Reflection for the 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Isn’t life a pain?
Not if you rise up and live!

“Little girl, I say to you, arise!”

Janell King writes about her experience in Malaysia:

At home, I have a painting of a little girl with her arms spread open, her head thrown back, and a smile on her face. On it are the words from the scripture above. I received this painting at a crucial point in my life. It seemed like the weight of the world was pressing me down, determined to crush me. Relatives had passed away, community was tough, school was overwhelming, and I couldn’t seem to connect with God. I felt somewhat dead. When I first saw this painting, I didn’t just read the words…it felt like God was speaking them straight into my spirit like the roar of a lion. I felt something in me awaken.

The last day in Malaysia, I was doing laundry when our contact Janet came out to talk to me. I had received some prophetic words the night before during prayer, and God had given her some more clarity for the things spoken. As she spoke, I was glued to what she was saying. I don’t know if you have ever had those moments where you feel like a complete stranger is peering in to you… reading your story… but it was one of those times. I couldn’t soak in what she was saying fast enough. In the middle of Janet’s conversation, she looked me straight in the eyes, pointed to me, and said “Rise Up!”

Those words continue to echo deep inside of me. I’ve been overwhelmed with all God is doing on the race. So much growth for such a short time. So much challenge in such a short time. Yet, despite the struggles, it’s time to arise and mature and act on my faith. I’ve been praying and praying that God would teach me the path of righteousness. It finally clicked that I know the way! He gave me the Word! He has given me the instructions. He has given me Holy Spirit! It’s time for my own heart to come alive. It’s time to lead others into the kingdom! To the little girl inside of me, longing for more, Rise up!

Jesus didnâ€™t just heal from maladies. He raises us up so that we may live. Our call today is to trust in the Lord who created us for life and for good â€“ to be light. Let us place our trust in Him and rise up, not in drudgery, but filled with life. Let us rise from our slumber because Jesusâ€™ light shines on us. We are filled with the Holy Spirit. We have life and light that will last forever! The author of life will raise us up one day, but we shouldnâ€™t wait. Rise up today and live. Smile. When people ask why, tell them the reason for your joy â€“ Jesus.

Special Synod of the Polish National Catholic Church

On Friday June 22nd, a Special Synod of the Polish National Catholic Church took place at St. Stanislaus Bishop & Martyr Cathedral and its Youth Center in Scranton, Pennsylvania. The Synod was held to elect two candidates for the office of Bishop within our Holy Church. Four nominees were put before the Church, Rev. Stanley Bilinski, Rev. Raymond Drada, Rev. Bernard Nowicki, and Rev. Jerzy Rafalko. There were 218 delegates from the Church’s five Dioceses as well as guests who witnessed this solemn and special occasion.

Holy Name was represented by Mr. Lawrence Panfil, our Parish Chairman. Each Nominee for the Office of Bishop spoke, giving his plans for the growth of parishes and expansion of the Polish National Catholic Church (PNCC). The PNCC has parishes throughout the United States, in Canada, as well as in Poland, Norway, Italy, Sweden, and soon in Germany.

The Church sought the intercession and working of the Holy Spirit during Holy Mass before the Special Synod and before the election. Your prayers here in the parish, and those who joined us online were very important to this process, and to the blessings that were received.

Based on the information presented to the delegates and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the Synod body chose Rev. Stanley Bilinski and Rev. Bernard Nowicki as candidates for the office of the Bishop.

SONY DSC — Bishop elect, Stanley Bilinski

There are two dioceses, Buffalo-Pittsburgh and the Western Diocese, in need of Bishops. The date of the the Bishop elects’ Consecration and their assignment will be announced by the Prime Bishop’s Office.

Bible study for the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time

6/24 – Acts 10:42-48 – Lord God, Your grace calls to us and draws us to baptism. Send forth Your Spirit to draw all to regeneration in Your Holy Church. Grant that no person may place any barrier to acceptance into new life in You.

