I’m speaking at all the Masses this weekend, and I’m sure you’re thinking: here comes the money talk. Well, yes, that’s true, but I’m really speaking to you all out of a sense of gratitude: more about that in a minute. But I’m not even just talking to you about money today, because quite honestly, I think our Lord is asking for a whole lot more. Just reflect on today’s gospel reading: Jesus wasn’t as interested in the rich young man’s money as he was in his heart and soul. And he asked for that in exchange for something much more valuable than anything we or the rich young man possess: eternal life. That, after all, was what the rich young man wanted, right? I mean, he asks Jesus at the beginning of the Gospel reading what he has to do to inherit it. And it’s actually a good question. I don’t know if it’s because we take salvation for granted or if we can’t really see past the next big thing happening in our crazy lives, but I sometimes think we’re not as zealous about inheriting eternal life as we should be. So we could all – myself included, by the way – learn a little something from the rich young man’s question.
So today is about going all-in for the Kingdom of God, and frankly, trusting that God will take care of us as we give everything we can – our time, talent, treasure – even our hearts, for the Kingdom. That was the stumbling block for the rich young man. He wanted to be able to check the boxes and know he would receive eternity. But it doesn’t work that way, because eternity is a lot, the Kingdom is big, and if we are still holding on to what makes us feel comfortable, we can’t receive what God wants to give us. Knowing that we are stuck in the world and what paltry gifts it offers just makes us walk away sad, because the world can’t give us eternity.
And, as a parish, I think we have a sense of that. We know that there is more to life than just our possessions and what we own. I really believe our parish family strongly embraces our mission to worship God and celebrate the sacraments, to teach the faith to people of all ages and stages of life, and to care for those in our community who are in need in any way. I’m grateful because every day I get out of bed and feel blessed that I can be the pastor of such a vibrant community who depends on what we do here and thinks it is important enough to live it and witness about it to others.
Because of your generosity, we have been able to renovate all three major worship spaces on our campus over the last few years: our Adoration Chapel, Cana Hall, and, just this past summer, this beautiful church. Because of your generosity, we are able to form young people in the faith through our parish school and our faith formation program, even if they are unable to afford it on their own. Because of your generosity, we have been able to support those in need through our giving tree, our support of the Plainfield Interfaith Food Pantry and our micro pantry ministry, and our wonderful Saint Vincent de Paul Society.
But also, because of your prayers and faith, we have brought several couples into sacramental marriages through our Marriage Validation program. Because of your prayers and faith, people are coming into the Church or back to the Church in droves: just ask our faith formation department – they have had to revamp their operations over the last few years so that we can meet people where they are. Because of your faith, our Make a Difference Day has been adopted by the diocese as a model of how parishes can be of service to their communities.
Every single day in this parish, people receive visits when they are home-bound or confined to nursing homes. People tell me all the time how grateful they are to us for visiting their relatives in this way. Every single day in this parish, people come here to pray and spend time with Jesus, and feel welcome here because we have provided prayerful space for them to worship and reflect. Every single day in this parish, the word is proclaimed, the sacraments are celebrated, and the Lord gives himself to our community in this sacred place.
All of this happens, brothers and sisters, because you all come together and make it happen. You have supported us with your time and talent: we have the most amazing volunteers of any parish I’ve ever had the privilege of serving. Every day I thank God for how much our volunteers care for our parish and take care of their pastor! This happens because you are generous. You support our parish and our mission to reach out to the needy in so many beautiful ways. I cannot thank you and God enough for the grace I see and receive every single day.
But there is so much more to do, and I ask that each of you discern how you can help us to meet our increased budget needs through your offertory support. While we all have different resources to draw from and commitments to fulfill, we can each give something in support of our parish family. Today, we are rolling out our parish giving program based on today’s gospel message: “Living as Faithful Disciples: Come, Follow Me!” This week you should receive our brochure and commitment card in the mail. You can also find those resources on our parish website, smip.org. I am asking you to take time this week to read the brochure and reflect on your commitment and support of our parish.
Next weekend, we will have our Commitment Weekend at all the Masses, and you will hear from parishioners about their experience in or with our parish ministries. I have heard some of their stories, and I am excited for you to hear them. This is an important event for our parish, and I ask that you bring back your commitment card to support our parish ministries in whatever way you can. If you are currently giving, I ask you to review that and see if you can do more. If you are not currently giving, I invite you to join us in our mission to worship, teach, and witness in the name of Jesus.
Please know that whatever you can do will help us to continue the mission, and will be greatly appreciated. I also ask that you please pray for the success of our giving program. Next weekend, I think we will be able to make great things happen to secure the mission of our parish for generations to come. Thank you for everything you do for our parish, and for your generous hearts and spirits. Please know of my prayers for you each day. We beg God, with the Psalmist today, to prosper the work of our hands for us! Prosper the work of our hands!
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