This week’s memory verse: But let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. — 1 Peter 3:4
7/20 – Psalm 46:10
7/21 – James 1:19
7/22 – Lamentations 3:26
7/23 – Isaiah 32:17
7/24 – Zephaniah 3:17
7/25 – Ecclesiastes 9:17
7/26 – James 3:17
Pray the Week: Lord Jesus, Quiet my heart and mind. Help me to accept Your word and to walk in Your path with a still soul. Grant that I accept the work of Your grace in my life and that I do not account achievement to my talents alone. Amen.
The Lord said to her, There is need of only one thing.
We are going to talk about something explosive today, TNT. We will get to that in a minute.
Before we get to the explosive, let’s look at what is going on in the house of Martha and Mary.
The Lord had great affection for Martha, Mary, and their brother Lazarus. We would see the Lord at their home several times in the gospels.
This occasion is sort of a lead-in to knowing them. One of the things believed about this family is that they were well-to-do, perhaps even wealthy.
On this occasion Mary listens attentively to Jesus as He proclaims the Kingdom of God, the promise of eternal life, resurrection of the dead, and the need for complete honesty in our relationship with God and each other.
Back in the kitchen Martha is taking charge of all the guest arrangements. She wants to put on the best for Jesus, His companions, and all the guests. Her talent was important here. She wants to be like Abraham and Sarah in providing for the Lord, perhaps hoping a special blessing.
We know Martha gets perturbed with her sister Mary and that she speaks openly with Jesus about her upset.
The Lord quickly sets things straight. He does so in such a way that Mary’s heart is changed. That’s the real miracle here, the miracle Jesus wants for all of us – changed hearts.
Jesus’ very presence brings new life. Later, at the death of their brother we will see Martha running out to meet Jesus and her declaration of faith in the Messiahship of Jesus and the resurrection. She is no longer back at home.
The family’s well-being is attested in the passages about Jesus’ dining with them before His crucifixion and death – the occasion where His feet were anointed by Mary.
Here comes the explosive part – the TNT we need to apply in our lives. The TNT we need to accept is that is Take No Talent to faithfully listen to Jesus, to believe all He says, and to follow Him.
Let us be those Jesus loves by taking a breath, quieting ourselves of what we think we must do, and simply accepting Jesus’ word. There is need of only one thing.
This week’s memory verse: Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. — Ephesians 4:32
7/13 – Romans 5:10
7/14 – Hebrews 12:14
7/15 – Colossians 1:20
7/16 – Matthew 5:24
7/17 – Colossians 3:13
7/18 – 1 Peter 4:8
7/19 – Matthew 5:9
Pray the Week: Lord Jesus, You have sent me out to do Your work since the moment of my baptism. You protect me and provide for me abundantly. Increase my trust in Your provision so that nothing distracts me from Your mission. Amen.
Note: In order to not repeat the Gospel of the Good Samaritan twice in one year, the Readings, Gospel, and Propers for the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time are used for the 15th Sunday.
God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.
The Ministry of Reconciliation, as described in the Bible refers to the Divine mandate given to believers to help others be reconciled to God.
What a wonderful mandate for us to accept and engage in.
This ministry is rooted in God’s act of reconciling the world to Himself through Jesus Christ and entrusting believers with the message of that reconciliation.
We saw in our First Reading Moses’ intervention of behalf of his people. God’s anger had flared due to the Israelites unfaithfulness. They didn’t just make a mistake or mess up. Rather, they utterly turned their back on God Who had just saved them from the Egyptians. As soon as they got a little bored waiting for Moses, in reality waiting for God, they decided to take their future into their own hands.
The Israelites were telling God that they were in charge, and He was not.
Moses determined to plead before God for them. It wasn’t that he was happy with them, or that he wasn’t disappointed in them, perhaps righteously angry, but he saw reconciliation as more important.
The shepherd in the Gospel, the woman in search of a lost coin, and the prodigal son’s father are all Jesus’ examples of people who placed healing, seeking, and reconciliation ahead of all else.
Jesus tells us that this is His will for us, His Father’s will, that we be ministers of reconciliation.
