Reflection for the 17th Ordinary Sunday 2024

Andrew said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what good are these for so many?” Jesus said, “Have the people recline.” Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to those who were reclining, and also as much of the fish as they wanted.

The Apostles had gone out and ministered to the people of Galilee. They proclaimed the Gospel message, declared the Kingdom, and healed.

As we heard last week, they came back tired and were soon confronted with more work, teaching alongside Jesus to a large crowd of people who were like sheep without a shepherd.

What we have learned is that God has work for us to do and that work must be our priority. This is key. We have become so used to being overly busy that our priorities get confused, and there is so much placed on the back burner that the fire of the stove can seldom be seen.

We all know how it is when our stoves get overcrowded. It’s kind of like Thanksgiving without the theme of thanksgiving, just too much. The potatoes, veggies, squash, meat, stuffing, applesauce, and more all crowded together with nothing really coming to completion. So it is with Kingdom work.

As such, we must be tactical in ordering Kingdom priorities ahead of all other things. The Kingdom must be foremost in our lives and actions so we may bring the Kingdom to fruition and completion.

This is indeed what Jesus asks of us: to prioritize making the Kingdom known by inviting those we encounter to enter it.

Jesus asks us to go on and on in our Christian witness and evangelization no matter what. Our work for Jesus must always be front burner even when we feel worn out. Jesus expects that and He deserves our focus and attention.

Finally, Jesus expects us to feed people spiritually, intellectually, and physically. Jesus wants more than a conceptual Kingdom we just talk about or dream about. We need to make the Kingdom a felt place that feeds all the hungers men and women face.

It is indeed radical, to live this way, to see in each encounter, event, word, and action a means of growing God’s Kingdom but it is necessary so that the fire of faith is always visible, so that it is not extinguished.

Pray about and for all we do here to make Jesus’ charges a reality right here at Holy Name of Jesus: Holy Mass, Worship and Devotion, fellowship, CarePortal, Food Pantry, the Women’s Empowerment Group, the upcoming Altamont Fair, Back to Church Sunday and more. Then listen to the Holy Spirit’s prompting and respond to it.

Bible Study for the 16th Week in Ordinary Time 2024

 
This week's memory verse: But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40:31
  • 7/21 – Matthew 11:28-30
  • 7/22 – Galatians 6:9-10
  • 7/23 – Jeremiah 31:25
  • 7/24 – Psalm 34:17
  • 7/25 – Philippians 4:13
  • 7/26 – Matthew 11:28
  • 7/27 – Romans 12:11

Pray the week: Lord Jesus, You know me well. You know when I am exhausted and troubled by all that must be done for the Kingdom. Grant me perseverance and strength to bear up and do Your work in all times and places. Amen.

Reflection for the 16th Ordinary Sunday 2024

So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place.

Last week Jesus sent out His twelve Apostles as disciples for some on-the-job training in every village and town. They were to proclaim repentance for forgiveness of sins as well as the immanence of the Kingdom which was at hand. They had also been empowered to heal.

Today we hear of the Apostles return. They were filled with real joy from all they experienced, and the amazing results realized through the grace of God that accompanied them. They were also exhausted.

To set context, the Apostles were sent out when they were at the southern end of the Sea of Galilee. In today’s account they regather at the northern end of the Sea and then sail across it.

While no specific timeline for the Apostles mission is given, we could posit that it probably lasted about six months.

Now imagine that we are on that mission from Jesus. We have walked the highways and byways of Galilee. We have also covered the thirteen miles from the south to the north of the Sea. We have done this with no visible means of support or supplies, relying completely on the kindness of those we are evangelizing. About two thousand square miles of Galilee, heights from one to four thousand feet. We would be completely exhausted. They were.

We should also remember that Jesus was not sitting still. He traveled on His own to preach, teach, and heal. Now came the moment, rest was ahead.

We know what scripture tells us, but better for us to understand what Jesus and His Apostles were feeling.

Here they are, sailing cross the Sea, ready to rest, pray, refresh themselves. We can imagine the anticipation, the thoughts in their minds, the feelings in their heart – and there they are, huge crowds; large numbers of people spiritually lost and alone and seeking guidance. Sheep without a shepherd.

The fact is, we all face this conundrum. We work hard, volunteer, care for family and friends, run, shop, do chores and as soon as that moment of rest comes – here’s the next thing. The old saying: ‘No rest for the weary’ comes from those experiences.

This is not just a lesson on daily life and perseverance, it is a call to go on and on in our Christian witness and evangelization no matter what. People remain hungry and need us to feed them now. People need us to be like Jesus for them, to see their need and set ourselves aside to bring them to Christ and His salvation. Remember that the sheep will not know where to go unless we shepherd them.

Bible Study for the 15th Week in Ordinary Time 2024

This week’s memory verse: And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.”

Mark 16:15
  • 7/14 – Matthew 28:19
  • 7/15 – Matthew 5:16
  • 7/16 – Philemon 1:6
  • 7/17 – 1 Peter 3:15
  • 7/18 – 1 Timothy 4:13
  • 7/19 – John 14:6
  • 7/20 – Psalm 66:16

Pray the week: Lord Jesus, You endowed us with the gifts and skills needed to build Your Kingdom. Grant that these gifts grow in us and that we use them each day to draw many into the Kingdom life. Amen.

