X

Browsing From the desk of Fr. Tharp

Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

 

 

Rotation of Sunday Celebrants

The rotation of Fr. Tharp and Fr. Schmitz every other Sunday will be altered for Sunday, September 17.  I was scheduled to be at St. Ann for Sunday morning Masses on September 17, but Fr. Schmitz will cover at St. Ann instead, so that I can be at a special Noon Mass celebration at Sacred Heart. 

RCIA 

At the doors of church, please find the Schedule for RCIA and RCIC for 2017/2018.  The classes begin on Wednesday, September 13 at 7:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart Basement Room RH 2 & 3.  At the first class, those interested in participating will be asked to fill out a registration form which will help me define the canonical route that would be necessary should the applicant choose to become Catholic. 

If you have any questions, please call me (Fr. Tharp) at (513) 858-4260 or email questions to me at frtharp@sacredheart-fairfield.org.  

Fr. Tharp away on Tuesday Afternoons

For the past eight years, I have been given the opportunity to teach a class at the Seminary on Pastoral Administration.  I teach a three hour class once each Tuesday afternoon between now and Christmas.  Therefore, from now until Christmas, I will be unavailable by telephone and out of my office on Tuesday afternoons. 

Reflection on Scripture

How do we handle fraternal correction?  In English Law (and earlier in Roman Law), there is a principle of the right of the accused to face his (or her) accuser.  No doubt this provision in criminal law derives from the scripture we read today.  This right was codified in the Sixth Amendment of the Constitution of the United States.  Similarly, the community has a right to expect certain behaviors from each individual participant; as well as the right to prohibit other behaviors and/or customs. 

The first reading from Ezekiel says we have a duty to warn our brother or sister about sin.  In the second reading, St. Paul tells us that the motive of each commandment is love.  The Gospel reading today suggests a procedure for fraternal correction of the behavior of another believer.  The overall principle operative in these scriptures is fairness to personal opinion, while requiring adherence to the rules of justice. 

In the Genesis story of Cain and Able, Cain asks God, “Am I my brother’s keeper?”  The unspoken message from God is “Yes!”  The scriptures today remind us that we as believers are called to act in justice and charity.  To be fully Christian, the administration of charity must be just; and the administration of justice must be charitable.

Readings for the Twenty Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Sir 27:30 - 28:7

Rom 14:7-9

Mt 18:21-35

Theme: Want to be forgiven?  Be forgiving.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subscribe

RSS Feed

Archive


Access all blogs

Subscribe to all of our blogs