The House of Charity Begins in My Heart

In this week’s Gospel from Matthew Jesus tells us, “Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear.  Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?”  However, it is easy for us to get caught up in things, desiring and wanting that which we perceive to be better, so we move from one cell phone to the next, from one moderate vehicle to our dream vehicle, from a two bedroom house with the picket fence to the 5 bedroom, 3 full baths, and a stone wall for a fence with an automatic gate opener.  And yet, it’s never enough.  Happiness never rested in things, but right here in the human heart.  Jesus didn’t have a thing nor did He desire things.  The only thing He desired is us. 

When Jesus was speaking these words He was speaking them not to the poor but to those who have.  There is another reality for those who are poor even though they try to accept the words of Jesus they do worry about their lives, where their next meal will come from because they have not eaten in days and the clothes they wear is torn and ragged.  This is a reality, one that is hidden from us because it is always somewhere else, somewhere over there. 

We are asked by the Lord Himself to let go of the things we want and to be simply satisfied in Him, but we are also asked to provide for those in need and we as a Parish, the Church of the Holy Family have been doing so for a long time.  I want to thank you and commend you for giving to the House of Charity and doing so with great vigor even when we were down (economical downturn of 2008 and following).  When you gave to the House of Charity it wasn’t simply to Bishop Sullivan or a particular group but to those in need, be they poor children who need shelter, protection, school assistance, be it poor schools who cannot afford books for the children, for our elderly priests living in community, or our seminarians who rely solely on our good charity, for those who visit Catholic Charities for food, clothing, employment, and the list can go on and on.

I feel awkward and a little embarrassed that I am here only month and I am asking you for money and money that is not even for us but for others.  I pray that you will be generous with your brothers and sisters who are in need as you have done so many times before.  All of us give, even we priests and deacons, we give because we know the noble cause that it serves.  For remember, “The least you did for one of the least of my brothers and sisters you have done unto me.”

I want to thank each and every one of you for kindness and generosity in supporting the House of Charity.  Even if you cannot give for whatever circumstances please help us with your prayers.  God bless you all, Fr. John