Reflection for the 15th Ordinary Sunday 2024

In all wisdom and insight, He has made known to us the mystery of His will in accord with His favor

Today Jesus sends out His twelve Apostles, who at the time were still disciples (they were learning, not teaching). They were to go to every village and town and proclaim repentance for forgiveness of sins as well as the immanence of the Kingdom which was at hand. They were also empowered to heal.

Indeed, this experience was a learning. Today we would call it on-the-job training. Overall, the disciples learning was concentrated on internal discovery as to whether they would trust in God or not. That is why they were instructed to take nothing, to go forth with courage and determination. That is why they were told to also hold responsible those they encountered.

For ten or so days I have worked with young people who were learners. Certainly, some were open to learning, others were not. We spent our time documenting our gifts, those received, those given, those we have in us, and those that will grow in us as time progresses.

As we covered the gifts yet to grow in us, we discussed how they might be built up. That takes recognizing them and then practicing with them – on the job training. We talked about making our gifts bigger, better, and how we might add unto them. Finally, we spoke about taking those gifts and wrapping them up to make them really beautiful. This is what Jesus did with His disciples. He knew what they had in them, and He wanted it to grow. This is also what Jesus wants from us.

Brothers and sisters, for us it starts with recognizing what Jesus wants from us and the gifts He has instilled in us to make His requirements come to reality. It is no more than this: That we proclaim the Kingdom to those we encounter. 

Our on-the-job training is to find the gift God has given us then grow it and use it. The gifts we have are specifically for building His Kingdom.

Of course, trust is required, but an amazing thing that happened to the disciples and will happen to us is that we will be successful in doing Jesus’ work.

It is simple: Do you know Jesus? I do and He has done remarkable things in my life. Do you have a church? No, then I know a great one where you can get to know Jesus. 

The words and actions and gifts must be our own, the trust must be ours, and the work and learning, the OJT, must be how Jesus intends it to be.

Today and every day I will use my God given gifts to show His Kingdom. Then I will watch and see people entering the Kingdom, also sharing their gifts and rejoice!

Bible Study for the 14th Week in Ordinary Time 2024

This week’s memory verse: “The one who hears you hears Me, and the one who rejects you rejects Me, and the one who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me.”

Luke 10:16
  • 7/7 – 1 Peter 5:7
  • 7/8 – 1 Peter 2:4
  • 7/9 – Psalm 27:10
  • 7/10 – Psalm 94:14
  • 7/11 – Psalm 34:17-20
  • 7/12 – John 15:18
  • 7/13 – Romans 8:31

Pray the week: Lord Jesus, those who should love You often reject You and those You send. Grant us perseverance in the face of push back and give us strength to witness to You at all times and in all places. Amen.

Reflection for the 14th Ordinary Sunday 2024

They said, “Where did this man get all this? What kind of wisdom has been given him? What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands!” And they took offense at Him.

Today we encounter Jesus getting a lot of push back. His hometown people hated Him. Jesus was so offensive to them that they revolted. The text of our Opening Hymn came to life:  Ah! sinful nation, people laden with wickedness, evil race, corrupt children! They have forsaken the Lord, spurned the Holy One of Israel, apostatized. If you abandon Him, He will abandon you.

And, that is what Jesus did, He left them because of their lack of faith and trust. It was beyond His power to move their hearts because they refused His grace, they rejected the love of God and God’s gifts placed before them.

This experience of Jesus is much like our own, isn’t it? His experience tells us something about ourselves and what we can do in the face of push back. It is Jesus’ revelation of our likeness to Him and a call to His service even when we are faced with challenges.

We have many gifts. We are not really different from Jesus because we share in His gifts and in our ability to use them for the Kingdom. He calls us to grow our gifts through faith, trust, and confidence in Him and He lets us know that if we are part of His life, if we are with and in Him, He has us, is with us, and in us.

Jesus knows all the gifts we have. God, through the Holy Spirit, fills each of us with the gifts He wants us to have, those that will best build His Kingdom. God’s gifts are never pointless. Some gifts we hold in common; some are unique to each of us. Some of the gifts we have are fully present in us right now and others will emerge in the future, in God’s time and according to His plan.

For our part we must be open to using the gifts God has given us for His glory and praise. We must do that in practical ways that build His Kingdom.

Some of those practical ways are giving God the credit for the gifts people see in us, our talents and intellect, our smile and joy, our seriousness and concern, our charity and compassion. We are to call people into the Kingdom and bring them into the Church. We are to show them the way to life by our witness to our friends, parents, and relatives. We are to accept Jesus and all the gifts He offers. We are to let people know we said yes to Jesus, yes to His grace.

Like Jesus, we will get ignored, people will push back. It is not that they do not see our gifts, but their sin corrupts their view of the gifts we offer and Who and what we work for. That push back doesn’t really matter because in the end, like Jesus, we will have victory! In the end the Kingdom will be built through our gifts.

