What message does the Lord offer our hearts through this Sunday’s Gospel? If we reflect on it and listen, the Holy Spirit will remind us that God desires our hearts to be centered on pleasing him, the Cornerstone of our faith. By “Loving God with all ourhearts, minds and souls and loving our neighbor as ourselves” we fulfill the greatest commandment. And, only by the grace of God can we draw closer to this goal.
I offer a few practices that will draw all of us closer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus:
· Daily prayer · Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament · Frequent reception of the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist · Loving service to others · Surrender to God’s will always.
Further reflection will fill our hearts with gratitude. Our loving and infinitely patient God never gives up on us! In spite of our sins, grave or venial, when we are sincerely repentant and beg God’s mercy, our sins are forgiven through the Sacrament of Reconciliation and God’s life is restored to our souls.
Recently beatified Blessed Fulton Sheen is a shining example of how we can grow in God’s grace and center our lives on him. Everyday of his priesthood he spent an hour in silent prayer with the Lord. He explained that it is a way “to grow more and more into his likeness.” This deep, personal encounter with Christ, is absolutely necessary to hold us in love with him.
Life is busy and parents, in particular, shoulder many responsibilities so if extended time in church is not possible, begin with even just ten minutes every day in a quiet place in your home. Pray to the Holy Spirit, reflect on a Scripture passage and listen to God’s voice speaking to you. Perseverance in this practice will yield great spiritual fruit in your life and in that of your family.
Let us praise and thank God for his boundless love, patience and perseverance in drawing us to his Sacred Heart. St. Augustine’s timeless reminder pushes us forward because, “You have made us for yourself, O Lord and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.”
This past Thursday, September 24th Bishop Fulton J. Sheen was proclaimed a “Blessed” in the Roman Catholic Church. This is the last step before being officially canonized as a Saint. One of the main requirements in the process is to have a miracle attributed to one’s intercession. The following is the story of Venerable Fulton J. Sheen’s miracle on behalf of James Engstrom:
For 61 minutes after his birth, baby James Fulton Engstrom’s heart didn’t beat. Delivered at home on Sept. 16, 2010, Bonnie and Travis Engstrom’s son entered the world with a knot in his umbilical cord and no pulse. He was rushed to the hospital, where medical professionals worked on his tiny body for roughly 20 minutes, then ceased resuscitation efforts. “It was like ‘all hands off’ so that they could call time of death,” Bonnie Engstrom recalled. “And it was at that moment, when everyone stopped working, that instead of calling time of death, his heart started to beat.”
The Engstroms had already chosen Fulton as their son’s middle name in honor of the 20th-century author, media evangelist and archbishop, Venerable Fulton J. Sheen. During her pregnancy and after James was born, Bonnie prayed for Sheen’s intercession. Looking back now, the family can’t forget the weight of that moment — their newborn was lifeless for 61 minutes, one minute longer than Sheen’s beloved daily Holy Hour before the Blessed Sacrament.
By any measure, James shouldn’t have survived, much less grown up without lasting brain damage. When a follow-up MRI at 3 months old indicated a healthy brain, Bonnie picked up the phone at the urging of her mother, Alberta Fandel, and called the Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Foundation in Peoria, Illinois, to report what had happened to their son.
Within a year, the Diocese of Peoria had convened a tribunal to investigate the possible miracle, gathering medical records and testimony from everyone involved. Nearly a decade later, in 2019, Pope Francis formally approved James’ healing as a miracle attributed to Sheen’s intercession, clearing the way for his beatification. The long-awaited beatification Mass took place Sept. 24 at The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis, where tens of thousands gathered to celebrate the man the Engstroms now describe as a “close family friend” in heaven. Now James is a 16-year old high school sophomore, navigating a typical teen life much like his peers – school, friends, yard work and odd jobs all of which keeps him thankful and busy.
The parable of the Workers in the Vineyard is familiar to many people because it is a prime example of Jesus presenting a seemingly absurd proposition before his audience. That is of course the purpose of parables. But this one is more often than not difficult to accept. The challenge it presents is easy to put into words: it just seems unfair. Regardless of how you look at it, paying workers who did just 1 hour of labor the same wage as those who worked for 12 hours seems very unfair.
We know that the parable is not about employment and fair wages, but somehow it is difficult for us to not get lost in those details. That is a reflection of our own desire for justice – and perhaps even a reflection of our own concern for receiving fair wages for work we do. The subject matter of this parable hits a little too close for us, and we get lost in the detail.
The mentioning of “the last will be first, and the first will be last” and the order in which payment is rendered does not help our interpretation because it (again) shifts out focus towards the apparent unfair practice of the landowner. But the order of payment is merely a literally tool in the parable to explain how the workers who labored 12 hours would know that the later hires receive the same wage as they did.
The symbolism that we should really focus on is presented at the very beginning of the parable: “a landowner went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard.” The vineyard refers to Israel, as it does in various other places in the Bible. And the work that is to be done must be the harvest, which is a symbol for the final judgment. The landowner goes out to hire more and more workers throughout the day, which is an indication that the time of judgment is drawing near.
The second part of the parable, concerning the payment of the laborers, expresses two distinct teachings. First, the reward is the gift of the kingdom of God. That is a gift that cannot be divided; it cannot be given in part. Therefore, all who worked receive the same reward.
