The month of October allows us to move deep within this autumnal season. This time of year, is a necessary part of the spiritual life because it’s a season of renewal in that we are called to shed the old to make way for the new. How have we grown or matured in the spiritual life? How might we better identify with the cross of Christ and instead of wavering, actively embrace our cross each day? We are blessed to have somewhat of a sense of four seasons here in Chino Valley, as the night air begins to turn colder, and our morning sunrises are crisper. The change of seasons is also a signal for the changes we are moving through as well interiorly. St. Teresa of Avila speaks of the way to perfection, or the interior castle which reflects our soul.

Fervent praise and thanksgiving prevent us from ever losing our sights on God. Fervency is tough, because it requires consistency. Consistency is tough because it requires tenacity. Tenacity is tough because it requires commitment. This is what Jesus is asking, are you up for it? Jesus wants fervency. He wants a commitment. This is the message of breaking open the Word this week. Just like Jesus asked us recently in a Gospel a few Sundays back, “will you be my disciple” This is not just an “at whim” question, but is one that requires our contemplation, because Jesus is asking us for a commitment. It’s a radical decision to be His disciple. He does not want us to be wishy washy, fence-sitting, or lukewarm. He wants us to be faithful to him 24/7/365/52. That’s it.

Oh, to have the faith of a mustard seed! That would be some incredible faith! Is it possible to muster up such faith in the midst of our doubt, fear, or lack of trust? All eyes are upon Erika Kirk these days, due to the death of her husband Charlie Kirk, some may have known her, while many have gotten to know of her because of that horrific day. Faith requires hardship, and in the face of hardship, we either can fold or have faith to move mountains. That was the display recently as Erika Kirk was dealt an unfair blow, that had changed her course indefinitely as wife, mother, and now as CEO.

Here at St. Catherine Laboure we are committed to a genuine welcoming spirit, cultivating the love of God through Word and Sacrament. We are blessed with much activity and accomplishment over the past several months as we witness many new faces around the parish, especially as people have returned from long absences from the Catholic Faith and are discovering and rediscovering the beauty of the Sacramental Life.

Ordinary Time gives us perspective on Jesus' motives and mission. We reflect on his miracles, parables, and encounters in order to gain such perspective. Today we contemplate the meaning behind the parable of the rich man and the steward. On the surface logically that it is about considering what we are using our wealth to achieve. If we have been blessed with material wealth, we must manage such wealth in account of how we utilize such a gift for building the kingdom of God. That which much is given, much is expected. We are not called to be stingy or greedy, but we are called to recognize how God has blessed us, materially, spiritually, or by way of our talents and gifts, that cost nothing, but by us utilizing them in a magnified way to serve the Lord.

The Exaltation of the Cross is a special commemoration for the Diocese of Phoenix as it marks the anniversary of the Papal Visit of St. Pope John Paul II in 1987. Phoenix welcomed the Pontiff, and was blessed to host such a visit, especially welcoming the would-be saint! The Exaltation of the Cross is important because we contemplate more profoundly the meaning of the Cross from which Christ has been lifted up. We are confident in the triumphant victory won by Christ’s embrace of the Cross and are affirmed in our salvific heritage.

Wow, really are we up for the task? Today’s gospel is asking do we have skin in this game or do we not? Jesus says come after me and be my disciple! In doing so are we going to tally up the cost before all hands are in? After all we really need to know what we’re getting into first, in order to make a substantial commitment. Are we going to leave all behind and follow him? Will he be our everything? The stakes are high in this invitation that we receive from the Lord. It’s all or nothing, we’re either in or we’re out! We must discern distinctively because there’s no turning back. We know Jesus is not asking for our response in a half-hearted way either, or in a way that we are lukewarm, but he wants us entirely.

Humility is not such a popular practice in the world. We can bear witness to this fact anytime we go to the grocery store, Walmart, or are driving through the roundabouts of Chino Valley. Life hands us opportunities all the time, it’s just a matter of if and how we pay attention to them. One might say man Oh man, what has gotten into people today? They rush through those things without skipping a beat, or without concern for who might be in the way. They fail to practice the yield. Jesus challenges us to think about practicing the yield.

Today’s Gospel affirms us on the road in which we find ourselves in union with the Lord. Luke is determined to show us what matters most in keeping our eyes on the prize of eternity with God. His disciples ask him, “Lord will only a few be saved”…then Jesus proceeds to speak of the narrow gate, which conveys that the road to heaven is narrow because we must deliberately strive for it in or daily lives. Heaven is not an automatic guarantee. This points to our Catholic understanding, unlike the teaching of a televangelist who explains once saved always saved, we realize too that salvation is something to be gained everyday otherwise there is the potential risk of losing it. Yes, it is possible to be a believer in Jesus, it’s even possible to say we love Jesus, but if we are not living up to what that really means, then the possibility of paradise lost becomes real. How do we manage to put our soul in jeopardy? How might we be in danger of losing our salvation? We do so by lacking authentic conversation.

I have come to set the earth ablaze! We are to be set apart and to be purified. Every Christian must be pure to enter heaven, if we are not then heaven is not an option, maybe Purgatory is, but the purity of heaven means just that, it is the purest sense of our being. Purity speaks of the holiness we are called to live, being holy means, we are saints now, called to be perfect as our Heavenly Father is perfect. We are no longer slaves to sin, but rather we have put aside our childish ways. There is no such thing as putting on false pretense as Christians because God sees right through us. We know we are who we say we are by our fruits, our behavior, the words we speak, all being a reflection of Christ. It means we do not seek to get even, or to set the record straight, but we stand firm in the truth of Christ and forgive and move on.

Today’s gospel is a continuation of the message Jesus addressed to the various people he encountered including the rich man. Jesus consistently says do not be afraid and get your priorities straight and your affairs in order sooner than later, for you know not the hour when the bridegroom shall return. He also says to keep our priorities straight, and not to be too consumed with the things of the world, do not seek to fulfill one’s happiness with temporal things but seek the Lord always in the things of heaven.

One of the biggest gestures for us as humans is to think in terms of eternal things and the promise of our eternal salvation. Redemption is real and everyone is worthy to be redeemed, all that is needed is our desire. How do we desire the Lord every day, and is He our heart’s true desire? The urgency and message of preparedness and awakening is not a suggestion, but a mandate from the Lord to be vigilant and ready for we do not know the hour of his return, but he is coming. How does knowing this cause us to respond to Jesus?

The gospel today challenges us to think about where our priorities belong. In scripture, Jesus often uses the relationship the rich man has with his stuff. Today is no different as he tells the parable that brings to life the dismay of the rich man who chooses to focus on things like greed, or acquiring things, and storing them up for a later day. Why do we obsess with so many worldly things as believers? It becomes easy to become firmly planted and become consumed by possessing things. It is a sad truth that we become skewed in our priorities. People attach themselves to people, places, and things, when at any given moment these aspects of life yes can become a source of joy, but are with us for only a brief time. We know this because people hold-on and struggle with change, even when the change involves death.