Pastor’s Pen
Sunday, May 7, 2023
Fifth Sunday of Easter
St. Augustine Catholic Church
Dear Church Family,
We come together today to celebrate our vocations whether they are to the single life, married life, religious life, or like me, the ordained life. We celebrate our vocation of growing deeper in love with the Lord and having a deeper love for everyone we possibly can. With love in our lives and in our hearts, we will continue to love the Lord with all our hearts, minds, and souls, through prayer, the Sacraments of the Eucharist and Reconciliation, and the Celebration of the Holy Mass. Also, just continue living and loving others, bearing with one another, and forgiving any complaints you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (Col 3:13). That’s what we are all about and I rest in these powerful words as you and I try to exemplify them in our daily deeds.
Now reflect deeply on the words from St. Peter’s letter, “You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may announce the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:4-9). That, my lovers of the Lord and His Words are what we are all about. Claim that you are all those wonderful things, ‘a chosen person, a priestly person …’ to announce all this good living and loving as we have been charged to do.
Rest also in the gospel message from John. This is one of my favorite passages and I often proclaim it, especially during funerals. While this is far from a funeral today,
I still feel it is so important for us to be blessedly reassured always. “Do not let your heart be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in Me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places” (John 14:1-12).
So, Church! Continue to grow in deeper and deeper union with the Lord, in love with everybody in our relationships in life. That’s our mission and our journey. That’s the direction that all of us want to continue on. Enjoy your particular vocation as I am certainly enjoying mine today and every day. Alleluia! Alleluia!! Alleluia!!!
Love,
Father Bob
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