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Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, September 30, 2018, by Fr. Kevin Anderson

Once there was a little girl who came up to her priest after Mass and gave him 10 cents. “What’s that for?” the priest asked her. She said, “My Dad says that you are the poorest priest we’ve even had here.” I have used that story before, but it is a good one. For even though some of you might not appreciate my pastoring style . . . I am a rich man.

 

Actually, everyone here is rich by world standards. In the summer, we had a group of parishioners do a mission trip to Guatemala. There were 16 that went down there to do service work and help those in need. Some of them are here today. I have asked one to tell us about the living conditions in Guatemala. [Have person stand in pew and give a two sentence description of the living conditions.]

 

Isn’t that something? There is an approach about how many of us view our lives. It is called the “Walmart View.” That view says . . . we want as much stuff as possible for as cheap as possible. Hence, the craziness of sales or Black Friday. And with that view, we will always think that we are poor for don’t have as much as somebody else or we worry about having enough, for there’s more stuff to buy, more updates to obtain. It’s an endless cycle, and many of us are so enmeshed in it that we still consider ourselves poor. According to Pew Research, even those who consider themselves “poor” here in the USA would be consider “middle class” by world standards.

 

That’s why the second reading today from James is so “biting.” Because we should all consider ourselves rich. And woe to us, when all we want is more, or we don’t think of others. So if we are so rich, why don’t we feel happy? Let’s hear from our missionary to Guatemala about how people’s attitude was. [Have person give a two sentence testimony about the happiness they saw on the trip.]

 

Well, there is another view of life. This is called the Abundance View. This starts with the reality that basically we have enough (enough food, enough heat, enough transportation), but what we lack is connection. Think about it . . . when was the last time that you had a deep conversation with someone close to you (even someone that you live with?) I don’t mean a fight, but a meaningful conversation. Or how often do you express yourself via Social Media, but don’t dare say such things in person. What’s missing? A connection.

 

Now, as you know . . . later today you are all invited to the new property to view the new Parish House. It’s a home that was owned by Al and Teeny Emmerich, but is now to be the Parish House for me to live in . . . and it is your house. There is also 107 acres to explore and enjoy.

 

But some of you are asking, “Why do we need a new Church? We have two good Churches already.” My response . . . “Yes, we have two buildings. But they both need updates and renovations for handicapped accessibility, an area to have fellowship and primarily a building that we can feel “one” in. But more so, we are building not for ourselves, but for our future. The township that the new property lies in (Baldwin Township) is one of the fastest growing townships in the entire state of Minnesota. So we are looking to the future . . . creating a home that future Catholics (your children’s children) will worship in. But more so, it is a place where we hope to feel more connected.

 

Last week, we had new member night and we had 11 families join our parish. Many of them living not close, but farther out who have been attending here and like the feel of connectedness. The feel that all our welcome. That we don’t discriminate and tell some people that they don’t belong or aren’t worthy to come to the table. I am so proud of your parishioners, who say we don’t come here because we are perfect and have live figured out. But we come here because of the presence of Christ . . . in how we treat one another and how we welcome. Some people criticize us and say that we need to “kick so-and-so out” because they are sinners. That’s not our job, that’s God’s job. In the gospel, Jesus says that we are all in this together. Some say, “Well she or he is not worthy.” Well, none of us are worthy. To some people, the ONLY people who should belong, or who should come and receive Eucharist are THOSE CATHOLICS IN GOOD STANDING. Well, I have been a priest for 35 years, and I have yet to meet a Catholic in good standing.

 

We are here not because we are good. We are here because God is good! We are not worthy. Christ makes us worthy.

 

So here’s the bottom line . . . you are rich. Get over the complaining about what you don’t have.

If you don’t give any money to the Church . . . start! If you haven’t made a pledge to the new parish. Start. This is not someone else’s role. This is your role. Give. And if you do give . . . thank you. Now start giving more.

 

If you don’t feel connected, start getting involved. Next weekend we are having our annual SIGN ME UP procedure during all the Masses. Get connected. No wonder you feel poor . . . you are not involved. Get involved. That’s one of the reason our Parish feels so different than most . . . because so many are involved. This may sound like a “guilt trip” but it is not. This your opportunity to contribute. Your connection can start NOW. Step up. Get connected.

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