Today's Gospel can be a bit disturbing! "If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple." Are these the words of the Jesus we know and love?

Several resources tell me that the hate text shouldn't be taken literally. It is manner of speaking, an ancient way of expressing priorities, of saying, "Put me first!" You may remember the story of Abraham and Isaac (Genesis 22:2) when Abraham was asked to sacrifice his son. What kind of God
would demand that a parent kill a child? The intent of Scripture was to show how Abraham put God first, even before his son. Jesus is asking that same loyalty of his followers today, and no hatred of relatives was intended.

This week is the sixth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. To bring some unity to worship celebrations, OCP is including some of the more popular songs from Spirit and Song 1 & 2, which has become so popular with the younger generation, in Breaking Bread and Music Issue. You will find Steve Angrisano's "Come to the Lord" (339) most appropriate for this Sunday, so difficult for many. Included in the suggestions is Sarah Hart's "Go in Peace" (664), a song of comfort and commendation. If a commendation is not feasible in your situation, use "O God, Our Help in Ages Past" (446), a paraphrase of today's responsorial psalm, Psalm 90.

© 2007, OCP. All rights reserved.

Today's Gospel, which speaks about the cost of discipleship, provides a fitting context for celebrating the Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens. The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCP 12113TL, 800-LITURGY, ocp.org) provides two forms for the Rite of Acceptance: the first is used when only unbaptized candidates for Christian initiation are entering the period of the catechumenate (41–74) and the second is used when baptized but previously uncatechized adults who are preparing for confirmation and/or Eucharist or reception into the full communion of the Catholic Church are also being welcomed (505–529). It is important to respect the difference between these two groups; unbaptized candidates become catechumens on their way to celebrating the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and Eucharist, while baptized candidates for confirmation and/or Eucharist or reception into the full communion of the Catholic Church are already one with us through baptism and are not considered catechumens. If you are unfamiliar with these distinctions or if you have other questions about the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), read The RCIA: Transforming the Church by Thomas Morris (Paulist Press, 800-218-1903, paulistpress.com), Becoming a Catholic Christian by Julia Upton (OCP 6073TL) or The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults: A Pastoral-Liturgical Commentary by J. Michael McMahon (OCP 44100TL). You could also attend a seminar through the Beginnings and Beyond Institute. They are offered in different parts of the country by the North American Forum on the Catechumenate (202-884-9758, naforum.org).

Liturgy of the Hours: Begin week three of the psalm cycle.

© 2007, OCP. All rights reserved.

El artículo 1 del segundo capítulo del Catecismo de la Iglesia Católica, "Celebrar la Liturgia de la Iglesia", pregunta ¿quién celebra? (1136) y nos ofrece una respuesta: "toda la comunidad, el Cuerpo de Cristo unido a su Cabeza" (1140). Las celebraciones litúrgicas no son celebraciones privadas, sino celebraciones de la Iglesia. La Iglesia es pueblo santo, congregado y ordenado bajo la dirección de los obispos. Por lo tanto, las celebraciones litúrgicas pertenecen a todo el Cuerpo de la Iglesia.

The first article of the second chapter of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, "Celebrating the Church's Liturgy," begins by asking who celebrates (1136) before providing an answer: "the whole community, the Body of Christ united with its Head" (1140). Liturgical services are not private functions; they are celebrations of the Church. The Church is God's holy people united under the authority of the bishops; therefore, liturgical services belong to the whole body of the Church.

© 2007, OCP. All rights reserved.

Samuel Gompers, one of the founders of the American Federation of Labor, said that Labor Day is unique in that it is a holiday devoted "to no man, living or dead, to no sect, race or nation but is instead for all." The Sunday before Labor Day was to be a day dedicated to the spiritual aspects of the labor movement. Today Americans mostly celebrate the weekend as a farewell to summer.
Perhaps we might take poetic license and use this holiday to renew the spiritual aspects of our own labor—pastoral music ministry.

Many will be preparing repertoire for a new season with choirs, contemporary ensembles, youth choirs, handbell choirs, and children's choirs and as always be getting ready for liturgy committee meetings. Like children in a candy store, musicians delight in considering all kinds of new music. There are so many choices, yet our choices must be disciplined by our call to ministry.

Our first priority as pastoral musicians is the song of the assembly. Take great care in selecting repertoire here. We are in a post-modern culture where dumbing down, individualism, and narcissism are present. These can slip into sung liturgy.

Our task in this time of self-indulgence is counter-cultural — to bring all things to Christ. It's not about us. As St. Paul tells us in Colossians 3:16, teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.

