|
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK……
AUGUST 8TH, 2004
Dear Fellow Parishioners.
Every time I pass by the old tennis courts at Mission San Miguel, the site of our future parish hall, I am reminded of the opening line in today's second reading for this 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time where the Scripture writer says: "FAITH IS THE REALIZATION OF WHAT IS HOPED FOR AND EVIDENCE OF THINGS NOT SEEN." (See Hebrews 11: 1) With my imagination, I try to picture what it will look like. Then, I begin to sing to myself a refrain from an old hymn that says: "WE'VE COME THIS FAR BY FAITH, LEANING ON THE EVERLASTING ARMS…"
They call this time of the year the "dog days of summer." It's a time where the heat begins to be a little bit more oppressive and life in general becomes a little bit more tedious. The day-to-day routines become drudgery. I guess that's why I find the Scripture readings for this Sunday so refreshing. They talk about putting faith in God who never reneges on His promises. Our first reading reminds me of the poetic phrase: "THEY ALSO SERVE WHO ONLY STAND AND WAIT…" The Scripture writer praises the Israelites of the past, saying: "YOUR PEOPLE AWAITED THE SALVATION OF THE JUST AND THE DESTRUCTION OF THEIR FOES." (See Wisdom 18: 6-9) Sometimes you have to exercise great patience and wait knowing that God will come through in the end.
We have some great Old Testament heroes presented to us in today's second reading from the New Testament Letter To The Hebrews. The Scripture writer presents Abraham & Sarah as role models for us. They trusted that God would provide as He had promised. Sometimes that's all they had to go on as they set forth. The scripture writer says: "BY FAITH ABRAHAM OBEYED WHEN HE WAS CALLED TO GO OUT TO A PLACE THAT HE WAS TO RECEIVE AS AN INHERITANCE; HE WENT OUT, NOT KNOWING WHERE HE WAS TO GO." (See Hebrews 11: 1-2) As we face the daunted task of building our parish hall and repairing and restoring our beloved mission church in the aftermath of the devastating San Simeon Earthquake of last December 22nd, let's remember these heroes of the faith and continue to push forward until we complete our projects. God will not let us down!
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Fr. Raymond J. Tintle, OFM
Pastor
|
|