Second, the order of payment reflects a judgment on the chosen people, the Israelites, that is also reflected in Paul’s letter to the Romans: “a hardening has come upon Israel in part, until the full number of the Gentiles comes in, and thus all Israel will be saved.” In other words, although the Israelites are the chosen people (the first), their rejection of the Messiah results in the gentiles (the last) to be chosen as the Church that will sanctify the world.
In Matthew’s gospel this has an additional meaning because he uses it to highlight that the last (the marginalized in society, such as tax collectors and sinners who turned from sin in response to Jesus) are given more prominence than the first (the scribes and the Pharisees).
The important point for us is expressed in our responsorial psalm: “The Lord is near to all who call upon him.” Let us rejoice for every sinner who repents; for any non-believer who comes to believe. And let us not judge one another as to whether one merits salvation – for it is not ours to judge – but let us rejoice for every soul that is saved.
Invitation to Consider Appointment to the St. David Parish Finance Council
Dear Parishioners,
As we continue to strengthen the stewardship and administration of St. David Parish, I am looking to appoint three additional members to the Parish Finance Council.
The Finance Council plays an important advisory role in helping the parish responsibly steward the resources entrusted to us by our parishioners. Members meet once a quarter to review parish finances, offer perspective on financial and operational matters, assist with planning and budgeting, and help ensure that the parish’s resources are managed prudently and transparently.
You do not need to be a financial professional to serve on the Council. While experience in accounting, finance, banking, or investments can certainly be valuable, I am also interested in parishioners whose professional or personal experience would bring a practical perspective to the Council. For example, experience in real estate, small-business ownership, law, management, human resources, project management, nonprofit administration, or other finance-adjacent fields may be particularly helpful.
Above all, I am looking for parishioners who:
• Have a strong commitment to St. David Parish and its mission;
• Exercise good judgment and discretion;
• Are comfortable reviewing information, asking questions, and offering thoughtful advice;
• Can approach financial and administrative matters objectively and constructively;
• Are willing to devote the necessary time to meetings and preparation; and
• Can be trusted to maintain appropriate confidentiality.
The Finance Council is an appointed parish position, and I will personally meet with interested candidates before making the appointments.
If you would like to be considered, or if you know of someone who you believe would be a good fit, please contact me. I would be happy to speak with you about the Council and what service would entail.
Thank you for your continued generosity and commitment to St. David Parish. Our responsibility is not simply to manage the resources we have received, but to ensure that they are used wisely in service of the mission of the Church.
At various times in our lives, we all experience hurts, conflicts and misunderstandings which are either our own fault, the fault of another person or group or the blame may be attributed to both ourselves and others. When someone hurts us, our natural instinct is to pull away, harbor resentment, or talk to others about the offense instead of to the person or group who wronged us. However, Christ calls us to a radically different standard of behavior. He asks us to pray to the Holy Spirit for the grace to recognize our own guilt and actively seek forgiveness or to have compassion on those who have offended us. Let us lovingly seek reconciliation.
In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus gives us a roadmap for resolving conflict with another, beginning with a private one-on-one conversation. If warranted, we must admit our own bad behavior and sincerely ask for forgiveness. If the other person bears responsibility, we should point out their offense while actively working toward reconciliation and healing, because we value the person more than their hurtful behavior.
St. Paul reminds us that we owe no debt to anyone except the mutual debt of love. Forgiveness is the ultimate expression of that love. When we choose to forgive, we release the burden of anger or resentment and mirror the unconditional mercy that God constantly extends to each of us.
Forgiveness is an intentional, proactive decision to release resentment perhaps even vengeance toward a person or group who has harmed us, regardless of whether they actually deserve it. This process does not imply condoning the harmful behavior, but rather, it is a personal journey toward peace and emotional freedom.
Practicing forgiveness can lead to healthier relationships, greater psychological well-being, and lower blood pressure. By letting go of grudges, individuals often experience reduced anxiety and a stronger sense of self-worth, which contributes to a more fulfilling life.
Let us pray each day that the Lord may increase his love in our hearts so that we may share his love and mercy with everyone we encounter throughout our lives!
Part of my daily prayer includes reading an Invitation to Prayer found in a book of reflections published by the Jesuits. Last week the invitation read:
“Have you ever prepared to meet someone who mattered a lot to you? You reach the door of the room where your friend is waiting and pause before opening the door. St. Ignatius suggests this picture as a preparation for prayer. Gather yourself with your hand on the door knob and think: Something important is about to happen to me. Somebody important is waiting for me. I am walking onto holy ground, stepping into sacred space, going to meet the Lord of my life, the one whose name is I AM.”
What a beautiful image for us to ponder as we pray to the Lord of love; our hands on the door knob to enter into a conversation with Jesus. We have an awesome opportunity to encounter “someone who matters a lot”. Yet, how often do we enter a time of prayer with little preparation, racing to make it to Mass, just a few minutes late; rushing to say the words of “prayer” without reflection on what we mean by the words; or reaching our pew to “conduct the business” of the day.
Upon my own reflection I am aware that, more times than I’d like to admit, I find myself coming before the Lord not fully prepared for this wonderful encounter. I arrive in the church, sit in the pew and quickly begin to pray, without much thought as to with whom I am speaking. I can nonchalantly open the door of the church, open the door of my heart, open my mouth to speak and never reflect upon the importance of the encounter that is about to take place.
