Evangelical Reflections - Saturday of the 2nd Week of Lent - March 6, 2021

March 6, 2021

Saturday of the 2nd week of Lent


Ah, the Prodigal Son. I’m sure we have all heard this story so many times throughout our lives. I used to tune out after awhile of hearing this story time after time, but as I’ve drawn closer to God and He has brought my heart closer to Scripture, I’ve been able to see this story in new ways every time I read it.

Jesus gives us enough detail in this parable that we can look at each character and see what He is trying to tell us about Himself and us. Again, the story is known as “The Prodigal Son” but it could also be called “The Loving Father”.

We’re not sure of all of the reasons that the younger son goes to his father to ask for his inheritance early (which in that time was basically telling your father that you wished he were dead), but the father’s reaction is one of patience and kindness. He does not lash out at his son, he allows him to take the money and leave. I’m sure the father’s heart is broken. He loves his son but he respects his free will.

The son goes off and wastes his money and is quickly living in poverty. He decides to come back home to his father. The story tells us that “while the son was still a long way off, his father saw him and ran to him”. “While the son was still a long way off”… for the father to have seen his son from far away must have meant that he was looking for him. He was probably waiting, praying, hoping that his son would return home. When he embraces his son, the son can hardly get a word of apology out before his father calls the servants to throw a party. He is so happy that his son is home. There is no guilt trip laid on him, nothing but pure love and joy.

In this parable, Jesus is trying to show us that this is exactly how God the Father sees each one of us. When we sin and turn our back on God, we are the Prodigal Son, telling our Father that we want to go and do things our own way. When we return, when we ask for forgiveness, especially in the sacrament of Reconciliation, God is not putting us on a guilt trip; He has been looking and waiting every day for us to come back to Him. And when we do, even if we are a long way off, He runs to us and embraces us. He is so happy that we are home.

Let us run back to the Father today. If you have been away from the sacrament of Reconciliation or the Church for a long time, do not worry or fear. God the perfect Father is waiting for you. All He has is love in His eyes and He longs to embrace you and celebrate you. Come home to Him. Allow Him to love you.

From the Pastor

From the Pastor - 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time

By John Putnam • July 11, 2025
In today’s Gospel passage, from Luke, we read the well-known parable of the Good Samaritan. Here, Jesus teaches us in rich detail what stewardship in action looks like. In fact, this parable could just as accurately be called the parable of the Good Steward. The first thing we note about the Good Samaritan is that he is aware of the needs of those around him and responds generously. While the priest and Levi brush right past the man on the side of the road, the Samaritan is watching for those who might be in need. He has a hospitable way of looking at the world around him and so he is able to “see” in a way that the others did not, and he was “moved with compassion at the sight” of the man. Next, we see the Good Samaritan spring into action to serve this man, setting aside his own schedule and plans to meet his needs. He does not just give the man a few dollars or offer quick words of encouragement from across the road. He goes right up to the man. He cleans and bandages his wounds. He puts the man on his own animal and brings him to an inn where he can heal. He ensures the innkeeper would continue to look after him, and he commits to re-turning to the man on his way back. That is how we live out God’s commandments. That is true hospitality and service.  That is how a good steward springs into action when he comes upon a neighbor in need. And Jesus says to each of us personally, just as He did in today’s Gospel, “Go and do likewise.” ©Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2025 Pastoral Pondering I want to welcome Father Christopher Angermeyer to St. Mark as Parochial Vicar. As many of you know, Father was ordained in June. After completing his undergraduate studies at Belmont Abbey and St. Joseph College Seminary. He completed his theological studies and priestly formation at Mount St. Mary’s in Cincinnati. His home parish was St. Thomas Aquinas in Charlotte. We are happy to have Father Angermeyer with us. I know you will do your part to make him feel welcomed here at St. Mark. I will be away for the next couple of weeks on pilgrimage with a group of seminarians and faithful. Please know that the parish will be in my prayers, and I take all of your intentions with me to the Shrine of Our Lady.

From the Pastor - 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time

By John Putnam • July 7, 2025
In today’s Gospel passage, from Luke, we find our Lord appointing disciples to go out and prepare others to receive His invitation into the Kingdom of God. Every verse has something to say about the way a Christian steward should approach others. Let’s consider at least one of the coaching tips Christ gives. “The Lord appointed seventy-two others whom He sent out ahead of Him in pairs to every town and place He intended to visit.” In His wisdom, Christ sent His disciples out not as individuals but in pairs, as teams. This approach to evangelization certainly provided practical advantages. The disciples could lean on each other for mutual support and encouragement, helping each other to stay on task and to put their heads together to pray and problem-solve. This teamwork approach is just as relevant to us modern-day Christian stewards. It takes courage and commitment to go out and invite others into the Christian life. We need to work together to do it well. But there is also symbolic importance to working in teams. It points to the reality that when we invite others to embrace the Good News of the Gospel, we are not merely inviting them into a belief system, but into a relationship with Christ and through that relationship, into Christ’s family — our fellow Christian disciples near and far. Our parish is our immediate spiritual family in this extended worldwide fold. We are not meant to live as isolated individuals within the parish any more than we are meant to live in isolation within our families. We are meant to be a community. That is why it is so important for us to foster a vibrant, supportive, welcoming parish life. This is why we emphasize hospitality as one of the pillars of stewardship. It is not enough just to point others to Christ; we must invite them to join us in community with Him; we must offer a place and mission for them in the Church and within our parish family. © Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2025 Pastoral Pondering As you know, during the last weekend of May (5/31-6/1), we had our final push for our Growing Home Campaign. I wanted to give everyone a final update as we conclude our fundraising period. During that weekend’s presentation, I asked everyone to help us close the $325,000 gap to meet our $9.7 M goal. As we close this portion of the campaign, I am happy to report that we have reached $10.5 million in pledges and gifts, exceeding our goal by $800,000! I am continuously amazed by the giving spirit that pervades our parish. Your generosity is a tangible expression of your commitment to our amazing parish. The funds raised over the goal and any funds raised going forward will help us to address the ever-increasing cost of construction and reduce the loan amount that will be required to complete the overall project. As noted earlier this year, the Rectory project has started and is projected to take about 12 months to complete. Our hope and plan is to break ground on the Monsignor Bellow Center and Adoration Chapel next summer or early Fall. Words alone never seem adequate to express the gratitude that I have in my heart for all of you who have participated in and supported this monumental effort. Both the financial support and the support with time and talent have been tremendous and for that, I want to offer a heartfelt “THANK YOU!”. May God bless each of you for your generosity in helping us grow our home here at St. Mark.
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