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From the Pastor's Desk: July 19, 2020
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This Sunday’s Gospel continues with the teaching of Jesus about the significance of the Kingdom of God.
Today, the Lord teaches us three very important realities about the Church He had come to establish. The Church is His instrument to bring about the Kingdom of God. Jesus uses parables to deepen our understanding of the meaning of His Kingdom and His Church. His Kingdom- His Church is like a mustard seed that starts in small and unassuming form, but grows to become a huge place of rest and refuge for many. Secondly, He says that the members of the Church are meant to function in the world like yeast does in dough- we are supposed to be agents of transformation, make everything rise. Finally, Jesus reminds us that the Church’s growth doesn’t happen in a vacuum. There is also “an enemy” in the field, sowing weeds and trying to wreck God’s harvest- in other words, to destroy you, me, and those we know and love.
All three images are meant to guide us at every moment of the Church’s life. All three images are meant to bring awareness of the responsibilities that we have in His plan of building His Kingdom in our lives, our families, communities and the world. Today Jesus wants us to renew our confidence in His Kingdom - its power for growth, its ability to withstand the attacks of enemies, and its capacity to transform lives, families, and communities. How many earthly kingdoms and empires has the Church witnessed come and go, like so many arrows whizzing through the air or so many pebbles tossed into the sea? They are innumerable! But Christ's Kingdom remains, and grows, and spreads. Today, He tells us again: “Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear!”
"It is necessary that each person freely accept the truth of the love of God. He is Love and Truth, and love as well as truth never impose themselves: They knock on the door of the heart and mind and, where they enter, bring peace and joy. This is the way God reigns; this is his plan of salvation." Pope Benedict XVI, Homily for the Solemnity of Christ the King, 25 November 2006
The challenges that came as a result of the coronavirus are very difficult and affect our lives in so many different ways. We feel its effect in our personal lives with the lockdowns, social distancing, wearing masks, sanitizing etc. But we also experience its effects in the Church and in the way we worship and participate in liturgy. On one hand, the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, teaches us that, “Mother Church earnestly desires that all the faithful should be led to that fully conscious and active participation in liturgical celebrations which is demanded by the very nature of the liturgy.” On the other hand, however, in order to keep us safe we had to remove all of our hymnals and every other form of worship aids. I, personally, found this to be a very difficult situation. To look for solutions how to assist you– the faithful- to more fully participate in the liturgy- I was approached by our parishioners who offered to cover the entire expense to install LED display screens in the church to assist you in greater participation. After consultation with members of the Pastor’s Advisory Team as well as different vendors, we have decided to use the space behind the sanctuary (the wall space where we usually display videos) to install permanent screens that will display music, readings, Mass responses, etc. to increase your participation in the Eucharist and extend greater hospitality to our visitors and guests. I am most grateful to our parishioners for such generosity to make this project possible without any expense to the church’s budget. Please pray for them as they humbly asked to remain anonymous. We plan the installation for Tuesday, July 21.
I hope that you were able to register for the Best Summer Ever Initiative last week. The book Rediscovering Jesus is an awesome opportunity to grow in a close and personal relationship with the Lord. It provides much needed nutrition to improve the quality of the soil of our hearts and souls and to enhance the disposition of our call to discipleship.
I wish you a blessed week!
Stay safe, healthy, and be blessed!
With prayers,
Fr. Andy
