Pastor&#039;s Letter

June 25, 2023

In God’s Hands

In today’s gospel from Matthew, we’ll hear some comforting words from Jesus. He tells us not to be afraid of what’s in front of us, or what’s happening all around us, because we are in God’s care. Or, as we often say, “in God’s hands.”

Jesus makes the case by pointing us to nature and to two small sparrows, which were used as offerings to God in the old Temple. If God notices them, and what they symbolized, God certainly notices us because Jesus says we’re valued even more. We’ll hear Jeremiah say in today’s first reading that God is with us “like a mighty champion.”

Jesus says the only thing we should be afraid of is the choice we can make not to have God in our life, and as we know, people can and do make that choice. But those who do choose it find an underlying peace that comes in seeking love over hate, goodness over evil, justice over tyranny, life over death, and forgiveness over resentment. We ultimately choose how we see the world. Jesus asks us to look at it through his eyes.

Of course, right now we’re very much aware that in a week we’ll be creating a new parish. Two are becoming one, like a marriage. But what a blessing to know that over the last 63+ years, we’ve chosen to place our trust in God and to place ourselves in God’s care through all our ups and downs. We’ve chosen it intentionally. And look at what this community of faith has accomplished.

We built a school and have educated our children, not just to encounter the world, but to impact the world through Christ. Our Religious Education Program has embraced the same mission and values. We’re known far and wide as a community that has a heart—we’ve fed the hungry, clothed the naked, visited the sick and imprisoned; sheltered the homeless. Through our Community Life program, we’ve helped people—regardless of their faith—who no one else has chosen to help. Even other churches, the Township and the Village refer people to us time and time again because they know we’ll do something for them—even if they just need to be heard. We care for those who need basic things.

We’ve brought awareness and care to those struggling with domestic violence, those who need a helping hand with chores or tasks or a ride, those who are seeking work and a new beginning, those who want to have Christ in their lives by worshipping God as a Catholic; those who seek reconciliation, healing, and compassion.

We have brought Christ in Communion to those who can’t make it to church. We have worshipped joyfully with each other at Mass, giving thanks and praise to our God. We have benefited from the kindness of our parishioners who freely give of their time and their talent, whether as musicians, singers, lectors, Mass coordinators, sacristans, servers, Eucharistic Ministers, ushers or anyone who willingly and eagerly says “yes” to our community. We’re a community that says, “How can I help?” sincerely and genuinely, time and time again.

We do all this because deep down we know that God has embraced us, watched over us, and cared for us. And through us, God has touched His people. God has been our rock and strength for 63 years and that won’t ever change. We’ve chosen to stay with him, be with him, walk with him and learn from him. And now we head into the future with him. We know we’re held. Who else could we go to, except to the One who sustains us and gives us life.

The Lord is with us. He’s our mighty champion!

–Fr. Mike