Some thoughts from the Bible readings at Mass today:
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. The young man stood quietly before the judge’s bench. There was no hint of emotion in his eyes, no movement in his muscles. “Do you wish to say anything before the court sentences you,” the judge asked. After a moment’s delay, the young man began to sob violently. He turned to face his young wife, who was held tightly in the embrace of her parents. “I am so sorry,” he sobbed, “so sorry. I never meant to kill our son.” Through his tears he retold what everyone in the courtroom already knew: “I was alone with our baby and he kept crying. I tried everything to get him to stop. I fed him, and he kept crying; I changed him, and he kept crying; I held him, and he kept crying; I rocked him in my arms, and he kept crying. I didn’t know what else to do. I started to shake him, because I was so frustrated.” He could say no more.
. Moses spoke to God in similar words about the Israelites in the desert, overwrought with frustration that they kept crying out no matter what he did. When that event from Exodus is retold in the book of Numbers we learn that Moses didn’t pray for the people’s death – he was so frustrated with the constant crying and complaining of the people, that prayed for his own death so that he wouldn’t have to put up with the complaints any longer!
. God, however, being God, didn’t do that. He just gave and gave and gave. When the people cried out in bondage in Egypt, He set them free. When they cried out in hunger, He fed them – quail by night and manna by morning. When they cried out in thirst, He brought forth water from a rock. When they were lost, He gave them a pillar of fire by night and of smoke by day. He just kept giving and giving and giving – just enough for each day, because that’s what God does. One day at a time. Every day. Just enough.
. Fast forward to the time of Saint Paul. Frustrated by similar behaviors among the Christians at Ephesus, he wrote to them, cautioning them not to be caught up in the “futility” of their minds. Our minds, you see, can play tricks on us, and lead us to anxiety and worry, distress and fear. Instead, Paul urged the Ephesian Christians to look to Christ, and with sarcasm dripping from his pen as he wrote, Paul adds, “I assume you have heard of Christ.” Of course they had: Paul had taught them himself. Now, however, they were acting as though they hadn’t heard of Him.
. Christ it is who gives us the greatest example of trusting in a heavenly Father who provides for our needs, and not giving in to anxiety or fear or worry. He even taught us to pray that way, “Give us this day our daily bread.” Not a year’s worth or a week’s worth, but a day’s supply only. Not enough to provide for a comfortable retirement, but just enough to provide for a trust-filled and worry-free day. The Father will take care of tomorrow in its own time. Jesus also reminds us in John 6, “It was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven.” Every day. Just enough.
. So we turn to the Father, not as infants who cry incessantly with our every need, but as Believers who know better, for we know that the Father will never stop giving and never stop providing what we need, one day at a time. Every day. Just enough.
. That is the example Christ left us. I assume you have heard of Christ?

August 5, 2012

Msgr. William J. King

The Saints are recruiting new players. Our Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton adult softball team will join with other churches in the area for the Fall season of an inter-church league, starting Monday evening August 13. Anyone 14 or older is invited, wanted, and encouraged to join this co-ed team. Call the parish office at 697-2614, or see the sign-up forms in the Holy Family narthex and Office narthex of the church this weekend.

 August 4, 2012
Msgr. William J. King

The first of a series of Family Movie Nights was held at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton parish. A crowd that was larger than expected enjoyed the film, "The Ultimate Gift," and of course enjoyed the snacks that go with movies! Family Movie Nights will be a regular occurrence. — Family Movie Night (3 photos)

August 4, 2012
Msgr. William J. King

. Jeremiah 26: “When Jeremiah finished speaking all that the Lord bade him speak to all the people, the priests and prophets laid hold of him, crying, ‘You must be put to death!’” What Jeremiah said was not popular because it did not affirm the ideology of those in power at the moment. The response was strong. He spoke an opinion the leaders did not want to hear, and immediately Jeremiah wa

s publicly criticized; calls were made to silence him fully: “You must be put to death!”
. Do we live in similar times? There is no amicable discourse in the public arena these days. A business leader or religious figure speaks a message that the prevailing leaders do not want to hear, and the response is immediate and powerful: silence him, quiet her, label him as a bigot, discredit her for intolerance. Would not Jeremiah’s critics have said, “If the business leader disagrees with us, let us ban that business from our midst!”
. In his day, those who held power for a time were trying to move their society far away from the traditional values of their faith and culture. Jeremiah – an ordinary person, not clergy – stood up and pointed out how wrong this direction was. Labeled a bigot and decried for his intolerance, every effort was made to push him quickly off the playing field and to paint his remarks as those of a fringe element.
. Does this bear any resemblance to our day? Have we only two polarities: far left and far right, and are we quick to label and push someone to one side or the other?
. Perhaps we should read the Bible for a more pervasive message: follow the ebb and flow of faith and culture throughout the times of the prophets, and realize that – even when faith was weak and values were lost – the people were never more than a generation or two away from a return to deep faith and confidence in God. God is never far away, and society has never totally fallen apart for those who trust confidently in God’s care and providence. The intolerance of leaders toward Jeremiah – in any age – is but one part of a longer story, and for those with faith, the story always has a happy ending.
. So, trust in God. Read the Bible. Pray. And speak the truth in love.

August 3, 2012

Msgr. William J. King

The traveling icon of Our Lady of Guadalupe is at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton church in Mechanicsburg until Tuesday of next week (August 7). On Sunday, August 5, at 3 PM, we will have a special prayer service to venerate the icon and praise the goodness and grace of God shown in His handmaid Mary, the patroness of the Americas. Many thanks to our parish Knights of Columbus Council for bringing the

icon to our parish. God's message to a humble peasant, Juan Diego, was simple and direct: trust in God and pray. The words of Mary, the mother of Jesus, and her appearance as a native girl, gave millions the confidence to believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to give their lives and souls to Him. We join with Mary, the first disciple of Jesus, in rededicating ourselves to His Gospel, and in redirecting our best energies to the service of God.

August 2, 2012
Msgr. William J. King

Deacon Stephen Kelley todays ended his 8-week summer deacon internship at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, by telliong us his vocation story. Deacon Kelley was a great addition to the parish over the summer, and he accomplished much good through his homilies, his visitations, and his participation in parish life. A great parish was made greater still by his fine ministry. We look forward to his ordination to the priesthood next Spring.

July 29, 2012

Msgr. William J. King

Family and friends enjoy the closing prayer service of Summer Bible School at St, Elizabeth Ann Seton parish last Friday. "SonRise National Park" was the setting for lessons from the Bible and stories of faith, to help our young people appreciate the love of Jesus. God bless all who helped and all who participated. The kids sang with enthusiasm, "It's gonna be a cool, cool Summer, learning to trust in Jesus." Amen. — Summer Bible School 2012 (5 photos)

July 1, 2012

Rev. Msgr. William J. King