Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Optional Memorial of Saint Fidelis of Sigmaringen, Priest and Martyr
We are a joyful community of disciples proclaiming the Good News and inviting all people to encounter the love and mercy of Jesus Christ.
"Jesus cried out and said, 'Whoever believes in me believes not only in me but also in the one who sent me, and whoever sees me sees the one who sent me.'"
(John 12:44-45)
Jesus Was Fatherly
Perhaps you’ll be as take aback by this line as I was. I was reading in my room several years ago and came across this simple quote: “Jesus was fatherly.”
Time again Jesus speaks to us of revealing the Father, of His oneness with the Father. Yet it had not yet occurred to me that Jesus revealed the Father not just in His words but in His actions, in His manner of being with His disciples, in His zeal, in His mercy.
Take time today to re-read your favorite “Jesus-story” from the Gospels and ask for the grace to recognize the Father at work in the Son.
Then, ask for the grace to know the Father and relate to the Father as Jesus did.
Where have I seen the Father in the life of Christ or in my life?
Jesus, allow me to recognize the Father and depend on Him as you do. Amen.
Reflection by:
Fr. Chuck Dornquast is a son of St. Joseph Parish in Zephyrhills. After graduating from Zephyrhills High School he entered seminary where he would spend the next 9 years. While in seminary he spent time at many of our diocesan parishes and discovered more and more the heart of Christ the High Priest within him. After ordination he spent his first 4 years of priesthood as the associate pastor of St. Lawrence in Tampa. He currently serves the Diocese of St. Petersburg as the Director of Vocations.