In today's gospel Jesus sends the 72 disciples on their first missionary journey. They were to be the first evangelizers. He saw an abundant harvest but so few workers that he warned the disciples to pray that the Father might send others to join them in the harvesting. It is apparent from the words of the Lord that he loved his disciples very much. “I am sending you like lambs among wolves.” He went into detail about what they were to take and how they were to behave. They were to prepare the way for Jesus’ coming by proclaiming the nearness of God’s kingdom. Two by two he sent them so that they could strengthen one another and give example of how disciples are to live out the love of Christ.
As the Father sent Him, so He sent them. Jesus is the sacrament, the sign which makes present God's love for the world. The process of divine love originates in the eternal, hidden life of the Trinity and is extended into the world by Jesus, the Word made flesh. Through the sacrament of Baptism we are called to share in the priesthood of Christ, to be Christ in the world- to bring the gospel to our homes, our work, our friends and family.
Out of this common priesthood and ordered to its service, there is yet another participation in the mission of Christ: the ministry conferred by the sacrament of Holy Orders. Through this sacrament some members of the faithful are called to further serve in a continuation of the apostolic ministry of service in the person of Christ the Head of the Church. They are to teach, celebrate the sacraments, and govern the Church. They exercise a pastoral ministry which enables and empowers the faithful to bring the love of Christ to the ends of the earth.
"...Ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest." The Church and the world need workers to proclaim the Kingdom. The Lord Jesus has loved and saved us. Proclaiming this good news so that everyone experiences the ministry of Christ is what it means to evangelize. Let us ask the Lord to make us today’s disciples and evangelists. Let us also encourage and pray for young men to hear God’s call to diaconal and priestly service in the Church and to respond with generous hearts.
CONGRATULATIONS ST. HILARY!
I just received a letter from Cardinal George congratulating us on the success of the Annual Appeal at St. Hilary Parish. Our 2010 goal was $33,601.50. As you know, our parish was selected for the debt reduction program so all the funds we raise for the appeal this year will go to reduce our debt at the Archdiocesan Bank. In addition, the Archdiocese will match, dollar for dollar, all the funds raised and apply that to our debt as well. June 1st was the midpoint of the campaign and so far we have paid $63,997 on our pledges to the Archdiocese. As of June 10, 2010 the Archdiocese matched that amount and applied $127,994 to our account at the Archdiocesan Bank.
If you have not yet made a pledge to the Annual Appeal, there is still time to do so. Every dollar paid to the appeal this year will be matched by the Archdiocese. If you have not yet paid your pledge, please rermember the pledges must be paid by October 1st to be sure they will be matched for this year.
If we can put “a little something extra” in our account with the Archdiocese, we may be able to do some very important maintenance to the school and church buildings. God bless you for your generosity! Pray for the continued success of this year’s appeal.