The 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time

From the Pastor’s Desk

January 29, 2023

“Rather, God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise, and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong, and God chose the lowly and despised of the world, those who count for nothing, to reduce to nothing those who are something, so that no human being might boast before God.”

~1 Corinthians 1:27-29

“Alice replied, rather shyly, “I–I hardly know, Sir, just at present – at least I know who I was when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since then.” In this passage from author Lewis Carroll’s literary classic, Alice in Wonderland, we find our protagonist and young child, Alice, straddling two worlds, one quite real and another altogether unworldly, with bizarre characters and rules. As a result, she loses her bearings and a sense of who she is, but as she makes her way through Wonderland, Alice grows up and confidently claims her place in the world.

God wants the same for us. Our Creator wants us to be truly comfortable with our authentic selves, understanding we don’t belong to a world defined by societal trends, cultural influences, or political identities. So how do we ground ourselves in Christ? In his letter to the Corinthians, Saint Paul gives us some insight into what to avoid — division. Like the early Christians choosing sides among either the esteemed teacher, “I belong to Paul,” or the first Pope, “I belong to Cephas (Peter),” we shouldn’t squabble over loyalties. We can’t truly become whom God needs us to be when divided.

Simply put, we belong to Christ. Yet, not in a privileged way that sets us above or apart from others. When we start reimagining our lives through Christ’s eyes, we can confidently know who we are and to whom we belong, opening the way to meaningful relationships with those in our lives while building up God’s kingdom right here on earth.

With that aim of realizing we are all members of Christ’s Body – not because we chose Him but because Jesus chose us, our parish faith formation program and OLPH School have embraced the same school-year theme, “Claimed and Consecrated, we belong to the One Body in Christ.” As St. Paul reminds us, when we make who we are and how we live about God, even in our weakness and lowliness, the Lord accomplishes the marvelous!

As we, and the entire Dioceses of Baltimore, celebrate Catholic Schools this week, let’s thank God for our beloved Parish school and our neighboring Catholic and Christian schools, including Trinity, St. Augustine, St. Mark, St. Agnes, and Resurrection-St. Paul, St. Louis, and Lamb of God. I thank God for placing Catholic education in our lives – at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, in our parish faith formation classes, and perhaps most importantly, in our parishioners’ homes so that we might all surrender all things to God’s greater glory.

Finally, while I’m away on vacation, I’m grateful to Fr. Frank Iacona with Cross Catholic Outreach (CrossCatholic.org) for celebrating Mass with our parish and sharing how we can be involved in the missionary work among the poorest in developing countries. Count on my prayers while I’m away.

In the Lord,

Rev. Michael S. Triplett

Other Considerations in and around our community:

  • CATHOLIC MEN’S FELLOWSHIP OF MARYLAND 2023 CONFERENCE! – Early-bird registration is underway for the 2023 Conference of the Catholic Men’s Fellowship of Maryland, scheduled for March 25 at Saint Louis Parish in Clarksville/Howard County. The conference will feature Curtis Martin of FOCUS Ministries, Nathan Crankfield of Seeking Excellence Ministries, and Neal Lozano of Heart of the Father Ministries. Archbishop William Lori will open the conference with the celebration of Mass beginning at 8:00 a.m.For more information, contact Ed Roberts at 443-858-7504 or edw.roberts.28@gmail.com.
  • THEOLOGICAL STUDIES – ST. MARY’S ECUMENICAL INSTITUTE – invites people of all denominations to explore theological studies in a serious, open-minded, and supportive environment, offering graduate certificates and master’s and doctoral degrees to part-time students with full-time lives. If “seeking wisdom, nourishing faith, engaging community” describes your journey of heart and mind, we invite you to join our vibrant learning community. Contact Galen Zook at gzook@stmarys.edu for more information.
  • INDIVIDUAL UNBOUND MINISTRY PRAYER – Many of us are fighting invisible battles with anxieties, negative thoughts, sins, unhealthy relationships, destructive habits, resentments, and bitter wounds that never seem to heal. You can experience God’s merciful love, healing, and freedom! Unbound Ministry Prayer releases the power of Jesus into wounded lives. On Saturday, February 4th, trained teams will be available to provide individual prayer using the Unbound Model of prayer, based on five scriptural keys that help you unlock those areas of your life where you want greater freedom, healing & spiritual growth. To schedule an appointment or for more information, please contact Dan or Peggy Gahagan by Monday, January 30th, 2023, at unboundministrymaryland@gmail.com.
  • MARYLAND MARCH FOR LIFE – The 44th Annual Maryland March for Life is set for Monday, February 27, 2023. The Maryland March for Life Board of Directors and Steering Committee are ecstatic to invite the pro-life community of Maryland to our annual March and Rally for Life! Join us at St. Mary’s Church and School in Annapolis to march for the protection of vulnerable life. Visit https://www.mdmarchforlife.com/march
  • MINI RETREATS FOR WOMEN – Evening: Jan 25, 6:00-9:00 pm, Morning: Jan 26, 9:15 am – 12:15 pm Ladies, join us for the next Mini-Retreat! Each Mini-Retreat (evening or morning) includes Mass, adoration, a directed meditation, a practical talk, confession, time for personal prayer, and a delicious meal. The cost is $25 per person. Advance Registration is required. Babysitting will be available during the morning retreat and must be reserved in advance. Visit our website to register at www.ourladyofbethesda.org. Hosted by the Women of Regnum Christi. Our Lady of Bethesda Retreat Center, 7007 Bradley Blvd., Bethesda, MD 20817
  • MEN’S EVENING OF REFLECTIONS – Feb 2nd, 7:00 – 9:00 pm Each month, Evenings of Reflection for Men, which includes: Mass, dinner, directed meditation, a practical talk, and time for personal reflection plus the opportunity for Confession. The cost is $25 per person. Advance Registration is required. Visit our website for more details and to register at www.ourladyofbethesda.org. Hosted by the Men of Regnum Christi. Our Lady of Bethesda Retreat Center, 7007 Bradley Blvd., Bethesda, MD 20817