Note:
Please note our Sunday morning Masses Times are now 8:30 and 10:15 am. Bring your lawn chairs or blanket to sit on.
Dear Parishioners,
Last week in the Gospel, Jesus sent his disciples out into the community two by two. He sent them out as prophets, encouraging them to speak with his voice.
In the homily we were reminded that we are called through our Baptism to be prophets, people who speak God’s word. Just think about a world where all Christians spoke with the voice of Christ. A voice that is clear, gentle, kind, and challenging yet understanding and forgiving.
All of our readings today challenge us to evaluate our values and priorities? How do we as Catholics reflect Jesus Christ in who we are, what we do and what we say.
in the 1st reading God warns the unfaithful shepherds and God promises that he will shepherd his people. Then the Prophet prophesies about Jesus coming into the world as the shepherd king who will lead his people.
Our second reading reminds us that God is really listening to us. It reminds us that God always works for our good. God always seeks us out when we go astray for he is the good shepherd.
In our Gospel Jesus welcomes his Disciples who have been busy doing the work of the Lord. He invites them to go away with him to a quiet place where they can reflect on and share their experiences from their journey. When they arrive, there are many people and Jesus has compassion on them because he is the Good Shepherd who cares for his sheep.
We are in mid-summer and hopefully many of you are taking time to care for yourselves, to rest and relax. It is important for us to find peace and quiet in our lives. Many in our world today are uncomfortable with quiet, we can become awkward in moments of silence and contemplation. Like today’s Gospel, I hope you are setting some time aside to pray and reflect, even though there may be new need that present themselves.
I am sure you have many things to pray for but I would ask you to pray for our community. Ask God to help us individually and as whole community to speak as the disciples did, with the Voice of Christ, to reflect Jesus Christ to those around us. Ask that we as a parish receive the grace and strength to reflect the Mercy of Jesus Christ to everyone we meet.
Jesus, I Trust in You
Let us continue to pray for each other and with each other as we share the message of God's Mercy
May God bless you and your families,
Fr. Gerard Monaghan