Father Madden's Sunday Reflection
25th Sunday in Ordinary Time
St. John's Church
September 18, 2022
What's in this email?
- Fr. Madden's Sunday Reflection
- Video Mass
- Sunday Mass Readings
- Prayer: Parish Needs & Intentions / Additional Prayers
- Schola Cantorum
- Parish Resources
- Online Giving
Fr. Madden's
Sunday Reflection
Dear friends in the Lord,
The following is a quote from Helen Keller that I have referenced before and am sure I will reference again:
Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it.
The first part of her thought comes to my mind regularly. More often than not, when I think of the nation and people of Haiti. It is not an overstatement that this country with its long, painful history of suffering is experiencing their worst time ever. So many of us at St. John’s have a personal connection to Haiti. As a parish community we are connected, as well. Indeed, of course, our beloved Fr. Brice calls it home. Therefore, we are deeply invested in seeing that the second part of Keller’s statement become more true than ever. This week I have an increased belief that this will happen.
On Wednesday, there was a meeting of the Board of the Be Like Brit Foundation which, as you know, supports Brit’s Home, an orphanage in Grand Goave, Haiti and was home to 66 children. I employ the past tense for a fabulous reason – the home and family is expanding. Some of the 66 are no longer children and have moved into transitional housing. Therefore, Brit’s Home is now welcoming their “second generation of Haiti’s future leaders.” They have five new girls now and five new boys will be arriving soon. It is thrilling news. You recall, I am sure, that the orphanage is the fulfillment of Britney Gengel’s last wish before she perished in the earthquake of January 12, 2010. The book which tells the story is titled, Heartbreak and Hope in Haiti. The story continues. Thank God.
After the meeting, I googled Keller’s quote. The above is just the first sentence. She goes on to say:
My optimism, then, does not rest on the absence of evil, but on a glad belief in the preponderance of good and a willing effort always to cooperate with the good, that it may prevail.
For us, of course, the “glad belief” is the fruit of the Holy Spirit. From the beginning the disciples witnessed to the power of this gift. Even though they faced persecution and death, they remained full of hope in God’s promise of new life. They had every reason to be angry, bitter or depressed, but they were filled with joy.
The parable in today’s Gospel passage is perplexing. It appears that Jesus is applauding the unjust behavior of the rich man’s steward. I doubt it. Rather, he is calling his followers to be as laser focused on our mission as the steward was on his. So that, like the disciples who preceded us, our faith will issue forth in the action which will allow the good to prevail.
In Christ’s Peace,
Fr John Madden
1st Reading: Amos 8
Hear this, you who trample upon the needy
and destroy the poor of the land!
"When will the new moon be over," you ask,
"that we may sell our grain,
and the sabbath, that we may display the wheat?
We will diminish the ephah,
add to the shekel,
and fix our scales for cheating!
We will buy the lowly for silver,
and the poor for a pair of sandals;
even the refuse of the wheat we will sell!"
The LORD has sworn by the pride of Jacob:
Never will I forget a thing they have done!
and destroy the poor of the land!
"When will the new moon be over," you ask,
"that we may sell our grain,
and the sabbath, that we may display the wheat?
We will diminish the ephah,
add to the shekel,
and fix our scales for cheating!
We will buy the lowly for silver,
and the poor for a pair of sandals;
even the refuse of the wheat we will sell!"
The LORD has sworn by the pride of Jacob:
Never will I forget a thing they have done!
Responsorial: Psalm 113
R. Praise the Lord who lifts up the poor.
Praise, you servants of the LORD,
praise the name of the LORD.
Blessed be the name of the LORD
both now and forever.
R. Praise the Lord who lifts up the poor.
High above all nations is the LORD;
above the heavens is his glory.
Who is like the LORD, our God, who is enthroned on high
and looks upon the heavens and the earth below?
R. Praise the Lord who lifts up the poor.
He raises up the lowly from the dust;
from the dunghill he lifts up the poor
to seat them with princes,
with the princes of his own people.
R. Praise the Lord who lifts up the poor.
Praise, you servants of the LORD,
praise the name of the LORD.
Blessed be the name of the LORD
both now and forever.
R. Praise the Lord who lifts up the poor.
High above all nations is the LORD;
above the heavens is his glory.
Who is like the LORD, our God, who is enthroned on high
and looks upon the heavens and the earth below?
R. Praise the Lord who lifts up the poor.
He raises up the lowly from the dust;
from the dunghill he lifts up the poor
to seat them with princes,
with the princes of his own people.
