Take Five

Dear Parishioners,

One of the main ideas of today’s Gospel (Mark 6:30-34) is to rest. Close the day planner; turn off the cell phone; shut down the computer. Manage your work, give yourself permission to rest, practice meditation, and choose to give shape to your own future.

I am convinced that most of us make our way through life’s journey reacting to what life brings our way. More of life happens to us rather than life tumbling out from us. Because we are so deeply involved in work, family, friendships and church, we rarely take the time to stop reacting and become actors in the story of our own life. So, “take five”… relax and rest. Step away from the demands of life often… even if it’s only for a short time, and in doing so, find new energy and purpose to be the person God created you to be.

- Deacon Robert

“The Devil writes down our sins –
our Guardian Angel all our merits.
Labor that the Guardian Angel’s book may be full,
and the Devil’s empty.”
- The Cure D’Ars

Are You A Missionary?

Dear Parishioners,

Today we are taking up a collection to help the Catholic mission around the world. How appropriate it is to hear today’s gospel (Mark 6:7-13) as Jesus sends his apostles out on the first missionary journey of the Church. Actually, that is the primary function of the Church – to go out and spread the good news. Some of the hearers will accept the message, while others reject it. Jesus tells the twelve to expect different responses—some positive, some negative—to their mission especially when the need for repentance is proclaimed.

The prophet Amos experienced one such negative reaction to his mission when he was ejected from the Northern Kingdom 700 years before the Lord. As followers of Jesus, we may not be called to the missions of Africa or Asia, but rather the home missions—the United States, which is becoming more and more secular and materialistic. By rejecting the pagan culture and living as authentic Catholics, we are, in fact, doing missionary work. All we have to do is follow the words of our Lord—love God and love our neighbor as ourselves.

- Fr. Carl

“This earth is a bridge to cross the
water; it serves only to support
our steps.”
- The Cure D’Ars

Be Great!

Dear Parishioners,

We overlook the extraordinary in the ordinary people and the ordinary places around us. Great things are done on our behalf by people who go unnoticed and unthanked. Public acclaim is never a test of greatness. There are people who are never noticed who accomplish great things among their fellow human beings. Greatness is a matter of doing the best we can with what we’ve got in the place that we are. So don’t count on recognition as the measure of your contribution to life.

- Deacon Robert

“We ought, in the morning on awaking, to offer to God our heart,
our mind, our thoughts, our words, our actions, our whole selves, to
serve for his glory alone.”
- The Cure D’Ars

Fortnight of Freedom Mass this Tuesday

Dear Parishioners,

As part of the “Fortnight of Freedom” prayer effort on behalf of the preservation of religious liberty, St. John the Evangelist Church in Severna Park will be hosting an area Mass celebrated by Bishop Mitch Rozanski on Tuesday, July 3 at 7 PM. All are welcome, and I encourage parishioners to attend!

- Fr. Carl

“As a good gardener works from
morning till night to destroy the
weeds in his garden and fill it with
flowers, so let us work every day to
destroy the blemishes of our soul
and adorn it with virtues.
- The Cure D’Ars

Finding Your Voice

Dear Parishioners,

John the Baptist was born into the world with a mission. He would be the one who would use his voice to prepare the way of the Lord (Luke 1:57-66, 80). He would teach the people that they were not to be submissive servants to those who would tell them what to think or that they didn’t know what they wanted for themselves. In John’s time, there were those who believed they were in charge and would dictate to the people what was best for them.

Here we are on this first Sunday of summer, remembering the birth of John the Baptist, wanting to believe we all have a voice worth finding, and then believing God can use our voice to tell the good news that Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. You can find your voice, and we as God’s people can find our voice, and in the finding, in being who God created us to be, find that God has a purpose for us that just might make this world more like what God created it to be. Together, let’s find our voice to God’s greater glory.

- Deacon Robert

“We should daily renew our
baptismal vows.”
- The Cure D’Ars

Fathers

Dear Parishioners,

A mighty oak begins its life as a small acorn in the ground. It takes many years to fully develop. The kingdom of God began the same way. A simple carpenter gathered disciples, preached and taught and healed. Today that kingdom of believers on earth consists of more than a billion men, women, and children, not to mention the billions in heaven and purgatory. For many years, Jesus was guarded, protected, and cared for not only by Mary, but also by Joseph the foster father of Jesus. Today we celebrate Father’s Day and remember those men who are, or were, our fathers or father figures in our growth to maturity. Today, our families need good fathers more than ever. Let us pray to our heavenly Father in thanks for the blessings received from our earthly fathers. Let us also pray for new fathers that they may imitate the virtues of St. Joseph and become strong, loving, and wise.

- Fr. Carl

“You do not know the resources of
God’s providence for those who put
their trust in him.”
- The Cure D’Ars

Corpus Christi (Body of Christ)

A Message from Our Deacon

If we would, perhaps we could genuinely hear what Jesus is saying about his life and our life together with him (Mark 14:12-16, 22-26). We could hear that the breaking of bread and the drinking of wine convey a mystery so profound that all history hangs on its meaning. We could, maybe for the first time or at least for the first time in a long time, hear deeply that God loves us so much, God gave all of who God is to us in Jesus Christ… nothing held back!

What would worship become for you and me if we tried to understand God’s gift to us? Worship would be transformed by wonder and grace that break through the mundane moments of our weary lives with life-changing power. Turn on your gift of imagination.

Today we honor the body and blood of Christ, remembering he gave himself for us. Come to this table and give yourself to him whom to know is the gift of life eternal.

- Deacon Robert

“When we receive Holy Communion,
  we receive our joy and our happiness.”
  - The Cure D’Ars