter began to sink.

            There will be many moments in our prayer life when life's storms distract us from focusing on the Lord, filling us with fear and worry. Just like Peter, we might feel as if we're sinking, and it's natural to feel discouraged during these times. It might even be tempting to give up on prayer, thinking it’s a waste of time when pressing needs demand our attention. But remember, turning back to prayer can be a comforting and strengthening act amid the chaos.

            Prayer is not useless; it's what helps us stay afloat during life's storms. Spending time with the Lord can uplift us and ease our fears, worries, and dread. Even when prayer feels difficult, we can always reach out to the Lord for help, just as Peter did, and He will come to our aid right away, as He did for Peter. With God's support, we can look forward to the day when we're more like Elijah —when those storms no longer distract us from what truly matters: keeping our eyes fixed on God’s presence in our lives.

            As we prepare our hearts for the celebration of the Eucharist, let us place our full trust in the Lord, who joyfully receives us with love.

Fr. Canisius