We very warmly welcome Bishop John Dolan this weekend to Blessed Sacrament Parish for the official Order of Pastoral Installation.

Chapter 8 is the halfway-point of St. Mark’s very short Gospel and it is very theological.

The Scripture we hear and read today is called The Confession of St. Peter and is the turning point of Christ’s ministry. Jesus asks Peter and also asks us personally: “But who do you say that I am?”

The blindness, doubt and uncertainty of the disciples are finally removed, as Peter at last sees Jesus as the long-promised Messiah. With this theological insight, the Lord begins to explain that the Messiah must suffer and die to bring about the kingdom of God. However, the price of following Jesus is now also revealed:

“Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the gospel will save it.”

Jesus introduces the startling revelation of the Messiah as the suffering servant of Isaiah.

From this moment, onwards, all the prophecies of the Messiah will weave together to show who Jesus really is. It is this great truth of Jesus’ salvation and suffering that gives the Church the option on the side of the poor.

Counting out our many blessings from God, we are grateful for the vital role of successor of Saint Peter for three important reasons:

The Roles of The Pastor: Teaching, Governing and Sanctifying:
St. Peter spoke for all of mankind, confessing Jesus as the Christ, the Messiah.

Jesus is the Son of the living God and He then established the Church. Built with the twelve apostles as pillars and resting upon the leadership and immovable foundation of the rock of St. Peter, the Church passes on the three Church offices of the Pastoral role, namely:

1. Jesus the Teacher used words of tender compassion, wisdom and consolation to preach, teach and challenge the great crowds, as He spoke with an authority unfamiliar to his listeners.
2. Jesus the Good Shepherd restored the faithful flock to wholeness. Not only did he bestow physical healing upon the blind, the lame, and the mute, but He also healed cleansed and healed souls and communities by forgiving sins and reconciling enemies.
3. Jesus the great High Priest humbly offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice. He humbled Himself of His divinity to share in our humanity. He gave of Himself for the sake of others, even to the point of giving His life on the cross, all for the remission of our sins.

“The Lord continues to be especially present to them as to must the church be. While we work to eliminate poverty, we know that pain has enormous power to open us to God’s grace. The passion of Christ is repeated in thousands of lives every day. Maybe through us, some of these people can begin to experience his resurrection as well”
(Fr. Joseph Krempa).

Fr. Kilian, Fr. Samuel, our Deacons and our Parish Staff and Volunteers.

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