Let’s thank God each day for calling us to share in His work

It’s hard to believe that I arrived here at Saint Francis five years ago on September 15. I am so happy to be your Pastor!  What tremendous growth we are seeing in the parish!  In that time, we officially added nearly 600 families.  Unofficially, I see a lot more throughout the year! We will soon have an update on the search process for a potential new site for a new parish mission in the Crystal Valley area.  Following the feasibility study that we did in the Spring, we have been actively searching for potential land and have settled on one.  We have begun a process of due diligence to study the land and make sure it is useable for a church of similar size to our own here at Saint Francis.  Stay tuned!

Though we can never fully understand the love of God and His ways, our Bible readings remind us that God's ways and priorities are often very different from our own.  The world often tells us that success is measured by getting ahead, looking out for ourselves, or believing that time is money. God offers a different perspective through the prophet Isaiah: "My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways." As disciples of His Son, we see life from God's perspective, using our time, talents, and treasure with eternity in mind.

Saint Paul models this way of thinking in today's Second Reading. He writes, "For to me life is Christ." Paul's life does not revolve around himself. Everything is centered on Christ. The same should be true for every one of us.

In today's Gospel, Jesus illustrates this divine perspective through the parable of the workers in the vineyard.  The same temptation that affected them can affect us. We may compare ourselves to others and wonder whether everyone else is contributing as much as we are at home, at work, or in our parish. At those moments, remember that it is a privilege simply to have been invited into the Lord's vineyard. The more opportunities we have to serve Him, the greater the gift.

Living this stewardship way of life, with Christ at the center of everything, fills our lives with meaning, purpose, and lasting joy. Let’s thank God each day for calling us to share in His work.

Fr. Mark Zacker

Pastor