Pastor’s Pen
St. Augustine Catholic Church
Sunday, June 28, 2020
Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Times
Dear Church Family,
I’ve been resting in the first four sentences of the gospel reading because they are particularly challenging to understand all the way. They are certainly an overemphasis but the point that I understand is that He wants our ‘all and all’. He wants to be first and that is what is most important in everlasting life. Accepting Jesus totally, taking up our cross and losing our lives to gain it—if that is the way it has to be. Meaning, we have to re-order our steps in His Word. So, Church, all the first part of the gospel to me is a challenge to get busy putting Jesus first. Amen.
Also it is good to enjoy the little verse that I often quote in various times of doing a good deed or sometimes being on the golf course and getting a glass of cold water–“he who gives a glass of water in my name.” I just think that’s a good gesture of something little but always doing good deeds for others. Using that symbol of a cup of cold water is a refreshing little word to give. I enjoy it and I say it quite often when I have been blessed with a little favor or when I give a little favor.
Enjoy that word of God and be challenged to put Jesus first and know that you have died with Christ and now you rise with Him forever in eternity. We hear those words often. “Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?” We were indeed buried with Him through baptism and that is where baptism is so important. “Into death, so that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life.” That is very refreshing that we are buried with Jesus in our baptism.
Then St. Paul goes on to say those familiar words of scripture, “If then we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him.” So, whatever we do and give of ourselves, we live with Him. We know that Christ raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has power over Him. Praise God. So, really, Church, that helps us to die to doing evil things. Then letting go and being able to live for God in Christ Jesus. So, rest in this sacred word of putting Jesus FIRST in your life! Alleluia!!
Love,
Father Bob
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