10th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - JUNE 10, 2018
From the Pastor . . .
My Sisters and Brothers:
Today’s Gospel includes the following passage: “The mother of Jesus, and his brothers and sisters, arrived. Standing outside, they sent word to him and called him. A crowd seated around him told him, ‘Your mother, and your brothers and your sisters, are outside asking for you.’ But he said to them in reply, ‘Who are my mother, and my brothers, and my sisters?’ And looking around at those seated in the circle he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers and my sisters. For whoever does the will of God is my sister, my brother, and my mother’.” (Mark 3:31-35).
These words of Mark are also found in the other “synoptic” Gospels (see Matthew 12:46-50 and Luke 8:19-21). During the Church’s liturgical year, each of these three accounts is assigned to be read during one of the days of the cycle of daily Mass readings. Today, Mark’s version is proclaimed again; it’s also an optional Gospel reading suggested for Masses for the Common of Saints, for Masses of Consecration of Virgins, and for Masses of Religious Profession. This may seem to be a lot of coverage for a passage that, at least on the surface, is somewhat confusing (or not?).
We may think the passage recalls a moment when Jesus failed to show proper respect to his “mother, and his brothers, and his sisters,” and/or perhaps his other relatives, who were waiting for him outside of the place where he was speaking. After all, it does seem he held them in some type of contempt because he refused to stop what he was doing and immediately respond when they called to him. And on the surface his seemingly dismissive words seem very disparaging.
I believe we must contemplate this passage, and Jesus’ response to the presence of his relatives at that moment, in light of an earlier part of the narrative in which it was reported Jesus had given the Twelve Apostles “the authority to drive out demons” (see verse 15). It’s evident this claim of authority over demons had provoked the concern and the possible anger of Jesus’ family members, as well as the wrath of the corrupt religious leaders of the time. And so Mark had also wrote: “When his relatives heard of this they set out to seize him, for they said, ‘he is out of his mind’” (see verse 21). For me, this detail just seems “to thicken the plot” as I attempt to make sense of the narration. I don’t doubt the relatives of Jesus eventually understood his teachings, but that most of those “corrupt religious leaders” did not, and would not ever do so! This entire episode and the words Jesus spoke were simply another criticism of the corrupt religious leaders of the time.
And so, Jesus’ question “who are my mother, and my brothers, and my sisters?” was actually, and simply, rhetorical. His answer, “they are whoever does the will of God,” really has to do with the acceptance of Jesus’ complete authority over everything, including “demons” and every other earthly power and dominion. Although those corrupt religious leaders never “got it,” we certainly believe his mother Mary, and likely all of his other relatives, eventually understood him completely! The question for us then is: “Do we believe in the absolute power of Jesus over all things, and do we claim his power over every aspect our own lives too?” This is what it means to be conformed to his will, and then to enjoy the privilege of being so united to him so as to be like “his sister, his brother, and his mother.”
My friends, let’s always trust in the power of Jesus in our lives! Unlike those who fought Jesus, and those who still do even in our own time, let’s be true members of his very family as we continually strive in our lives to do the will of our Father in Heaven. My sisters and brothers, let’s encourage each other with this message of faith!
Praise God! Friar Timothy
CONGRATULATIONS GRADUATES
Today we offer the congratulations and prayers of our church family to all of our 2018 graduates. We are proud of all you have achieved and look forward to all you will yet accomplish. A special word of thanks to your parents and grandparents whose love and support, encouragement and dedication have brought you to this day.
SENIOR LUNCHEON
The annual Senior Appreciation Luncheon for St. Ann’s, St. Wenceslaus and St. Francis Xavier for members 65 and older will take place in St. Francis Xavier Church Hall this Saturday, June 16, from 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm. The event is hosted by the Sunday School staff and students of St. Wenceslaus and includes lunch, prizes, and entertainment. Please sign the list in the back of the church if you are interested in attending.
