Imitating God

Dear Parishioners,

Being a Christian is challenging. To love as Christ loves us is tough, difficult and outrageous. You must choose to forgive others when you do not feel like it, care for others when you may not care to do so. Christianity is a faith that knows little of ease and much of struggle born of conviction. To entertain the thought that you and I could become “imitators of God” defies logic. But Saint Paul says we can.

- Deacon Robert

“God, the Blessed Virgin, the angels and
saints are about our path; they are at
our side and see all we do.”
- The Cure D’Ars

Exercise… Good for the Body and Spirit!

Dear Parishioners,

These days, many of us are watching the Olympics, as they are so popular. However, back in 1908, Rome renounced the Olympic Games which were then held in London! At that time in history, less than 1% of the people engaged in any sporting activity. The people at that time didn’t understand the importance of exercise. One person who did was the Pope. Pope Pius X, in a speech to the youth on October 8, 1905, said, “I admire and bless with all my heart all the games and pastimes, gymnastics, cycling, mountain climbing, jogging, competitions and academics to which you dedicate yourselves. The exercise of the body affects wonderfully the exercise of the spirit. Because these activities require more work, you take away sloth, which is the father of vices, and finally because of the same friendly matches will be in you an image of emulation in the exercise of virtue.” Later on, speaking to one of the cardinals about exercise, he said, “All right, if it is impossible to understand that this can be done, then I, myself, will exercise in front of everyone so that they may see that if the Pope can do it, anyone can do it.” Perhaps it would be good for us to get back into the routine of exercise not only of the body, but he mind and spirit as well.

- Fr. Carl

“It is a strange thing; I have met plenty of people
who repented at not having loved God.
Never have I met one who repented of having loved Him.”
- The Cure D’Ars

Got Bread?

Dear Parishioners,

In statues or pictures of the saints, there is usually a symbol representing their life or death. St. Peter is usually shown with keys, because Jesus entrusted him with the keys of the kingdom; St. Paul is usually holding a sword, because his martyrdom was accomplished by beheading; and St. Philip is shown holding a loaf of bread. Why a loaf of bread you ask? The reason is found in today’s gospel (John 6:1-15) where Jesus asks Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for all these people to eat?” Of course, Jesus knew what he was going to do, but poor Philip was clueless as to how the crowd, with 5,000 men alone, would be fed. Why Jesus asked Philip about bread for the people nobody knows, but ever since, Philip has been depicted carrying a loaf of bread. Of course Jesus’ question to Philip is meant for the Church and by extension to each of us. People hunger not just for bread but for Jesus, the bread of life. Therefore, it is the job of the Church, and us as well, to lead them to Jesus first by example, and then by word. Jesus alone will satisfy their deepest hunger with plenty to spare.

- Fr. Carl

“The martyrs would not have
been martyrs if they had not
refused to disobey the
commandments of God.”
-The Cure D’Ars

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