WHEN WE ARE HELPLESS

Today we celebrate Father’s Day, honoring our fathers, grandfathers, god-fathers and those who have acted as fathers in our lives. How fortunate are we if we had or have a father who is like the majestic cedar described in the 1st reading, providing comfort and protection for all those in its care. Whatever our own circumstances, we can look to God, our Almighty Father, as an ideal of a fostering, loving, and forgiving parent.

Nature teaches us that there are laws or forces around us that we cannot manipulate. The rain will fall when the clouds are heavy. The sun will shine no matter what storm rages above us. Plants will grow when the conditions are right. You tamper with nature and you get surprisingly harmful results in the end. It is the same with human nature. Many things happen beyond our control. Many things unfold, following their own process. We just marvel how fast children grow. We are surprised how much weight we have gained. We are shocked at wrinkles, weakness, sickness that suddenly manifest themselves.

The first parable in today’s Gospel precisely reveals to us this mysterious aspect of all life. Unfortunately, it is God who has the final word in everything. God is in control of things and therefore we need to trust Him more. Yes, we must do our best to attain our goals, to realize our intended results. But it is the Lord who controls the destiny of the Kingdom, and it is His will that we witness in awe how he works in our lives. My doctor-friend muses that healing itself comes through the Lord’s power and not his own. He is a mere instrument who must allow himself to be led.

Are there moments when you want to see results immediately? Are there times you want to change other people right away? Are you tempted to fix things in the way you like? We are control freaks. But Jesus tells us to trust Him and just allow Him to work in His own mysterious way. When we have done our part and just feel helpless about the result, then God will pick up from where we left off. Let us always remember to take courage and do our best as St. Paul reminds us in today’s Second Reading. Let us also remember to entrust everything into God’s hands and let His power flow in its own mysterious way.

A JOKE FROM ST. JOE: Long ago in the Middle Ages, there lived in a small European village a farmer, his wife and their 20-year old son. Using their horse, the farmer and his son tilled the fields. One day the horse ran away to the mountains. The villagers went to the farmer and said, “Bad news for you. Your only means of livelihood is gone. You have no more horse to till your field. The farmer answered, “Good news, bad news, who knows? I will just keep trying my best and God will do the rest.

Life has its good news and bad news, joys and sorrows, successes and failures. In spite of all the bad occurrences and failures, don’t get discouraged. Keep trying, keep giving your best. God will do the rest. This third Sunday is Fathers’ day. On the 21st, it is the memorial of St. Aloysius Gonzaga, the patron saint of the youth. The season of summer begins this day. On the 22nd, we celebrate the optional memorial of Ss. John Fisher and Thomas More. This is all for now, watch for the next bulletin. God Bless!

Your Priest-Servant and Parochial Administrator,

Fr. Reggie