FATHER PETER TO VISIT JUNE 24TH
We're blessed to announce that our most recent former Pastor, Fr. Peter Lyons, TOR, will be with us to celebrate the parish Mass on Sunday, June 24th. After Mass, all are invited to join us for light refreshments as we share fellowship and celebrate his visit! Please plan to be with us on the 24th!
STEWARDSHIP SUNDAY
Discover a way to share yourself with our community. Are you currently in a Ministry or service group at St. Ann? Do you need more members? Or, are you searching for a way to get involved? Perhaps there is a service that you would like to see grow in the Parish. Service is a way to nurture our community and to grow closer to the life Jesus wants for us. Stewardship Sunday is Sunday, June 24. We also ask you to pray for god’s guidance as you prepare to pledge your self-giving at this time of stewardship as your consistent and steady giving is an important part of your involvement in our church community.
As you contemplate on ways in which you may contribute to the mission of our parish, here are just a few of our ministries that you may consider joining:
Altar Server
Lector
Choir
Technology & Communications
Sunday School
Eucharistic Minister
Outreach
Eucharistic Minister
Hospitality to the Sick
Evangelization
Usher
Sista Circle
St. Ann’s Men’s Ministry
Physical Plant
Racial Justice
Liturgy
Community Relations
Religious Ed
Jubilee Seniors
Count Team
Finance Committee
Fundraising
JULY 11TH BASEBALL GAME
The Baltimore Orioles will host the children and youth of St. Ann, St. Wenceslaus, and St. Francis Xavier parishes at a game against the New York Yankees at Camden Yards on Wednesday July 11th at 7:05 pm. The Orioles will provide 3 buses and all 3 buses will be at St. Wenceslaus at 5:30 pm on that evening and depart at 5:45pm. They will also provide participants with a hot dog, drink, bag of chips and Oriole gear to wear at the game. Please use the sign-up sheet in the back of church if you would like your child to attend. THE FORM MUST BE COMPLETELY FILLED OUT IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE!!!
PASTORATE CHURCH PICNIC
St. Francis Xavier, St. Ann, and St. Wenceslaus will gather together for a joint Parish Picnic on Saturday, June 23rd @ O’Dwyer Retreat House 11:00am-7:00pm! All parish members, their families and friends are invited to join us on this day of fellowship.
Location: O’DWYER RETREAT HOUSE
15523 York Road, Sparks, MD 21152
Parish Picnic Pricing including food/games:
All Adults age 15 years and older- $10.00
Children age 14 years and younger- $7.00
Time & Food:
Pool Time | 12NOON - 6PM
Food Time | 12NOON - 4PM
*Attendees are encouraged to bring additional food as desired*
For tickets and information, please see:
Rogelio D'Almeida 443-413-8568 or rogeliodalmeida@gmail.com , or Bobby Jackson.
SUNDAY, JUNE 17 WILL BE THE LAST DAY TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE!
SIGHT & SOUND TRIP
Just a reminder that deposits are now due for the Sight and Sound Trip to see the production “Jesus” in Lancaster, PA on Wednesday, November 28, 2018. Please see Cynthia Johnson (443-854-8094), Marlene Howard (443-804-8036) and Mary Middleton (410-433-2316) for tickets and details.
PRAYER REQUESTS
Please continue to pray for all of our sick and homebound, especially Florence Barber, James Butts, Augustine Christian, Danny Dallas, Elaine Edmonds, Gregory Epps, John Frederick, Rita Hardy, Odessa Johnson, Tom Lutz, Penny Palmer, Bernadette Wallace, Nelson Outlaw, Jeanette Rice and Rita Watkins, and ask that God grant them strength, comfort and healing.
NEW WEBSITE
Check out our newly constructed website at www.stannsofbaltimore.org
READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY
1st Reading Ezekiel 17:22-24
2nd Reading 2 Corinthians 5:6-10
Gospel Mark 4:26-34