Weekly Pastor's Corner
Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
7/25/26-07/26/26
The Kingdom of Heaven is like a Pearl of great price that man finds and goes and sells all that he has and buys it according to the parable offered by Jesus on this 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time. It is as well like a net thrown into the sea which collects fish of all kinds that are separated into both good and bad. It is as well like a treasure found buried in a field which, when found, is purchased with all that a man has because it is the most valuable thing to be grasped. Jesus’ teaching the Kingdom is to be held to tightly because it is understood to be the thing of greatest value and that for eternity is that which most changes a person or a community for the better, a conversion which points one toward what is good. But perhaps in this age of self-concern and inwardly directed values we have lost such an understanding. Families no longer fill our churches and long to teach children the lessons of Jesus. Rather the family is centered on satisfaction of self-concern, and our churches, particularly in the city, are devoid of children. What has happened? The values announced and embodied by Jesus have taken a back seat to accomplishment, wealth and material growth. Jesus, with simple but powerful parables, calls us back to an appreciation of spiritual benefit and value which supersedes individual achievement. Jesus Himself is the announcement of value which is lasting and promotes holiness.
Continuing our appreciation of parishioners and staff who embody the values which Jesus promotes, we
offer a family which is always ready to offer their gifts and talents whenever the parish has need. We give you
the Rudolph family who are ever ready to prepare and cook food for our enjoyment at the Christmas Fair or at
other celebrations such as our Summer and Fall picnics, hot dog and hamburger days and other celebrations. We are grateful to them for their talent and readiness to serve so that we can celebrate and enjoy one another’s
company. Without them and their sacrifice we would be hard pressed to have such days of joy and fundraising.
Thank you to the Rudolph’s!
Thanks, and have a great week
God Bless,
Fr. Joe
