2021-08-01 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time

This Friday, we celebrate the Feast of the Transfiguration. We hear this story every year on the 2nd Sunday of Lent (a fitting preparation, as it was in Jesus’ life, for His going up to Jerusalem and entering His Passion and Resurrection), and on August 6th each year. Meditating on this scene in the life of our Lord can give us a profound insight into Him and His continued relationship with us and it can be a source of tremendous joy for us. 
 
As we celebrate the feast of the Transfiguration, let us remember Him who gave all for us in our prayers. 
 Matthew 17:2
 “God of all power, I glorify and magnify Your Name because of who You are. We thank You for the divine
confirmation of Your Son whilst he was here on earth and became the radiant glory. Your Son became
transfigured before His followers; His face shone like the sun and His garments became as white as light! Lord, Your power was evident in this transfiguration and for that we thank You for being who You say You are, Amen.”
 
The gospel for this Sunday, John 6:24-35, speaks to us about what is important for us to have and to hold as truths and actions in our lives. Jesus tells the people to not work for the food that perishes but to seek the food that endures for eternal life. What do you suppose He’s talking about? We all need to eat and drink or we’ll die! But the food Jesus speaks of is the food that is more important to us. The food that will bring us to eternal rest in peace with His Father and Him. The people rightly so asked what could they do to accomplish the works of God. Jesus response was simple, “To believe in the one He sent”. We might ask ourselves, do I believe with my whole heart and my entire soul? Is our faith strong enough that we trust in God and all his works, even when it’s not exactly what we want? That my friends is our faith. 

Believing and trusting in God with all our heart and all our soul. Knowing that He and He alone knows what is best for us. That He will give us everything we need. That it is God who has set us here on this earth with a specific path for us to follow. Are we strong enough and brave enough to say yes to Him and His plan for us?  Do we have enough faith and trust in Him to surrender to his will each and every day of our lives?
 
I pray, my brothers and sisters in Christ, that you are growing in faith always and that you are growing in love and communion with our Lord.

On another note, I had the pleasure of meeting this week with two members of the Catholic Daughters of America, Cynthia Keefer and Sandy Owens. It was truly a pleasure to sit and discuss with them the good work they do. They invited me to be Chaplin for the group, and of course asked if they could continue to hold their meetings here at Prince of Peace. They will continue to meet here on the first Thursday of each month and I encourage any woman who may be interested to contact them or to attend a meeting. They do excellent work for a number of very good causes. If you’d like more information or would like to contact them, you can reach Cynthia at (814) 247-8796 or Sandy at (814) 247-6257.
 
One other note, I’ve been asked to assist with a retreat for our Diocesan Seminarians on August 3rd, 4th, and 5th, so I will be out of the office those days.  The Church Office will be closed on Thursday, August 5th as Sue will also be out.
 
Please note the changes to Mass’s in the bulletin and please keep all of our Diocesan Seminarians in your prayers. 
 
Also note that we continue to seek an individual for the open maintenance position we have here in the parish. If you might be interested or know of someone who might be a good fit for that position, please call the office or encourage them to contact us.
 
I wish you all a very blessed week!
-Fr. Mark