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Pastor's Page 2021-06-20

Dear St. Gabriel Parishioners:

  • HAPPY FATHER’S DAY ...  To all Fathers, we give thanks to God for you, who have been a true Gift from God and a Blessing to us as sons and daughters.  To all Fathers who have gone before us, our prayer this day and always is that God’s promise of Eternal Life be granted to YOU.

Borrow the Blessing from the Bible, we ask God to Bless ALL of our Fathers: ‘The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace” (Numbers 6:22-26).

  • In this 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time, the question of Job is one asked by humanity throughout the ages: "Why do good, innocent people suffer?"  Throughout the book, Job has been asking God to justify his actions, and God's response forms the key section of the whole book.  Chapter 38 begins the next to the final section in this book, in which God finally answers the ultimatums.  God responds by firing questions at Job about creation, implying that Job cannot explain his suffering because God's response basically challenges Job's right to question the Almighty!

Today's small excerpt from the magnificent speech of God surrounds the Lord with the most awesome imagery.  The Lord addressed Job out of the whirlwind and questioned him about the control of the ocean waves.  "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding" (Job 38:4).  "Or who shut in the sea with doors when it burst out from the womb?" (Job 38:8).  The implied question is: If Job cannot understand God's providence for the sea and the powers of nature, how will he ever grasp divine care for humans?  For the author of Job, power means service.

In the Gospel Message, the calming of the storm reveals much to us, for as the first reading from Job has indicated, only God can control the wind and sea. Jesus does much more than quiet the storm waves roaring across the sea and tossing the boat from side to side or tipping it dangerously into the waters.  Jesus shares God's control of the seas, emerging as the new creator, bringing peace and order out of the primordial chaos and establishing himself as Ruler over the new Kingdom of Israel.

This week, let us take some time to reflect on the following questions that flow from our Scripture texts for the day:  What are my deepest fears?  

How have I experienced God bringing order out of the chaos of my life?  

How is our Church storm-tossed today, and by what signs do we know that Jesus is fully in control of the situation?

  • Priests Days” are here again for the “Seattle PresbyteratePriests of the Archdiocese of Seattle” for our annual gathering and study.  There will not be any daily Masses from Monday, June 21 to Wednesday, June 23; Liturgy of the Words and Communion will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday at 11:00 AM in the Church.  There will be Mass at 11:00 AM on Friday in the Chapel.  Remember to pray for all of us, priests, as we gather on this annual Priests Days. 
  • Mindful of forming the Body of Christ here as a Parish Community of St. Gabriel, we also connect with our own local Church, the Archdiocese of Seattle, in our common Ministries to the faithful and larger community.  The Annual Catholic Appeal Campaign we are undertaking is part of this support of over 60 different ministries in Archdiocese.

“A word of thank to the many families who have pledged and turned in your commitment envelopes to the Parish and Archdiocesan Office to support the Annual Catholic Appeal again this year.  We’re close to our parish goals; so, your continue supports are as the critical testimony of the commitment for us to be “Church” today in our time.  If you didn’t have an opportunity of filling your commitment envelope, please join with many of your parishioners to pledge toward our parish goal.

  • While enjoying the summer rest, please don’t forget our parish – St. Gabriel

Christ’s Peace, 
Fr. Phuong Hoang

 

 

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