Our prayer is a graced experience and leads us to deeper relationship with the one who loves us beyond our imagining. We meet and interact with family, friends, co-workers and strangers, countless times each day. However, no meeting, no interaction, no encounter throughout our day is more important than that with Jesus, whether it be in the celebration of the Eucharist, in private quiet prayer or communal prayer.
Something important is about to happen to us…somebody important is waiting for us…we are walking on holy ground, entering sacred space. Rather than reaching to open the door without thought of whom we will encounter, may we ready ourselves to meet the Lord of life and fully experience the meeting with the one who matters most…Jesus Christ.
Today’s gospel reading presents us with a very powerful dialogue between Jesus and Peter. Most people are quite familiar with it, especially in the context of establishing the papacy and appointing Peter as the first Pope. And familiarity often leads to missing other important details because “we already know what it is all about.” As human beings we are very efficient when it comes to how we see, hear, and read – we don’t pay attention unless we have to.
And that is a perfect segue into the first important detail. Right before today’s passage, Matthew’s gospel places Jesus at the Sea of Galilee. Jesus and the disciples walked from there to the region of Caesarea Philippi, some 20 miles north, seemingly just to have this dialogue. Why? Well, this area was not Jewish. The main population were Gentiles, and it was in fact the location of an important shrine dedicated to Pan. In other words, it was a safe environment to have a conversation about a sensitive topic: “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” (Or in Mark’s words: “Who do people say that I am?”) Here, away from any Jewish audience, the disciples are more at liberty to answer this question. And likewise, when Jesus asks them “Who do you say that I am?”, they don’t have to be on their guard in how they answer.
The answer that Simon Peter gives highlights a second important detail. He says: “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” The fact that Peter identifies Jesus as the Messiah is not unusual – the disciples certainly had all reason to believe (or at least hope) that Jesus was the embodiment of a priest, prophet, and king. It is beyond doubt that they expected him to be the promised descendant of King David. But Peter also names Jesus “the Son of the living God.” That would have incurred an immediate charge of blasphemy if he had said this in Jewish territory. It is also something that Peter could not have known or figured out on his own, as Jesus points out. It is a revealed truth – revealed to Peter by God himself. This is indicative of God choosing Peter – calling him to a special office.
An ancient literary instrument (chiasmus) is used to further highlight the importance of Peter. Where Peter identified Jesus by title “Messiah” and parentage “Son of the living God”, Jesus identifies Peter in similar terms (but in reverse order). He mentions his parentage “son of Jonah” and title “Peter” (a title, because the Greek word petros simply means rock). This chiasmus construct assigns high importance to Peter.
This passage is also the first time in the Gospel that Jesus refers to “my church”.
And if all of this is not enough to show the importance of these events, consider that this gospel passage is regarded as the hinge point of Matthew’s gospel – it is the climax of the first half. The climax of the second half is the passion and resurrection. Together, they tell us who Jesus is, and what he has done for us.
If we are honest with ourselves, many of us find prayer difficult. We may have the best of intentions, but life gets in the way. Some of us pray every day, yet at times feel as though we are simply going through the motions. Others pray fervently, but it seems that our prayers are never answered. I say that as someone who has experienced these things both before and during my priesthood.
Prayer can be difficult, dry, or distracted. But we must remember what prayer is at its core: an encounter with God. Prayer is the raising of our minds and hearts to God and the requesting of good things from him. It begins with God, who first seeks us and draws us into communion with himself.
Prayer is not simply about telling God what we want. It is about coming to know him, to trust him, and to conform our hearts to his. We should bring our needs to God, but prayer is not a transaction in which we give God our time and expect him to give us whatever we request. Rather, prayer teaches us to place our desires into his hands.
Yesterday, we celebrated the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. From the Annunciation, when she said, “Let it be done unto me according to your word” (Lk 1:38), to the foot of the Cross, Mary continually walked forward in faith. She teaches us to say yes to God one day, and sometimes one step, at a time.
The Assumption shows us where Mary’s faithful journey ultimately led. She was taken body and soul into heavenly glory. Her Assumption is a unique participation in her Son’s Resurrection and an anticipation of the resurrection promised to all of us. Mary’s life reminds us that faithful discipleship is ultimately about being united with God, body and soul, for all eternity.
In today’s Gospel, we encounter another woman who gives us an example of faith. A Canaanite woman approaches Jesus because her daughter is suffering. At first, Jesus does not answer her. When he finally speaks, his words seem even more difficult. Yet she does not walk away. She continues to kneel before him and says, “Lord, help me.”
Her faith is remarkable because she is a Gentile, an outsider to Israel. Nevertheless, she recognizes Jesus as Lord and approaches him with humility and trust. She does not presume that God owes her anything. She simply continues to place her need before him. In the end, Jesus praises her: “Woman, great is your faith!” and her daughter is healed.
Perseverance in prayer does not mean trying to wear God down. It means continuing to place ourselves before him, asking boldly while entrusting the manner and timing of the answer to his wisdom. Sometimes the answer comes as we hoped; sometimes it comes differently or later than we expected. But God is never indifferent to our prayers.
Mary teaches us to say yes to God, even when we do not know what lies ahead. The Canaanite woman teaches us to approach Christ with humility and perseverance. Let us continue to pray, trusting that no sincere turning toward the Lord is wasted, because he is always drawing us more deeply into the life and love for which our hearts were made.
