A Note from our Pastor 9-24-23

A NOTE FROM THE PASTOR

DEAR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST,

Over the past several weeks we have been exposed to several of the more challenging teachings of Jesus on the responsibilities of discipleship based on the love of God the Father.

You might recall that last weekend’s Gospel gave us the passage on how many times are we required to forgive another person. Recall that Peter asks Jesus, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive? As many as seven times?” Jesus’ response must have startled Peter when he said, “I say to you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”

To illustrate this point Jesus tells them a parable about a king wanting to settle accounts with his servants. One of his debtors owes the king an incredible amount of money, which there is no way that this servant could ever repay. When the master orders that this man be sold, along with his wife, his children and property to repay what he owed, the debtor begs the master to give him time and he will pay him back. Realizing that this was impossible because the man owed him a huge amount of money, the master forgives the man his debt and lets him go free.

The parable continues with a fellow servant owing the man, whose debt was forgiven by his master, a much smaller amount of money asking for patience from his fellow servant. He refuses and has the man thrown in prison until he can pay back the loan.

Fellow servants see how this servant has been treated and go to the master to let him know. The master goes to the servant, to whom he forgave the huge amount, asking him shouldn’t he have treated his fellow servant with the same mercy and kindness that was extended to him. In anger, the master has the man placed in prison until he repays his debt, which in this instance would never happen as the debt was huge.

While you and I might focus our attention on the servants, I think that Jesus is trying to focus our attention on the merciful king. Ultimately, Jesus is teaching us, that his Father is full of mercy and that we as his disciples are to do the same. Why? Through his teaching and preaching Jesus is inaugurating the establishment of his Kingdom. As his disciples we are called to continue Jesus’ work by building the Kingdom of God here, right now. The fulfillment of that Kingdom will come at the return of Jesus.

This week’s Gospel passage focuses our attention upon the vineyard workers, some of whom worked in the vineyard all day for the agreeable day’s wages, while others worked only a portion of the day and were given the same wage. Many of us can probably relate to their frustration and anger when those who worked for only one hour in the coolness at the end of the day were given the same wage as those who worked a full twelve hours in the heat of the sun.

While you and I were probably focused on the treatment of the vineyard workers, Jesus tries to focus the audience’s attention on the vineyard owner, who represents God, the Father. Yes, the fact that all of the workers were given the same pay seems unfair and unjust. However, the lesson that Jesus is teaching is not to focus on the workers but, once again, the overwhelming generosity of God. We are to mirror God in our behavior towards each other and not by human standards.

I’m reminded of the words of the Lord’s Prayer, which speak to this end. “. . .thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. . ..” We tend to be too focused on heaven when our call as Jesus’ disciples is to continue his work of building the Kingdom of God through living our calling as Jesus’ disciples.

This is a great challenge but one that you and I must take seriously. We do this fortified by the Word of God, the teachings of the Church and through the power of the Holy Spirit, who has bestowed on us the spiritual gifts, natural skills and talents needed to do so.

Is this how you understand who you are as a baptized member of the Church and a present-day disciple of Jesus? Please bring this to prayer, reflecting on the great calling that you and I have been given. The spreading of the Gospel and the building of God’s Kingdom right here and right now depends on the response of you and me.

 

A Note from the Pastor 11-20-21

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

This weekend we celebrate the great Feast of Christmas followed by the Feast of the Holy Family. What joy we feel as we now enter the Christmas Season which continues until January 9, 2022, when we will celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord!

With this Feast we are reminded of God’s great love for all of us as He brings to fulfillment the promise that He made to our ancestors in telling them that he would send them a “savior.” In the fullness of time, Jesus was born of Mary in the town of Bethlehem to fulfill what the prophet had foretold, “And you Bethlehem are by no means least among the tribes of Israel for from you shall come a savior.”

Let’s ponder this inspirational poem on the ultimate meaning of Christmas by Howard

Thurman who wrote:

“When the song of the angels is silent, When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and the princes are home, When the shepherds are again tending their sheep, When the manger is darkened and still. . .
The work of Christmas begins:
To find the lost,
To heal the broken,
To feed the hungry,
To rebuild nations,
To bring peace among people,
To befriend the lonely,
To release the prisoner,
To make music in the heart. . ..”

Howard Thurman points to the great challenge of Christmas; that is, to let the meaning of the birth of Jesus Christ become real in and through each one of us. After all, isn’t that what it means to be Jesus’ disciples in the world today? The best way we can live out our baptismal call is to become more like Jesus and to bring him to others. May our celebration of his birth this year stir us to this deeper commitment! Let the work of Christmas begin!

As we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family, we are also reminded that we make the Holy Family present in the love, compassion and support we give to each other. I remember a lesson that I was taught as a young student many years ago. What makes the Holy Family holy is the presence of Jesus in it. That is true to this very day! Merry Christmas, everyone! Let us celebrate the presence of Jesus among us, in our church and in our families.

KIDZ FOR CHRIST FOOD DRIVE! Their Motto: Putting Concern into Action.
On Saturday, May 23rd, the Kidz For Christ held a Food Drive to assist our neighbors in need. I am so proud of them for this wonderful event. Special thanks to all the Kidz for Christ, especially, Bridget Thearle, Kayla and Liam Klocker, Gabi Heigel and Emma and Leah Rochanakit.

My thanks to Lisa Savallo and Christine Thearle for organizing the drive and to Michael Savallo, Mary Klocker, Suzanne Heigel and Jeff Krogman for assisting the Kidz with the Food Drive that day.

Of course, a huge THANK YOU to all of you who donated food and other household items that day. This will certainly be a great help to our neighbors in need during these challenging times.

Please watch the video.

https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=st.%20james%20parish%20-%20seaford&epa=SEARCH_BOX

Summer

I welcome our parishioners who are regularly with us and extend warm greetings to those visiting with us for the first time or here with a relative or friend.