John 3:16 – Be thankful, grateful, patient, charitable, kind, and smile, as it is infectious. God Bless America; protect our president and Military!
The Bible – I read it from time to time for enlightenment or during the three readings at every Mass throughout my life to contemplate how they apply to that day, week, month, or year, as the same reading can take on a different response every time you read it or hear it. We go to church to share that hour within the community that funded and built the church to celebrate Mass. My mother gave me my grandmother’s Bible that is falling apart at the seams. I would suggest to everyone, and to couples contemplating marriage, “The Book of Solomon”. You folks who like Hollywood’s take on scary movies have nothing compared to what is written in “The Book of Revelation”. To get back on point!
We need to remember that priests, bishops, cardinals, and the Pope elect took vows in their life’s path to choose to serve God in fulfilling religious, education, doctrine, sacraments – Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation, Reconciliation, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick, and Holy Orders. It is through the latter that they commit themselves in following Christ as custodians to the people of the parishes they are assigned. They should all be held in the deepest respect of the community, but, like all, have to earn that respect and trust in serving the roles of religious life.
In a week, there are 168 hours, and I don’t think it’s a major sacrifice to devote at least one of them to quiet reflection and giving thanks, wherever you choose to do so. Most churches now have Saturday Evening, Sunday Morning, and Sunday evening masses, and also offer live broadcasts from your church that you can watch online to support the parish financially. They have bent over backward to make it as easy as ever to attend and to remove any aspect of an excuse. So, what are you waiting for?
The pastor who manages the parish needs staff, teachers, and, like you, bills to pay. Those duties include running and upkeep of the church property and grounds. Many run schools, convents, CYO sports teams, and pay teachers’ and staff salaries. Also, part of their responsibilities is the upkeep of the church, school, grounds, and food cupboard to help the community’s poor. Many run assistance programs for Alcoholics Anonymous, Rachel’s Vineyard for women who have had an abortion and live with regret, and other outreach programs. We sometimes fail to realize in life that it takes an army of both religious and volunteers to fund our…your community! Did you think this was going to be just a simple book response??
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