I can do all things in him who strengthens me

Oct 13, 2023
2 min read

Thanks so much to everyone who made the start of our 135th Anniversary so special! Thanks to Bishop Golka for joining us for three Masses on Sunday.

Thanks to our Deacons, Acolytes, and extra altar servers who stepped up to serve our Bishop. Thanks to everyone who decorated, cooked, and cleaned for our Sunday morning brunch.

And special thanks to our Hispanic Community who joined us in large numbers for Mass and brought so much food and drink for our Fiesta on Sunday afternoon. What a wonderful celebration! I was exhausted!

In Sunday’s Gospel, I wonder why anyone would turn down an invitation to such a feast! Would their farm save them? Would their business save them? Would killing the messengers save them?

Who saves you? Your farm? Your business? Your money?

Well, maybe you feel more like the people pulled in right off the street in this Gospel; “the bad and good alike.” Then, why would somebody show up not dressed properly? This is as close as we get to heaven-on-earth right here!

Whenever Jesus presents a situation where there seems to be no solution,

he always reminds his listeners that following Him is the only thing that makes all things possible. Jesus is the secret that Saint Paul learned to ”being well fed and of going hungry, of living in abundance and of being in need.” Jesus is the secret we know as well!

God has always supplied everything we need. Have we always believed that? In rich times and in poor times? Have we always accepted his invitation? Have we come here prepared? Are we invested here in Him as much as we are in our farms, our businesses, our homes? Who continues to support us here? In rich times and in poor times? It’s our parish and the banquet feast of Jesus’ Body and Blood! Why not come to the feast?

Fr. Mark Zacker

Pastor

Brothers and sisters:

I know how to live in humble circumstances;

I know also how to live with abundance.

In every circumstance and in all things

I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry,

of living in abundance and of being in need.

I can do all things in him who strengthens me.

Still, it was kind of you to share in my distress.

My God will fully supply whatever you need,

in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.