10th Sunday in Ordinary Time

06-09-2024Weekly ReflectionFr. Fred Adamson

Dear Parishioners,

June can be a month of weddings, anniversary celebrations, graduations, vacations and transitions. In the desert, the heat is here and we tend to spend a bit more time indoors. It can be a good time to spend some time putting together a personal or family plan for spiritual growth– thinking of what things will help you to come to a fuller appreciation of the goodness of God in your life. How do we pray, how do we serve and how do we deepen our knowledge can be three important questions to help form a plan.

Keep it simple and attainable. Remember everyone, every family is different and finding what works for you is what is most important. Some people love the mornings, others the evenings. For some, being alone is helpful and for others, being in a group. So, I encourage you to take time to make a Catholic rule for life. List how you will pray, serve and study. Start a journal or a note pad where you can record your commitments, thoughts, insights and encounters over the summer. Be confident that God is waiting – give Him time and trust Him. He will lead you.

I think each of us is called to personal holiness – to see ourselves as disciples of Jesus on a journey. That, of course, means living intentionally, committed to God’s will and plan for ourselves and our families. I think it is tied closely to how we witness to others in our daily lives. It is good to reflect on that – do we radiate the peace, love and confidence of God or does fear, suspicion, anger seep out of us? The Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit is one of joy. With a commitment to personal holiness and Christian witness, we realize we are in the midst of hundreds of different relationships with God’s people. Each encounter is an opportunity for grace.

This week at morning Mass, we read from the Second Letter of Peter an encouragement for living in Christ, “For this reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, virtue with knowledge, knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with devotion, devotion with mutual affection, mutual affection with love.” Peter outlines a spiritual program for growth in faith – things we can focus on and invest in that will help us to grow closer to the Lord.

So, over the next week, take time to make a plan, make a list; grow deeper in virtue, knowledge, self-control, endurance, devotion, mutual affection and love.

Last Sunday was the last weekend of donuts and coffee. We are taking a break over the summer months. I want to say a special thanks to the volunteers who get up early and give time on a Sunday morning to help us enjoy community, a sugar rush and a cup of java. They will be missed over the summer months but we will start back up in mid-August. Many thanks to the Knights of Columbus and the crew that serve faithfully.

Peace, joy and rest in Him,

Fr. Fred