Please take 2 minutes and listen to Pope Leo (button above) speak about World Mission Sunday, from his experience as a missionary priest and bishop in Peru.
When I celebrate an infant Baptism, I always use the passage that reads: “Let the children come, and do not hinder them” (Matthew 19:14). I then tell the parents and guests to imagine that moment, when Jesus crouches down to the eye-level of little children, and spreads His arms wide to welcome them in an embrace of love as they run through the blockade of the disciples, who were only trying to protect Jesus from crowds.
Our first reading has Moses spreading his arms out in a form of prayer as the Israelites are in a battle, supported by Aaron and Hur as his arms grew tired. Our Gospel tells the parable of the women who, persistent in her petition to the judge – her prayer, as it were – who gets satisfaction because she never ceases to petition the judge.
Jesus also spreads his arms out wide on the Cross, which we can only see clearly as a Cross of Love. He had no one to support him, but instead for those hours, He was still teaching us the greatest and most important facts about love: all of life is made better, made sacred by the wide expanse of God’s love. He said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:24).
As we navigate the struggles of 21st century life, we often encounter those who do not believe in the Gospel as we do; we also encounter many who profess the same beliefs, but are afraid to witness to them before coworkers, family or friends. When Jesus shared his divinity in glimpses to his Apostles, he often told them not to tell others until after His Resurrection. They did not know why; it was simple! He had more to teach, and did not want to speed up the crucifixion, as there were many Pharisees and Sadducees who were plotting to kill Him.
You and I, however, live in the light of faith of Easter Resurrection. We can, and we must reflect the Gospel to our world, and we are called to do that every day. We must act on the instruction heard in our second reading, Saint Paul’s instruction to Timothy, and which continues for two verses beyond what we heard today: “I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingly power: proclaim the word; be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient; convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching. For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine but, following their own desires and insatiable curiosity, will accumulate teachers and will stop listening to the truth and will be diverted to myths” (2 Timothy 4:1:2).
That time is now, and we are today’s disciples of the Gospel!
- Father Jim
Hospice Care Information
Faith at Home
These links provides you with the latest one-page resource for families, Faith At Home; it connects to the theme of the upcoming Sunday Liturgy. This resource is updated each week and can be found on the diocesan webpage at www.dioceseoftrenton.org/faith-at-home and en Español at www.dioceseoftrenton.org/fe-en-casa.
May God continue to bless us and keep us close to Him.
Please support the Society of St. Vincent de Paul so that together we can help local families in need. Those needing help should call the SVDP helpline at 856-291-7313. Click this link to visit the SVdP website: www.SVDPmoorestown.org
Local food pantries include:
St. Matthew's Church, 318 Chester Ave.
First Baptist Church, 19 West Main St., Moorestown
Bethel AME, 512 N. Church St., Moorestown
Prince of Peace 61 E Rte 70, Marlton, NJ 08053
SVDP also has Thinking of You cards available. A gift can be given to the poor in the name of someone special at your
request. You will be remembered in the prayers and works of the Moorestown Vincentians. We are so very grateful for your
generous ongoing donations.
Our Promise to Protect
The Diocese of Trenton is committed to the initiatives outlined in the U.S. Bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People in regard to the reporting and investigation of sexual abuse allegations involving minors. The Diocese has in place a Victim’s Assistance Coordinator, who is available to obtain support for your needs and help you make a formal complaint of abuse.
If you have been sexually abused as a minor by a member of the clergy or anyone representing the Catholic Church, or if you know someone who was, you can report that abuse through the diocesan Abuse Hotline: 1-888-296-2965 or via email at abuseline@dioceseoftrenton.org.
The Diocese encourages anyone with an allegation to also report that abuse to their local law enforcement agency. The Diocese reports all allegations received to the appropriate county prosecutor’s office.
ONLINE GIVING OPTIONS
please click on the corresponding hyperlinks below
