From the Pastor’s Desk
Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Nov 10, 2024
“They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext recite lengthy prayers. They will receive a very severe condemnation.”
-Mark 12:40
Brothers and Sisters,
God provides! Trusting fully in God’s love, compassion, mercy, and providence is essential for every disciple. This trust is especially important as we face our own failures, weaknesses, and sinfulness. In his letter Dilexit Nos (read it here: https://bit.ly/3A0Ncok), Pope Francis offers a powerful summary of God’s love poured out to His people through Scripture and the lives of saints. His message mirrors our own journey as disciples: to belong, believe, become, and go beyond.
At the heart of discipleship is this simple truth: God loves us first. Our first step, then, is to open ourselves to receive that love—a love foundational to who we are. But discipleship is not a solitary path; we are called into communion with Christ and His Church. As we deepen our faith through prayer and the sacraments, we encounter God in a “heart to heart” relationship, which reminds us of our true identity and the person He calls us to become.
As Dilexit Nos continues, it calls us not only to receive God’s love but to become active bearers of it in the world. There is a deep thirst all around us for a love that is both heroic and sacrificial—a love that only the Lord can inspire within us.
So, what does this mean for us as parishioners of OLPH? Our journey as a community should be one of continual growth and enrichment, deeply rooted in the life of the parish. We are called to accompany one another, to inspire each other, and to cultivate discipline in our faith. We need to find moments of stillness to listen to God, not just occasionally, but as a rhythm woven into our daily lives. And, as we encounter the love of Jesus, we are called to live it out generously in service to our brothers and sisters.
This weekend’s Gospel reinforces this calling. Jesus teaches us to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. The poor widow exemplifies this commandment; unlike the “rich” who give from their surplus, she offers everything she has, even though it is just a few small coins. Her generosity challenges us to move our hearts toward heroic and sacrificial giving. Giving all we have is an act of profound trust in God’s promise to “give us our daily bread.” Such immense love is only possible by God’s grace, so let us pray together: “Lord, move my heart to hold nothing back from you—my wealth, my gifts, my time, my life.”
As a Church, we must also heed Jesus’ warning against the scribes’ desire for honor and influence. As individuals and an institution, we must strive for accountability and transparency, guarding against any temptation to seek personal gain. We seek a genuine partnership with you, our parishioners, embracing your offerings and using them faithfully for God’s glory. Whether through your contributions in the offertory, your prayers, ministry work, or acts of service to the broader community, each offering helps build up God’s Kingdom.
Next Sunday, we will distribute the annual financial report alongside my homily on stewardship and the responsibility God entrusts to us. May we recognize God as the source of all generosity and offer back to Him all He has blessed us with, working together to bring about the Kingdom of God here and now.