The great preacher Billy Graham tells this story of a time during the early years of his preaching ministry.  He was due to lead a crusade meeting in a town in South Carolina, and he needed to mail a letter. He went onto Main Street and asked a little boy there, “How do I get to the post office?”

Billy had to ask the boy to repeat the directions a time or two. Finally satisfied, Billy said, "Now, if you come over to the central Baptist church tonight, I'll tell you how to get to heaven." The boy looked at Billy. "Heaven? —no thanks! You don't even know how to get to the post office!"

Here’s Billy trying to offer some vital information about salvation and getting flat-out rejected. In the gospel today, Jesus got the same result when he tried to elaborate on his future.  Peter had just gotten it right by saying that he knew Jesus was the Messiah.  But then Peter gets a bit cocky.  He feels like he knows all he needs to know about Jesus and what it means to be his follower.

So, it comes as a brutal shock when Jesus says, “I am soon going to enter into some terrible suffering.  I’ll be rejected by the entire religious leadership.  Then I will be killed—but I’ll rise again after three days.”  Can you imagine their heads about to explode upon hearing this? 

Each one of us has personally experienced what it means to deny ourselves, haven’t we? In various ways, we have said no to our natural love of ease and comfort to make life better for the poor and needy, or a loved one.  We have tried to say no to actions based on self-seeking and self-will.  We have instead tried to say yes to Christ, and his will.

If you are trying to live the Christ lifestyle, you will probably quickly admit that you could not “walk your walk” without the support, the friendship, wisdom, strength and humor of the rest of the community surrounding you.  If we commit ourselves to helping each other carry those crosses, we will become a family of Christ.

WELCOME:

Next Sunday, September 19th, we welcome Bishop Zubik to our parish as he celebrates the Jubilee Mass for Religious Sisters, Brothers and Priests of the diocese.  This Mass will take place during the regular 11:30 a.m. Mass at St. Thomas More Church.  We congratulate these Religious Women and Men who have faithfully served the Lord throughout the years!

We welcome to our parish, Father Douglas Peduti, SJ.  Father Doug is a Jesuit who will be in residence in our parish while on a writing sabbatical.  Father Doug is a philosophy professor who has served in several universities across the country.  While in residence, Father Doug may help out with the celebration of mass.