A navy pilot on leave was talking to his parents about the helicopter he flew. He said, “You know Dad, as complicated as that helicopter is, its whirling rotor is held in place by a single hexagonal nut.” Then turning to his mother, he added, “And Mom, you know what they call that nut?”
She had no idea and said, “I give up. What do they call the nut that holds it all together?” Her son smiled and replied, “They call it the Jesus nut.” An interesting and sensible name, if you ask me. Just as that nut holds the helicopter together, Jesus by his death and resurrection holds us together. That is the underlying message I find throughout these readings. Jesus is the one who holds everything together. He is compared to the cornerstone of a building and in today’s gospel; we hear the familiar image of the good shepherd who keeps his flock together.
We could easily limit our attention to that image and forget the rest of the story. A Jesus nut may keep a helicopter together but it doesn’t get the helicopter off the ground. Every component in the helicopter from the rotors to the motor plays a role in getting the helicopter airborne. A cornerstone keeps a building from collapsing but it doesn’t make up the entire building. Every beam matters in the construction of any building. Likewise, you and I are crucial to the vitality of the Catholic Church in Western Washington.
One might wonder why Jesus would choose such a lowly job for a self-image, calling himself the “good shepherd,” especially when we think of sheep as being dumb animals. Comparing us to sheep doesn’t seem so flattering but then this vulnerable animal develops a fierce loyalty and this is the quality Jesus is looking for in his disciples. Jesus expects us to be as loyal to him as a sheep would be to its shepherd. Also, good shepherds would die while protecting their sheep.
As a parish community, we demonstrate our loyalty through action in any number of ways; feeding the hungry, visiting the sick, caring about the homeless, welcoming newcomers, and comforting the grieving. And what we cannot do individually or as a parish is done by the services and ministries of the Archdiocese.
The Annual Catholic Appeal supports 63 ministries in Western Washington from Blaine to Camas and from Westport to Concrete. I invite you during this Easter season to show your loyalty and love in deed and in truth just as Jesus showed his love for us on the cross. Participating in the Annual Catholic Appeal is one deed we can all do.
I presume you received this brochure from Archbishop Brunett, which outlines a few of the many programs supported by the Annual Catholic Appeal. As you may have heard already, the goal this year is to raise $ 1 million. Our parish goal is $ 29,313. Last year 46% of our families participated with an average pledge of $275, enabling us to surpass our goal by more than $21,000. The money we received back is now being spent on renovating the church with a new roof and new carpeting.
I join Archbishop Brunett in asking you to prayerfully consider how you can support the larger church this year. I hope you can respond with the same generosity that was demonstrated last year. I know this parish will generously exceed its goal; what you might not realize is how crucial the rebate we get back will be for our parish in the coming year. That money has been earmarked for putting new siding on the church and for a new sound system.
Everyone’s participation is valued. If you haven’t given in the past to the Annual Catholic Appeal, I am asking you as a member of this parish to join others who have participated by making some pledge as a sign that you do see yourself as a vital member of the Catholic Church. A gift of any size will be valued by those whom the Appeal benefits.
In this land of ours, where we take religious freedom for granted, I doubt that we will ever be called to lay down our lives as the good shepherd did for us, but we can honestly consider our willingness to sacrifice something in order to help the larger church reach out in its much needed ministries from educating tomorrow’s priests to visiting the imprisoned, from supporting our retired nuns and priests to visiting the sick in our hospitals, from supporting our youth camps to training tomorrow’s deacons.
Last weekend a few families made their pledges. I hope the rest of you are ready to make your commitment today by filling out a pledge envelope, even if you are visiting from another parish. I will give you a few moments to fill out an envelope. You need not put any money in it at this time. There are four ways you can make a pledge as noted on the envelope; cash or check, electronic funds transfer, ask for a monthly statement from the diocese, or use a credit card. When you are done, please place your pledge envelope in the collection basket when it comes to you.
On behalf of the Archbishop and the many people who are served by the Church of Western Washington, thank you for all you do and share as loyal disciples of Jesus Christ. May God bless you abundantly and may we continue to follow the good shepherd all the days of our lives.