Mark, My Words:

How do you think you’d react if you were confronted by the deranged man in the gospel today? Maybe terrified, irritated—or just relieved that Jesus was dealing with it!  There’s nothing wrong with feeling our honest feelings. But today we are almost overcome with people on TV and radio, crying out for relief and help on every side.  How can we deal with all this pain?

Yet the Psalm today says “Don’t harden your hearts” to God’s voice!  Notice how Jesus deals with demands for help?  When others walk away, Jesus approaches, and listens.   He doesn’t fear the evil; once he lets it speak, he can set the person free.

When Fr. Gustavo Gutierrez was asked, “How do you meet the needs of the poorest of the poor in Latin America?” he replied, “The first step is silence.” Silence allows us to look, to see, to contemplate what is happening right in front of our eyes.   Silence allows us to LISTEN to God’s urgings.  This is why, even when we are tired, troubled in spirit, and want to give up, it is important to keep our connection to God open.   

Jesus must have often been worn out by the effects of evil. But he took time away, nurtured his communication with God, so he could face the reality of sin and evil squarely, so that the sick person could then be healed.

Like all unclean spirits, our sin also wants to hide from the light.  But Jesus wants us to confess it into his light, so that he can drive the evil away forever. Then we too can be grace for another’s unclean spirits to “come out of them.”

Other Stuff:

I will be away this week from January 31^st until February 8^th.  If you have any concerns, please, as always call the parish office.  That’s where I find my answers!

As a result of the recent Federal tax law changes, more taxpayers will use the standard deduction instead of itemizing deductions.  Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCD) allow taxpayers an alternative means to obtain a tax break for giving to a qualified charity.  The QCD permits taxpayers to transfer money from their traditional IRA directly to a qualified charity without the distribution being added to their adjusted gross income, thus reducing their Federal Income Tax.  Donations of up to $100,000 annually may be made and taxpayers must be 70½ years or older to be eligible.

If you are interested in making a donation to Resurrection Parish through a QCD, review your tax situation and this information with your tax professional, check with your IRA trustee to determine your distribution requirements, their process to transfer the funds, and please contact Mr. Michael Frecker, Director of Planned Giving at 412-456-3055 for further assistance.  Additional information can be found at IRS.gov.

Blessing of throats:  Wednesday, February 3^rd is the Feast of Saint Blaise.  Because of the pandemic and out of caution for all, there will be NO individual blessing of throats.  A general prayer will be prayed over the congregation.