Pastor's Note| Jesus Christ, King of the Universe| November 22, 2020

Posted by Parri Van Dyke on 11/20/20

Jesus Christ King of the Universe

We don't usually think of shepherds as kings, but the scriptures this Sunday describe the kingly powers of Jesus as our Good Shepherd. A good king cares for his subjects the way a shepherd cares for his sheep.

Kings increase the size of ... Read More »

Pastor's Note| 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time| November 15, 2020

Posted by Parri Van Dyke on 11/13/20

This Sunday's Gospel reading reminds us not to bury the gifts that God has given us. To do so is to be a "wicked, lazy servant!" Ouch. We all have at least one buried talent. There's more we could be doing for the kingdom of God, but we think: ... Read More »

Pastor's Note| 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time| November 8, 2020

Posted by Parri Van Dyke on 11/06/20

This Sunday's Gospel reading shows us what it means to be truly foolish. We believe in Christ -- good! We pray -- good! We put time into our faith growth and we value opportunities for more faith formation -- very wise! And we say that we trust God -- ... Read More »

Pastor's Note| All Saints| November 1, 2020

Posted by Parri Van Dyke on 11/03/20

YOU are a saint. Don't argue with me, I know you're a saint, because a saint is anyone who's either in heaven or on their way to heaven by following Christ. In the Apostle's Creed we say, "I believe in the communion of saints...." That includes you! It's the ... Read More »

Pastor's Note| 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time| October 25, 2020

Posted by Parri Van Dyke on 11/03/20

This Sunday's Gospel reading reminds us that we cannot love God without loving ourselves and others, but God must always come first.

When we have difficulty loving God with all our heart, mind and soul all the time, every day, every moment, no matter what's going on, it's usually because we're ... Read More »

Pastor's Note| 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time| October 18, 2020

Posted by Parri Van Dyke on 11/03/20

In this Sunday's Gospel reading, when Jesus asks the Pharisees to tell him whose image was engraved on the coin owed for the census tax, he uses it to teach a lesson about the image that should be engraved upon our hearts. Our hearts should belong to God and ... Read More »

Pastor's Note| 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time| October 11, 2020

Posted by Parri Van Dyke on 11/03/20

In this Sunday's Gospel reading, Jesus addresses the problem of fakers, i.e., people who try to win his friendship by being religious and showing up for the banquet of the Eucharist (Mass) while refusing to enter into a genuine relationship with God.

You know the type: They are friendly ... Read More »

Pastor's Note| 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time| October 4, 2020

Posted by Parri Van Dyke on 11/03/20

"The kingdom of God is given to those who produce its fruit." That's the moral of the story that Jesus gives us in this Sunday's Gospel reading. And what is this kingdom of God, given to us while we're still on earth? What are its fruits, which we produce ... Read More »

Pastor's Note| 26th Sunday In Ordinary Time| September 27, 2020

Posted by Parri Van Dyke on 11/03/20

This Sunday's Gospel story was meant to shock people who think they're okay spiritually but do not honestly examine how well they do the Father's will. Jesus said that tax collectors and prostitutes (professions considered to be the most contemptible and unholy) were entering the kingdom of God ahead ... Read More »

Pastor's Note| 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time| September 20, 2020

Posted by Parri Van Dyke on 11/03/20

God's not fair! How many times have we felt that way? And it's true, at least by our standards. The parable in this Sunday's Gospel reading is a fine example of this. The landowner seems to be very unfair. We can begin to understand him, however, if we think ... Read More »