This weekend, we celebrate World Mission Sunday with the entire Universal Church in response to the Gospel invitation to solidarity with all the world’s peoples, especially those most in need of the Good News of God’s love. Having just come back from a pilgrimage in the Footsteps of St. Paul, I was humbled by the hardships he endured to share God’s love with his world. For the love of God and of our neighbor, all of us are called to do the same.
In the Acts of the Apostles Jesus tells his disciples just before his Ascension into heaven, “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8). Pope Francis reflects on this, “every Christian is called to be a missionary and witness to Christ. And the Church, the community of Christ’s disciples, has no other mission than that of bringing the Gospel to the entire world by bearing witness to Christ. To evangelize is the very identity of the Church.” And so, this weekend, we celebrate Mass on the Pier, out in the public square. Our faith can not remain private. Christ asks us to share his love with al people. He calls all of us to be missionary disciples. He calls upon us, the people of Catholic faith here on Tybee, to generously join in prayerful and financial support for this annual celebration.
O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh; and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN. -- Fr. Jerry
October 23, 2022 | Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time | by the Faithful Disciple Sir 35:12-14, 16-18 | 2 Tm 4:6-8, 16-18 | Lk 18:9-14
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE GROW: I love baseball. Have you ever seen a batter strike out three times straight, only to hit a game-winning home run or base hit on his fourth at-bat? It doesn’t happen often, but when it does, the victory is all the sweeter! I do not believe God actually influences the outcome of baseball games (well, maybe a little; I’m a Cubs fan after all). But I do believe ours is a God who stands by us even in the worst of slumps. Like St. Paul, the key is to keep the faith even when life throws us curveballs, as it inevitably will. If we approach the Lord with the perseverance of Paul and the humility of the tax collector, he will give us the strength we need to finish the race. We can make an effort to approach each day with gratitude, knowing the Lord is always at our side.
GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT GO: Have you heard of Blessed Solanus Casey? He became a Capuchin Franciscan priest, but because of his academic difficulties his ministry was limited. Ordained a “simplex priest,” he could say Mass but not preach or hear confessions. And so, he was assigned to become a porter, or “doorkeeper.” Rather than complain, Father Solanus embraced this ministry. “He was always ready and willing to listen to anyone any time of the day or night,” according to the biography read at his beatification in 2017. Because of his humility and holiness, people from all walks of life were drawn to him, often waiting hours to greet him at the door of St. Bonaventure Monastery in Detroit. Hearing today’s reading about the prideful Pharisee and the humble tax collector brought his story to mind. Through this parable, Jesus challenges us to approach God and others with humility, understanding that all we are and all we do come from God. We don’t have to be the “first,” the “best,” or the “brightest” – but simply need to ask God to help us grow in love and faith.
ACT: Read about Blessed Solanus and recite the “Canonization Prayer,” which asks God: “May your will be done in my life today.”