My Dear Parish Family,

   As our summer vacation season comes to a close we have this wonderful, yet tough Gospel reading from Matthew with Jesus   offering Peter and the disciples (and us) some hard life lessons. In light of this, I offer these thoughts from Patrice Tuohy, an author and editor on Catholic issues: 

    Can we create artificial humans?  Well, not yet, and not likely, says Pope Leo XIV in his encyclical Magnifica Humanitas: “At the heart of the Christian understanding of the human person lies the great biblical affirmation that men and women are created in the image and likeness of God.” Pope Leo goes on to say, “So-called artificial intelligences do not undergo experiences, do not possess a body, do not feel joy or pain, do not mature through relationships and do not know from within what love, work, friendship or responsibility mean.”

    Perhaps this is why Jesus rebukes Peter in Matthew’s gospel for recoiling at the thought that Jesus must suffer and die. Jesus knew that his human journey would entail risk and suffering, yet he was propelled by love. He knew that, as Leo puts it, “humanity flourishes not despite limitations, but often through them.”  “To eliminate  suffering entirely would mean, in the end, extinguishing love and desire as well,” says Leo. “Those who love and desire cannot avoid passing through trial and suffering.” “Indeed,” continues Leo “precisely because we experience limits —vulnerability, suffering and failure—we can recognize the inviolable dignity of every person, both our own and that of others.”

    That recognition of human dignity—born of joys and sorrows—is what makes us truly human and most like God.

    With Labor Day coming so late this year, our schools will be opening gradually this week. Be aware as you drive on our property of changes in traffic patterns. God bless you all and Oremus pro invicem.

   Fr. Scott Shaffer