You may have noticed that a few visiting priests have recently celebrated Masses here at ICSJ.
I was out of town last weekend performing the wedding for Bobby Hogan and Danielle Towe who are our parishioners. The wedding took place at St. Eugene’s Church in Asheville, North Carolina. Danielle was born and raised in Asheville. Bobby is from the western suburbs of Chicago.
Danielle was baptized Baptist. Two years ago, she became Catholic by participating in our OCIA program. She made a Profession of Faith at the Easter Vigil and was formally received into the Catholic Church and confirmed.
FR. MCBRADY UPDATE
Fr. Larry McBrady is temporarily away from the parish. He has chronic back problems and was briefly hospitalized. He is making a good recovery living with his cousin and his cousin's son in Inverness. He hopes to return to ICSJ soon. I know he will appreciate being remembered in your prayers.
BECAUSE WE BELONG TO GOD
This Sunday’s gospel is a very familiar one. The words of Jesus are frequently quoted. He offers guidance on how Christians ought to live that has echoed throughout history. “Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.”
Jesus reminds us that we belong to God first. But this can be difficult to live out. How do we return our lives to God? We do so by engaging in the work of faith, the labor of love and the endurance of hope. Living the virtues of faith, hope and love helps us to give our whole lives back to God.
Here are a few reflection questions to ponder for this week.
Just as the Roman coin bears the image and inscription of Caesar, whose image is stamped upon your heart and soul?
How can your daily work or routine make God’s invisible grace visible to people around you?
How do you balance your duties as a faithful citizen with your primary allegiance to the Kingdom of God?
