July 9, 2023

Dear Parishioners,

Do you remember over ten years ago when the NBA superstar Lebron James announced that he was leaving Cleveland to go play for the Miami Heat? There was a special, hour-long show called “The Decision” where he announced “I’m going to take my talents to South Beach.” No offense to Lebron, but it was really pathetic. I remember having a really bad taste in my mouth from that (I was in seminary at the time and was still somewhat obsessed with sports… I also had a vain hope he would choose the Bulls).

Yes, Lebron was clearly the best player in basketball at the time. He would be the “messiah” to whatever team he went to, helping them earn a championship. But building up the hype, having a full show all about himself, and then giving this dramatic announcement was almost idolatrous. It was like he was a god.

It was very different from our Lord, the actual Messiah and the one true God. Isaiah says, “See, your king shall come to you; a just savior is he, meek, and riding on an ass, on a colt, the foal of an ass.”

Jesus was, and is, much more low-key. He didn’t say too much about himself while he lived, as we have recorded in the Gospels. The one thing he did say, which we hear about today, was: “I am meek and humble of heart.”

When people wanted to proclaim him a king, Jesus hid away. When others requested miracles for their own satisfaction, Jesus refused. When Pilate and Herod and the others wanted him to flash his glory, he was silent. The one time our Lord did flash his glory, at the Transfiguration, it was in private and he told Peter, James, and John not to tell anyone about it.

We are Christians, which means we are called, among other things, to imitate Christ. We don’t have to announce to anyone where ‘we’re taking our talents.’ Instead, we live quietly and humbly, surrendering our hearts to God. We don’t waste or bury our talents – see the parable on that – but we give the glory to our Lord.

To be meek and humble of heart we need to be grounded in the truth that we are loved unconditionally by God. Then we won’t feel a pressure to prove ourselves or show off ourselves. We’ll be content letting Jesus be the Messiah. That’s a much better way to live.

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As I mentioned last week, we are saddened by the news of Adrienne Timm’s retirement as Director of our Social Services Ministry. Adrienne has really built up our program over the thirty years she has been at the parish, and we are incredibly grateful for the work she has done in serving the poor. We are in the process of hiring a replacement. Please keep us in your prayers and feel free to spread the word about the position.

On the subject of Social Services Ministry, I want to take a moment to thank all of you who so generously donate to us, whether it’s the checks you give or the food you drop off or the time you put in with the food pantry and so forth. We are able to help in a real way many numbers of people, so your donations are certainly put to good use. 

All are welcome to join the Family Mass this Sunday at 10:30am in the Holy Family Chapel. Thank you again to all who have prepared to make this Mass possible, and to those who will be providing the music. If you would like to be involved or donate your skills (particularly musical skills), please contact Jennifer Waters.

A reminder we have our Scripture Seminar this Wednesday, July 12th in the Holy Family Chapel at 9am. Coffee and pastries will be served and feel free to bring your Bible.

Our next Teen Mass will be Sunday, August 6th at 5pm.

Yours in Christ,