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From the Pastor's Desk: July 26, 2020
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Today we have the third and final set of readings focused on the parables of the Kingdom of Heaven. Today, once again, Jesus invites us using another three parables that help us to grasp the meaning of the Kingdom of Heaven, and in reality, to embrace the real meaning of life, what truly matters most in our lives.
In the first parable, the man comes across the treasure in the field where it is hidden, but the property does not belong to him. He sells everything he has in order to obtain the land. The message here is that when one really discovers Jesus and his vision of life, everything else becomes secondary. In the service of the Kingdom, there are no half measures and in that service there is a special kind of liberating joy. This was Paul’s experience: “I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as refuse, in order that I may gain Christ,” (Philippians 3:8) and again, “For me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 2:21).
The second parable is similar. A businessman is on the lookout for the “pearl of great price”. He knows it must exist and he uses all his energies to find it. Although we are baptized Christians, we still need to pursue constantly the true and full meaning of the Gospel which can escape us for many years. We always need to understand more, to love more, to serve more.
The third parable helps to put our two feet firmly back on the ground. This parable reminds us that the Church and even the Kingdom is full of all kinds of people. To use the words of Pope Francis, “The church is not a museum of saints, but a hospital for sinners." In other words, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I came not to call the righteous, but sinners” (Mark 2:17). The role of the Church is to accept into its bosom “the poor, the crippled, the blind, the lame” (Luke 14:21) and lead them to the treasure and the pearl of great price.
It is so timely to connect the readings about the Kingdom of God, our personal lives in relationship to that Kingdom, in what we pursue in life, what we value most, what matters least, what our lives are all about. In a sense, we are asked who Jesus is for us. We are given such a phenomenal opportunity to get involved in the Best Summer Ever Initiative to reflect on the book Rediscover Jesus. “Jesus wants us to be very clear about who He is, because being clear about who He is allows us to become clear about who we are. Our identity is inextricably tied to Jesus. The more we discover who Jesus truly is, the more we will place Him – and His Kingdom – at the center of our lives.”
It is with great joy to share with you that after many months of construction, the Bell Tower/Gift Shop project is finally completed. I am most grateful to everyone who contributed to the success of this project. Many words of thanks to Sabino Schiavo – the contractor and superintendent of the project for his professionalism, dedication, and successful completion. The next steps are to set the store with new inventory, organize and prepare for the dedication and grand opening in the next few weeks. Thank you again for your support – prayerful and financial – of this beautiful project.
With sadness in my heart, I share with you that Deacon Robert DeLuca, by the decision of the bishop, was reassigned to the Basilica of Immaculate Conception Parish in Jacksonville, effective August 1, 2020. Deacon Bob served at our parish for the last 8 years in many different roles and capacities and his ministry as a deacon, personal disposition, sincerity, love, kindness and sense of humor will forever stay with us in gratitude for his faithful service. Please join me to express our words of thanks and appreciation for the years of his service at St. Luke as well as to offer our prayerful assurance for many years of his ministry in the future.
Have a blessed and enjoyable week and let us continue to “Rediscover Jesus” together this summer.
With prayers,
Fr. Andy
