From the Pastor's Desk……

August 10, 2003

Dear Fellow Parishioners,

I grew up in a family of four brothers and three sisters.  Sometimes, we would get into heated arguments as large families are wont to do.  I remember one argument in particular.  It was close to Mothers' Day.  Since we children only earned a small weekly allowance for our chores, we decided that we would pool our money together and purchase a gift for Mom.  However, we could not agree on what type of gift to buy her.  My brothers and I wanted one thing, while my sisters wanted something else.  The disagreement became very heated.  I remember my Mother finally had to intervene in the argument.  She told us that the best "gift" we could give her was to be kind to each other and try to get along peaceably.  At the time, we did not understand what she meant.  Now as grown-ups, however, we know what she was talking about.

St. Paul tells us the same thing in our second reading for this Sunday, the 19th in Ordinary Time.  He says:  "DO NOT GRIEVE THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD…." (Ephesians 4: 40--5: 2).  He goes on to say:  "ALL BITTERNESS, FURY, ANGER, SHOUTING AND REVILING MUST BE REMOVED FROM YOU, ALONG WITH ALL MALICE.  AND BE KIND TO ONE ANOTHER, COMPASSIONATE, FORGIVING ONE ANOTHER AS GOD HAS FORGIVEN YOU IN CHRIST.  SO BE IMITATORS OF GOD, AS BELOVED CHILDREN, AND LIVE IN LOVE…" (Ephesians 4: 3--5: 2.)

When you offer your "gift" to the Lord today at Mass, don't forget to offer the gift that would please him most!

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. Ray Tintle, OFM
Pastor