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JULY 12, 2020 • FIFTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Saints
902 East 9th Street • Hopkinsville, KY 42240
Peter & Paul
CATHO L I C CHU RCH
AND SCHOOL
Established 1872
OUR MISSION STATEMENT
We are a Roman Catholic Community of Christians called to
be a priestly people, a household of faith, a temple of the
Holy Spirit, a beacon of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apos-
tolic Church shining for Jesus Christ in the heart of Christian
County.
Rev. Fr. Richard Meredith, Pastor
Rev. Fr. Michael Charles Abiero, Parochial Vicar
Permanent Deacon, Mr. Tim Barnes
Permanent Deacon, Mr. Roberto Cruz
Permanent Deacon, Mr. Trinidad Soriano
Permanent Deacon, Dr. Bill Sweet
PARISH OFFICE PHONE: (270) 885-8522
PARISH FAX: (270) 885-5296
PARISH WEBSITE: www.stsppchurch.org
DIOCESAN WEBSITE: www.owensborodiocese.org
VATICAN WEBSITE: www.vatican.va
PARISH OFFICE HOURS:
8:00AM-12 NOON • 1:00 PM-4:00 PM MONDAY – FRIDAY
SCHOOL TELEPHONE: (270) 886-0172
SCHOOL FAX: (270) 887-9924
SCHOOL WEBSITE: www.stsppschool.org
Tru†h Radio WSPP 93.5 FM (Local Catholic Radio)
Saints Peter and Paul Assistance: 270-886-6027
Saints Peter and Paul Thrift Store: 270-632-1037
Store Hours M-F 10:00 am-3:00 pm.
SECOND SATURDAY OF MONTH 9:00 AM-1:00 PM
MEMBERSHIP IN THE PARISH
We give a sincere welcome to all new families moving into
our Parish. Please register with the Parish Office as soon
as possible. Families who plan to move from our parish
community are asked to let us know.
MASS SCHEDULE
Saturday evening ..................................... 5:00 PM
Sunday.................................. 8:00 AM, 10:30 AM
Misa en Español .............. 2:00 PM, 10:30 PM
Monday - Saturday ............................... 8:00 AM
Wednesday ......................................... 5:30 PM
Thursday (en Español) - except June and July... 5:30 PM
SS PETER & PAUL CATHOLIC CHURCH, HOPKINSVILLE, KY
The Catholic Church teaches that the sexual abuse of any person is a
grave moral evil. To report any instance of sexual abuse by anyone
acting in the name of the Catholic Church, (priests, deacon, employee
or volunteer), please call the Diocesan Pastoral Assistance Coordina-
tor, using the dedicated confidential phone-line (270-852-8380) as
well as the Diocesan web site (www.owensborodiocese.org/safe).
† SACRAMENTS †
† Reconciliation: Confessions will be heard Saturday from 2:00 PM
to 4:00 PM and Wednesday at 4:30 PM. Confessions will be heard
any time by appointment.
† Baptism: Baptismal Preparation Class - Our next class will be
announced. Please call the Parish Office to register.
† Marriage: Contact the Office six months prior to the desired date.
2
Parish Pastoral Council
Lana Bastin, Administration ...…...……...…[email protected]
Stephanie Blankenberger, [email protected]
Jan Buckner, Family Life ....…………[email protected]
Dee Dailey, Vice Chair & Worship..….…[email protected]
Libby Downs, Pastoral Associate ..…....…[email protected]
Hilda Gonzalez, Social Concerns.……[email protected]
Fran Marko, Secretary………….……………[email protected]
Morgan Murray, Chair & Spiritual Life…..…[email protected]
Robert Tyree, Education….……………[email protected]
PARISH OFFICE
Tom Buehrle ([email protected])….........................Director Of Stewardship
Brenda Chaudoin ([email protected])....……..…. Parish Office Mgr.
Libby Downs ([email protected])............................Pastoral Associate
Leigh Ann Johnson ………………….………Parish Assistance Coordinator
Steve Kinnard ([email protected])...……….Maintenance Foreman
Angie Phillips ([email protected])…………….....Thrift Store Mgr.
Mayra Tirado ([email protected])…………Hispanic Ministry Asst.
