February 5, 2012 Cycle B
Job 7:1-4,6-7 1 Corinthians 9:16-19,22-23 Mark 1:29-39
Not that I read “Rolling Stone Magazine” on a regular basis, but I saw an interview that the son of George Harrison of the Beatles fame, gave as he recalled a memory of his dad.
When Dhani was a child his father had planted many beautiful trees over the years, transforming their family’s yard into a beautiful garden and grove. Many of the trees only reached majority after George Harrison died. On the day of his father’s funeral, Dhani walked among the trees his late father had planted and he realized an important truth: You don’t plant a garden for yourself, for now--you build a garden for future generations. His dad had the long view and faith required of every good farmer and gardener.
Today in our Gospel, Jesus declares His purpose to proclaim the Good News to one and all. We note that before He carried on His ministry He took time to go apart and pray. After prayer, when people came to Him, He said we need to move on from the enthusiastic reception of yesterday. He continued to recall His mission. It is ever a reminder for each of us as well that sometimes we are tempted to stay with the “yesterdays” of success and acclamation, and hesitate to go forward to the largely unknown “tomorrows” to which God is calling us. And of all of that discernment of where God is calling us, prayer is most important.
Today we continue our call and challenge to meet the needs of a larger Church by our support of the Diocese of Pueblo. We heard so well last week by Dr. Michael Wakefield of the large area that the Diocese of Pueblo covers. We were reminded that we have approximately 75,000 Catholics in 53 parishes and 44 missions distributed over almost 50,000 square miles. That there are 48 Diocesan International and Religious priests, and 49 Deacons in the Diocese. In addition there are 55 women religious representing 15 congregations.
Most of our Diocese is rural and 80% of the population lives in towns with fewer than 2500 people. That there are only four cities of any note: Pueblo, Grand Junction, Durango and Alamosa, with a combined population of less than 300,000. And that five of the twenty-five counties in the Diocese fit the 19th Century definition of “frontier” with less than three persons per square mile.
Ranching, agricultural and prisons are the predominant industries in the Diocese of Pueblo. And the median income of our Diocese is about $24,000.00 a year, with some communities it is only $15,000.00. We are a Diocese that has many needs and even though economically challenged our ministires must continue. And how? By not looking back at yesterday, but looking forward to the future and building upon that future.
The reflection of George Harrison’s son reminds us too that we are called to live always embracing the hope that what we plant now, the seeds of kindness, charity, even planted in the deepest coldest earth, can result in transforming harvest. While it is still February and winter, gardening seems maybe an eternity away. But when we plant our seed of faith by our support of the Diocesan Ministry Fund today, we might have an unimaginable harvest growing to continue to make the Catholic Church in our Diocese a force for good and transformation.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us “that the disciple of Christ must not only keep the faith and live on it, but also profess it, confidently bear witness to it, and spread it.” (1816)
As we give generously to the Diocesan Ministry Fund we keep faith and help spread it with our support. Building for the future. We echo the words that Jesus reminded His own disciples of: “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also for this purpose I have come.” In one way or other, we who are the Disciples of Christ, are instruments of keeping that mission alive, especially in this large region of southern and western Colorado.
We come today to again elicit your support asking that we all be mindful of the call to be a people of faith who not only profess it, but are willing to spread it through the work of the Diocesan Church. You will again find in your pews the pledge cards for this year’s drive. May I invite you again to pass them among yourselves if you have not yet filled yours out, and consider a pledge of $250.00 to $300.00 for the next ten months. That support will go a long way in helping us meet our goal as a parish community of $95,000.00.
We are coming together as a Eucharistic community. Summoning others to see the presence of Christ in this faith community and to share that by our charity and service to others. Let us make a difference by living the faith, as well as being an inspiration to share God’s presence beyond our Churches walls.
And finally, not to be tempted by what one of my colleagues did when he discovered and was worried about asking his parish to come up with the money to cover their debt to the Diocese. Before Mass he asked the new organist what music she was to play. Then he gave her a copy of the hymn list and told her, “You’ll have to think of something to play after I make the announcement about the finances.”
After the homily the priest paused and then announced, “I’m sorry to say this but we are in great financial difficulty. The responsibility to the Diocese is costing much more than we expected, and we need almost $9,000.00 more. Any of you who could pledge another $100.00 or more would you please stand. At that moment the organist started playing “The Star Spangled Banner.”
I’m not asking Lori to play that song, or any other at this point, but hopefully you get the message that we need your help.
God Bless you and thanks for your support in advance. Amen. Amen!