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Musings for Sunday, June 23, the 12th Sunday of Ordinary Time
When we look around us, the grass and the trees and the gardens are breaking out their green robes! After the long winter, new life is happening. If we look further, insects and creatures that were hidden during the cold of winter are coming to life again. Migrating birds have found their nesting grounds and their young are hatching. Two adult geese and their goslings made their way across the parking lot of my apartment building, looking for water or food or perhaps a little morning exercise. On farms and in the wild various creatures are being born.
In 2 Cor. 5:17, St. Paul writes to the Christians about their new life in Christ flowing from their Baptism and Confirmation. “So, if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!”
When we meet newly baptized Catholics, we are often in awe of their enthusiasm for their faith and their desire to know more about Jesus Christ and our journey with God. Sometimes those of us who are cradle Catholics ask, “What is wrong with those people?” NOTHING! They are being drawn into the mystery of new life that God has given and is giving to each of us. They are in awe of our God!
As cradle Catholics, the ‘shine’ or ‘gift’ of new life often gets buried in the routines of our daily life. We no longer appreciate or celebrate the God who has blessed us. Our faith has become ho-hum, and we spend little time connecting with God or putting into practice the mission that God has given to us. We are too busy and too absorbed in our daily activities.
As we prepare for the wonder of summer, let us revisit the wonder of our God. We are made in the image and likeness of God. We are loved! We are forgiven. We are invited to leave behind our sinful ways, and we are invited to turn to the Lord. We are invited to share this Good News with others! We are to transform the world with our love, making it new again!
As summer unfolds, let us celebrate the new life that God has given us! Let us join our voices in praise of our God. Let us also join in the hard work of making our world new again with love which can be seen in our patience, kindness, forgiveness, and our rejoicing in the goodness of our sisters and brothers.
Congratulations – Rob and Kathleen Jaspar celebrated the sacrament of Matrimony here at the Parish last Saturday. Congratulations to Rob and to Kathleen as they make the choice to live the sacrament of Matrimony.
Baptism Formation – On Tuesday, June 25, at 7:00 pm, we will have a Baptismal Formation session. If you would like to have your child baptized, you need to take part in a session. The sacrament of Baptism will be celebrated on Sunday, June 30 at 2:00 pm.
June is Indigenous History Month – June is set aside as an opportunity for us to delve into and explore the impact of Indigenous and Metis people on our local communities. In 1996, the Governor General proclaimed that June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day. It is an occasion for Canadians to come together, reflect on and celebrate the unique heritage, traditions, and knowledge of First Nations, Inuit, and Metis Peoples.
If you are looking for things to do to help honour the contributions of our Indigenous and Metis brothers and sisters, check out the events being held in Saskatoon: Annual Events | Saskatoon.ca
Our Parish Truth and Reconciliation Committee also encourages us to look beyond Saskatoon and to consider taking in the Back to Batoche Days from July 18-21! Check out their website: https://metisgathering.ca/back-to-batoche/
You might also consider taking part in the St. Laurent Pilgrimage, joining the Metis and Indigenous Peoples in the celebration of our common faith: https://www.saintlaurentshrine.com/ |