Sue Wassmer([email protected])............................Parish Secretary
Dan Wilkinson([email protected])………...Parish Music Director
SCHOOL OFFICE
Stephanie Blankenberger
([email protected])….......School Principal
Jaime Embry ([email protected])…………….….. Reception/SCRIP
Jennifer Groves ([email protected])………….…. School Secretary
MINISTRY TO THE SICK
Please notify the Parish Office upon admission of a family
member into any hospital or nursing home. Any parishioner
who is ill or infirm may request anointing in extreme emer-
gency by calling the Parish Office, 270-885-8522.
PERPETUAL EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
This is a devotion whereby members of the parish unite in tak-
ing hours of Adoration before the Most Blessed Sacrament dur-
ing the day and throughout the night, seven days a week.
(Code required.) There is a regular schedule of adorers but all
are welcome to stop in for a visit. Parishioners are encouraged
to sign up for a scheduled weekly Adoration time. Please con-
tact Bill & Jenny Rush at 270-885-2888, if you are interested
in adopting an hour or if you can be a substitute or prayer
partner Available hours: Sunday 12am, Monday 2am, 5 pm,
Wednesday 2am, Saturday 7 am, 3 pm, 6 pm, 9 pm & 10 pm.
Please help!!
School News
First day of school for students Wednesday, August 19-
More details about our Return to School Plan to follow in the
coming weeks!
Like our school Facebook page for the most up-to-date in-
formation @stppschool
JULY 12, 2020 • FIFTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
3
Get Well Cards: We need your HELP! Could
you please help us by sending cards to the fol-
lowing people to help cheer them and wishing
them to get well soon?
1. Thelma Budias – Morningside of Hopkinsville, 4190
Lafayette Road, Hopkinsville, KY 42240
2. Norma Folz – 205 Marietta Drive, Hopkinsville, KY
42240
3. Ruby Carsone, 201 Millbrooke Drive, Hopkinsville, KY
42240
4. Carolyn Brown – 208 Springmont Drive, Hopkinsville,
KY 42240
Used Postage Stamps: Remember to save your used
stamps for Sister Miriam, better known as the “Stamp Sister”
at the Sisters of Charity Motherhouse
at Nazareth. f you want to also help
by saving and sending her your used
stamps, you can just put them in an
envelope and place them in the collec-
tion basket or bring to the office.
Then we send them to Sister Mariam with the Sisters of
Charity. These in turn are used for their missions in Belize.
Flags: Do you have an old American flag or
an American flag that needs to be properly
retired? Bring your flag to Steve Kinnard in
the parish office. He will be organizing a
retirement ceremony soon for these American
flags.
Baptism: We welcome through the waters of Baptism,
Brody Nolan P’Pool, infant son
of Jennifer (Hanks) and Ryan
P’Pool. Brody was baptized
on Sunday, July 5
th
with Fr.
Richard presiding. Brody is
the grandson of Vicky and Ron
Luckey, the great grandson of
Judy Brummett and godson to
Jessica (Hanks) Wadley and Nick Luckey. Congratulations
Brody!
Birthday Girls: We congratulate Helen Brown (89) and
Julia Borders (85) as they celebrated their birthdays this
past week.
Commodities Distribution: Aaron McNeil’s next commodity
food distribution will be this
Saturday, July 11
th
from 8:00
to 10:00 a.m. at the Western
Kentucky Fairgrounds located
at 2810 Richard Street here in
Hopkinsville. Items are given
out on a first come, first serve
basis. Photo ID or any other
proof of Christian County residency is required. They ask
everyone to “Please have your trunk open and cleared out
so we can place the food items there.” Also go ahead and
place on your calendar Saturday, August 8
th
from 8:00 to
10:00 a.m. as the next distribution.
RCIA Returns
Thursday, July 16 - 7:00 p.m.
Holy Family Room – Parish Office Building
Discussion – Sacraments of Reconciliation and
Eucharist
First Communion Parent Meeting
Sunday, July 12
th
after the 10:30 a.m. Mass – 11:45 a.m.
in the Church
We ask at least one parent of our First Communion
children be present. We will discuss when our First
Communion celebration will take place and other
important dates.
UPDATE
Christian County Relay for Life
Will not be held on July 31
st
Tentatively the Relay for Life will be held either in
September or October as we are awaiting guidance
from the American Cancer Society. We will keep
you posted as you continue to support the Saints
Peter and Paul Relay for Life Team
Celebration of Confirmation
With Bishop Medley presiding
Wednesday, August 5
th
at 5:30 p.m.
At Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church
Confirmation practice with our Confirmation students
and their sponsors (or a parent) will be held on
Wednesday, July 29
th
at 6:30 p.m. in the Church.
Confirmandi include: Esmeralda Bautista, Addie
Galvan, Jackie Ginez, Livie Jorgensen, Bryan Linares,
Martin Nguyen, Thieng Nguyen, Aaron Oñate, Esther
Pepple, Emma Petrie, Michelle Salas and Lucy Wilkins.
SS PETER & PAUL CATHOLIC CHURCH, HOPKINSVILLE, KY
4
Questions regarding Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration:
Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration has
resumed. If you have questions or
would like to adopt one of the avail-
able hours listed below, please call
Bill and Jenny Rush. Hours available
to be adopted include:
Sunday 12:00 a.m. (midnight)
Monday 2:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday 2:00 a.m.
Saturday 7:00 a.m., 6:00 p.m., 9:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.
Prayer partner needed for Tuesday 9:00 a.m.
Mass For The People: Did you know.... that every pastor
offers Mass each Sunday for his parishioners called the Mis-
sa Pro Populo that is, "Mass for the people" of the parish.
This Mass includes the intentions of all the people of the par-
ish, which includes those who are facing chronic health chal-
lenges and those who are homebound and cannot be pre-
sent for Mass because of those challenges.
Kissing the Altar at Mass
Question: Why do priests kiss the altar at the start of
Mass?
Answer: Our churches and chapels are filled with symbols.
We might think of the more common symbols (like the cruci-
fix, statues, stained-glass windows, vestment color and altar
cloths) as well as major symbols (such as the paschal candle
and the baptismal font). But there are some things that we
can take for granted in our sacred spaces, because unfortu-
nately, they
seem to just be
part of the
building, in-
cluding three
of the main
symbols of our
liturgy: the am-
bo (lectern),
the chair for the priest celebrant, and the altar. These three
objects are placed in a specially designated area called
the sanctuary. They are the places where the Word of God
is proclaimed, where the priest prays and presides at the
celebration, and where the bread and wine are offered by
the priest during the Eucharistic Prayer. Although each of
these objects is sacred because of the role they play in our
worship, the altar holds a special
place. In a document containing the rules and instructions
for the Mass — the “General Instruction of the Roman
Missal” — we read: “The altar on which the Sacrifice of the
Cross is made present under sacramental signs is also the
table of the Lord to which the People of God is called to-
gether to participate in the Mass, as well as the center of
the thanksgiving that is accomplished throughout the Eucha-
rist” (no. 296).
One of the ways that we recognize the importance of
the altar is when the priest and deacon kiss the altar at the
beginning of Mass. Kissing is an ancient act of devotion.
Remember, we also kiss the cross on Good Friday, and
the deacon or priest kisses the “Book of the Gospels”
after the Gospel is proclaimed. This act of devotion reminds
us that the altar is a symbol of Jesus, the “living
stone” (see 1 Peter 2:4), the foundation stone of our
faith. It is a symbol gesture, but it is a powerful reminder
of the One on whom our faith is built and in whose
name we gather as the “household of faith” (see Galatians
6:10).
To learn more, see the “Catechism of the Catholic
Church” (no. 1382-1383).
Retrouvaille - Does your marriage need a lifeline? Has
the pandemic raised the stress
level in your marriage?
retrouvaille
™
(pronounced re-tro
-vi with a long “I”, French for
“rediscovery”) offers tools need-
ed to rediscover a loving marriage relationship. Thousands
of couples headed for cold, unloving relationships or divorce
have successfully overcome their marriage problems by at-
tending the program. Visit Owensborodiocese.org/marriage
-help to register for the upcoming program beginning Sept
18-20
th
, 2020, at Mount St. Joseph Retreat Center.
Online Giving: With so much uncertainty regarding the
COVID-19 virus and increasing recommendations to avoid
crowds and take proper safety precautions, we wanted to
remind you that we have options in place now that you can
use today. Our Online Giving option is an ideal way to sup-
port the parish and our mission.
Online Giving is available for you to make contributions
to the church. This option makes use of current technology
and security standards and allows you to easily setup recur-
ring contributions. It also enables our church to take ad-
vantage of new tools to become more efficient.
