Service Matters – 20th Week in Ordinary Time

19 August 2013

20th Week in Ordinary Time

 

A project of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales in Camden, NJ, 

DeSales Service Works welcomes volunteers to join 

in service, prayer, and learning in our struggling neighborhood.

 

Contents:

  •  Service Word
  •  Last Week in Camden
  •  Upcoming Events
  •  Links

 

1. Service Word     Gospel of Luke 13:22-30

“Lord, will only a few people be saved?” 

He answered them,

“Strive to enter through the narrow gate,

for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter

but will not be strong enough. 

After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door,

then will you stand outside knocking and saying,

‘Lord, open the door for us.’

He will say to you in reply,

‘I do not know where you are from.

And you will say,

‘We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.’

 

None of us is strong enough.

 

That is the point.   Salvation, belonging to God, eternal life, and happiness are simple gift from God.   —Grace.   God not only has mercy and love, but is Love.

 

The Lord asks strong commitment from us—not in order for us to “merit” or “earn” salvation and love—but because he loves us and wants us to love better and live more deeply.

 

The gate is narrow, not to be exclusive and restrictive, but because God treats each person he has created, formed, and loved as the individual she or he is.    We do not live the Christian life as a mob passing through a huge gate unnoticed, unchallenged, anonymous.   Jesus stands at the door for us.    Again, this is not because we somehow “deserve” it because we knew him and ate and drank in his company.  

 

All is gift.  Grace.

 

-Do you have a healthy, realistic awareness of weakness and unworthiness?

-How do you experience God’s gift, God’s grace?

-Are there doors Jesus is holding open for you?

 

 

2. Last Week in Camden

Last week Joseph’s House of Camden purchased a roomy former warehouse, which had a fifteen year stretch as a juvenile detention center.   Most recently, it has been an empty building. Unfortunately a vacant building in Camden stands a a target for break in by people looking for metal to sell as scrap.    All the metal has been ripped out of the building, including most plumbing and much wiring.    This week repairs and refitting begin and are scheduled to finish by our opening date, December 1, 2013.    Thanks to director John Klein and to all our generous supporters.

 

 

3. Upcoming Events

Bernard Camacho a fresh graduate of DeSales University joins the DSW State Street community this week for a year of service.   Welcome!

 

 

4. Links

Jesuit priest James Martin has a Facebook page that offers valuable articles related to living of the gospel in our time.   He posts this one about some kindness & real courage in the midst of intolerance and unrest in Egypt at this time.

 

 

God bless you,

Fr. Mike McCue, OSFS

mccue1959@gmail.com

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