The Parable of the Seeds

Dear Parishioners,

What might be the meaning of these parables about seeds? (Mark 4:26-34) In all of these agricultural parables that open this teaching sequence in Mark’s Gospel, we are struck with the hope and power of seeds. Certainly a farmer is necessary to sow the seeds, work the fields and gather the harvest, but it is the power of seeds and soil that perform the magic, transforming scarcity into abundance and turning ridiculously small beginnings into transforming and powerful ends. Jesus said the Kingdom of God is much like this. Its beginning is not impressive… just an itinerant preacher talking with peasants in a small country on the backside of the Roman Empire. This is the mustard seed phase of the Kingdom. But somehow, hidden from the sight and input of humankind, God transforms such humble beginnings into the greatest power ever unleashed upon human history. God’s small, germinating kingdom seeds have begun to sprout!

- Deacon Robert

“Virtue demands courage, constant effort, and
above all, help from on high.”
~ Thoughts of the Cure D’Ars

This Is My Body, This Is My Blood

Dear Parishioners,

Our Lord performed many miracles during his time on earth. He turned water into wine, gave sight to the blind, cured lepers, healed the lame, the deaf and the mute. He even raised Lazarus from the dead. But the greatest of all miracles took place at the Last Supper when he instituted the Eucharist. He gave his disciples his body and blood under the appearance of bread and wine. While all his other miracles took place only during Our Lord’s time on earth, this miracle continues to take place every time Mass is celebrated. What is more astonishing is the fact that this miracle can’t be seen by the human eye. The bread and wine doesn’t seem to change. It looks like, smells like, and tastes like bread and wine, but it is not. It’s Jesus. How do we know? Because Jesus tells us so in the gospels (Mark 14:12-16, 22-26). Still, people have had their doubts. So there have been a number of miracles seen throughout the ages where hosts have literally turned into bleeding flesh or hosts have not disintegrated even after several hundred years. You can read about these miracles in several books: “This Is My Body, This Is My Blood; Miracles of the Eucharist” by Bob and Penny Lord, and “The Eucharistic Miracles of the World” by Real Presence Eucharistic Education and Adoration Association.

However, the greatest miracle is what the Eucharist does for us. It unites us to Jesus every time we receive it, provided we are in the state of grace, and gives us the grace and energy to be authentic disciples of Jesus. What an amazing miracle!

- Father Carl

Charity and Sacrifice

Dear Parishioners,

This past weekend, as we remembered our service men and women who sacrificed their lives to preserve our freedoms, we gave thanks for their noble service. Of course the greatest sacrifice, by far, was that of our Lord on Mount Calvary which is why we don’t thank him just one Memorial Day a year, but every weekend when we celebrate the Eucharist (thanksgiving). Because of Jesus and Good Friday, we are able to have an intimate and personal relationship with God as well as a corporate or community connection to Him. Part of our thanksgiving is expressed through prayer; but charity is also important through service to the church, our neighbors, and the wider community.

Finally, in Tuesday’s reading from the Book of Sirach (Sir 35:1-12), we heard, “In generous spirit pay homage to the Lord. With each contribution show a cheerful countenance and pay your tithes in a spirit of joy. Give to the Most High as he has given to you, generously, according to your means. For the Lord is one who always repays, and he will give back to you sevenfold.”

- Father Carl

“With a humble person, whether he is laughed at or esteemed,
praised or blamed, honored or despised, whether people pay
attention to him or pass him by, it is all the same to him.”
~ Thoughts of the Cure D’Ars

Pentecost

Dear Parishioners,

Christian witness is not just a memorized speech, or a set of secret words and rituals to recite. When the Church is filled with the Spirit of God, the witness is persuasive without resorting to bullying or manipulation. It is inspired without having to be loud or coerced. When the Spirit comes upon the Church, our tongues are set on fire, released to tell the Good News in a way that actually sounds good and we are inspired to spread the Good News to the world. (Acts 2:1-11)

- Deacon Robert

“You can pray by putting yourself quite simply in touch
with God. When one finds nothing more to say to Him
but just knows He is there—that in itself is the best of prayers.”
~ Thoughts of the Cure D’Ars

Heaven on Earth

Dear Parishioners,

This weekend, as we celebrate the Ascension, our thoughts are raised to heaven (Acts 1:15-17, 20c-26, 20a). Where Jesus lives now, we hope to be. We might wonder what it will be like, but it will be beyond our wildest dreams. And if things aren’t going so well in our lives, we might hope to get there sooner rather than later. However, we don’t have to wait until death to experience heaven. Through faith, hope, and love (the three theological virtues), we are united with Jesus now, and if our hearts are open, we can find peace and joy amidst the trials of life.

Let us seek a closer relationship with Jesus through prayer, the sacraments, and charitable works. Jesus will not be outdone in generosity.

- Fr. Carl

“When we are before the Blessed Sacrament,
let us open our heart; our good God will open His.
We shall go to Him; He will come to us;
the one to ask, the other to receive.
It will be like a breath from one to the other.”
~ Thoughts of the Cure D’Ars

Window of Wonder and Humility

Dear Parishioners,

Peter opens the window of wonder and humility and reminds us that connecting with friends, neighbors, co-workers and even strangers in caring, compassionate ways begins when we admit we do not have all the answers (Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48).

Why is it that we who guard the faith, hold in our hands the Holy Scriptures and genuinely love the Lord have such a problem with wonder? “While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word. The Jewish believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles.”

Our own story can open a window of wonder for us to stare through for a long, long time. What we may see if we look through wonder’s window, is God working in so many way in our lives and in the world surpasses even our own understanding.

So be a faithful loving Christian presence to all with whom you live, work, play and serve. Wear the Christian faith with a humility that knows God is always at work and loves all persons everywhere.

- Deacon Robert

“Although Mary knew that God had raised her to the
most supreme of all honors—that of being the
Mother of God—nevertheless she regarded herself
as the least of all creatures.”
~ Notre-Dame d’Ars

Sour Grapes

Dear Parishioners,

In the past year, I have taken to eating fruit at least three times a day. I feel healthier and have even lost a little weight. One of my favorites is grapes. Every day at lunch, I will eat a dozen or two. But I always pull the clusters from out of the bag to see if any have fallen off, and eat them first. I do that because they are more likely to spoil than those attached to the stalk or little branch. Those grapes still clinging to the vine are healthy and juicy. In today’s gospel (John 15:1-8), Jesus says, “I am the true vine.” He means that as long as we are connected to Him, we will be healthy and fully alive. Other attractions in life may seem tempting and desirable, but they don’t deliver what Jesus promises—life to the full.

May you find peace, joy, and happiness in your connection to the Lord.

- Father Carl

“I often think that when we come to adore our Lord in the
Blessed Sacrament, we should obtain everything we
want, if we would ask for it with a very lively faith
and a very pure heart.”
~ Thoughts of the Cure D’Ars