Online Giving Parishioner Benefits
• Secure and confidential. No need to share payment
information with the church office.
• Efficient. Set up direct withdrawals from your checking,
savings account or a credit card.
• Simple. Start, stop and change your contributions at any
time.
• Convenient. No need to write a check or have cash
available.
• Remote flexibility. You can give from virtually anywhere
anytime.
Online Giving is intended to be a convenient tool for
you to use, and we strongly support both Online Giving and
Offering Envelopes for contributions to the parish. Online
Giving is the electronic way to participate in weekly offer-
tory.
Start giving online today!
1. Visit our church website at www.stsppchurch.org and
click on the online giving link.
2. Create an account.
3. Schedule your recurring gifts.
Please prayerfully consider giving online. If you have
any questions, contact the church office.
JULY 12, 2020 • FIFTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
5
Family Retreats @ Gasper: Gasper River is offering family
retreats at the camp this summer.
Bring your family out just for the day
or stay a night or two! There are
many options available. You can
book a lodge, bring your own meals
or have Gasper provide meals
(catered), hike and explore, do ac-
tivities, or just enjoy God's creation
together. Call or email Gasper to
make a reservation or to get more
information and pricing details: 270-781-2466 or gasper-
Please continue to Pray for the following
First Holy Communion Children: Children include:
Marilyn Gabriel, Christopher Galdean, Anthony
Hernandez, Tripp Larimore, Isabel Litchfield, Ashly
Lopez, Bruno Messina, Piero Messina, Yoel Peña,
Adrian Rodriguez, Isabel Sewell, Liam Siver, Lily
Siver, Lucas Stine, and Jorge Uribe.
Youth Preparing for Confirmation: Esmeralda
Bautista, Addie Galvan, Jackie Ginez, Livie
Jorgensen, Bryan Linares, Martin Nguyen, Thieng
Nguyen, Aaron Oñate, Esther Pepple, Emma Pe-
trie, Michelle Salas and Lucy Wilkins.
High School Graduates: Edwar Acosta, Geor-
gianna Baker, Brenda Bonifacio, Jennifer Bautista,
Alison Bellew, Logan Gibson, Scribbie Goode, Will
Groves, Chenoa Hall, Kaleb Hall, Dayana Hernan-
dez, Layne Jorgensen, Anna King, Lauren Langhi, Zach Lan-
ghi, Natalie Linares, Manuel Martinez, Joseph Nguyen, Hope
Pace, Rayna Pound, Trace Pound, Jessica Roman, Angel Ro-
driguez, Sofia Sargeant, John Schmitt, Kristen Shouse, Allison
Sunderhaus and Maritza Uribe.
RCIA Candidates: April Albert, Stephanie Estes,
Hazel Petrovich, Yancy Rutland, Jordan Gibson
and Sandi Velez.
Mass Intentions
Readings for the week of July 12, 2020
Sunday: Is 55:10-11/Ps 65:10, 11, 12-13, 14/
Rom 8:18-23/Mt 13:1-23 or 13:1-9
Monday: Is 1:10-17/Ps 50:8-9, 16bc-17, 21 and
23/Mt 10:34—11:1
Tuesday: Is 7:1-9/Ps 48:2-3a, 3b-4, 5-6, 7-8/Mt
11:20-24
Wednesday: Is 10:5-7, 13b-16/Ps 94:5-6, 7-8, 9-10,
14-15/Mt 11:25-27
Thursday: Is 26:7-9, 12, 16-19/Ps 102:13-14ab and
15, 16-18, 19-2/Mt 11:28-30
Friday: Is 38:1-6, 21-22, 7-8/Is 38:10, 11, 12
abcd, 16/Mt 12:1-8
Saturday: Mi 2:1-5/Ps 10:1-2, 3-4, 7-8, 14/
Mt 12:14-21
Next Sunday: Wis 12:13, 16-19/Ps 86:5-6, 9-10, 15-16
Lpi© /Rom 8:26-27/Mt 13:24-43 or 13:24-30
Monday, July 13 ST. HENRY
8:00 am
SISTER ANDREW
Tuesday, July 14
ST KATERI TEKAKWITHA
8:00 am
†
HARRY & DOROTHY HESTER
Wednesday, July 15 ST. BONAVENTURE, BISHOP
8:00 am
NO MASS
5:30 pm
†
LEE KING
Thursday, July 16
OUR LADY OF MT. CARMEL
8:00 am
†
BOB BROWN
5:30 pm Spanish
NO MASS
Friday, July 17
8:00 am
†
PAT ESPOSITO
Saturday, July 18 ST. CAMILLUS DE LELLIS
8:00 am
†
C. A. THOMAS
5:00 pm
VINCENT MONTEJOS
Sunday, July 19
SIXTEENTH SUNDAY IN
ORDINARY TIME
8:00 am
†
KAY, KATHRYN & ARMAND BASTIN
10:30 am
†
LYNDA COMBS
2:00 pm Spanish
†
