From the Parochial Administers Desk:
Every time I type those words, it brings a huge smile to my face and lifts up my heart. Not because they repre- sent “being in charge” or I have almost “made it”, but because it is an honor to be able to serve the community of Christ the King. I do not take this responsibility lightly, and at times, yes, it is a bit overwhelming. But it is also a great re- minder to me that I am not here for myself. I am here to serve each of you to the best of my ability. To ultimately be the face of Christ to you, to bring you in closer relationship with our Heavenly Father, his only begotten Son, and with the Holy Spirit in whom he left us after he ascended into Heaven.
As you heard in our Gospel from Matthew, Jesus tells us “but I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil”. Such hard words to live by yet words that set the stage for each of us on our journey with Christ. Many times in life we are faced with decisions that express a life committed to Christ, and we are given countless opportunities to re- spond to those opportunities justly or unjustly. Our choices allow us to “turn the other cheek” or to “pray for those who persecute you”. HARD CHOICES!! But when we are able to do this, we don’t live with resentment, hate in our hearts or revenge that haunts us. We live knowing that people make wrong choices, bad decisions and sometimes those choices affect us. It’s in seeing our humanity, our brokenness that we are able to “turn the other cheek” and to “pray for those who persecute you”.
My friends, the examples Jesus gives us are meant to help us inherit the Kingdom of God. We learn to forgive because we know that ultimately, this short journey on earth will lead to eternal life, either in heaven or in hell. To love is to grow in relationship with Christ, to not love is to separate us from Him.
The examples I have seen from so many of you over this past year and half have been great in love. I have learned much from you and I look forward too many more years of friendships and great experiences. The growth we will share together is a sheer sign of God’s love for each of us! May we each see that presence in our lives and may we each encounter Jesus in all whom we meet.
God Bless,
Fr. Barry
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