April 6, 2018 at 1:53 p.m.

Priests recommend Scriptures

The Evangelist invited some priests of the Albany Diocese to recommend Scripture passages that could comfort or console people in the wake of last week's troubling and terrible events. When he spoke about the Sept. 11 attacks, President George W. Bush quoted from the 23rd Psalm. In its message about those events, the U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops referred to "be not afraid." Here is what the priests chose:

* The story of Jesus' calming the storming seas can be found in the Gospel of Matthew (8:23). It's that thinking that we need at this time to carefully follow last Thursday's statement of our Pope. I was presenting our [Altamont program for recovering addicts and former inmates] to a faith-based meeting in Maryland when we were told of the crisis. The first reaction was to think of all of my friends in the Twin Towers. I was scheduled to be there at a meeting at the same time; but because of the invitation to be present at the D.C.-area conference, I missed the tragedy. I think of all of my friends that are caught in the rubble. Now that I'm back home, I turn to the Scriptures and stress the need to calm the troubled waters with the example of Jesus calming the storm.

Rev. Peter Young, pastor

Blessed Sacrament, Bolton Landing

* Families preparing a funeral liturgy for a loved one are just as likely to select Psalm 27 for the Response as they are the better-known Psalm 23. Though many may not be familiar with it, as they read through the selections, they seem to find this particular Old Testament psalm wonderfully comforting. We chose to use Psalm 27 in the prayers we offered in light of past Tuesday's tragedy.

Rev. David Noone, pastor

St. Francis de Sales, Loudonville

* On Wednesday the 12th, we had a Prayer Vigil of Remembrance at Corpus Christi. Although we only had the one day to get the word out, 250 persons attended. At that service, several scriptures were quoted, but the one I referred to was from Matthew, 11:25-30, especially the following lines: "Come to me, all you who are weary and find life burdensome, and I will refresh you. Take my yoke upon your shoulders and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart. Your souls will find rest, for my yoke is easy and my burden light."

Rev. Edward Pratt, pastor

Corpus Christi, Round Lake

* The readings I used for our Masses of Hope and Healing on Friday, Sept. 14, the Feast of Holy Cross, and on Monday, Sept. 17, capture the spirit of reconciliation and bonding with the Almighty that are so needed. The image of "breathing" in the Psalm ("Let everything that breathes praise the Lord") throws the mind to the images of the dust engulfing all and every as the buildings burned and collapsed: Col 3:12-17; Psalm 150:1-6; Luke 6:27-38; and 1 John 4:12.

Rev. Thomas Powers, pastor

St. Teresa of Avila, Albany

* Since the tragedy, I have read the Beatitudes over and over again, recalling Jesus' words of blessing for those who are mourning the loss of life, the need for consolation, the need for mercy, the sacrifice of the poor in spirit, the innocent. My prayer is that in the Beatitudes, we will find the courage and hope we need to meet the coming days as true disciples of Christ.

ev. Geoffrey Burke, pastor

Our Lady of the Assumption, Latham

(09-20-01) [[In-content Ad]]

Comments:

You must login to comment.


BISHOP'S COLUMN
GO AND MAKE DISCIPLES

PHOTO GALLERY

HOLY TRINITY WINS CLASS C FLAG FOOTBALL TITLE
VIDEOS

POPE LEO: ASK JESUS TO GIVE YOU A HEART LIKE HIS

Video

A look at Pope Leo's general audience May 28.
SOCIAL MEDIA
The Evangelist
OSV NEWS