R. Praise the Lord who lifts up the poor.
2nd Reading: I Timothy 2
Beloved:
First of all, I ask that supplications, prayers,
petitions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyone,
for kings and for all in authority,
that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life
in all devotion and dignity.
This is good and pleasing to God our savior,
who wills everyone to be saved
and to come to knowledge of the truth.
For there is one God.
There is also one mediator between God and men,
the man Christ Jesus,
who gave himself as ransom for all.
This was the testimony at the proper time.
For this I was appointed preacher and apostle
— I am speaking the truth, I am not lying —,
teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
It is my wish, then, that in every place the men should pray,
lifting up holy hands, without anger or argument.
First of all, I ask that supplications, prayers,
petitions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyone,
for kings and for all in authority,
that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life
in all devotion and dignity.
This is good and pleasing to God our savior,
who wills everyone to be saved
and to come to knowledge of the truth.
For there is one God.
There is also one mediator between God and men,
the man Christ Jesus,
who gave himself as ransom for all.
This was the testimony at the proper time.
For this I was appointed preacher and apostle
— I am speaking the truth, I am not lying —,
teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
It is my wish, then, that in every place the men should pray,
lifting up holy hands, without anger or argument.
Alleluia
Though our Lord Jesus Christ was rich, he became poor,
so that by his poverty you might become rich.
Gospel: Luke 16
Though our Lord Jesus Christ was rich, he became poor,
so that by his poverty you might become rich.
Gospel: Luke 16
Jesus said to his disciples,
"A rich man had a steward
who was reported to him for squandering his property.
He summoned him and said,
'What is this I hear about you?
Prepare a full account of your stewardship,
because you can no longer be my steward.'
The steward said to himself, 'What shall I do,
now that my master is taking the position of steward away from me?
I am not strong enough to dig and I am ashamed to beg.
I know what I shall do so that,
when I am removed from the stewardship,
they may welcome me into their homes.'
He called in his master's debtors one by one.
To the first he said,
'How much do you owe my master?'
He replied, 'One hundred measures of olive oil.'
He said to him, 'Here is your promissory note.
Sit down and quickly write one for fifty.'
Then to another the steward said, 'And you, how much do you owe?'
He replied, 'One hundred kors of wheat.'
The steward said to him, 'Here is your promissory note;
write one for eighty.'
And the master commended that dishonest steward for acting prudently.
"For the children of this world
are more prudent in dealing with their own generation
than are the children of light.
I tell you, make friends for yourselves with dishonest wealth,
so that when it fails, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.
The person who is trustworthy in very small matters
is also trustworthy in great ones;
and the person who is dishonest in very small matters
is also dishonest in great ones.
If, therefore, you are not trustworthy with dishonest wealth,
who will trust you with true wealth?
If you are not trustworthy with what belongs to another,
who will give you what is yours?
No servant can serve two masters.
He will either hate one and love the other,
or be devoted to one and despise the other.
You cannot serve both God and mammon."
"A rich man had a steward
who was reported to him for squandering his property.
He summoned him and said,
'What is this I hear about you?
Prepare a full account of your stewardship,
because you can no longer be my steward.'
The steward said to himself, 'What shall I do,
now that my master is taking the position of steward away from me?
I am not strong enough to dig and I am ashamed to beg.
I know what I shall do so that,
when I am removed from the stewardship,
they may welcome me into their homes.'
He called in his master's debtors one by one.
To the first he said,
'How much do you owe my master?'
He replied, 'One hundred measures of olive oil.'
He said to him, 'Here is your promissory note.
Sit down and quickly write one for fifty.'
Then to another the steward said, 'And you, how much do you owe?'
He replied, 'One hundred kors of wheat.'
The steward said to him, 'Here is your promissory note;
write one for eighty.'
And the master commended that dishonest steward for acting prudently.
"For the children of this world
are more prudent in dealing with their own generation
than are the children of light.
I tell you, make friends for yourselves with dishonest wealth,
so that when it fails, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.
The person who is trustworthy in very small matters
is also trustworthy in great ones;
and the person who is dishonest in very small matters
is also dishonest in great ones.
If, therefore, you are not trustworthy with dishonest wealth,
who will trust you with true wealth?
If you are not trustworthy with what belongs to another,
who will give you what is yours?
No servant can serve two masters.
He will either hate one and love the other,
or be devoted to one and despise the other.
You cannot serve both God and mammon."