We all know that “storms” are an inevitable part of every life. However, faith assures us that the Lord is with us, you and me, in every trial and will give us his peace if we simply open our mind and heart to receive it.
This Sunday’s Scriptures proclaim three means to open ourselves to receive God’s gift of grace. First, quiet your heart and listen intently to God’s voice, as Elijah did. Next, be willing to empty yourself completely for others, as St. Paul says of himself today: “I will willingly be condemned if it could help my brothers.” Finally, like the disciples, learn to trust Jesus when he says, “Courage, do not be afraid, it is I.”
Like Elijah, let us make ourselves available to be where God wants us to be so He can meet us and show us his power and peace. We always need to have a meeting point with God for when and where He waits for us. That place, of course, is our heart—our innermost sanctuary where God wishes to dwell. Therefore, we want to be prepared; we want to keep our heart ready at all times. So, patiently wait for God to speak to you in the solitude and quiet of your heart.
In the second reading, Paul expresses the grief he carries for his people who have rejected the Christ who has offered them salvation and peace. In other words, he deeply feels the need for his brothers and sisters to be saved, just as he himself has been saved. Paul teaches us that we are called to think not only of ourselves but also to be concerned for the well-being of others. Then, God will fill us with inner peace and we will experience His presence and we will be able to speak heart-to-heart with God. Elijah found the God of peace by rushing to help his people. So too, will we by doing the same.
In this Sunday’s Gospel, we hear that the disciples experienced a terrifying, life-threatening storm but Jesus was right there! With a word, He calmed the stormy sea! He saved them! Right now, we may be facing storms that rock our boat: sickness, family difficulties, shaky marriages, joblessness, dwindling finances, etc. In the midst of these challenges, Jesus is there for us! He is always close by and will calm that storm! Just ask! Once again, He tells us, “Cast all your burdens on me because I care…” (1Pt. 5,7) and, in faith we respond, “Jesus, I place my trust in You.”
With faith we hold firmly to Jesus who is ready to guide us through the raging storms of life, for He is our Savior, our peace. Let our fervent prayer, like that of the Psalmist be: “O Lord, let us see your mercy and give us your saving help!”
Taking the gospel readings for the past two weeks and this week’s gospel reading together, we have heard almost all of the 13th chapter of Matthew’s gospel. This chapter is rather unique because it presents no less than seven parables, and they all talk about the kingdom of heaven. We might be inclined to interpret this as parables about heaven, and this is a common misconception that goes unchecked because these parables are so well known that we might miss important details.
If you look at the parable of the wheat and the weeds (from last week’s gospel) or the parable of the fishing net (this week’s gospel), it should be clear that they could not be referring to heaven because surely evil would never be allowed to be in heaven. The separation of the wicked from the righteous takes place before we are able to enter into the presence of God in heaven.
What then is meant with ‘the kingdom of heaven’? It refers to both a state and a time. We know that Jesus came to establish the kingdom of heaven, and this was accomplished through his suffering, death, resurrection, and ascension. Through this redemptive sacrifice, the state of the world changed and a new time was ushered in: the kingdom of God. In the same sense that we sometimes refer to time periods in terms of rulers (the time of the pharaohs, the rule of Charlemagne, …), we can refer to the time since the crucifixion as the “kingdom of heaven” or the “end times”.
If you read the parables from this perspective, they suddenly make a lot more sense. They explain aspects of this kingdom of heaven: its tiny, humble origins and its steady growth (parable of the mustard seed, parable of the yeast); its magnificence (parable of the treasure, parable of the pearl); its worldwide scope (parable of the net); and its saving force (parable of the sower, parable of the wheat).
The grain of mustard seed is the preaching of the Gospel and the Church, which from very small beginnings spreads throughout the world. The parable refers to the universal scope and spread of the Kingdom of God. And just as leaven gradually ferments all the dough, so does the Church spread the Good News of our redemption throughout the world. And as Christians, we take part in that mission. After all, we are to be the leaven that acts upon the world.
But this Good News also carries with it an important realization: there is good and there is evil. Our sinful nature requires us to actively choose to pursue the good over evil, righteousness over sin. There will be a final judgment for each and every one of us (as expressed in both the parable of the wheat and the weeds, and the parable of the fishing net). There will come a time when the wicked will be separated from the righteous, and the wicked will be thrown in the fiery furnace. It is not a threat… Surely God, as a loving Father, would never threaten us. But it is an objective fact – and we ought to be aware of it. We cannot claim to be caught unaware.
We are far from perfect, but thankfully the Lord our God is good and forgiving, merciful and kind. The gift he offers us – eternal life in heaven – is beyond compare. In the parable of the treasure and the parable of the pearl Jesus shows us the majesty of the kingdom of heaven. The treasure reflects the abundance of gifts that await us in the kingdom of heaven, and the pearl reflects the beauty of the kingdom. The treasure is stumbled upon, the pearl is found after a lengthy search. Isn’t that how we often experience faith, vocation, true wisdom? Sometimes it just comes to us, and other times it is the result of an actual search. But whatever the means by which we obtain it – it is worth more than anything we have.
The kingdom of heaven is at hand. The parables make it very clear that the kingdom of heaven is not something to look forward to, but rather something that exists all around us. We are living in it. Let us embrace our faith and our mission, and look forward to the completion of the final stage of perfection: the sanctification of the earth, and life everlasting in the heavenly kingdom.
