St. Mary's Catholic Church of Tomahawk, WI

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

We are in the eleventh week of the ordinary Sunday celebrating the feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. We chose the reading of the ordinary Sunday. In the first reading we hear the comforting and encouraging words of God to the people of Israel who came out of the desert and reached mount Sinai. The only request of the Lord to the people was to listen to His voice and keep His commandments. How important it is for us to respond obediently to the invitation and teaching of our all-powerful God.

In the second reading we hear St. Paul teaching us about being justified and reconciled with God. It is applied not just for good persons but even sinners are being justified and reconciled by God through Christ Jesus who died for all. How privileged are those who return to God with repentance and reconcile with Him, so that they will be saved from the wrath of God and attain salvation. Do we consider ourselves as friends of God and our neighbors?

The Gospel is an invitation to those who wish to respond to the call of Jesus to become His followers, ministers and disciples to work in His vast vineyard. The harvest looks plentiful and the master is looking for laborers. The master feels pity for the sheep without a shepherd. Do we also agree with the master? How do we wish to cooperate by searching, finding, encouraging, and providing needed laborers into the rich harvest of the Lord? That which we received freely we are asked to share freely. May the Heart of Jesus help us.

Fr. Aloysius Royan Anthony