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From the Pastor's Desk: August 28, 2022
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From the Pastor’s Desk: August 28, 2022
In the Gospel today, Jesus lays down the rules for the etiquette for “gospel seating” and the compilation of the guest list. Jesus, the Host of the Banquet, applies rules and laws to all who want to participate at His Banquet. One of the most important laws at the banquet of Christ's Kingdom is the law of humility. This law says that "everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and everyone who humbles himself will be exalted." In other words, greatness in His Kingdom comes not from outdoing other people, outperforming them, and outdistancing them. But rather it comes from serving other people, from elevating them, helping them advance, and keeping oneself in the background.
This humility has nothing to do with pleading before the Almighty but is instead a certain down-to-earth-ness. (The root of "humble" and "humility" is “humus” meaning "earth". A humble person is "earthy.") The virtue of humility keeps us from reaching beyond ourselves, from excessive pride, from lording it over others and thinking that rules don't apply to us, no matter what our social or economic position. Humility reminds us of our oneness with the less fortunate- "the poor, the crippled, the blind, the lame" - those whom Jesus commands us to invite to our tables. The truly humble person knows that everything is God's gift.
Following the Law of Humility leads to interior peace, joy, wisdom, and a greater share in God's glory, this is what Christ wants for us. The more we grow in humility, the more we will experience those things. So how can we grow in humility? There are two things every single one of us can do in order to grow in humility. The first is to pray and the second is to stop talking so much about ourselves. These two things we can start to do today, tomorrow, and every day this week. Such is the law of his Kingdom and the etiquette for “gospel seating”.
I was informed by the Sister Superior of the Missionary Sisters of the Holy Family of the upcoming personnel changes among the sisters who serve in our parish community. Sr. Iwona has been transferred to the convent in Burlington, WI. Sr. Nune Titoian, who will join us, was appointed the new superior of the Orange Park convent. Sisters Danuta and Barbara will stay with us. Please join me to expreess our gratitude to Sr. Iwona for her many contributions she offered over the years to our parish community. Also, please join me to welcome Sr. Nune as she begins her journey with us. May the Lord bless them all during this time of transition.
Fr. Pervaiz, who has ministered with us for the last several weeks, is getting ready to return to his home in Pakistan. Fr. Pervaiz in his current role is a spiritual director and member of formation team at St. Francis Seminary in Lahore, Pakistan. As you can imagine, it is not easy to form future priests in a country dominated by Muslims. As is the past we will have a special second collection to support the efforts of the seminary formation where Fr. Pervaiz currently serves. Fr. Pervaiz will preach at the Masses on the weekend of September 3rd and 4th, 2022 to share his experiences of faith, living daily among the Muslim population. Your generosity and prayerful support are very much appreciated.
This weekend we welcome into our parish community, Fr Clay Ludwig – the Vocations Director of our Diocese. Fr. Clay will preach at all weekend Masses about the gift of priestly vocation. We will have a special lunch provided by the Knights of Columbus after the 11:00 am Mass on Sunday for all who discern, consider, or think about the call to the priesthood together with their families to join us.
“The humble are not cast down by the censures or the slights of others. If they have unconsciously given occasion for them, they amend their faults; if they deserve them not, they treat them as trifles.” -The Wisdom of Fulton Sheen
I wish you all a blessed week with special prayers to our sisters during this time of transition.
With prayers,
Fr. Andy