6/25 – Acts 8:38 – Lord Jesus, continue to draw people to You through the work of Your deacons who, like Philip, proclaim Your word and baptize.

6/26 – John 3:23 – Lord Jesus, John went out to proclaim Your arrival, and the immanence of the kingdom. Grant that we may likewise go forth to boldly proclaim Your salvation, welcoming all who come forward to accept You.

6/27 – Acts 22:16 – Lord Jesus, the gift and grace of baptism are readily available to all. Inspire our brothers and sisters to avail themselves of this beautiful sacrament which all Your Church’s hold in common.

6/28 – Isaiah 1:16-18 – Lord God, in baptism we are regenerated to new life, reborn to follow Your Gospel and do good for all. Grant that we may maintain life in You and freedom from sin.

6/29 – 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 – Lord Jesus, in baptism we were made clean. In our journey of faith we continue to struggle against what is evil and separates us from You and our brothers and sisters. Grant us the grace to persevere in avoiding evil and in doing good.

6/30 – John 3:5 – Lord Jesus, renew us. Grant that we may always remember the promise of our baptism and confirmation through which we have been made heirs to the kingdom.

Pray the week: Lord Jesus, thank You for the gift of baptism through which we have entered into Your life.

Reflection for the 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Can we make it across?
You bet!!!

“‘Peace! Be still!â€™ And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, â€˜Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?â€™”

Today, a new member of the Body of Christ starts the journey that will teach and guide her throughout her life. This entry into the life of faith, this start on the journey, will give her all the tools she needs to make it across.

Jesus had just finished addressing the crowds and needed to head out. He, and the apostles needed to leave the crowd behind. They decide to cross over.

The disciples, who knew the sea, are panic-stricken when a huge storm hits their boat. They arenâ€™t holding it together at all. They canâ€™t maintain control in front of the fierce storm. Theyâ€™re loosing it.

What a wonderful Gospel for us on this day. What a wonderful set of readings. Each one points to the journey Callie Elizabeth begins today with Jesus at her side.

In baptism we cross over. We move from one side to the other like Jesus and the disciples were doing on that boat. We move from life defined as a beginning and an end to life defined as a beginning with no end. Our life is grounded in the promise of everlasting happiness regardless of the storms that beset us.

In baptism we are separated from the crowd. We are differentiated from the ordinary and are set apart for the extraordinary. We are made witnesses, not to the desires of the crowd, or the whim of the moment, but to way of Jesus.

Of course we will face our storms in life. There will be bumpy times, sad times, struggles. But we are made strong by the reason of our baptism. We are given something so essential, the strength that comes to us by grace, by our inclusion in the life of Jesus. We are given the full support of the entire body of Christ. In turn, we offer our strength to them.

In the storm we are given the choice to lose it or be saved. There is no cool, safe ledge on which to perch as spectators. There are no bleachers from which to enjoy the lightning and thunder, the waves and breakers of the storm.

In the baptism we have all entered, into which Callie Elizabeth enters today, we are made witnesses, prophets, and the people of God. We have to sail through life and its storms. Baptism makes us not just sailors, but sailors and saints.

Because of baptism, because of our inclusion in the body of Christ, because we choose to live this life, we will make it across. You bet!!!

Prayer for the Holy Synod

And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsab’bas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthi’as.
And they prayed and said, “Lord, who knowest the hearts of all men, show which one of these two thou hast chosen.
And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthi’as; and he was enrolled with the eleven apostles. (Acts 1:23-24,26)

Come Holy Spirit, enkindle the hearts of Thy faithful with the fire of Thy love!

Come, Father almighty! Open our minds to see your way, believe in your word, and know you.
Come, Lord Jesus Savior! Open our lips to speak your truth, proclaim the word, and praise you.
Come, O Holy Spirit! Open our hearts to feel your life, to act on the word, and love you.

Father, Son and Holy Spirit, prepare us for your blessing; guide our Synod, and bless Your Holy Polish National Catholic Church that we may do your will, for you are one God living and true, now and forever. Amen.