Love God, Love Others, Share the Good News!

    This Week's Letter From Father

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The second reading (1 Timothy 6:11-16) portrays Timothy as a man of God, totally dedicated to the Lord and God’s people. As a leader, he reflects the holiness and generosity of the Holy One which makes him a good example for the community to look up to while they strive to live their lives according to Jesus’ teachings. The appellation/title “man of God” was used previously in the Old Testament of prophets (Deuteronomy 33:1, 1 Samuel 2:27).

The author of the letter attributed to Saint Paul but not written by him, reminds Timothy, the recipient of the letter, of his Baptism. Like Timothy, we too, are to live up to our baptismal promises reflecting the generosity and holiness of God in our lives.

As baptized followers of Christ we are to “seek after integrity, piety, faith, love, steadfastness, and a gentle spirit.” We are encouraged to “fight the good fight of faith.” Additionally, we are to “take firm hold on the everlasting life to which we were called when, in the presence of many witnesses, we made our noble profession of faith.” Our life is not only limited to earthly existence. God the Creator continually invites to spend eternity with Him/Her in heaven.

In the Gospel reading (Luke 16:19-31), we meet a very well-to-do egoistic man and a poverty-stricken Lazarus who begged for scraps of food at his doorstep.

We find parallels of reversal in the next life in Egyptian folklore, and in the story of Bar Ma’yan in the Palestinian Talmud.

The rich man’s failure to care for the destitute Lazarus was not in accord with the Old Testament and with the Lord’s teachings. Only those who care for the impoverished, like Lazarus, can dine in the messianic banquet.

Today’s parable reminds us, as it did the Lucan affluent community, to care for the penniless Lazarus’ in our midst. It is not enough to call God as our Father or Mother. We need to produce deeds and acts of loving and compassionate kindness. The rich and poor are children of the same God. We need to see each other as brothers and sisters. However, the rich often remain blind to the plight of those who are on their beam-ends. Perhaps there is a Lazarus in our family whom we ignore?

The parable calls us to conversion of heart. According to Barbara E. Reed, OP, and Shelly Matthews, the first step of such a conversion “is to relate to poor persons as individuals with names, not an anonymous group ‘the poor’ .”

Mitzi J. Smith points out that: “Poor people are not evil, but poverty and disease are evils that can be alleviated … God does not create poverty; human beings do. What humans create, humans can fix, if they so desire.”

                                                                                …..

Thank you, Alicja and Witold Rafalowski, for hosting a delicious Polish dinner. Ema and Jaroslav Prochazka joined us, making it a truly special evening filled with laughter, friendship, and sharing warm memories and remembrances from the past.

Thank you, Sandy and Rich Gemach, for a wonderful dinner at my favorite restaurant. It was great to see you and enjoy a fantastic evening, sharing delicious food and many fond memories from the past.

Thank you, Charlie Ogle, for another wonderful lunch. I truly enjoyed your stories from your time in the Army and Navy, especially the one about your fellow soldiers playing a joke on you regarding “garments” and a “contagious disease” that required you to see a physician immediately. The doctor went along with the joke and quarantined the entire barracks.

Charlie, I enjoyed both your company and the delicious meal, followed by cappuccino.

Fr. John Bartunek, LC, led the Annual Priest Retreat this year. He provided spiritual support on the set of Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ” and has also contributed news commentary regarding religious issues on NBC, CNN, Fox, and the BBC. During the retreat, he reflected on God’s providence.

This Sunday marks the World Day of Migrants and Refugees. It reminds us to care for the most vulnerable individuals from different countries and continents. They are our brothers and sisters in Christ, children of the same God. Let us welcome and protect them.

George Washington stated, “The bosom of mercy is open to receive not only the opulent and respectable stranger, but the oppressed and persecuted of all nations and religions.” And Pope Leo XIV noted, “With their spiritual enthusiasm, vitality, they can revitalize ecclesial communities that have become rigid and weighed down, where spiritual desertification is advancing at an alarming rate. Their presence, then, should be recognized and appreciated as a true divine blessing. It is an opportunity to open oneself to the grace of God, who provides energy and hope to His Church.”

I also resonate with Krish O’Mara Vignarajah’s words about embracing migrants and refugees. “We welcome refugees, not because they are American … but because we are American.” It beautifully reflects our values of compassion and unity.

With continued prayers,

Fr. Ryszard

Welcome Message

Greetings in Christ Jesus!

Whether you are just visiting for a short while, have moved here and are joining our parish, or are returning to your Catholic Faith, on behalf of our parish community, we welcome you to St. Egbert Catholic Church and the beautiful Crystal Coast of North Carolina.

When Jesus was asked which of all the commandments was the greatest, he replied, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.  This is the great, and first commandment. And a second is like it, you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” These two Commandments form the foundation of our mission to Love God, Love Neighbor, and to Share the Good News.