Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today's Mass Readings

How interesting that Jesus says to the disciples, “Let us cross over to the other side” (Mk 4:35). I wonder if this was an innocent proposal. By the end of the storm, Jesus had something very significant to say to the disciples. He said, "Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?" It seems to me that Jesus was not merely proposing that they cross over to the other side of the lake but cross over to the other side in following Jesus. I call it the other side of faith. Jesus was really calling his disciples to follow him more closely, more radically, and more faithfully. It is not that the disciples were not serious followers already. In fact, they had left their families, their livelihood, and their past to follow Jesus. But, in my opinion, Jesus was calling them to deeper commitment and faith. I am inclined to say that perhaps Jesus is saying something similar to us today as individuals and as a parish community. Over the last two years I have witnessed tremendous desire from parishioners to follow Christ seriously. Parishioners are not satisfied with merely attending Sunday Mass and saying prayers. The parish want something deeper. And it is my conviction this seriousness is a direct result of our focus on discipleship over the past two years. We observed last year as the Year of Discipleship and this year is the Year of Grateful discipleship. Ite Missa Est, our Adult Faith Formation Ministry originated because of our focus on discipleship. Our discipleship retreats, our parish mission, our new social justice ministry, our youth group, our successful Blessing of Ten program, the new Bible study groups too is a result of our focus on discipleship. Did you know that last year 21 new Catholics came in to the Church through our RCIA program? This was the largest group in Dayton. Did you know that this year we have more than 25 new people in RCIA? Did you know that about 70 – 100 people show up each month for our Ite Missa Est programs? Did you know that the Ite Missa Est Website gets close to 10,000 hits each month? Did you know that every quarter last year we welcomed about 40 – 50 people as new parishioners? They find our parish to be warm and welcoming. Did you know that for the upcoming festival we have the largest pool of volunteers? Our facility, our grounds, our gardens, our liturgies, our choirs, our band, we are seeing a spurt in volunteerism. Did you know that our children’s faith formation program grew ten times last year and this year we are adding a Montessori style program for children ages 3-6? Did you know that whereas most parishes saw a decline in their collection due to the economy, we saw small but steady increase?

We cannot but thank the Holy Spirit for working so powerfully in our midst. However, I also believe that Jesus is saying to us today, “Let us cross over to the other side.” In other words, Jesus is calling us to an even deeper commitment. I believe that Jesus is calling us not merely to discipleship, but that Jesus is calling us to RADICAL DISCIIPLESHIP.

I am going to propose three ways in which we can answer this call.

1) First let me talk about our personal lives and discipleship. Each of us as individuals must instinctively think of ourselves not merely as Catholics, Christians, or Americans but first and foremost as DISCIPLES of Jesus. We must define ourselves as people who think like Christ, act like Christ, talk like Christ. I would like you to exploit the opportunities to grow in personal discipleship. For instance, there are two retreats coming up on prayer and discipleship. Each month please take the time to spend time with Jesus in adoration. Take a look at the RCIA schedule and see the areas where you could grow in your spiritual life. The Ite Missa Est events have been so successful. Become part of these opportunities. In the future months we will offer wider Bible study opportunities. I would love for you to take the initiative to either begin or become part of a small Bible Study group. Finally, take your own personal prayer life seriously. Set aside time for prayer and reflection. My dear friends, the world does not need more nominal Catholics. The world could, however, use more radical disciples.

2) Second, I would like us to be part of the efforts that our parish is making in taking her sacred call to discipleship to an even deeper level. To accomplish this, all the ministry leaders, ministries, organizations, groups, commissions, parish council and everyone else who is interested is invited to a parish retreat on Saturday, Sept 12, 2009 from 9-12 AM. This retreat will end with lunch. The topic of this retreat will be “MINISTRY AS GRATEFUL DISCIPLESHIP.” During the retreat we wish to gain a deeper understanding of our parish involvement through the various ministries, groups and organizations as an expression of discipleship. This is an open invitation to all parishioners. We especially welcome non-parishioners who worship with us occasionally. We request you to mark this day as a red letter day on your calendar. Please do not miss this retreat. This week you will receive a letter from us. Together as a parish we hope to get to the other side in our following of Jesus.

3) Third, in obedience to Jesus’ call to cross over to the other side of our following of Jesus, let us choose one area where this week we will live out our discipleship in public. In others words, let us choose one area where we will think like Jesus, act like Jesus and talk like Jesus. Really, Let us cross over to the other side. Let us not be terrified. Let us have faith. Let us be Disciples! Let us think like Jesus, act like Jesus and talk like Jesus.

As we celebrate this Eucharist, let us take the call of Jesus very seriously. Let us together take our discipleship to the next level. Let us cross over to the other side. Let us resolve that in our personal and parish life we will act like Jesus, think like Jesus and talk like Jesus. Amen

- Fr. Satish Joseph