If you are anything like me, you are a fan of instant gratification. Whether Amazon Prime isn’t fast enough, or your instant noodles aren’t as instant as you want them to be, many of us in modern society do not like waiting. In fact, I cannot wait until next weekend, when our parking lot is finally finished being repaved, so I can park next to the rectory again—and we haven’t even started the project yet!
But how much more often do we desire instant results when it comes to the injustices we see in our world? When we are slighted—whether truly or simply in our perception—we often want instant justice. We want it now, and we want the person to “get what’s coming” before the next email refresh, before the next news cycle, before we have to confront the uncomfortable reality that good and evil can exist together in the same field.
This is where Our Lord’s parables challenge us. In Matthew 13, Jesus tells us about a field where good seed is sown, but while everyone is asleep, an enemy comes and sows weeds among the wheat. When the servants notice what has happened, they ask the householder, “Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where have the weeds come from?” The answer is simple: an enemy has done this. Then the servants ask the obvious question: “Do you want us to go and gather them?” But the master responds, “No; for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them. Let both of them grow together until the harvest.”
This weekend, the Gospel reminds us that God’s timing is different from ours, and that impatience can lead to mistakes—even sincere ones. Because we are not simply dealing with weeds. We are dealing with a field where wheat is present as well, and sometimes our attempts to eliminate what is wrong can unintentionally harm what is good. God is not telling us to be indifferent to evil. Rather, He is teaching us not to confuse our anger with righteousness and not to rush into a judgment that ultimately belongs to Him.
But the parables do not simply tell us to wait. It also reminds us that the Kingdom of God grows—often slowly and quietly. Jesus tells us that the Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed: the smallest of seeds, yet when it grows, it becomes the greatest of shrubs. He also compares the Kingdom to yeast mixed into flour—something small that works through everything until the whole batch is leavened.
That is the spiritual reality: God’s work can be real even when it appears small.
This matters because all of us here are imperfect people. We make mistakes. At some point, every one of us has chosen something worldly over God. And yet God does not throw us away. He continues to work in us—in our hearts, in our families, and in our parish—often in ways that we do not recognize until much later. The Church reminds us that prayer brings forth fruit with patience.
So, returning to the image of the weeds, many of us would like them gone right now. But our desire for instant answers can distort our vision and make it seem as if God is not paying attention. The Gospel gently corrects that temptation: the separation comes at the harvest. The Son of Man will send His angels to remove the causes of sin and evildoers, while the righteous will shine in the Kingdom of their Father.
So how do we accept this reality? We accept it by living faithfully in the meantime—by allowing God to shape us, not only so that we may endure, but so that we may grow.
We do this through prayer, because prayer teaches us to trust God in every circumstance, even when we would rather have things fixed immediately. We do this by asking the Holy Spirit to help us see clearly, to act with prudence, and to respond with charity rather than impulse. And we do this by embracing the spiritual disciplines the Church gives us, so that our hearts are not ruled by resentment, but by love.
And then, bit by bit, God makes something grow. Even if what begins in us is as small as a mustard seed, it can become something beautiful and fruitful in time.
So, brothers and sisters, let us cultivate our hearts for God. Let us allow Him to grow and mature our faith in His time, not ours. Let us be patient with ourselves and with one another—without pretending that evil does not matter, but also without taking shortcuts into condemnation. Because ultimately, God’s plan is greater than anything we can imagine.
The Scriptures today remind us of the importance of tending the ‘Garden of our Heart’ so that the Word of God can take root and bear abundant fruit in our lives. Therefore, let us fervently ask God to root out any weeds of fear, anxiety or lack of faith in our hearts. Let us nurture the fruits of the Holy Spirit which dwell within us. When we faithfully contemplate the Word of God our ‘Heart-Garden’ will bear much fruit!
In the First Reading, the Prophet Isaiah compares God’s Word to rain and snow. “As the rain and the snow come down from the heavens and do not return without watering the earth…so the Word that goes from my mouth does not return to me empty without carrying out my will and succeeding…” What a wonderful assurance for those who firmly believe and live out the Word of God in their lives! They will bear fruit in abundance!
Today’s Gospel from Matthew narrates the familiar parable of the Sower and the different kinds of soil on which the seed falls. This story encourages us to reflect on our lives and our response to the good news of God’s loving gift. It invites each of us to ask: What kind of soil am I? Am I receptive to God’s Word? Do I nurture it regularly and carefully? Do I let it penetrate my heart, so that I become God’s co-worker in the transformation of the world?
The Sower, Jesus Himself, sows seeds with great liberality, seemingly unconcerned that some may be lost or fail to bear fruit. This is an image of a God who, in the words of the poet, Brendan Kennelly, ‘goes about his work determined to hold on to nothing’. If we open our eyes and free up our hearts, we cannot miss the presence of our generous God ‘who gives everything away’. The Gospel calls us to open our hearts to the seeds of God’s presence scattered so abundantly in our very lives and in our world.
The challenge is to pay attention to God’s Word and let it take root in the soil of our hearts. Our soil can become dry and hard through neglect or get choked with weeds. It always requires clearing and cultivation to become receptive to the seed of God’s Word. For most of us, tending the ‘Garden of our Hearts’ is a constant and demanding challenge. However, as Isaiah reminds us in today’s First Reading, we must not lose heart. God’s Word will accomplish the purpose for which it was sent!
