{"id":1851,"date":"2016-07-03T12:56:17","date_gmt":"2016-07-03T16:56:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.renewaloffaith.org\/blog\/?p=1851"},"modified":"2016-07-03T12:56:17","modified_gmt":"2016-07-03T16:56:17","slug":"first-sunday-at-st-michaels-homily-14th-sunday-in-ordinary-time-year-c","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.renewaloffaith.org\/blog\/first-sunday-at-st-michaels-homily-14th-sunday-in-ordinary-time-year-c\/","title":{"rendered":"First Sunday at St. Michael’s Homily (14th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C)"},"content":{"rendered":"

14th<\/sup> Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C<\/a>
\nIsaiah 66:10-14c
\nPsalm 66:1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 16, 20
\nGalatians 6:14-18
\nLuke 10:1-12, 17-20<\/p>\n

As I thought about what to say for first weekend I here.\u00a0 I\u2019m sure you have questions about me.\u00a0 I could boast about good things I have done but I won\u2019t.\u00a0 Have I done some good in previous parishes?\u00a0 I\u2019d like to think so but only because God has helped me.\u00a0 As Paul says the only thing we should boast about is Jesus and the Cross.<\/p>\n

It is because of what God has done for me in the past, that I trust God going forward.\u00a0 It is because my trust in God that I am willing to come here.\u00a0 Two months ago I knew almost nothing about St. Michael\u2019s.\u00a0 I have to admit I don\u2019t like the \u201cunknown\u201d so coming to a new place that I don\u2019t know much about can be challenging.<\/p>\n

I did know that Fr. Felix had passed away suddenly.\u00a0 That has left you grieving as a parish.\u00a0 It also means you have been in a temporary situation with Pat Albrecht serving as Temporary Pastoral Administrator.\u00a0 There is also Fr. Anthony who came to celebrate the Sacraments for you.\u00a0 It can be very challenging to lead any parish but especially \u201ctemporarily\u201d following the death of the pastor.<\/p>\n

So, I would like to thank Pat Albrecht for her work and ministry\u00a0and Fr. Anthony for his service.<\/p>\n

Now, with my arrival, the temporary situation is over.\u00a0 However, that doesn\u2019t mean we forget the past, especially Fr. Felix.\u00a0 I need to take time to get to know you and the parish.\u00a0 It will take time but it is necessary to take the time for me to know the joys and the needs of the parish.<\/p>\n

So, there is still transition going on.\u00a0 There can still be grieving the past and Fr. Felix.\u00a0 There can be uncertainty about the future.\u00a0 What are we to do?<\/p>\n

Trust!<\/p>\n

We can trust in God.\u00a0 This is Jesus\u2019 point in today\u2019s gospel.\u00a0 He sent the 72 out on a mission.\u00a0 He told them to go out with no money bag, no sack, or sandals.\u00a0 The point here isn\u2019t to be poor.\u00a0 The point is to trust in God to provide.<\/p>\n

Trust can take time to build.\u00a0 We trust God knowing the good things He has done for us, individually and as a people.\u00a0 The Bible is full of stories of what God has done for his people.\u00a0 We need to share these stories and stories from our own lives with others who don\u2019t know about Jesus.\u00a0 We must shout joyfully about the tremendous deeds God has done for us.<\/p>\n

I try to incorporate my own experiences into my homilies and I hope you will tell others what you experience.\u00a0 It might a family neighbor, a neighbor, or a general acquaintance.\u00a0 Are we willing to help them know about Jesus?<\/p>\n

What else should you know about me?<\/p>\n

When I preside at the sacraments, especially Mass, I try to do so in a way that shows people the Grace which God offers.\u00a0 I know there can be days when I come to church feeling down and leave feel better.\u00a0 That\u2019s grace.<\/p>\n

I also treasure the opportunity to hear confessions.\u00a0 This is not because I like hearing bad things, not in the least.\u00a0 What I do enjoy is helping people experience God\u2019s forgiveness.\u00a0 If you come to confession to me, I do my best to show God\u2019s love.\u00a0 I want you to feel forgiven.\u00a0 I also try to help you understand your sins so you can better resist temptation.<\/p>\n

So, here we are.\u00a0 I\u2019m the new guy.\u00a0 We might all be wondering where we go from here.\u00a0 I don\u2019t have any detailed plans for the future.\u00a0 Here is what my plan is right now:<\/p>\n