Pastor's Corner

Dear Parish Community of St. Mel!

The earthquake disaster in Haiti has mobilized individuals, churches, institutions and nations in an effort to rescue and support the survivors and to begin the rebuilding process. We are told that this will require a long-term commitment of the world community to succeed. Information is printed in this bulletin on how we can continue to help alleviate the tremendous suffering of the Haitian people by donating to Catholic Relief Services. In the midst of this devastation, it is also encouraging to witness the outstanding response of so many individuals and organizations. The saying that a crisis brings out the best in people has again been verified.

This great outpouring of compassion gives us hope that humanity may yet, albeit ever so slowly, be learning the lesson of today's Second Reading (1 Corinthians 12:12ff). St. Paul speaks about our interdependence and interconnectedness by using the analogy of the body. But it is not just "a body" in general of which St. Paul speaks, it is the Body of Christ to which we have been joined and through which we are connected. Where did St. Paul get this idea? Scripture scholars point to St. Paul's own experience when, still known as Saul, he was on the road to Damascus with authorization to arrest the followers of Jesus. The Acts of the Apostles gives us an account of his experience. "On his journey, as he was nearing Damascus, a light from the sky suddenly flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him: 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?' He said, 'Who are you, sir?' The reply came, 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting'" (Acts 9:3-5). This identification of Jesus with His followers stayed with St. Paul for the rest of his life and greatly influenced his teaching. No doubt St. Paul was also aware of Jesus' saying: "Whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me" (Matthew 25:40). The lesson is clear: everyone is important, everyone has a role, we all need each other, and we all have a stake in each other's welfare.

The Church is the Body of Christ extended through space and time and communicated to others. This image invites us to demonstrate mutual caring, unity, and peace. While this caring and unity must be found first of all in the members of the Church, it is also an invitation for all humanity. For us, the invitation is also a challenge: what kind of example have we given, in our parish, in our community? The Eucharist, first and foremost, is our celebration of the Church as the Body of Christ. In this celebration, "we become what we receive" (St. Augustine). May this truth of our faith transform our hearts and our actions to be the Body of Christ for others! As we prayed in our Opening Prayer: "All-powerful and ever-living God, direct your love that is within us, that our efforts in the name of your Son may bring mankind to unity and peace."

Msgr. Helmut Hefner