Dear Parishioners,
A good friend shared a story with me about her son from high school. At the end of his gym class the students would typically play a game. From each class two different students were selected to be the captains who would pick the other students for their team. Of course, the best players were always selected first. The same kids who weren’t as skilled were always selected last almost every time. Well, this friend’s son was the captain one day and he chose first all the students who were always selected last. The game was totally lopsided and his team got crushed. The mother only found out because the teacher was so impressed by this selfless and sacrificial move that he emailed the mother.
How divine! This young man demonstrated wisdom and charity beyond his years. He didn’t do this because he wanted to be recognized. He did it because it was the right thing to do. He gave those neglected classmates a feeling of being chosen. The outcome of the game wasn’t important. He could have easily done what every other captain did: select the best athletes and have a fun game at the end of gym class. And no one would have remembered that. Instead, he chose the path of suffering and denial, and look how many are benefiting from it now.
David had a similar opportunity to take advantage of a good situation he was given. King Saul was at war with David, seeking to kill him. The throne of Israel was at stake. Saul made a mistake and was in David’s grasp, and David let him go. He could have easily killed Saul, ended the war right there, and taken the crown. But it wasn’t the right thing to do. Saul, as David said, was still God’s anointed. And this wasn’t the noble way to end the war. David trusted that God would end the war as he saw fit. David didn’t need to do it himself by killing Saul. The young David exercised charity, mercy, and trust. Like this high schooler, David reflected God.
First off, isn’t it amazing to see the diverse ways to live out our faith? It doesn’t have to necessarily take place in a church or a soup kitchen. It can be in a gym class or in war or at your work or at home.
Making the sacrifice to do the right thing for the right purpose–that is doing God’s will. It doesn’t matter where you are or what the circumstances might be. It’s hard, but if we can trust that God will provide for us, we will do the right thing, and the world will truly become a holier place.
David had a spear in his hand that he could have used to kill Saul. He yelled to Saul’s general, “Here is the king’s spear. Let an attendant come over to get it.” David dropping the spear was symbolic of his doing the will of God. One thousand years later Jesus would be speared through his heart–another example of a good man making a sacrifice to do the right thing for the right purpose.
What is the spear in your life you are currently holding? May we have the grace to drop it and open our hands to God’s love. And wherever that high schooler, now a young man, might be, may he know God has great things in store for him.
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On Saturday, February 22nd, our students received the Sacrament of Confirmation from Bishop Daniel Turley. We are very proud of you, young men and women, and may the face of the Lord shine in each one of you.
This Sunday we will have a Family Mass at 10:30 a.m. in the HFC. If you are interested in serving as a Eucharistic Minister for these Masses, please reach out to us. Thank you to those who organize these Masses, especially our contemporary ensemble and our children’s choir for the wonderful music they provide.
This weekend is the in-pew solicitation for the Annual Catholic Appeal. All parishes across the Archdiocese will hear a message from Cardinal Cupich and then fill out the forms for the appeal. As I mentioned last week, our assessment for the 2025 ACA is $152,876, which is 7% of our previous year’s offertory income. This annual campaign is very important for the Archdiocese to fund its ministries and other services, particularly for poorer schools and parishes. Cardinal Cupich writes, “The Appeal shares resources with struggling parish communities, Catholic schools and programs of religious education. The Appeal enables us to support ministry formation, including priests’ development. It also funds initiatives for justice, peace, and respect for life. The Appeal also connects us with needs across the world through Catholic Relief Services.” Thank you for your generosity, and thank you to those who have already contributed through the mail or online.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. James Wallace
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