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June 16, 2023I’ve been trying to wrap things up and one very happy wrap-up happened this past Wednesday when I received Laura Levy into full communion with the Holy Catholic Church. We are so happy to have Laura as a member of our faith family.
Another wrap-up that I’m very much looking forward to is my last Whiskey and the Word session on Monday, June 26th at 8 pm. I’ve been saving a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle for this occasion. My brothers, Dave and Mike, will share in this holy moment and I invite all the men of the parish to join us.
In boxing up my books, I came across an old favorite, A Priest Forever, by Fr. Karl Rahner, S.J. This how it concludes:
When someone dares to take up the happy and terrifying life of a priest, then the happy occasion can strike us speechless with fear, because here is the beginning of something that no human being can finish. But we comfort ourselves with the grace of God; not we but that grace will finish what it has begun. For He who called the priest is true to His word and His graces are given without repentance. But during this celebration of the holy sacrifice let us pray for the Church on earth: pray God to send workers into His harvest, for the workers are few. Pray for our priests, that they begin in the fear and joy of the Lord and persevere in faithful service up to that happy end which all aspire to when all vocations will find one happy end in the endless sacrificial celebration of eternity, when the Son and we with Him give over everything to the Father, so that God may be all in all. Amen.Parting is not easy “but we comfort ourselves with the grace of God; not we but that grace will finish what it has begun” and the Gospel today reminds us, “without cost we have received; without cost we are to give.” (Mt 10:8) As Jesus sent out the Twelve so He sends us out. Our Mission is to love.Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time by the Faithful Disciple
Ex 19:2-6a | Rom 5:6-11 | Mt 9:36–10:8
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: As a teenager, I was someone you might call “Suzy high school.” I played sports, was president of my class, had many friends, etc. But there were times I made some bad choices and ended up having to face my parents with the truth. I remember being afraid of what they would think, even wondering if my actions would make them love me less. Thankfully, I was blessed with incredible parents whose loving lessons throughout my life pointed me toward our Father’s love. St. Paul gives us a glimpse of how deep the love of our Father is in the second reading: “But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.” God loves us so completely that even before we approach him to ask for forgiveness, his arms are open wide. Look up at the cross and let that abundant, unending love wash over you. Reflect on what is said in the first reading from the Book of Exodus: “Therefore, if you hearken to my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my special possession, dearer to me than all other people, though all the earth is mine.”
GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT
GO: How can we respond to this great love we have been shown by our heavenly Father? Jesus is pretty clear on this topic, isn’t he? “Love one another as I have loved you.” Not a lot of ambiguity or nuance there. Daunting? Doesn’t need to be. The words of today’s responsorial psalm proclaim: “Know that the Lord is God; he made us, his we are; his people, the flock he tends.” His flock is all of us – including the poor, the depressed, the lonely. Perhaps we can challenge ourselves this summer to step out in service to God’s flock by calling on someone in our own lives who may feel marginalized, frightened, or anxious, and be the hands and feet of our Father to them. Perhaps they do not know the depth of our Father’s love and we can reassure them of this. In today’s Gospel Jesus says: “Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.” We have been blessed by the sacrifice of the Lamb, and it is our responsibility to share that blessing with others.
ACTION: One of the ministries I enjoy contributing to in my area is a Foster Closet. It stocks blankets, clothing, backpacks, toys, and many other products to allow foster children to have quality shopping experiences. If there is one near you, you might find that supporting these vulnerable children is a simple way to let them know they are infinitely worthy of God’s love.
