Message from Fr. Michael Corpus

     Do you know that feeling of being underwater?  Think of a time when you’ve taken a bath, and had the feeling of your head submerged, or perhaps the feeling of putting your head under a shower.  And, most especially, the feeling just after you have dived into a swimming pool or lake, and are making your way to the surface.  There’s a moment as you emerge from being underwater where your vision starts to become clear, your hearing starts to be unmuffled, and you can breathe and speak again.  I’ve been reflecting on my time here at St. Joseph’s Parish.  This last week of August marks my one year anniversary at the parish.  And with my conversations with many parishioners who have marched side-by-side, masked and socially distanced through this difficult time, I’ve heard the many fears, frustrations, struggles and even blessings that have been had.  Well, this September marks a new year for us in many ways, as we have what seems to be the greater part of this pandemic behind us.

     The Gospel reading of this Sunday has spoken of Jesus encountering a man who could not hear and had speech difficulties.  Jesus performed a miracle.  “Ephphatha” or “Be opened,” he said.  I imagine this moment from the perspective of the man, like having been underwater, emerging now with senses restored.  However, these senses seem somehow even better, ever new.

     Even though we have lingering effect from the last year around us, Jesus says to us, “Ephphatha.”  My hope as we emerge from this time, and enter into the new year, is that we have experienced the touch of our God in our lives who restores our senses so that they seem even better, ever new.

                                                                        ~   Fr. Michael Corpus