In today’s first reading, God chose David as the next king of Israel. David was a surprising choice since he was a young man, most likely a teen ager, and the youngest brother. The Bible and Christian history are full of examples where God chooses unlikely people to be his prophets and servants.
The Scriptures are not just interesting stories about things God did years ago. The Bible is a living Word about how God acts today and in every time. So God still chooses unlikely people to be his prophets and ambassadors.
In the Gospel, the man born blind, a person considered unworthy because of his disability, instructed the religious leaders accurately about the ways of God. The religious leaders were wrong; the outcast man born blind testified truly.
God calls in every time. God calls today. God calls us to do something important in our time. David accepted the call of God and the Spirit rushed on him to make him capable. If you accept God’s call to action, the Spirit will come to you and enable you to do what you are asked to do.
The man born blind had to put aside his own sense of inferiority. He had been told since his childhood that he was sinful and outcast in God’s sight. Perhaps you believe that you are not as good or as talented as others. But God still calls the unlikely. It is a shame that many people ignore the call of God because of fear and laziness.
Ask God what he wants from you and promise God that you will respond. And God’s Spirit will rush on you and make you capable.
Lenten Afternoon of Reflection
Today, March 19, after the 10:30 Mass, the Laudato Si Circle will sponsor a Meager Meal with a viewing and discussion of the “Letter” on Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si in the parish center. It will be an afternoon of prayer, reflection, fasting and almsgiving.
Jack’s Yacs
The next event is on Thursday, March 30, 6:00 PM: Holy Hour/Happy Hour, an hour of prayer in the lower church before the Blessed Sacrament followed by a social in a local pub.
Black Catholic Congress
The Black Catholic Congress will be held July 20-23, 203 at the Gaylord National in National Harbor, Maryland (near Washington). If any Saint John parishioners are interested in attending, please contact Father Tom. We hope that some of our church members will attend this Congress and bring back ideas to enrich our church life. Check out the Congress web site:
https://www.nbccgathering2023.org/
Saint John Sanctuary Guild
Enroll yourself or a loved one, living or deceased, in our Sanctuary Guild. Those enrolled are remembered in a weekly Mass at Saint John’s and the $40 offering is used to support the upkeep of the church, the purchase of linens, flowers and other items needed for our beautiful church.
Holy Land Pilgrimage
Father Tom is leading a pilgrimage from October 26-October 5, 2023 to the Holy Land, Israel. For information or to register, see the Saint John Parish web site.
Parish Debt Reduction collection
Today, March 18-19, will be the monthly second collection for Saint John Church parish debt reduction. Please be generous.
Historical Preservation Endowment Fund
$555,045.00
Details of today article is available here on our bulletin.