Our School
Join Our Parish
Online GivingIn order to follow him, Jesus asks his disciples for total dedication. As an example, he tells us that to be worthy, we must love him more than we love our parents or children. He doesn’t expect us to abandon them, only to have so much love for Jesus that it spills over into our family, allowing us to love them more deeply. But we can be so dedicated to Jesus that he comes first. That means that if we lose a family member through death or divorce, we still maintain our faith in the Lord. If we see someone in our family straying from the faith, we try to help them return through our prayers, example, and encouragement. If our spouse tries to lead us toward sin, we have the courage to defend the faith.
Then Jesus gives the example of three kinds of disciples. First come the prophets. They are people who have lived the faith and can teach others the wisdom they have learned. They can be good counselors who advise us, teachers who inspire us, or leaders who encourage us to follow Jesus. While we may not have these qualities, Jesus promises to reward all who follow their advice, learn from their teachings, or follow Jesus because of them.
Second come the righteous, those who teach us by their example of a quiet life. Many good parents practice this kind of discipleship. Children may not listen to their parents’ advice, but they still grow up with memories of how they lived. If we imitate the best of our parents’ ways, we will receive the reward of the righteous.
Finally, come the “little ones.” These people, like children, follow Jesus with great joy and love. They may not be leaders or always do things right. They may be elderly or disabled. In their weakness, they show us the power of the Lord. When we respect and value them, we can see Jesus in them. And every time we can experience Jesus through another person, it is a wonderful reward for a disciple. -Tom Schmidt, Diocesan Publications
Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles – June 29
Monday is a solemnity honoring two saints who didn’t spend much time together in their earthly ministry, and who have distinct feasts, so they probably don’t mind sharing this one. Yet each suffered a similar fate in the same city, Rome, during the persecution of Emperor Nero. Nero probably ordered the destruction of many of the residential neighborhoods in service to his building projects, and when the homeless began to look for someone to blame for the fires, Nero targeted the Christians. Soon, Peter was crucified, upside down, on Vatican hill. Excavations (called scavi) under the Vatican Basilica have proven the authenticity of his burial place near the place of his death. Paul, a Roman citizen, was later granted a swifter execution by sword, and is remembered at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls on the outskirts of the city.
Peter and Paul were just about polar opposites. Peter was rough and ready, Paul was poetic and polished. Peter carried a burden of regret for his denials; Paul had his own issues with which he struggled. Peter leapt over barriers to go to the Gentiles, Paul strove with and surrendered to the same call. They spent very little time together in this life, but the same Spirit filled their hearts and by their witness changed the face of the earth. —Rev. James Field
SAINT JUNÍPERO SERRA (1713-1784) – July 1
No one who has stood before the quiet majesty of Mission San Juan Capistrano, or the altogether different but no less lovely Mission Dolores in San Francisco, or any of the missions from San Diego to Sonoma can fail to bless the Franciscan padre who, while not founder of each, was inspiration for them all, Saint Junípero Serra. Abandoning the comfortable academic life to which his doctorate in theology entitled him, Serra journeyed to the New World where his tireless traveling, dramatic preaching, and penitential austerity converted thousands of native peoples. Saving souls and celebrating the sacraments were Padre Serra’s primary mission but not his only one. Education in letters and crafts, trades and agriculture transformed the people, while roads and irrigation systems transfigured the landscape. His more than thirty years of ministry were not free from conflict with authorities or without controversy in the retrospectively critical eye of history. He was canonized by Pope Francis at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC on September 23, 2015. —Peter Scagnelli, Diocesan Publications