Then Jesus summoned
his twelve disciples and gave them authority to expel unclean spirits and to cure sickness and disease of every kind. Mt: 10:1
Jesus now called the
Twelve together and gave them power and authority to overcome all demons and to
cure diseases. He sent them forth to
proclaim the reign of God and heal the afflicted. Lk 9:1-2
Though I am stretching connections, many are
answering Christ’s call!
The Pharisees and the
scribes questioned Jesus: “Why do your disciples not follow the tradition of
our ancestors, but instead take food without purifying their hands?”1 Moreover,
they (Pharisees) never eat anything without first sprinkling it.2
The St. Wenceslaus food pantry
provides food to residents who hunger.
Dinners are provided for the homeless at shelters. Meal-a-Month assists in stocking their
shelves. Helping Hands provides meals for
the family who has lost a dear one.
You pay tithes on mint
and herbs and seeds while neglecting the weightier matters of the law, justice
and mercy and good faith.3
The Stewardship team engages
community to offer their talents, time, and treasure for the betterment of all. Christ Renews His Parish offers spiritual
renewal and a deeper sense of community.
RCIA opens a new door of opportunity to others to explore spirituality
and the sacraments. Adult Faith
Formation addresses social issues to enhance awareness and to build faith in
community.
Likewise, there was a
Levite who came the same way; he saw (the man beaten by robbers) and went on.4
Peter & Paul homeless shelter
provides a bed, warmth, and meals to men without. Frozen casseroles prepared for the St.
Patrick Center, another shelter, provide a personal touch to the palate.
When the Pharisees spied
(Jesus’ disciples pulling heads of grain and eating them): “See here! Your disciples are doing what is not
permitted on the Sabbath.”5 A man with a shriveled hand happened to
be there, and they put this question to Jesus, hoping to bring an accusation
against him: “Is it lawful to work a cure on the Sabbath?”6
Law enforcement, medical staff, firefighters,
utility professionals work around the clock seven days a week to answer the
call when emergencies arise. Perpetual
Eucharistic Adoration provides unbroken support through the Blessed Sacrament
for grace, strength, courage, guidance, mercy, gratitude, blessings to build a
community of hope and faith for all people.
People were bringing
their little children to him to have him touch them, but the disciples were
scolding them for this.7
Holy Infant’s school nurtures the
minds, hearts, and souls of our youth.
PSR a vibrant program brings the life-filling gifts of the sacraments to
all children. Edge and Lifeteen offer
youth opportunities to strengthen positive networks to build faith
together. Angel Corps brings the
Eucharist to those who are sick and homebound.
A Canaanite woman
cried out to him, “Lord, Son of David, have pity on me! My daughter is terribly troubled by a
demon. He gave no word of response. His disciples came up and began to entreat
him, “Get rid of her. She keeps shouting
after us.”8
Stephen ministers receive the
hurting with love and caring support, assisting others through their confusion,
stress, loneliness and pain. No request
is too great for the Jonah Prayer team to assist.
As Jesus walked along,
he saw a man who had been blind from birth.
His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, was it his sin or that of his parents
that caused him to be born blind?”9
Educators, therapists, writers and
text translators assist those lacking sight to the world around them. Medical engineers work to resolve the
biologics of blindness. Cantors, choirs,
musicians engage the soul to dance! Researchers work on tomorrow’s vaccines to
protect loved ones from debilitating sickness.
Geneticists tap into code to unlock the torture of ALS, cystic fibrosis,
MS …. The Prayer Shawl ministry crochets
or knits wraps/blankets blessed for comfort, healing, and peace.
The Pharisees, scribes, disciples, and others including
myself, want to possess, own God. Occasionally,
we think we’ve cornered Him/Her for own benefit, supremacy, and influence. God’s restricted on our side. I catch myself
upon reflection thinking; I know better
than God. And when I do, I limit
God’s mercy, love and grace in my life and in the lives of others.
Jesus and
those he sent opposed their fabrications and posturing with decisive love,
mercy, and grace for the outcasts, the sick, the blind, the addicted. Jesus crossed many borders, many social and
economic boundaries. He struck the
complacent!
Am I with
him? Am I complacent? Do I care?
Am I willing to offer my talents and act in love, mercy, and grace?
Christ expands far beyond the space we allow! We are sons and daughters!
His eyes are mine and those of my neighbor
Her hands are mine and those of my neighbor
His compassion is mine and that of my neighbor
Her intelligence is mine and that of my neighbor
He is my neighbor and I am Hers.
My soul sings in gratitude; God is vast, expansive more than
I have imagined!
1. Mk 7:5
2. Mk 7:4
3. Mt 23:23
4. Lk 10:32
5. Mt 12:2
6. Mt 12:10
7. Mk 10:11
8. Mt 15:22-23
9. Jn 9:1-2
No comments:
Post a Comment