from the desk of the pastor - July 13

July 13, 2025 15th Sunday of the Year C

“It is something very near to you, already in your mouths and in your hearts; you have only to carry it out.” (Deuteronomy 30)

In giving the commandments of the Lord to the people, Moses sums it up by saying that the law of God is really not that complicated. Since God is the one who created us and knows our hearts and minds, he knows what is really best for us, and what will best foster good relations with God and with our neighbor. We have only to listen to our hearts and follow what God has put there.

Our conscience is the voice of God within us, telling us what is right and wrong. Each person has that. We have only to carry it out. But we also have free will, and our free will is tainted due to original sin.

Unfortunately, we have too many people doing evil these days: we have so many Mass shootings and other terrible things. There is truly evil in people’s hearts and unrest in their minds.

So we need something more than just our own impulses and desires. God has given us the Holy Spirit, which helps us control our inner thoughts and feelings, and our actions, so we don’t just lash out at people in response to our emotions.

The Holy Spirit is the love of God, given to us to make us his adopted children, and to give us a sharper vision and understanding of how to please God, and how to love one another. He also gives us the power to carry it out. And if and when we fail, if we are sorry, God forgives us and restores his blessing and love in our hearts and our lives.