14th Sunday in Ordinary Time

My Dear Parishioners,
 
Today is the Lord’s Day and the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time. In the Gospel reading for the liturgy we hear about the success which the disciples of Jesus experience in the ministry they perform in His Name. They are excited that the authority the Lord has given them has power over the forces of darkness and that evil is in flight at the mention of Jesus’ Name.  The Lord has accompanied them in the work He has called them to perform. The seventy two disciples are engaged in preaching, healing and comforting – the same work which the Lord Himself is involved.  His ministry is now their ministry.
 
Partnering with Christ is the invitation we have all been given. When we engage ourselves in this way of life we discover that we are not alone in the performance of this service. The Lord is with us to provide the strength and fortitude we need to accomplish our work in vanquishing the evil around us. Relying on our own abilities without the presence of prayer distances us from God and the successful results He has planned for us. Our faithfulness to prayer and the service the Lord invites us to undertake in His Name draws us into the holiness of God and the eternal life He has ready for us. He speaks to us also today the same words: “ Do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”
 
In today’s Gospel we hear how Jesus needed helpers and as your pastor, so do I. Thank God I have good priests and seminarian, who are my immediate collaborators. I also thank God for the many active and selfless parishioners who offer their time, talent and labor to me for the Church on a regular basis. These partners in ministry make the load lighter and bring happy resolution to various occurrences which take place in both our parishes. Working together and helping one another are the signs associated with Jesus’ disciples. In His Holy Name we perform works of service to build up the body of Christ, the Church.
 
I conclude by reminding you of how important it is to celebrate the Lord’s Day each week, even during the summer. Participation in the Sunday celebration of the Holy Mass is a sign of our faith in the Risen Christ who calls us to partner with Him in casting out evil. As we come to the Holy Mass we also bring an offering to the Lord. Your weekly offering is crucial so that we might be able to continue ministering in Jesus’ Name in our material world. I am so grateful to you for “making up” in your offerings on the Sundays you may be away on vacation. Your consideration is a wonderful mark of commitment to our parish and for this I am most grateful.
 
God bless you!
Father Zig