Marin Luther King Jr. said: “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is this: What are you doing for others.” Today’s readings all seem to be centered on actions, about the choices we make, about which path we decide to follow. Do we follow the path Jesus set for us or do we veer to the path unknown? Or the path of least resistance?
I love the opening line in the first reading: “The Lord’s way is not fair.” Well, is that true or is it our ways, our wills that are not fair as scripture asks us? Often, in my much younger days, one of my 9 siblings and I would wonder about how much easier our lives would be if our parents had not raised us to be kind to others, to be fair. My sister and I were very close and both of us were searching for answers in our faith.
Anyway, we also wondered about the need to do something when confronted with situations that were unfairly hurting others. Why couldn’t we be like our piers, like so many others, skating away from unfair circumstances or not being able to see the unfairness in the first place. Our lives would be much easier if we didn’t see.
After all that- I remembered a saying that I finally realized affected me and my sister’s thinking. “Christ came to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.” He came to awaken us from our hardened hearts.
You know, Stewardship is just around the corner. The giving of Time, Talent, Treasure. Now I know some cringe at the sound of the word Stewardship. They see the dollar sign. Well it is important for the life and welfare of our parish. But that is only 1/3 of the story. We all give what we can and if it comes from the heart, it is a great gift given.
There are two more areas of Stewardship that hold great importance, time and talent. We know that wealth is not only material wealth. How many times have we seen volunteers come together to accomplish a goal? Look at what we do in this parish.
Take a look at all those who give of their time to help refugees fleeing from tyranny or those affected worldwide by natural disisasters. Everywhere you look can be seen good people doing good things. How were they moved to help. It makes you wonder. The power of the Holy Spirit?
Was it Christ who afflicted the other brother in the gospel today so that in the end he went out and did what his father requested? There is another concept that tugged at me about today’s readings and that is His glory. I have a friend who has a rather strange personality. However, My friend spends most of his time quietly doing things for others. He brings out the glory of God within him. His family members, friends and community are significantly better off because of his kind thoughtful actions.
There are times when I feel like the first son with a twist. “Sure I will do that” I say. Then After thinking about it I don’t want to it but I do because I gave my word. There are other times when I feel like the other son. “No, I don’t want to do that” I say. Of course, after thinking about it I feel guilty and go ahead and do it.
I need to reflect on what God is calling me to do or not to do. All of us are called to conversion of the heart. This is what Jesus wanted for us. We need the Lord to touch our hearts with his love and compassion.
People are essentially good. God created us and said we are good. But this goodness has to be awakened and called forth. Our conversion of heart is a conversion of action, action to live our faith as Jesus showed us. How? By loving God, loving ourselves and loving and helping our neighbor.
Time, Talent, Treasure. When it comes time, when we are called to action, let that conversion of heart, which is the Holy Spirit in us, guide us to answer the call to give of our talent, time and treasure. That is all it takes. What a great God we have. What a great faith we believe in, right?
You see, he calls us, gives us what we need, especially the Eucharist, to answer that call, and we answer it. What a great and wondrous God!!
Each of us are called to a different path so that God’s glory can be revealed here on earth. I feel that by opening our hearts and our eyes each of us are able to let the unique glory of God that is within us shine forth. Just imagine it!!! Just imagine how this world would be!
So don’t be shy. Too many people today need to see some of God’s glory and to feel God’s goodness so they can have the hope and the strength to carry on. Time, Talent, Treasure. It is our time. It is time to roll up our sleeves and get to work bringing God’s glory to all. He calls us into action. Let us get to it.
We, as a people of faith, are people of action. We are the body of Christ and to keep this body strong and thriving with Christ’s love, the Holy Spirit calls us into action. There are many ways to serve this body to give it strength and to help it grow. We call these ways Ministries.
There are those who have heard the call, and the parish, as a whole, join with Fr. Rick, the staff, and myself in thanking you for answering your call to ministry. As I call out the different ministries, I would ask all involved in that ministry to stand and remain standing. These ministries are:
1. In Liturgy we have: Sacristan, Art & Environment. Altar servers, Lectors, Extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, greeters
2. In administration we have: Collection counters, office volunteer.
3. In Councils, Commissions and committees we have:
Evangelization committee, Faith Formation Commission,
Finance Council, Liturgy Commission, Mental Health Support, Outreach
Committee, Pastoral Council, Peace and Social Justice Committee,
Stewardship Commission, and Communications.
4. The ones who keep our outside environment beautiful and inviting are: Facilities and Landscape Committee.
5. Other parish ministries that help keep our parish a vibrant one are: Coffee hour Hospitality and Fellowship volunteers, Funeral and reception Ministry, The Green Team, The great Knights of Columbus, Long Range Planning, and one that is central to my ministry: Ministry to the sick, the homebound, the hospitalized and the dying under Pastoral Care ministry.
And one of the parish organizations that is so viable to the life of this parish is: WOSH The Women of St. Hubert.
And finally: The ministry of prayer. All those who have come here to pray, please stand.
Please look around. This is a testament to your faith. This is a testament to our Church. This is a testament to our Parish of St. Hubert. You may now take your seats and thank you all.
Next weekend is our ministry fair. During this week, listen closely. Listen to Him. Listen and have that conversion of heart and feel from the heart the call to serve. After all masses next weekend, please stop by the ministry tables in Reed Hall to see where God is calling you and sign up. We need all of you. This is our parish. Let us love it, support it, and let us as people of faith keep it strong. Thank you.-