June 28, 2020: 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time
“Whoever gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little ones to drink because the little one is a disciple — amen, I say to you, he will surely not lose his reward.“
Matthew 10:42
Pastor’s Message
Today we celebrate the 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Jesus sends the apostles to proclaim the gospel. In today’s passage, he gives them the last guidance. He says, “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Jesus continues: “Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.” These words are very appropriate for us today as we anticipate celebrating our Independence on Saturday. In our gospel, we are called to welcome all people, not just those we choose to welcome. Remember: when we welcome a stranger, we welcome Jesus.
Have you seen our newly created Our Lady of All Nations Shrine in the Lower Church? Our vision is to have a statue between 10 and 15 inches high that represents the different ethnic groups within the parish. If you wish to donate a blessed Mother from your homeland country, please let us know.
Saturday is the 4th of July, Independence Day and our morning Mass will be the usual 8:00am. It is a day to celebrate a country in which we are so privileged to live and the freedom we know so well. All the same, it is also a time to renew our “eternal vigilance” before everything we know is taken away from us. Just as Jesus Christ died to give us true freedom, so many of our countrymen have died to give us the liberty that we possess and enjoy and dare I say, so often take for granted.
Finally, our first weekend back (June 7th) we had 366 people attend Mass and this past weekend (June 14th) we had 483 people. This past weekend (June 21st) we had 498 people. We are gradually getting back to some sense of normality… Thanks for reading, stay healthy, reach out to those close to you. Have a good week.
Your Brother and Shepherd,
Rev. Msgr. Joseph Trinh