You probably know that the Jews in the first century did not particularly like the Gentiles. Some of them who became Christians still looked down on the non-Jewish Christians. In the epistle today, Paul addresses this problem by reminding them that Jesus died for all people, Jew and Gentile. And just as Jesus rose from the dead to a new life, the converts to Christianity were given a new life also. That new life of baptism joined them all to Christ, who lives in them, forgives them, and brings them peace. So why was that unity so hard to accept?

One reason is that as much as we complain about laws and regulations, many people like to live by them. We even make our own rules: “I always eat breakfast at 7:15,” or “I have to read the newspaper every morning.” Even though our rules may not be bad in themselves, if we get angry at anyone who interrupts our routine, those rules lead us to sin. But some of the Hebrew Christians thought that they still had to keep the laws and regulations of the old covenant. There is nothing wrong with keeping the Ten Commandments: They are simply examples of Jesus’ command to love God with all your being and to love your neighbor as yourself. So why not just do that?

The problem with only keeping commandments is that we can avoid doing evil things, but still not love God or my neighbor. For example, we can avoid using God’s name in vain and kick back and relax on the Sabbath, but still not really love God. We can keep from killing, robbing, or lying to our neighbor, without loving anyone. Fortunately for us, God loves us first; we need only respond to that love. And if we make the decision to love God and our neighbors, and base all our other actions on that love, we will not break any commandments, or even worry about breaking them. We will have the peace that Paul mentions in our reading, the peace that makes us all one in Christ.

-Tom Schmidt, Diocesan Publications

   

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   TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION                                 

“Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while” (Mark 6: 31) must have been chosen for this summer season by a committee eager for a vacation. For the apostles, the promise of rest was foiled by the needs of the people who discovered their hideaway and pressed them into ministry. Some people do indeed use their vacation for ministry and mission, giving an intensity of service otherwise not possible. For most of us, vacation is a time when we can grow more aware of God’s plan and renew the bonds of love with family and friends in times of play and leisure.

The disciples learn in the Gospel that there is no place so out of the way that the life of worship and ministry is disengaged. Giving yourself to summer worship will enrich you, delight you, and give you a sense of the word of God’s progress in your heart. In today’s world, summer is the time when we are most acutely aware of the beauty of the world. Gratitude and wonder are fertile soils for God’s word to take root and prosper. Welcome the visitor today, and resolve that when you travel, you will be faithful to Sunday worship.                                   —Rev. James Field, Diocesan Publications

 

Sr. Eva Bernard is an Oblate Sister of St. Francis de Sales who lives and works in South Africa where the Oblate Sisters take care of the poor and the marginalized through education, pastoral outreach, and charity. Sister joined the Congregation in 1975. She has taught in Catholic schools in South Africa for 28 years, working to uplift the poor and those in need. During these years she held various responsibilities, including leadership and service in her Congregation. She was a member of the Catholic Board of Education in Cape Town until June 2022. Sister serves as Director of Catechetics on the Catechetical team of her Diocese of Oudtshoorn, South Africa, training and supporting catechists, running retreats and seminars. She is currently a catechist in her parish of St. Charles Lwanga in Mossel Bay. In June 2022 she retired from teaching and has been appointed Mission Procurator for her Congregation, in collaboration with the Oblate Sisters of St. Francis de Sales in the United States. Sr. Eva is in this country to raise awareness and to seek financial support of the missions where the Oblate Sisters work.

OBLATE SISTERS’ MISSIONARY WORK

The Oblate Sisters have been in active missionary service to the people of God since 1882. They work in South Africa and Namibia. With little to no resources, they run schools, serve the poor, and work in parishes to help meet specific needs. The number of those helped by the charity of the Sisters is increasing by the day, especially post-Covid. The need far surpasses the resources of the Sisters. Sr. Eva Bernard, from the missions in South Africa, is visiting your parish to share her story and ask for financial support.

The Sisters devote themselves to providing food for poor families.  This includes fruit and healthy food for children to prevent malnutrition. Several Sisters are involved in teaching in four pre-schools, three primary schools and one high school, educating young minds and hearts. Many parents are seasonal workers and cannot afford school fees for their children. This makes it extremely difficult, and their schools are literally run on “mercy,” relying on the prayers and support of good people to continue the work of evangelization and serving humanity.

 

The Knights of Columbus, Father Murphy Council 5535, will host another famous pancake breakfast on Sunday, July 21st, after the 8:00 and 10:30am Masses in the Family Life Center.

Did you know?
Knights of Columbus – 5535 Father Murphy Council is a Catholic men’s fraternal organization that dedicates itself to supporting and working with charitable organizations, mainly local ones such as Mission House, Hubbard House, Dial-A-Ride, BEAM and Beaches Community Kitchen. They also support several seminarians in the diocese as well as our parish. They accomplish their goal primarily through weekly bingo games.
The council is located at 1401 2nd Avenue North in Jacksonville Beach, FL.