St. John the Evangelist

St. John the Evangelist https://sjechurch.org/

01/07/2024

PLEASE SHARE

Due to the inclement weather, all Masses at St. Mary of the Snow Church and St. Joseph Church are canceled tomorrow.

Stay safe!

11/02/2023
08/24/2023

FROM THE WORD AMONG US

DAILY MEDITATION: JOHN 1:45-51
Come and see. (John 1:46)

Nathanael was not going to be duped. The promise of the long-expected Messiah was too important for him to be led astray by false claims. He was especially skeptical when he heard that Jesus was from an insignificant village like Nazareth (John 1:46).

So when Philip told Nathanael that Jesus was the Messiah, Nathanael was doubtful. But rather than trying to convince his friend, Philip simply said, “Come and see” (John 1:46). Nathanael, whom the Church identifies as Bartholomew and whose feast we celebrate today, accepted Philip’s invitation. And when he met Jesus, his heart was set on fire. Jesus really was the Messiah he had been longing for!

Of course, this was just the beginning of Nathanael’s journey. Through multiple encounters, he became not only a faithful disciple but also one of the Twelve. According to tradition, after Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, Nathanael went to India, Armenia, and possibly as far as Azerbaijan to preach the good news. We don’t know what words he used, but we can imagine him relying on the same approach that Philip had used with him: inviting people to encounter Jesus so that they could understand for themselves who he is.

Who invited you to “come and see” Jesus? We can often trace our initial encounter with the Lord back to someone—or multiple people—who urged us to discover the Messiah for ourselves. And as followers of Jesus, we can do the same for other people.

How? Perhaps you could ask someone to come to a parish Bible study or to Adoration or Mass. Or you could give them a spiritual book that has meant a lot to you. Maybe it will take more than one invitation or more than one point of contact before they encounter Jesus in a personal way. But remember, you’re not responsible for what happens next. Once they’ve accepted your invitation, Jesus will reveal himself to them and speak to their hearts in his own time and way.

So whom will you invite to encounter the Lord today?

“Jesus, open my eyes to all the ways I can invite people to ‘come and see’ you.”

Revelation 21:9-14
Psalm 145:10-13, 17-18

08/23/2023

It's not too late to register. We start in September.

08/23/2023

FROM THE WORD AMONG US

DAILY MEDITATION: MATTHEW 20:1-16
Are you envious because I am generous? (Matthew 20:15)

Anyone who has spent time with small children has heard this refrain: “That’s not fair!” Whether it’s a slice of cake or a birthday gift, children notice right away when someone else gets something bigger or better. They’re like the workers in Jesus’ parable who find it unfair when the workers hired at the last minute receive the same daily wage as themselves. Complaining that they didn’t get paid more, these workers are unable to rejoice in the landowner’s generosity.

How often we react that way, too! Maybe it’s not over the question of fair pay for a day’s work. But we might feel disgruntled when we see someone else receive a blessing or grace from God that we ourselves have been longing for. Why didn’t we receive it first? Or we might become irritated when we hear of the deathbed conversion of a notorious sinner. How can the Lord promise them the same thing he promises us?

If those thoughts come to mind, recall the landowner’s words, which echo God’s attitude: “Are you envious because I am generous?” (Matthew 20:15). The truth is that God offers no less than everything—his whole self—to all of us. There’s no “more” or “less” in his kingdom! He never runs out of goodness, and when it looks as if someone is receiving more, that doesn’t mean there’s less for us. In Christ, each of us has all we need. That’s more than enough.

The more we’re aware of God’s generosity to us, the easier it will be to rejoice when he is generous to other people. So don’t begrudge someone else a grace from the Lord just because you want it yourself. Instead, share in God’s kindness by putting off jealousy or resentment. Rejoice with the people around you in the goodness of God.

In the end, that’s what the workers in the parable missed out on. Their hearts couldn’t rejoice in the master’s generosity because they were measuring who got how much. But you don’t have to miss out. Today, acknowledge God’s abundant compassion and look at other people with his merciful gaze.

“Heavenly Father, I rejoice in your great generosity!”

Judges 9:6-15
Psalm 21:2-7

08/22/2023

FROM THE WORD AMONG US

DAILY MEDITATION: JUDGES 6:11-24
Please, my lord, how can I save Israel? (Judges 6:15)

Gideon was surprised. There he was, hiding in his winepress, threshing wheat in secret to protect his harvest from Midianite marauders. Suddenly, the angel of the Lord appeared to him, telling Gideon that it was he who would save Israel from these tormentors!

Now, Gideon had been beaten down by living under the constant threat of the Midianite raids. He felt the Lord had abandoned his people because they were suffering (Judges 6:13). Not only that, but even if God wanted to help his people, Gideon felt he was the least qualified person to do it (6:15).

God’s responses to Gideon can reassure us when we are feeling discouraged and powerless to make a situation—in our lives, in the Church, or in the world—better on our own.

The Lord is with you, O champion! (Judges 6:12). When Gideon was hiding, thinking that the best he could do was to keep a low profile and stay out of trouble, God took the bold step of calling him a champion! God has a more positive view of us than we often do of ourselves, and he calls us to make a difference in the world. He calls us champions.

Go with the strength you have and save Israel (Judges 6:14). When Gideon objected that the Lord seemed to have abandoned his people, God told him to assess his own strength and go. He didn’t need to have great power or influence; he just needed to go. We, too, don’t need to be the most influential or powerful; we just need to bring to the Lord the gifts we have and trust him to bless our efforts.

I shall be with you (Judges 6:16). The Lord told Gideon that the key to success was not his own qualifications but God’s presence with him. That’s what would make him confident. When our hope wavers, we can recall that the Lord is with us, too. He has called us to follow him and to be his saving presence in the world. It’s his grace and power that can make things better.

Today, if the problems surrounding you seem unsolvable, learn from Gideon: trust in God’s grace, use the gifts you have, and be a champion!

“Lord God, thank you for calling me and equipping me to make a difference.”

Psalm 85:9, 11-14
Matthew 19:23-30

Address

915 Route 212
Saugerties, NY
12477

Telephone

+18452464913

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when St. John the Evangelist posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category