We could easily place anything involving ministry in the hands of the clergy or a select few professionals, but that would be a mistake.
It is incumbent that we take up the ministry of reconciliation daily. St. Paul regarded himself as the foremost of sinners, and therefore an example of Jesus’ forgiveness offered generously.
We are called to examine our conscience, taking account of the times we received reconciliation, and our duty to share in Jesus’ ministry.
We have Good News to proclaim which has brought us and entrusts us with bringing others back to Jesus.
This week’s memory verse: Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us — Ephesians 3:20
7/6 – John 10:10
7/7 – Luke 6:38
7/8 – Matthew 6:33
7/9 – Psalm 37:11
7/10 – Philippians 4:19
7/11 – 2 Corinthians 9:8
7/12 – Psalm 23:5
Pray the Week: Lord Jesus, You have sent me out to do Your work since the moment of my baptism. You protect me and provide for me abundantly. Increase my trust in Your provision so that nothing distracts me from Your mission. Amen.
When you see this, your heart shall rejoice and your bodies flourish like the grass; the LORD’s power shall be known to his servants.
Imagine you are in Galilee, the seaside area where Jesus did a lot of His teaching. It is much like this place, where we are, at Kurs. There are hills, rivers, lakes, an abundance of life.
We are there with Jesus and He is sending us out, out of His immediate protection, out into the world. Even more than that He is asking us to take nothing, to simply trust that God will take care of us.
Can you imagine going on a trip without a change of clothes, I’m sure you have a few here at our encampment. I’m sure you’ve brought some money for snacks and other stuff. Jesus asked them to take no money, nothing.
Jesus asked them to head out without even making friends along the way. You will certainly make friends here.
Jesus was asking some incredible things – and they did what He asked. A little secret not in today’s gospel – they were very successful.
We find it very hard to trust, to expect things to be great. Yet, that is what God promises. He will take care of us. He will see to our needs. Beyond that, He will do it in ways that are abundant.
I ask that you think of something you really like. It may be a food, a game, a time shared with friends, a time with family. Then imagine that thing times ten thousand.
That is the abundance the Prophet Isaiah was talking about. That is the abundance that God promises – and provides.
With God nothing is lacking. With God, no risk is without backup. If we are doing His will, He is there with us and He has our back.
We often doubt. We often wonder, will God take care of little ‘ole me. Jesus is showing us in a very practical way that He will take care of us. The disciples experienced God’s care, and they’ve passed it onto us.
It is essential that we take the time to trust in Jesus. That means a lot. It means doing as He asks without fear. It means stepping out of our comfort zone and simply saying yes to God.
This week’s memory verse: But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” — Matthew 4:4
6/29 – Hebrews 4:1
6/30 – Psalm 119:105
7/1 – John 1:1
7/2 – Matthew 24:35
7/3 – Colossians 3:16
7/4 – Luke 11:28
7/5 – Isaiah 40:8
Pray the Week: Word of God, change me throughout and re-create me. Plant Yourself deeply in me so that all I am is but a reflection of Your life in me. Amen.
As you know, we dealt with each one of you like a father with his children, urging and encouraging you and pleading that you lead a life worthy of God
Brothers and sisters, welcome on this great day in the life of our Church and our parish.
Today we celebrate that blessed sacrament, which only our Church calls sacrament, the powerful and life-giving Word of God. We have cause for joy, a day to celebrate the great graces we receive through God’s holy Word.
Today we also celebrate three young people who will be regenerated, reborn into that life of faith wherein they and their godparents and family commit to walking in the way God teaches through His Word.
As Jesus speaks of today, the seed which is God’s word is scattered over us. It is scattered over Max, Lucuss, and Juliett. In the Sacrament of the Word we ask the Holy Spirit to inspire us so that the Word may take deep root in us.
The Word calls us to shake off the cheap allurements of the world and the worldly, and to live deeply in the Word. That is where real life is, where true depth and riches are found.
I’m going to do a little sci-fi and math here. I promise I won’t go too deep.
In Star Trek, the Wrath of Khan, we find the ship Khan has stolen and the Enterprise with Captain Kirk looking for each other. They are in a nebula where their screens and gadgets don’t work. They must go by what is in them. Think of how that applies today.