Let us give thanks to the Lord for his invitation to us. Let us continue to cultivate the ‘Garden of our Hearts’ so that the seed of God’s Word will produce abundant fruit!
Before I introduce myself, I want to take a moment to thank Fr. Windle for his seven years of faithful service as your Pastor. I also want to thank him for his kindness, hospitality, and patience as we both begin these new assignments. Having known Fr. Windle since our seminary days, I know him to be a good and faithful priest, and I know he will be greatly missed here at St. David. Fr. Windle, please know that you remain in our prayers, and we ask that you continue to pray for us.
My name is Fr. Alex Pancoast, and I am excited and grateful to be joining you as your new Parochial Administrator. Some of you may wonder why I have been given the title “Parochial Administrator” rather than “Pastor.” In the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, priests who are receiving their first assignment as a Pastor typically begin as Parochial Administrators for their first year. This allows the priest time to grow into the responsibilities of leading a parish and ensures that he is prepared to serve as the spiritual father of the community. I ask for your prayers as I begin this responsibility, and I hope that, through God’s grace, you will find me ready to serve you.
When I meet with couples preparing for marriage, I often tell them that my role is to help guide them up the mountain of the spiritual life, drawing them closer to Christ. However, before you can guide someone up a mountain, you first need to know where you are starting. I see my role here at St. David in a similar way.
My hope is that, by the time the Lord calls me to my next assignment, each of you will have grown deeper in your relationship with Jesus Christ. To do that well, I first need to spend time getting to know you, our parish community, and the many gifts God has already given to St. David.
I know many parishioners have ideas about ways our parish can continue to grow through new or renewed ministries, and I look forward to hearing those ideas. However, I ask that you allow me some time to listen, learn, and walk alongside you. As I come to better understand our parish, we will discern together where the Holy Spirit is calling us.
I also know that many people like to welcome their priests with baked goods, and I truly appreciate the kindness behind those gestures. Unfortunately, due to personal health reasons, I am unable to partake in baked goods, even sugar-free treats. Please know that your prayers are the greatest gift you can give me.
I should also mention that I am very good with names and very good with faces—but not always with connecting the two! Please be patient with me and continue to introduce yourself by name, especially during these first few months as I get to know you.
Finally, I would like to leave you with the words of Our Lord from this weekend’s Gospel:
“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest… For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
Our mission here at St. David is the mission of Christ. When we unite ourselves to Him, He gives us the strength and grace we need to carry whatever challenges and joys come our way.
May God bless you. I look forward, God willing, to many fruitful years together here at St. David.
At the Vatican, there are four main locations where people are buried. The most famous one is the Necropolis deep underneath St. Peter’s Basilica where the tomb of St. Peter is believed to be located. The second famous location are the Grottoes of St. Peter’s Basilica, where the tombs of many popes and some important historical people are found. Third is the basilica itself, where tombs are found at many side altars, including Pope St. John Paul II and Pope St. John XXIII.
The fourth location is a small cemetery, immediately adjacent to St. Peter’s Basilica. It is located at the site of Nero’s Circus. This is the only place within the Vatican walls where one can be buried these days (aside from the pope and some other notable exceptions). This cemetery is known as the Teutonic Cemetery.
The land where the Teutonic Cemetery is located was gifted to Charlemagne by Pope Leo IV in 799, for the purpose of establishing a school or hospice. It became a cemetery for the burial of pilgrims from the Holy Roman Empire (particularly Germany) who died after travelling to Rome to visit the tomb of St. Peter. It is a unique cemetery with a remarkably rich history.
It is also the site of a more recent event that exemplifies the message in today’s readings.
Willy Herteleer was a Belgian homeless man who lived on the streets of Rome. He was often seen walking the streets around the Vatican, pushing a shopping cart containing his meager belongings. He was a familiar face to many who lived and worked at the Vatican, especially those who attended Mass at Sant’Anna dei Palafrenieri (the Church of St. Anne). For 25 years, Willy attended the 7am daily Mass at this parish church of the Vatican.
In December 2014, Willy caught a bad cold, and one evening, he was found collapsed on the ground in the vicinity of St. Peter’s. Some kind people took him to the local hospital where he died on Dec 12, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. He died as a ‘John Doe’ – an unidentified person – and he remained in the morgue of the hospital for three weeks, until he was found by concerned locals who had noticed his absence. Willy was about 80 years old when he died.
On February 27, 2015, a Funeral Mass was celebrated by priests of St. Peter’s Basilica for Willy Herteleer at the chapel of the Teutonic Cemetery. The Mass was well attended by many people who knew Willy as a gentle beggar who lived his faith in the streets of Rome. He was known to challenge people in their faith, often asking if they were going to confession regularly. Whether they went to Mass. And whether they received holy communion. He was truly concerned for their immortal souls.
Willy was laid to rest in a tomb at the Teutonic Cemetery, among famous historical figures, nobility, clergy, and benefactors.
Willy was a humble, faithful man, who lived his faith and showed his love and care for the people around him each and every day. He never asked for anything beyond the essentials of life. And through the gratitude of the community, he received his reward.
