St. Luke’s Gospel for today says: “Strive to enter through the narrow gate…” Jesus was responding to a question from his disciples when they asked: “Lord, will only a few people be saved?” Jesus invites us all to listen to him, to pay attention to him, to learn from him, and ultimately to choose to follow him and to have that choice show forth in our day to day living. It is a choice; it is a day-to-day choice. This choice makes us who we are. We know, as Jesus knew, that not all people have made that choice, or that they are lukewarm in their following of him. The gate is not narrow for those who have chosen Jesus as their way, their truth and their life. It is interesting that the Lord’s call “Come, follow me” is not a call given only once. Throughout our lives he repeats it, especially when we may find life confusing or difficult or even when we are getting lukewarm. The call is there when we listen.

Please join me in welcoming Bro. James Hamilton, C.F.C., who will be speaking at all Masses for the Society for the Propagation Faith. This Office assists missionaries in bringing the Good News of the Gospel to people throughout the world.

Congratulations to our Franciscan Brothers, Javier del Angel de los Santos, and Roberto Serrano, who made their solemn profession of vows at St. Francis Church this weekend. This is a commitment to live the Franciscan way of life for the rest of their lives.

A new feature in our weekly bulletin for the next few weeks will be Themes from Catholic Social Teaching. These themes come from a treasure of documents that go back to the late 1800’s on various themes that have been dealt with by each of the Popes. They respond to various issues in society from the point of view of what the Scriptures and church tradition have to say. The principles contained in these documents are based on Sacred Scripture. The first of these themes is included in today’s bulletin.

-Fr. Andrew Reitz, O.F.M