My dear beloved brothers and sisters,
Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ!
I would like to express my gratitude to Fr. Marian for his service, his dedication, his words of encouragement and unwavering support and love for our Parishes here in Penticton. I ask you to pray for him as he is now moving to St. Matthew Parish in Surrey, BC. This is the reality as a priest that we go wherever God calls us, recognizing the privilege and responsibility of sharing God’s Word with others. Serving God involves a commitment to personal growth, reliance on God’s grace, and a desire to see lives transformed by the power of the Gospel.
Thank you Fr. Marian for showing us Jesus through your great example of living a life of faith.
In today’s Gospel (Luke 10.1-12, 17-20), Jesus sent seventy disciples on a mission , in addition to the Twelve Apostles to prepare the way for Him, highlighting the pressing need and simplicity required for ministry. The disciples are sent out in pairs, without provisions, relying on the hospitality of others and focusing on proclaiming the Kingdom of God. Upon their return, they rejoice in their success, particularly their power over demons, and Jesus reminds them that their authority comes from their relationship with Him.
This weekend we are invited to reflect on our role in the mission of spreading God’s Word. The Gospel encourages us to have that spirit of urgency, practicality, and dependence on God in sharing the Kingdom of God. It also prompts us to reflection on how we respond to both the opportunities and challenges that arise in our mission, recognizing the need to be both a messenger of peace and a witness to God’s power. And it challenges us to consider how to prepare the way for the Lord’s coming into own lives and into the lives of those around us.
Let us pray that we may respond now to that calling of God in proclaiming and building of the Kingdom here and now, as a great example of faith. AMEN
God Loves You!
~ Fr. NEIL