St. Patrick Church

In our Gospel this weekend we get this interesting parable about the kingdom of heaven being like a king who invited many to the wedding feast of his son, but the invitees declined the invitation. Perhaps the king could use better servants. They are, after all, the ones charged with inviting the guests. I wonder exactly why they were so unsuccessful? Who in their right mind would refuse a great feast with fattened cattle? Maybe the servants should take a 101 class in marketing because they have clearly fumbled the pitch. Maybe if they were able to make some phone calls around to their friends, they would have been more successful. Maybe if they had one of those beautiful AI posters, the guests would have shown up.

When the Pastor is away, the boys will play. At least that is what I told Fr. Scott as he left for retreat this week. He asked me to write the bulletin article, so instead of a message from your Pastor, you get instruction from your Intern.

One of my favorite meditations from the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius is that of the Two Standards. St. Ignatius has us reflect on the Standard of Satan with demons tempting us to seek worldly riches, honor, and pride, and then on the Standard of Christ with angels and saints encouraging us to seek poverty over riches, insults over honor, and humility over pride. We then must pray for God's grace to help us, and then choose which Kingdom's Standard we will follow.