The tender love and compassion of God for everyone is the dominant theme of this Sunday’s Scriptures. The First Reading highlights God’s loving care for the people of Israel using a beautiful image: ‘I bore you up on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself’ (Ex.19:4). Recently, I learned that when young eaglets are learning to fly, the mother eagle flies under them with her wings spread out to catch them in case they fall.
When the Israelites became discouraged as they wandered through the wilderness of Sinai, following their miraculous escape from Egypt, they needed to be reminded that God would never desert them, but would accompany them always and make his people, ‘akingdom of priests, a consecrated nation’ (Ex. 19:6). We, too, need to hear those same words of encouragement, especially when we feel overwhelmed by the burdens of life.
In the Second Reading, St. Paul stresses the unconditional quality of God’s loving care for us. God’s love, says Paul, is not like that of people who only love those who deserve it, and might be prepared to give their lives for those they consider worthy. God’s love is infinitely greater and is shown by the fact that he sent his Son to die for us while we were still sinners (cf. Romans 5:8). Paul encourages us not to let ourselves become slaves to our fears and doubts, but to be filled with ‘joyful trust in God’ (Rom. 5:11). Our weaknesses and sins can never be stronger than his love. While we may be tempted to give up on him, He will never abandon us.
The Gospel gives us a lovely picture of the compassion of Jesus for the people He encountered in his ministry. “Jesus’ heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned like sheep without a shepherd” (Mt. 9:36). Jesus identifies with his people’s suffering. His compassion leads him, not only to embark on a personal ministry of healing and hope, but also to choose and select twelve of his disciples to collaborate with him in this mission.
Through the grace of our Baptism, we, too, are disciples of Jesus, called and sent to continue his mission and be agents of his compassion and love to others. Let us resolve to look at the people around us – especially the troubled and hurting – with the eyes of Jesus, offering comforting presence and compassionate love!
This past Thursday we celebrated the Solemnity of the Ascension of Our Lord into Heaven! It is a reminder that we are “pilgrims on a journey” toward our true home, Heaven. By Jesus’ Ascension, we are challenged to look beyond this world to the glory which we are to share with Christ in Heaven. Moreover, the celebration of the Ascension is also a reminder of what we need to do while still here on earth. Before his Ascension, Jesus commissioned his disciples, and us also, to be his witnesses and to carry out his mission to the ends of the earth until his return.
Before we can proclaim Jesus to others, we are called to make him the Lord of our own hearts and the center of our lives. Therefore, let us receive the sacraments frequently, meditate on Sacred Scripture and live according to his commandments and teachings. If we strive to become more and more like Christ, then we can proclaim the Good News to others especially by the witness of our lives. We pray that Jesus will reign in our hearts so that we will be together in Heaven.
So many responsibilities, tasks and distractions fill our lives that it is easy to forget what life is all about: preparing to meet God! As mentioned above, Jesus’ ascension reminds us that we are “pilgrims on a journey”. Just as Jesus’ earthly life was temporary, so also are our lives. A prayer of St. Paul to the Ephesians describes a life preparing for eternity:
May God our Father enlighten the eyes of your mind so that you can see what hope his call holds for you, what rich glories He has promised the saints will inherit and how infinitely great is the power that He has exercised for us believers. (Eph. 1:17-19)
The Scripture readings for this solemnity describe the Ascension of Jesus into his heavenly glory after He promised the disciples that He would send the Holy Spirit. As their source of power, they would bear witness to him throughout the world. The ascended Jesus is still with us. He promised to send his Holy Spirit to dwell in us. He promised to be with us until the end of time and Jesus always keeps his promises!
The Ascension is a celebration of Jesus’ final glorification – a glory in which we, too, hope to share!
It is often said that with God there are no coincidences. Today’s readings are a great illustration of that. They are very dear to me, especially the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles. It was read at last year’s Permanent Diaconate Ordination Mass. My classmates and I chose it because it recounts the selection and ordination of the first deacons in the Church.
The timing of this reading in our liturgical year also comes at a perfect time. This coming Saturday, May 9th, three men will be ordained as Permanent Deacons for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. It is the culmination of a faith journey that centered on discernment and formation.
The account we read in Acts 6 is quite similar to what we see in the Church today. There is a need within the church community because the harvest is plenty but the workers are few, and as men feel called to discern serving the Church, they are invited to explore this call in a more formal way. The time they spend discerning and learning is important because it helps the men (with their wife and children) and the formation team get to know one another better. This discernment is two-fold: for the men it is a deepening of their understanding of what service in the Church God is calling them to, and for the formation team it is a discernment about the men’s formation and growth in the faith. Together, they explore whether service as a Permanent Deacon is indeed what God is calling the men to.
After this discernment and formation, the men are presented by the church community to the successor of the Apostles, the archbishop, who through prayer and the laying on of hands ordains them to the Holy Order of the Diaconate.
Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicholas of Antioch are the first of this Holy Order of service to the Church in the person of Christ the Servant. Throughout the ages, the role of the deacon has undergone changes as the needs of the church community changed. But as it was then, it is now: responding to God’s call is letting yourselves be built into a spiritual house. And through our firm belief in Jesus Christ, we will do the works that he did, and greater ones than these, to the glory of God the Father.
The three men who will be ordained as Permanent Deacons will serve in a public ministry, but is only one example of God’s call. We are all called to serve God’s Church in some capacity, in small things and in big things, in public and behind the scenes.
Let us always be attentive to the call God places upon on hearts, and respond with courage, love, and humility.
