Our beloved Friar Johnpaul extends his gratitude to us and asked me to include the following in my article this week:
Dear sisters and brothers of Holy Family:
Words cannot express the gratitude and warmth I feel for all of you: your continued support, hospitality and many kind words for my 25th anniversary celebration. After being postponed for a year, and still watching restrictions, we were finally able to celebrate together. I certainly felt the love.
I want to thank especially Fr. Terry for his continued support and openness, to Gene and Kristen for their help and sharing the gift of their music, all those who read and served, greeted guests and parishioners, Judy and liturgy prep… And a BIG thank you to Barb Knuth, Deano and the Knights and Ladies of Columbus for all their hard work in preparing our reception in the Narthex: loved the meatballs!!! And chocolate chips cookies!!!
Thanks to all who shared their generosity through cards and gifts. You are remembered in my special Thanksgiving Mass.
I look forward to my monthly visits. Be sure of my deep gratitude and continued presence at Holy Family.
In Christ’s love,
Friar Jp
Also, the following is an important message regarding our new financial accounting system:
Holy Family has upgraded our parishioner record system! The Realm system will allow for improved ministry communication, event registration, and electronic giving. All parishioner-managed electronic gifts have migrated to “Realm Giving” without interruption. If you have any questions regarding your Realm account or your current electronic gifts, please contact Jean Swenson at jswenson@holyfamilyparish.org.
I hope you have picked up my love for scripture as I frequently say that a certain passage is one of my favorites. The truth is that scripture is like Rock ‘n’ Roll for me. I can’t tell you what my favorite passage or song is, but often I will cite that my favorite is the last one that I listened to or read, and I proclaim favoritism while my heart and soul is moved by the impact of a song or passage. And the beauty of it is that cycle goes on and on.
With that being said, this weekend’s Gospel passage from Mark (10:46-52) is indeed one of my favorites. It contains a three-fold message to the blind Bartimaeus, and to us, and it poses a question for all of us.
I also know that my fascination with the spiritual nature of the number three is evident. It is manifest in many other three-fold statements in scripture that actually appear, on the surface, to be one statement.
The three fold message in this passage is:
1. Take courage
2. Get up
3. Jesus is calling you
The passage begins with the crowd attempting to silence a man who has a loud yet humble request, giving us a glimpse of his faith in Jesus. “Son of David, have pity on me.” The crowd rebukes him until Jesus makes a simple yet direct request, “Call him.” The very ones who just tried to silence him now empower him at the command of Jesus. The three-fold message unfolds. Where do you need courage in your life? If we don’t get up, show up, or in any way elevate ourselves, try or inquire, we can’t answer the call of God fully in our lives. Can you hear the Lord calling you? Where has it taken place in the past? Where is that call manifesting itself right now in your life? Where is the Lord’s call leading you?
The response from the blind man is simple and sincere, “Master, I want to see.” Do we recognize the wisdom, authenticity and depth of God’s call in our lives, and can we let that help us continue to seek spiritual, intellectual, political, racial, medical and relational sight?
Let us take courage, get up and meet God’s call in our lives with a desire to see, particularly in areas of our lives where we are blind.