MAGALI GONZALEZ & CAROLYN
VIRGINIA ALDRICH BUTTON
10:30 pm Spanish
FOR ALL PEOPLE
† Indicates Requiem Mass
SANCTUARY LAMP
IN MEMORY OF LEE KING
ADORATION CHAPEL CANDLES
NO INTENTION REQUESTED
Budget News July 5, 2020
Contributing Households
Envelopes 59 $7,358
Online Donations/EFT 43 $6,590
Loose collection Cash $230
Loose collection Checks 23 $2,545
Weekly Total 125 $16,723
Weekly Parish Budget Needs $20,500
2019/20 Diocesan Assessment due 6/2020 $37,829
SS PETER & PAUL CATHOLIC CHURCH, HOPKINSVILLE, KY
6
Sympathy: We pray for our parishioner, Max Beeckman,
who passed away on Tuesday, July 7
th
at his home at the
age of 94. Max was a native of
Nice, France, he was born November
28, 1925, the son of the late August
Beeckman and the late Marie Jeanne
Beeckman. He was a retired Staff
Sergeant in the United States Army,
where he served during WWII, Ko-
rea, and Vietnam. In addition to his
parents, he was preceded in death
by his daughter, Annelise Beeckman.
Survivors include his beloved wife of
66 years, Marie Beeckman, his three sons, Marc (Lynn)
Beeckman, Trigg County, Guy (Julie) Beeckman, Union Coun-
ty, and Eric (Terri) Beeckman, Jackson, Tennessee; 4 grand-
children and 9 great-grandchildren. Services were held on
Friday, July 10, 2020 at Lamb Funeral Home with burial in
Kentucky Veterans Cemetery West. Visitation was held on
Thursday, July 9, 2020 at the funeral home.
As a parish we offer our prayers for the Beeckman
family, as we pray “May her soul and the souls of all the
faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.
Amen.”
Bereavement Committee: We give thanks to our Bereave-
ment Committee under the direction of Linda Allison, Rita
Black, and Tricia Juneau and their
many volunteers who set up, serve and
cleanup after a funeral meal. We also
thank all of you who prepare dishes
for these meals that bring comfort and consolation to our
parish families who have experienced death and need to
know of our love and care for them. Your ministry is so im-
portant to the life of the church!
Please Pray for our Deployed
Military & Families
Ryan Harrison, Trey Johnston & Quin Perry
LAY MINISTERS
JULY 18/19 - SIXTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Saturday, 5:00 pm
Altar Servers .................................................. Mary Moehlman
Cross Bearer ...............................................................................
Commentator .......................................................... Robin Bilan
Lectors ...............................................Robin Bilan, Mary Lee
Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers: ................... Sherry Viall
Choir Loft ....................................................... Karen Thomas
Ushers ......................................................... Ken Tiell, Julie Tiell
........................................................ Pat Puckett, Bobbi Goulet
Sunday, 8:00 am
Altar Servers .................... Eva Blankenberger, Lucy Wilkins
Cross Bearer ...............................................................................
Commentator ...................................................... Jim Creighton
Lectors ........................................ Jim Creighton, Jenny Rush
Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers: ................... Terri Means
Choir Loft ..........................................................Bob Stites
Ushers ............................................... Chuck Spurr, Dirk Downs
............................................................. Gary Harden, Bill Rush
Sunday, 10:30 am
Altar Servers ................................... Nic Luckey, Ryan Luckey
Cross Bearer ...............................................................................
