Date: Sunday, September 27, 2015
Today I am giving my State of the Union (Parish) talk but in the form of homily with the readings at Mass to help focus my attention. In our first reading from the Book of Numbers, God instructs Moses to gather 70 elders to assist implementing the covenant with God. The Spirit of God rests on the gathering but two are missing but the Spirit empowers them to prophesize (i.e. to hear and to proclaim the Word of God.) Joshua wants to restrict these two latecomers but Moses says: “Would that all the people of the Lord were prophets!” The Spirit of God empowers us to continue the mission of Jesus. The Spirit is at work at Annunciation. I can see people empowered. Yogi Berra, the great Yankee catcher, said: “You can observe a lot just by watching.”
The Spirit enlivens our Eucharist and celebration of the Sacraments. Liturgy means: “work of the people.” Consider all who are participating: congregation, priests, deacons, servers, musicians (singers, players & cantors), Lectors, Ministers of Holy Communion, greeters, ushers and environment. Reflection on Sacred Scripture and Spiritual Renewal are high priorities: Bible Study, Prayer and Discussion Groups, Mission and Retreats.
Faith sharing/formation is an awesome, joyful and a life-long process: Rite of Christian Initiation of Adult and Children, toddlers at Mass, Children’s Liturgy of the Word, our Strong Start – Early Children’s Learning Academy (Pre-K 3 & 4), Youth Faith Formation programs and Teen Center in Langley.
A mark of the Spirit is respectful listening in consultation with parish staff, trustees, Pastoral Council, Religious Education Advisory Council, Finance Committee, Liturgy Committee, and Building & Grounds Committee. The Sprit of God is apparent in Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy: bereavement, visitation of the elderly & sick, baptismal preparation, sponsor couples, shawl ministry, garden club and St. Joseph Workers. Spirit energizes our parish organizations: Ladies Sodality, Holy Name Society and Boy Scouts Troop 325. Even in our clubs -- Book and Pinochle.
Our 2nd Reading, Letter of St. James, reminds us that our wealth is not in what we acquire but in the true treasure of our faith and good works. God is on the side of the vulnerable, poor and oppressed. Are you aware of our parishioners’ support of Catholic Charities, Response to Love Center, St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy, FISH of East Aurora and VIVE? We/you support foreign missions in Nicaragua and Haiti. Lay people from Annunciation are chaplains in local hospitals and prisons. Next Sunday (Oct 4) we will be standing in quiet and peaceful witness to the sanctity of human life “in the womb and all stages” on Niagara Falls Blvd.
Today, the Gospel according to St. Mark calls our faith community to conversion. John, one of the 12, wants to restrict the missions to a select few just like Joshua in the 1st Reading. Jesus will have none of it. “Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, amen I say to you, will surely not lose his reward.” Jesus speaks of judgment regarding sin. Metaphorically not literally Jesus says if your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off; if your eye causes you to sin pluck it out. Jesus speaks of being thrown into and left to rot in Gehenna. Gehenna is a garbage dump near Jerusalem. Jesus is saying to us: remove whatever separates us from God’s love and mercy in Jesus Christ.
Pope Francis is calling America to be good stewards of the precious gift of life, of service to/with the poor, immigrants and refugees, and of care for the earth – our common home. Early next week you will receive a communication from me: Christ Is Life Stewardship Appeal. Every year at this time I thank our parishioners for their involvement in the life of our faith community and for their financial support. I ask each person and family to prayerfully consider and then decide on their regular contribution to sustain our mission. Stewardship is living with gratitude and generosity. We are blessed at Annunciation.