Prayer
St. John's Parish:
Prayer Needs & Intentions
Please remember the following needs and intentions in your prayers:
- For my family, especially my father and granddaughter that each is filled with grace.(Bronwyn T)
- For Joanne.. just had neck surgery.. thanks (Jacqueline T)
- Healing for Tristan and help with his school year, the mental health of my family (Kassandra R)
- For a special intention (George V)
- Please pray for Jessica Jane. (Sophie K)
- Prayers 🙏 for Tommy Long who was denied a liver ablation for a liver mass and who has been referred to an Oncologist Doctor for chemotherapy or immunotherapy. Prayers 🙏 please for guidance, safety, and a full health recovery for Tommy. Thank You! (TRICIA K)
- Please pray for my family's good health, thank you (Anne L)
- Please pray for the health and intentions of Jeff Parson, and my personal intentions. (Steve S)
- For Ray, Roger, and Michael (Elsie U)
- Please pray for all at St Francis rehabilitation and nursing 🙏❤️🙏 (Larry T)
- For the repose of the soul of Sr. Pilar Lasquite, ICM. (Pamela J)
- Health and intentions of Joan, Joe, Cynthia, Amy, Jay, Tom, Corey. For the Cursillo candidates and team. (Dianne G)
- For Paul being worked up for potentially serious medical problems and Harvey that he have a full recovery without complications after a serious fall. (Sandra K)
- For the healing of James Savanelli and Frederic Pandi, let you pray to the Lord... (shonee a)
- For my family, A Special Intention,Thank you (Katie D)
- Please pray for healing health for my sister and a special intentions. Thank you (Kathleen L)
- In memory of Raymond J and Katherine V Melican (Bernie M)
- Praying for the repose of the soul of Maryellen Blaney. May her soul Rest in Peace. (Donna W)
- Please pray for our children, Anthony and Isabella that remain safe and healthy and that they make sound and good decisions. Please pray for Tom V. And his special intentions. Thank you! (Zandra V)
- Please pray for my parents, my family and all those in need; God, please, continue to Bless, guide and protect us! (James K)
To share a prayer request or intention in the Sunday Reflection, please click the REPLY button at the bottom of the Saturday morning Prayer Intentions email and post it in the comments.
Additional Prayers:
Spiritual Communion - Pandemic Prayer - Prayer to St. Michael
Act of Spiritual Communion
by St. Alphonsus de Liguori
My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You.
Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.
Prayer in Time of Pandemic (Updated)
from Bishop McManus
O God, whose Only Begotten Son bore the weight of human suffering for our salvation, hear the prayers of your Church for our sick brothers and sisters and deliver us from this time of trial.
Open our ears and our hearts to the voice of your Son:
"Be not afraid, for I am with you always."
Bless all doctors and nurses, researchers and public servants; give us the wisdom to do what is right and the faith to endure this hour,
that, trusting in your loving protection
we might see the end of this pandemic
and rejoice in your mercy.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel
by Pope Leo XIII
St. Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
defend us in battle.
Be our defense against
the wickedness and snares of the Devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,
and do thou,
and do thou,
O Prince of the heavenly hosts,
by the power of God,
by the power of God,
thrust into hell Satan,
and all the evil spirits,
who prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls.
and all the evil spirits,
who prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.
PRAYER PLEDGE
Join the team of St. John's parishioners pledging to pray daily
for the religious education and spiritual formation of our young people
In this challenging time our commitment to praying for our youth is more necessary than ever. Without prayer we cannot hope to transmit the riches of our Catholic faith to the next generation; join us as we lift our voices to God and ask for His blessing upon our efforts to teach our young people to become disciples of Christ.
We welcome you to pray a daily prayer of your own choosing, or to use the "Prayer for St. John's Religious Education" below. 👇
Prayer for St. John's Religious Education
Most gracious Lord, we ask your blessing upon the Religious Education program of our beloved parish of St. John’s. Please allow Your love and grace to flow freely and permeate the hearts and souls of our students and their families. Holy Spirit allow your gifts of Wisdom, Knowledge, and Piety to flourish in our Catechists as they pass on the teachings of Your Church to our students. Bless our volunteers for their generosity and loyalty which keeps our program operating properly. St. Joseph, intercede for our parents in this time so that they will recognize and accept their role as leaders of the Domestic Church.
We praise and honor you our Triune God, Father, Son and Spirit. Amen
St. Charles Borromeo, patron of catechists, pray for us.
St. Gemma Galgani, patron of students, pray for us.
Schola Cantorum
Introit
Da pacem Domine
Communio
Qui vult venire post me
Parish Resources
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