Pastor's Message - October 5/6, 2024
My dear friends in Christ,
I hope that you are enjoying the Fall season. But I know that it has been very hot during the last few days! I hope you are staying cool!
We have been blessed with many wonderful things in this parish community! This weekend is our Oktoberfest! We come together to honor our patron saint, St. Joseph, the Husband of Mary!
He is very dear to us for he is a great inspiration. We are forever grateful for his guidance and example. I would like to thank in advance the many people who have been tireless in putting our Oktoberfest together.
Sales representatives are referred to in a brief as “sales reps.” Companies send them as their agents, face of the company, going to places, meeting people, and all the time advertising and promoting their companies’ products. Sometimes they go alone, sometimes in pairs.
Sometimes they are well received, but sometimes not. Many times, hostile environment would meet them. In any case they just go on doing what they were sent to do.
In the Gospel of Matthew 10:9-10, Jesus sends out his own “sales representative,” the twelve apostles. He gives them authority to do his promoting. What exactly does our Lord tell them, for his instructions to them are in many respects can be applied to us as well. Jesus told his apostles to travel light. This is so that they can be focused on their tasks.
In our discipleship, what distracts us in doing what Christ wants us to do? Another thing, Jesus encouraged the apostles to persevere despite the hostility of the people. Are we easily discouraged when people don’t respond to positively to our witnessing to Christ? The apostles proclaimed repentance and did Christ-like service to others. Are we aware that we can alleviate the negative conditions of others by our Christian attitudes and actions like forgiveness, understanding and reaching out to others especially those who are hurting?
In the First Letter of John, it says: If we love one another, God remains in us and his love is brought to perfection in us!
Christ needs more sales reps! In short Christianity is being Christ’s reps wherever we are. Let’s get going, for we have a great product, and more importantly----we have the greatest and understanding Big Boss!
May we find joy in your heart as we are sent out as great ambassadors and sales reps of the kingdom!
Enjoy our wonderful gathering at our Oktoberfest gathering!
Your fellow sales rep,
Fr. Geoffrey