Now let's say goodbye to summer and fire up that barbeque!

© 2004, OCP. All rights reserved.

Today is the seventh anniversary of Mother Teresa's death. Pope John Paul II beatified Mother Teresa last year on October 19. Pray in the general intercessions for the work of the Missionaries of Charity, the religious order that Mother Teresa founded to serve the poorest of the poor in India and around the world.

The Catholic Church's rich treasury of social teaching contains profound insights about the rights of workers that are especially pertinent on this Labor Day weekend. Resources to inform preaching and catechesis include the U.S. bishops' reflections entitled Sharing Catholic Social Teaching: Challenges and Directions, a set of cards and posters entitled Excerpts from "Sharing Catholic Social Teaching" and the videotapes Marketplace Prophets and Bring Down the Walls (all from USCCB Publishing, 800-235-8722, www.usccb.org). Also helpful is the brochure Catholic Teachings on the Rights of Workers (National Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice, 773-728-8400, www.nicwj.org).

There is a prayer for Labor Day in Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers (p. 200; OCP #9717TD, 800-LITURGY, www.ocp.org).

Liturgy of the Hours: begin week three of the psalm cycle.

© 2004, OCP. All rights reserved.

Si alguien te pidiera alejarte de una cosa para ganarte algo más precioso, ¿qué dejarías? ¿Serían las posesiones terrestres o alguna amistad? El Evangelio habla de preferir a Cristo antes que al padre, la madre, la esposa, los hijos y hermanos, hasta la propia vida. Sí, Jesús nos pide desprendernos de lo que consideramos lo más precioso en esta vida para ganarnos lo que está y viene del cielo. Algunos están apegados al poder, la riqueza o a su propia forma de pensar. Muchos estamos apegados a nuestras preocupaciones, en vez de cultivar la paz mental y la sabiduría de Dios. ¿Qué te impide ser un verdadero discípulo?

If you were asked to let go of something in order to gain something more precious, what would that be? Earthly possessions? Relationships? The Gospel speaks of leaving one's father, mother, wife, children, sisters, brothers, and even one's own life. Jesus calls us to let go of what we find most precious here on earth in order to gain what comes from, and is, in heaven. Some cling to power, material wealth, or ways of thinking. Some love their worrying more than peace of mind or the wisdom of God. What do we cling to that prevents us from being a true disciple?

© 2004, OCP. All rights reserved.

     As we begin a new season of recruitment, school openings, and welcoming hospitality, here's an affirmation for you.
     My five year old friend, Kevin, had just joined the children's choir at his parish. "Listen, Elaine, we learned this at choir." He then began to sing, "Your Words Are Spirit and Life, O Lord" (by Bernadette Farrell). I was proud of him, of OCP, of Bernadette Farrell, and of every one of you who work with children's choirs. I'm sure there's a Kevin in everyone's children's choir. In case you're not aware of it, your work goes far. Kevin will remember that tune right into his adulthood. How impressive that his director is teaching him scriptural as well as devotional texts. "Your Words are Spirit and Life" is based on Psalm 19, from the Common Psalter, which may be used (for pastoral reasons) as a responsorial psalm during this season of Ordinary Time. Consider teaching this psalm so that when there is no cantor (weekdays, inclement weather) the assembly will be able to sing the psalm on their own.
     Congratulations musicians! You're doing a great job!
     For a Labor Day suggestion, consider For the Fruits of This Creation (with beautiful text by the late Fred Pratt Green).
     Recruitment Hint: "There are more successful ways to recruit than through the parish bulletin."

© 2001, OCP. All rights reserved.

     For many people, Labor Day represents as significant a transition in the year as New Year's Day. The rhythms of daily life often change as summertime gives way to the routines associated with fall. Schools reopen and many parish and civic activities get underway again at this time of the year. Encourage members of your community to use this time as an opportunity to begin or strengthen patterns of prayer in their homes. A simple prayer before meals is a good place to start. Several models are offered in the Book of Catholic Prayer (OCP #9672TD softbound, #10641TD hardbound, pp. 28–29). Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers (OCP #9717TD) has a variety of mealtime prayers, some quite brief and others more substantial. Giving Thanks at the Table is a small book of prayers and graces for mealtime, and individual table prayer cards are available for autumn/winter, Advent/Christmas, Lent/Eastertime and summer (Liturgy Training Publications, 800-933-1800). Arrange to have some of these resources available for purchase after Mass, at the coffee hour, and at beginning-of-the-year parent meetings in Catholic schools and religious education programs.
     Liturgy of the Hours: Begin week three of the psalm cycle.

© 2001, OCP. All rights reserved.