Dear Saints,

I love the readings we get this weekend to celebrate the 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time. They take up the theme of discipleship, without which the life and mission of the Church means almost nothing.

It’s fitting that we return to wearing green vestments for Sunday Mass with this evergreen topic. Discipleship - faithfully trusting and following Jesus - is not simply what the Church does, it’s what the Church is!

So, be inspired this Sunday to go all in on Jesus. Make him the very center of your heart and life. Allow him to transform you more and more into the other Christ (the alter christus) he is calling you to be.

Follow Jesus where he leads. Trust him. Follow him on the path of patient, forgiving, merciful, self-effacing, other-oriented LOVE that he opens up for us, here and now, to walk with him.

If you don’t feel like you have the strength to take on the task, great! You don’t have what it takes in and of yourself. Ask Jesus for the strength you need as you go, and he will see you through!

Christ’s Peace,

Father Daniel
δοῦλος Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ

PS We’re getting closer to our parish feast! Join us for the Feast of OLMC, July 17! I hear there will be a dunk tank there, and you'll be able to plunge your favorite priest (Father Wade)! It will feature a gathering in front of the church for lunch, a procession, and then fun and games at School Street School to follow.