Commentator ................................................. Morgan Murray
Lectors ............................ Morgan Murray, Franco Cincotti
Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers: ................... Vicki Luckey
Choir Loft ....................................................Sarah Martin
Ushers ................................................. Kelly and Andrew King
................................................... Pat Covington, Chris Thomas
Domingo 2:00 pm
Comentarista: ........................................................... Lupita Rosas
1-2 Lectura: ............ Angeles Hernandez, Pedro Rodríguez
Ministro E: .................................. Pedro Gonzalez, Berta Rico
Hospitalidad: ........................... Victor Hernández, Erick Ginez
Monaguillos:............................... Jackie Gines, Michelle Salas
Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph launch
50th Annual Raffle:
The Mount Raffle has been a tradition for 50 years for
important funding for the Ursuline Sisters’ ministries and
retired Sisters. Tickets just $5.00 each PRIZES INCLUDE ...
Top prize: $10,000
Diamond ring: value $5,000
Handmade queen-size quilt: $1,000
Cash prizes: $3,500, $1,000, $500, $250, $100
Drawing is Sunday, September 13
th
. Due to C19 safety
concerns, our ability to sell tickets in person is limited this
year. Get your tickets online: https://ursulinesms .org/
mountraffle. USPS mail, with a check to Ursuline Sisters:
Mount Raffle, 8001 Cumming Road, Maple Mount, KY
42356.
Questions? Contact Carol Braden-Clarke, 270.229.2008
or [email protected]. Details for
full weekend events, September 12-13, will be shared
soon. Thanks for supporting the Ursuline Sisters of Mount
Saint Joseph. The Sisters keep all their friends and sup-
porters in prayer.
In Need of Prayers… Carriage Way Assisted Living- Eleanor
Rogers, Albert Weakly Covington Convalescent– Pat Chesnut
Western State Nursing Facility- Debbie Dickerson, Ellen Jones
Christian Health Center- Lillian Cotthoff, Norma Downs, Barbara
Holubecki, Christine Mills Morningside of Hopkinsville- Thelma
Budias Others.. Jerry Adams, Helen Allard, Dick & Jackie Ar-
nold, Sherry Beck, Holly Bivins, Sue Boguskie, Ruth Britt, Carolyn
Brown, Helen Brown, Judy Brummett, Adley Shay Buckner, Col-
leen Buehrle, Sherry Calhoun, Pam Carrico, Sam Chesnut, Martha
Fowler, Nancy Freeman, Shaena Godwin, Jim Gorman, Bill
Hancock, William Hancock, Bill Henney, Heather Jeffries, Carol
Johnson, Tony Jones, Charlie Keel, Jane Lucas, Kathy Lytle, WP
Meredith III, Joe Mezzoni Sr., Jim Milazzo, Cecelia Omundson,
Teresa Pazin, Sherman Peger, Emily Pyle, Martha Reed, Tara &
Dylan Rush, Al Rutland, Frank Selph, Mary Catherine Smith, Beth
Snyder, Rocky Spader, Mike & Marilyn Stocker, Georgiann Sves-
tka, Mary Swicicki, Jerry Thomas, Ron Todd, Karla Wagner,
Clyde Wallace, Wassmer Family, Helen Winstead, James
Wittschack, Pamela Mezzoni Wofford. Names will remain on this
list for 1 month.
JULY 12, 2020 • FIFTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
7
Pastor’s Greeting,
THE MYSTERIES OF THE KINGDOM
There are five distinct and spe-
cial teaching sections marked out in the
Gospel according to Matthew—Mt 5:1-
7:29; Mt 10; Mt 13:1-53; Mt 18; Mt 23-
25. Matthew chapter 13, the central section, is made up of
seven parables in which Jesus teaches his disciples, if they
are sufficiently childlike, the mysteries of the kingdom of
heaven. In order the seven parables are: The Sower and
the Seed; The Weeds; The Mustard Seed; The Leaven; The
Hidden Treasure; The Pearl of Great Value; and, The Net.
Of these, Jesus explains the parables of The Sower, the
Weeds, and The Net to his disciples. The other four have to
speak for themselves.
In chapter 11 Jesus had said that the Father had hidden
the mysteries of the kingdom from the wise and the learned
and had revealed them to the little and the child-like. In
chapter 13 Jesus refers to his disciples as those to whom
these mysteries are revealed, even though he has to explain
the parables to them.