Spock tells Captain Kirk that Khan (the evil one) thinks two dimensionally. He does not recognize the fact that the ship can move in more ways than front/back, left/right. Rather, the ship can move three dimensionally. Left/right, front/back, up/down, and even at angles.
We are called to recognize God’s Word as not just two-dimensional history; a flat retelling of what Jesus did. It is an invitation to life in Christ, participation in the Eternal Reality of Jesus Life. Jesus tells us that the Word must be alive, deep, and living and active in us. The Word transcends time, history, and dimension. We must allow it to build us up so we may truly live and bear witness to the saving life of Christ.
We are hosting a Flea Market on August 9th from 9am until 4:30pm at Blessed Virgin Mary Parish Hall at 250 Old Maxwell Road in Latham. Come out and enjoy sellers and vendors from across the region. We will serve refreshments and there will be raffles as well. If you a vendor or seller, please see our Vendor’s Page here. We look forward to seeing you on August 9th.
We are hosting a Flea Market on August 9th at Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Latham. We are seeking vendors/sellers for the Flea Market. Please fill out the form below if you want to sell in the market. Also feel free to tell any other Vendors you feel may want to participate.
To reserve your space at the Market
Please complete this application form below and acknowledge the Important Vendor Information below. Please send payment to Holy Name of Jesus by 8/2/25 to:
Holy Name of Jesus PNCC Flea Market Committee 1040 Pearl St Schenectady, NY 12303
If you have any questions, we would be happy to assist.Call/text Gayle Clas 518-588-0908 after 1 pm; or Paul Zawistowski at 518-461-2314, or E-mail us here.
Application deadline is August 2, 2025.
Important Vendor Information:
DATE & HOURS:
The market will be held Saturday August 9, 2025 from 9 AM until 4:30 PM at the Blessed Virgin Mary church hall/grounds, 250 Old Maxwell Rd, Latham, NY 12110
SET-UP/ BREAKDOWN:
Vendors are expected to set up between the hours of 7 PM and 9 PM on Friday evening before the event or between 8 AM and 9 AM, on Saturday morning. Break down can start no sooner than 4:30 PM on Saturday and must be completed by 6 PM. Sellers are responsible for their selling spaces. Before leaving, be sure your area is clean and trash-free. Vendors are required to remove all items brought to the church grounds.
RESTRICTIONS:
Vendors may not bring or sell alcohol, drugs (including cannabis), firearms, or ammunition. No smoking is allowed on church grounds. Vendors may not sell items in conflict with the faith of the Church.
SPACE ALLOCATION:
The flea market committee will assign vendor spaces. Placement, flow and competition will be taken into consideration to provide the best experience for attendees. If you have special space needs, please include your request with your application and the committee will make every effort to accommodate you. Each vendor will be offered an 8’ table, or equivalent space, and 2 chairs. Vendors may bring their own tables and chairs, if desired. Vendors may bring canopies or small tents for their area if they want to sell items outside the hall.
STAFF:
Each vendor is responsible for the conduct of his employees and/or representatives and activities must not detract from the image or welfare of the market. Vendor spaces must be manned at all times. **Holy Name of Jesus is not responsible for merchandise or display materials. **
FEES:
8′ table or equivalent Space: $25, Additional 8’ Table if needed is $5. There will be no refund of registration fees if notice is not provided 14 days in advance.
TAXES AND GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS.
Vendors are solely responsible for New York State sales tax obligations. Please visit the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance sales tax website at: http://www.tax.ny.gov/bus/st/stidx.htm or call the New York State Sales Tax Information Center at 518-485-2889 for more information. Flea Markets are often subject to “spot audits” and failure to comply with sales tax laws may subject you to severe penalties.
AGREEMENT:
By agreeing with this “Important Vendor Information” presented here, I agree to abide by these terms and conditions. I accept full responsibility for my products, displays, and needs. I agree that Holy Name of Jesus employees and representatives are in no way responsible for any claims for damages resulting from my participation in this event and are in no way responsible for my products or my actions.
