And to another he said, “Follow me.” In every moment of every day, in every circumstance and experience, God is calling us. We can easily get distracted and not hear it or simply ignore it, pretending it wasn’t even heard. When we do hear it and favorably respond, there are some conditions that must be met. Jesus makes it clear that once we say yes to his invitation, we must stay focused and forge ahead. We cannot keep looking behind or worry about unfinished business. There are some tasks, and discipleship is one, that require our full devotion.
There are many “masters” vying for our attention. We need something or someone to give us direction. Human nature requires it. Our motives and actions reveal what has our allegiance. It is tempting to give ourselves to masters that lure us with intriguing promises. When given the choice between a “master” that promises worldly success, abundant wealth, status, privilege, and security versus a “master” that asks for self-sacrifice, hardship, suffering, ridicule, and death, to whom do we go? While the promise of immediate pleasure is enticing, there is always a catch. For all that secular masters can promise, they always keep us looking behind, checking on ourselves, second guessing choices, calculating options, and being slaves to excessive worry. Our guard can never come down. Only one master really promises life: Jesus Christ. Hearing his call, we either trust him or we don’t.
Saying yes to following Christ does come with a risk. But it also comes with the brightness of future hopes and dreams. There is no need to keep looking behind. Sins are forgiven and regrets serve no effective purpose. God is not there. He’s moved beyond all that stuff. God is in the today and the tomorrow and what he can continually do with our daily affirmation to follow Him. All we need to do is be obedient. St. Gianna Molla is credited with saying, “The stillness of prayer is the most essential condition for fruitful action. Before all else, the disciple kneels down.” Begin with prayer. We will not only hear God’s call but find the courage to trust that He will guide us where we need to be. God uses us in the most ordinary of ways through the simple daily expression of our lives. ©LPi
Notes for this Weekend
We will have a second collection for Peters Pence
Welcome
Welcome to our Eucharistic Celebration on this Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
“Follow me,” Jesus calls out in today’s Gospel. He summons us as well, and his call is challenging. Being a disciple means putting aside one’s own personal concerns. It also means following Jesus no matter how difficult. Up until now, Jesus spent his time preaching, teaching, and healing around Galilee. But now Jesus has set off for Jerusalem. Though the disciples don’t realize it, he has embarked on the journey that leads to the cross. Let us pray for the strength and courage to continue to follow our Lord, no matter the cost, realizing that our reward is the kingdom of God.
The intentions of this Mass are for all those in our special intention basket and...
Please stand for our procession.
Universal Prayer
A. For all Christians during the “Forward in Mission” Jubilee Year, that by the grace of God, we leave everything behind to follow Jesus as his disciples, let us pray to the Lord.
B. That we all may be attentive to the Lord’s call in our lives, let us pray to the Lord.
C. For those who suffer from the summer’s heat, especially those with inadequate shelter or none at all, that they may be protected from harm, let us pray to the Lord.
D. For all those at a crossroads in their lives, that they may recognize the movement of the Holy Spirit and be willing to be guided by the Spirit, let us pray to the Lord.
E. For all the prayers that we hold in the silence of our hearts; for all our intentions spoken and unspoken, let us pray to the Lord.
Announcements
1. Today we have a second collection for the Peter’s Pence fund. The Peter’s Pence collection is a gesture of solidarity through which every member of the faithful can participate in the activity of the Pope as Pastor of the universal Church. Your donations to the Holy Father are destined to Church needs, to humanitarian initiatives and social promotion projects, as well as to the support of the Holy See. We thank you for your generosity.
2. With a thankful heart, we say goodbye to Father Gerardo and Father Nahum. Join us for our farewell Mass on Monday, June 27, at the 5:00 pm Mass. We will have a small reception after Mass in the Redahan Hall.
3. As we say goodbye to our two priests, we welcome two new Priests. Father Arturo Velasco will be our new pastor, and we have the blessing of receiving, with open arms, a newly ordained Priest, Father Kamil Ziolkowski. Please welcome them with your warm St. Joseph hospitality.
