St. John the Baptist Catholic Church

Where Stewardship is a Way of Life

Bob Jensen

April 24, 2022

Pastor's Corner, Uncategorized

“It is up to each of us to say ‘yes’ to this gift [of mercy] God offers and to let this gift transform our lives.”
– Fr. Bill

The Name of God is Mercy

When God revealed the Divine Name to Moses, we are told in the Book of Exodus by God: The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. (Ex 34:6)

Throughout the Old Testament, this theme is repeated with the emphasis always placed on mercy and on God’s love, which never tires of forgiving. Jesus, the image of God, came to reveal a God abundant in mercy.

The German theologian, Cardinal Walter Kasper, stated that what characterizes and distinguishes God best of all is mercy. This has not always been communicated well. Too often, God has been portrayed as server or uninterested. Many have tried to focus our attention on God’s mercy. St. John XXIII sought “the medicine of mercy” over “that of severity” in inaugurating the Second Vatican Council. St. John Paul II wrote his second encyclical, Rich in Mercy, and canonized St Faustina Kowalska known for her popular image of and devotion to Divine Mercy. Pope Francis has made this a constant theme. “To show mercy,” the Pope said, “is an essential feature of God. This is precisely how he shows his omnipotence.”

Mercy is “an essential feature of God.” It is “a key word for God’s actions towards us,” because “God reveals his power, above all, in mercy and through forgiving us. Mercy is the most surprising attribute of our Creator and Redeemer.”

Mercy is offered but never forced. It is up to each of us to say “yes” to this gift God offers and to let this gift transform our lives. Remember the parable of the debtor who is forgiven much, but refuses to forgive another a little? If God’s name is mercy, so must ours be as well.

April 17, 2022

Pastor's Corner, Uncategorized

“Wherever you are at on this journey of faith, the St. John the Baptist Catholic community is here to walk with you.”
-Fr. Bill

What Sunday is to the week, Easter is for the year. It is our most important liturgy, celebrating Jesus victory over sin and death. And not only is Jesus now alive, Jesus is life itself and this life he shares with us. This is the Life that animates St. John the Baptist Catholic Community. We gather to worship in gratitude for all God has done for us and trusting in the promise of eternity. We grow in our discipleship. Each one of us is on a particular journey of faith. Each one of us has another step to take. We accompany each other wherever we may be on this journey. And we go in service. We have Good News to share, doing so with acts of love and compassion, caring for all God’s people, caring for God’s creation.
Easter Sunday is a day we welcome many people. There are those who are here every Sunday, for whom Mass is the highlight of the week and a source of strength for the coming week. We welcome family members and relatives who are visiting for the
holiday. We welcome those of other faith traditions who join their family members and friends today.
COVID has kept many people away from in-person gatherings. We welcome those who are now transitioning back to in-person worship. There may be other things that have kept folks away. If you are one of those joining us today, we are so glad you are here with us today. We hope that whatever has kept you away can be resolved, healed, or forgiven. If you are one of our neighbors without a faith community to call your own, welcome!
Wherever you are at on this journey of faith, the St. John the Baptist Catholic community is here to walk with you. Together, may we discover the presence of the Risen Lord who has promised to remain with us forever.