Bible Study for the 13th Week in Ordinary Time 2024

This week’s memory verse: If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

James 1:5
  • 6/30 – James 3:17
  • 7/1 – James 3:13
  • 7/2 – Matthew 7:24
  • 7/3 – Proverbs 1:7
  • 7/4 – Job 28:28
  • 7/5 – Ephesians 5:15-17
  • 7/6 – Romans 12:2

Pray the week: Lord Jesus, in You is all wisdom. Grant that Your teaching and way may be the mark of my life so that others might also grow closer to You through me. When I shudder grant me insight to overcome. Amen.

Reflection for the 13th Ordinary Sunday 2024

People from the synagogue official’s house arrived and said, “Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?” Disregarding the message that was reported, Jesus said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid; just have faith.”

Today we encounter Jesus doing some tough problem solving that is completely consistent with the statement in the Book of Wisdom: God did not make death, nor does he rejoice in the destruction of the living.

In the Old Testament, Wisdom is personified as a woman, or the female face of God. The female imagery of Wisdom personifies God’s creative counsel and purpose, as well as God’s presence and active involvement in the world as its builder and the lover of our souls. She personifies the gift given to us by God for guidance in obeying His commands and responding to His calling. Lady-Wisdom, then, represents wisdom itself, in all its forms and manifestations. However, wisdom was never understood to be a goddess or a divine being independent of the one and only God. Neither is “Wisdom” ever used in Scripture as a substitute or alternative name for God.

Wisdom can be alluded to as Israel’s homemaker – the one who cares for the people and sees to their need, the builder of family life. 

She is the counselor. With patience and care she teaches the values of justice, well-being, and life. She offers the opportunity of salvation to those who listen to her counsel.

Finally, she is lover, a personification of the intimacy God desires to have with us. God’s love is an intimacy marked by faithfulness, fidelity, and truth. God stand before us constantly offering love, but never forcing us to accept it. Indeed, only the wise accept His love.

See how Jesus fulfills these aspects of His Godhead. He lets us know that He has come to draw us into intimacy. We see in today’s encounters that sickness, doubt, a lack of understanding and trust, and even death will not get in the way of Jesus’ reaching us. He removes those evils.

Throughout this passage Jesus counsels those He encountered, as well as us, in God’s way of doing things. Jesus protects the family and the home, that is the community of believers. He loves abundantly and draws us into an intimacy that gives life.

Jesus came to destroy death, break the chains that bound us, and reveal the fulness of the Father. In accord with God’s plan death and destruction has no place with Him. Let us be wise then in following His wisdom way.

July/August 2024 Newsletter – A Building Paradigm

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.”

In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus begins with the Beatitudes. In the ninth Beatitude above, Jesus continues by saying those insulted because of Him will “Rejoice and be glad, because great is [their] reward in heaven.”

At this year’s Men’s Spiritual Retreat we erected a huge “Cross on Kicker Hill.” Some members of our Polish National Catholic Church may remember the term “Kicker.” That, along with the words “warcholy” (brawlers and sowers of discord), ‘heretics, unbelievers, and masons’ were used by Roman Catholics to denigrate members of the Church. In some places these words are still used. The rhyme thrown at us was: “Ringer, ringer, ring that bell. Kicker, kicker, go to hell.” 

Members of the Church had to choose their response. Would they return insult for insult or act in accord with Jesus’ gospel way of life? They chose to act as Jesus commanded. The Solemnity of Brotherly Love was instituted in 1906 to counteract these acts of hatred. At various gatherings of the Church and Its Societies banners stating: “Bóg z nami — Kto przeciw nam?” “God is for us — Who will stand against us?” were on display.

The Cross on Kicker Hill is a paradigm for building and the future.

As a Church and as a parish, our focus must remain on growth, building the Kingdom of God here and right now. This is done through our presence as a sanctuary of peace and security for anyone wishing to pray. It occurs through our individual acts of evangelization, bringing family, friends, neighbors, and even strangers into the family of God. It is in how we love and care for all we come into contact with. It is who we are – builders.

You may have heard of other Churches closing – Baltimore, Buffalo, and likely soon in the R.C. Diocese of Albany; nearly 50% of parishes closing. We must be prepared, going forward, as a place of refuge and welcome and a sure symbol of God’s Kingdom being built right here. Rejoice! Be glad!

Welcome to our July/August 2024 Newsletter. we had a wonderful June including a very special Men’s Spiritual Retreat. Read the report. Ready for County Fair season? We will be at the Altamont Fair this year. Sign up and volunteer to help. We begin recognizing those who have graduated. Stay tuned for more. Summer events are underway so mark your calendars. Join us at Spójnia Farm for its 95th Anniversary and the blessing of the new Great Hall on the 4th of July. We start with Holy Mass at 11am. We have made great progress in establishing a Food Bank at the parish. Check out the details. See the list of great articles on relationship, marriage, and parenting. Fantastic offers from the PNA continue (IRAs, insurance, and annuities). All this and more in our July/August 2024 Newsletter.