I suggest that Jesus is continually demonstrating to his
disciples that he is himself the child-like son of the Father
and that he is revealing the Father by revealing to them the
mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. This suggests that the
very images and metaphors Jesus chooses for his parables
are those which speak to him of his own understanding and
experience of these mysteries. Consider. Jesus has been
preaching the word of God, the good news of the kingdom,
for some time. For him it is like the farmer broadcasting
seed-grain. Everywhere it is the same good word, but its
consequence varies widely, depending upon the receptions
of his hearers. He sees the varying results himself. His par-
able describes to his own audience the varying effects which
he is observing in them. From the very beginning and all
through his preaching and healing ministry, Jesus has been
calling for repentance and for faith. All can see the power
at work in him, but for many different reasons not all repent
and choose to believe. Due to the human factor, like vary-
ing soil conditions, many do not profit from the “word of the
kingdom.”
Jesus, as he speaks the truth of God’s kingdom—sowing
good seed—knows that his enemy the Devil by stealth is
spreading lies and deceptions—sowing weed seeds— in the
same field. During the time of the gospel the righteous and
the lawless will live and grow on the same earth. It is not
humanly possible to sort out those who ultimately belong to
God from those who ultimately belong to the Devil. Such is
not even our business. The Angels of God will handle that.
During his ministry Jesus was not sorting out the good and
the bad. It was not the harvest time. The time of the Church
will not be harvest time either. Like that of Jesus, ours is the
time to sow and to cultivate. Harvesting and netting with
the sorting which follows will comprise the conclusion of all
things, a time known only to the Father.
By use of the images of the mustard seed and of the
leaven we learn that Jesus appreciates how very small be-
ginnings can have exponentially greater consequences. Je-
sus, the Son of Man, is one individual in all of humanity, the
totality of his words in the whole mass of human speaking
comparatively tiny. But this Son of Man is the Son of God
and his words are the Words of God, potent beyond calcu-
lation however small. Jesus trusts the plan and action of his
Father and is not keeping a daily tally of his successes. He
has located the treasure hidden on this earth, a treasure of
incalculable value to him and to his Father. From the day of
his baptism in the Jordan, Jesus is dedicated completely to
the purchase of this treasure utilizing all of his assets. He
will hold nothing back in what it costs to redeem us for his
Father in Heaven.
Of course, he is telling us all this in parables not merely
to disclose his own perspectives of his mission received from
the Father. He is inviting us to embrace the Father’s plan as
glad and willing children like himself. In fact, he invites us
now as he invited the disciples then to join him and to partic-
ipate in putting the Father’s plan into action. The harvest, he
says, will be great, however few the laborers. Like Jesus,
we too should join our shoulders to the task and ask the
“harvest master” to keep adding laborers for the great
work of the Kingdom of Heaven. In all this we “yoke” up
with Jesus, taking a place at his side, learning from him how
to work this field and how to walk with God.
Fr. Richard
Shrinking and growing angel: The Russian author Leo Tol-
stoy once wrote a story about a shoemaker who was mak-
ing his way home one night when he found a poor man shiv-
ering and poorly clad. Moved by pity, the shoemaker took
the man home. His wife was not pleased. She complained
about the cost of feeding another mouth. As she continued to
complain, the stranger grew smaller and smaller, shriveled
and wrinkled with every unkind word. But when she spoke
kindly to the stranger and gave him food,
he grew and became more beautiful. The
reason was that the stranger was an angel
from Heaven in human form and could live
only in an atmosphere of kindness and love.
In last Sunday’s Gospel Jesus says “Come to me, all you who
labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest”. We are
the hands, legs, voice and heart of Jesus. Let us be that tree
where people of burden can find rest.
Last Wish: The 98 year old Mother Superior from Ireland
was dying. The nuns gathered around her bed trying to
make her last journey comfortable. They gave her some
warm milk to drink but she refused. Then one of the nuns
took the glass back to the kitchen. Remembering a bottle of
Irish whiskey received as a gift the previous Christmas, she
opened and poured a generous amount into the
warm milk. Back at Mother Superior's bed, she held
the glass to her lips. Mother drank a little, then a
little more and before they knew it, she had drunk
the whole glass down to the last drop. "Mother," the nuns
asked with earnest, "please give us some wisdom before
you die." She raised herself up in bed and with a pious look
on her face said, "Don't sell that cow.”
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and More
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Locally Owned & Operated-Parishioners
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526 Country Club Ln.
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