What is this? A new teaching with authority?  What was it that was so different about the way that Jesus taught that surprised the people?  Could it have been that Jesus’ teaching was authentic and reflected not just the right words but also reflected the way that He lived. It is one thing to have the right words and to say all the right things . It is quite another thing to live what we speak. I believe that the people of Jesus‘ time not only heard what Jesus said they saw that He was sincere and that He lived as He spoke. This was a contrast to the teaching of the Pharisees who seemed to know all the rules but did not have charity or goodness in their hearts. Because of the way they lived their live their words were rendered empty and lacking authenticity. So often the teaching of Jesus warned against those who looked good but did not have love in their hearts.

  Who are the authentic teachers in our lives? Who are people that have influenced us  not by their words but by their lives. Perhaps they were not the most religious people we have met but we have sensed in them a spirit of justice and goodness that influenced us to change our own hearts and become dedicated to a cause or a faith.  In my lifetime, I would look to my dad who not only talked about the equality of all people, he invited people of color into our home at a time in America where that was not done. He faced the questioning eye of some of our neighbors without wavering. He taught me not to judge people by the color of their skin, not by saying the right things but by backing them up with actions. He taught me with authority and it stuck. In all of our lives there are authentic teachers of morals and the faith. I look to Pope  John XIII as an authentic teacher of the faith who said that the faith had to be changed and then did something about it. By opening the windows of the church He taught me the faith in a way that changed my life. Today we need to remember all of those who through their authentic teaching have formed and developed our faith and our lives. It  is a good day to remember them and thank God for their presence in our lives. They are the foundation of our faith. Here at Our Lady Of Hope I would like to thank God today for Father Tom Schwab who  formed and taught this parish with an authentic and living faith. I believe that a great deal of the success and dedication of the parishioners of this parish are the result of them being exposed to Tom’s vision and faith. He is one of those people who walked the talk and we are grateful that he did. Who are those people in your life? Remember them today and lift their names to God in prayer.

  Today is called Super Sunday because two over paid and over hyped football  teams play a game that usually does not live up to expectations. It has become a quasi American holiday. I hope that all of you enjoy the day and the game but I hope that the Sunday is Super not because of the game but because it is Sunday and all Sundays should be Super because of our relationship with God and family. Enjoy the day in whatever way you do and I hope that the game is a good one. Steelers  or Cardinals? I hope the Cardinals win just because everyone thinks that they can’t. That probably means that the Steelers will win, since the Cubs, Bears, Bulls  have done so well because I root for them.

  Have a Great Super Bowl Sunday. Have A Great Week. Know that you are loved. 

                                                                        Fr. Clem