23rd Sunday of Ordinary Time (B)

• Lectionary Readings from the USCCB

Something strange happens in the gospel this Sunday. Jesus performs a great miracle. He opens the ears and mouth of a man who was deaf and mute. But that’s not the strange thing. The strange thing is that Jesus says not to tell anyone about it. This is not the only time in the gospels that Jesus does some mighty deed that testifies to his divinity and then tells his followers to keep it a secret.

This doesn’t mean that we are to keep Christ a secret today! Jesus was biding his time, knowing that once word got out about his messianic identity, it would lead to his Passion and Resurrection, which were to take place in Jerusalem on the Passover. God’s timing is always better than our timing — something we would do well to keep in mind when it feels as though God isn’t answering our prayers as we might like.

Christians today are no longer waiting on the Resurrection. We live in the age of the Church and have been commissioned by Christ to spread the good news and make disciples of all nations. So don’t keep Jesus a secret!

We have some exciting things coming up to help you know and live the faith better, and to be able to better share it with others. Our Bible studies that began last week got off to a wonderful start. Join us Mondays or Tuesdays at 6:00 pm on the second floor of the UC. And today begins our Friday discipleship groups (11 AM or 3 PM) at CCM where we will be talking about how to practice devotion in our everyday life, following the wisdom of St. Francis de Sales.

This Wednesday is the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Join us Wednesday evening at 6:00 PM for a birthday celebration. We’re cooking up chicken and waffles and having a painting party in honor of Our Lady! We’ll conclude as always with a Holy Hour of Adoration in the chapel at 8:00 PM.

This coming Saturday, Sept. 11, is our first Adopt-a-Highway roadside litter clean-up event. Meet at CCM by 10:00 AM to help out.

The Eucharistic Congress is coming up in Charlotte on Sept 17-18. This is the largest annual gathering in the Diocese of Charlotte, with representatives from every parish. One student has described it as “Catholic Comic-con.” There will be vendors and educational booths, Catholic freebies, great talks, and other Catholic college students from across the diocese. If you sign up to go with us, we’ll contact you about arranging carpools to leave after class on that Friday.