Presenter: Fr. Steve Dublinski
The Our Father is the only prayer Jesus gave his disciples and the only prayer he told them to pray.
It is a prayer that is foundational to our faith and it accompanies us all through our lives.
Let’s explore this prayer. What is its meaning? What did Jesus actually teach? Why do Matthew and Luke have different versions? Why do some people add “For thine is the Kingdom…? Does God “lead us into temptation?” These and many more questions will be explored.
If you missed the first session you can still attend the next ones. Childcare is available. 
Please note the time for Adoration has been changed to
6 p.m. for those three weeks so everyone can attend.

“To whom shall we go? ... We have come to believe that you are the Holy One of God.”

Every time I discussed this week’s gospel with someone, we inevitably ended up talking about the recent Grand Jury report out of Pennsylvania and the revelations about ex-cardinal McCarrick. How is it possible that after all these years the bishops have still got it so wrong? For victims of clergy sex abuse the scabs have been torn off and the bleeding has resumed. Others who were victimized as children also are feeling the trauma again. Church members feel re-victimized and questions are raised in the secret places of the heart.

Can we talk? The only way through this disaster is to begin talking with each other. Let me get the conversation going. I do not like to admit it but the question crossed my heart: “Is it now time to leave?” We are not just talking about sinful behavior as many official statements have claimed. This is criminal behavior and covering up criminal behavior is criminal as well. For sixteen years the victims have demanded that bishops be held accountable and little has been done. If someone says to you, “I feel like leaving”, it is ok to say: “I know how you feel.” Admitting our feelings is the essential starting place. Only then can we begin to heal.

Second, friends of mine were victims of clergy sexual abuse. When I was in high-school the principal was a predator who sexually assaulted students. The damage to victims is beyond my understanding, but not beyond my love and compassion. We must all be supportive of people who have suffered such evil. If you are or you know someone struggling with feelings that have re-emerged from past trauma, find a friend or counselor to talk to. I am certainly available but I also understand that I may not be the right person for you.

Third, I am experiencing anger, disgust and disappointment. It is ok to have these feelings. I feel these even though I know intellectually that my faith is in Jesus Christ and that humans make mistakes; even huge, criminal mistakes. If we place our faith in humans, we will always be betrayed.

“To whom shall we go? ... We have come to believe that you are the Holy One of God.”

The gospel today tells the story about many disciples leaving Jesus and returning to their former way of life. They have been unable to accept Jesus’ teaching that: God is truly present in the world; that we are first spiritual beings; That God is present by giving us the bread of life; That Jesus is the bread of life who will lay down his life for the world; That Jesus gives us the bread of life always in the Eucharist; That we can take on the consciousness of Christ by eating his body and drinking his blood. Like Peter, who gets it right today, I actually believe this. I cannot imagine not following Jesus. Following Jesus includes walking with the other disciples of Jesus; walking with each other as a community of disciples. Following Jesus always involves a discussion; it is not a blind following. Quite the opposite, Jesus wants disciples who question and probe. The church today needs further reforming. What will that reform look like? I do not know. Even after reform it will not be perfect. Humans will still get it wrong, even criminally at times.

“To whom shall we go? ... We have come to believe that you are the Holy One of God.”

Bishop Daly has released a video statement on the ongoing abuse crisis. Link to Video: