Dear Parishioners,
Last week we saw Jesus as the good shepherd (Mk 6:30-34). Even though he was tired and ready for rest, when he saw the needs of the people, he forgot his needs and ministered to them. He gave generously of his time and talent to serve them.
This week we see the generosity of God working through Elisha and Jesus (2 Kgs 4:42-44 and Jn 6:1-15). We have come to take that kind of generosity for granted sometimes. That’s why we need the Eucharist. This Greek word means “thanksgiving,” and it’s why we come to Mass each weekend—to give thanks to God. But we also come to learn what God expects from us. His generosity is the big clue. He expects us to be generous stewards of the time, talent, and treasure he has given us. From time to time, we need to ask ourselves how we can better share these gifts.
I have come to realize that the happiest people I know are not those who have the most but those who give and share the most.
Fr. Carl
Rev. Stephen Hook is Pastor of the Pastorate of the Visitation which includes the Catholic Churches of Pasadena, Maryland: St. Jane Frances de Chantal (Riviera Beach) and Our Lady of the Chesapeake (Lakeshore). He is assisted by Associate Pastor Rev. John Belinki, Deacon Howard Klohr, and Deacon Rick Clemens. To learn more about our pastorate, please visit www.catholicpasadena.org.