Saturday, May 2nd St Athanasius 4:00 pm Intentions of the Presider
Sunday, May 3rd 7:00 am Peace in the World 9:00 am Intentions of the Parishioners 11:00 am Intentions of the Presider
Monday, May 4th 6:30 am † Deceased members of the Link & Simpson Families
Tuesday, May 5th 6:30 am † Ann Doherty
Wednesday, May 6th 6:30 am † Ann Doherty
Thursday, May 7th 6:30 am † Karen Dorland
Friday, May 8th 6:30 am John Curry
Saturday, May 9th 8:00 am † Gerald Gausch– 40th Anniversary
Remembering in our Prayers… … all those who are sick … Betty Palm, Raymond Lahman, Pam Vollum, Ann Cosgrove, Marion Price, Ryan Burke, Wilma Roberts, Joan Evans, Jane McCann, Stephen Mock, Denise Taylor, Frank Gagliano, Mary Ellen Heilner, Phil Strybuc, Helen Carroll, Maria Pinto, Talmadge Conway, Dan Troilo, Forest Wheeler, Ed Mansfield, Sienna Jayde, Nancy Hanlon Fox, Michael McCann, Barbara Gibson, William Reed, Henry Jacquelin, James Maccaroni, Angela Anderson, and residents of Commonwealth and Garden Springs…
There is a story told about Franklin Roosevelt, who often endured long receiving lines at the White House. He complained that no one really paid any attention to what he said. One day, during a reception, he decided to try an experiment. To each person who passed down the line and shook his hand, he murmured, “I murdered my grandmother this morning.” The guests responded with phrases like, “Marvelous! Keep up the good work. We are proud of you. God bless you, sir.” It was not until the end of the line, while greeting the ambassador from Bolivia, that his words were actually heard, and without hesitation, the ambassador leaned over and whispered, “I’m sure she had it coming.”
Every day God speaks to us, but in our busy lives it is easy to fall into the trap to ignore His voice or misunderstand what he is saying. That is why discernment is so important in our lives— in big things in life as well as in little things. There are many things that can confuse us from hearing God’s voice in the world. Daily stress, preoccupations, wanting to do our own wills, and our own failures might make us doubt what God is saying to us. Prayer is about relationship, and if we want to hear Jesus’ voice, the first thing we need is to be a person of prayer, a person with a listening heart. That is why Jesus took his disciples up the mountain to pray to be quiet and to be with him. That means that before we do anything, we pray about it! We need to pray for everything— both the major and minor decisions in life. Here are a couple of things to reflect on in prayer while we are discerning His will:
· Does fear paralyze us to move on something that we know God is asking us to do?
· Do we talk to God about our deep fears?
· Can we hear his peace?
· Are we trying to force something in our lives or other people’s lives to rush a fix where God might be saying to us “wait” or “No, don’t do that”?
Another way to hear the voice of God is to spend time with His word every day. The word of God will give us peace. We don’t need to spend hours doing this; maybe start with 10 minutes a day. If you don’t know where to start, pick one Gospel and slowly read through it one passage at a time. By doing this, we can see how He acts in the world by what He has done in the world. We can also hear the voice of God through the Chief Shepherd and the Church; in other words, listening to what the Pope is saying. Pray on what the Church and the Pope say, even if it seems confusing at times. The Holy Spirit works through the Church, so let us ask the spirit to guide us to the truth.
Again, prayer is all about relationship with God, so we have to know it is possible to hear Him. Imagine what it might be like for us to hear Jesus’ voice all the time…to be able to hear as God wants us to hear and act on it. If we pray, read the Word of God, and listen to the Church with open hearts, He will lead us and guide us more into the faith. He knows us and is calling our name. We don’t only have a good Shepherd, but the perfect Shepherd. The more we practice listening to his voice daily, the more we can allow God to work through us daily.
Saturday, April 25th St Mark the Evangelist 4:00 pm For Peace in the World
Sunday, April 26th 7:00 am Intentions of the Parishioners 9:00 am Intentions of the Presider 11:00 am Intentions of the Presider
Monday, April 27th 6:30 amIntentions of Thomas Patrick Mest
Tuesday, April 28th St. Peter Chanel, St. Louis Grignon de Montfort 6:30 am † Margaret Vitt
Wednesday, April 29th St. Catherine of Siena 6:30 am † Jacqueline P. Miletto
Thursday, April 30th St. Pius V 6:30 am † Marion McElhatton
Friday, May 1st St. Joseph the Worker 6:30 am † Mr. and Mrs. Frank Shields
Saturday, May 2nd St. Athanasius 8:00 am † Margaret Lewis
Remembering in our Prayers… … all those who are sick … Betty Palm, Raymond Lahman, Pam Vollum, Ann Cosgrove, Marion Price, Ryan Burke, Wilma Roberts, Joan Evans, Jane McCann, Stephen Mock, Denise Taylor, Frank Gagliano, Mary Ellen Heilner, Phil Strybuc, Helen Carroll, Maria Pinto, Talmadge Conway, Dan Troilo, Forest Wheeler, Ed Mansfield, Sienna Jayde, Nancy Hanlon Fox, Michael McCann, Barbara Gibson, William Reed, Henry Jacquelin, James Maccaroni, Angela Anderson, and residents of Commonwealth and Garden Springs…
