AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSEHOLD, WE WILL SERVE THE LORD (JOSHUA 24:15)

Joshua, the leader of the people who came out of slavery in Egypt, uttered the above words as a way to challenge the people to quit being indecisive and rather make a commitment to serve the Lord. These words are very significant for us today. We might accuse Joshua of assuming too much by purporting to make a decision not only for himself but also for his household. We might wonder about the freedom his household had, if any, to make such a decision for themselves. While this might appeal to modern imagination, it seems to me that Joshua made that declaration because he knew the importance of taking a stance for the Lord, and how serving the Lord would be beneficial for his family. As such, it seems safe to say that as head of his family, he made a decision, which was in their best interest. 

The decision to serve the Lord is a most fundamental decision. It is at the heart of who we are; and it determines the course of our lives. It is too important a decision to be left to chance, and we cannot waste time any further. Indecision leaves many of us unsure of where we stand. Our eternal salvation is too important for us to be indecisive about following the Lord. We delude ourselves if we think we have plenty of time to dilly dally on the question of what is most important. The lesson from our first reading for this weekend is to decide for ourselves to serve God and do his will, as indecision is itself a decision.

Like Joshua, our Lord Jesus knew what was in the best interest of his disciples. He promised them his body and blood as real food and drink. But instead, the people abandoned him. Just like it was in gospel times, so it is today. Many people have abandoned the Eucharist. And many who receive him in the Eucharist do not appreciate or recognize what they receive. We want to do it our way. And this is sad. Imagine the pain in the heart of our Lord in the face of all the indignities and indifference he is greeted with by those who receive him. Would we make reparations for all of these? Would we endure our sufferings for the love of the heart of Jesus and just honor his gift to us in the Eucharist? Would we spend time with him out of love  for him who out of love for us allows himself to be imprisoned in all the tabernacles of the world? 

Our parish has received the permission of the bishop to have extended hours of Eucharistic Adoration. We desire to have the Blessed Sacrament exposed for public adoration in the chapel from 5am until 10am (Monday through Friday). We are therefore calling on parishioners to sign up for available hours in the back of church so we know when we can start as soon as we have enough committed adorers for the open hours.

Finally, we bid farewell to our Parish Administrative Assistant, Juan Burgos, as he takes on a new job as 6th Grade teacher at Our Lady of Hungary School, here in South Bend. We thank him for his dedication and hard work while on our employment and wish him God’s blessing in his new assignment. 

May Jesus bless you, and may Our Lady protect you!