Rev. Paul L. RingPastor · St. John the Evangelist

Notes from the Pastor

My Dear Friends in Christ,

Today our Savior invites us, in today's gospel, "come to Me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest" (Mt 11:28). This weekend usually means, for most, a time of rest from our labors. This weekend we, as a nation, commemorate this Fourth of July holiday with parades, cookouts and, of course, the requisite fireworks demonstrations. We do so in a special way this year as our nation celebrates its 250th Anniversary, so let us never forget the sacrifice that has gotten us this freedom to do all of this celebrating. We "stand on the shoulders of giants", of all of those brave men and women who have fought, and continue to fight, for our freedoms and liberties which we enjoy. It is imperative that we never forget this sacrifice, lest we sully their memory.

We recognize, as well, that as we rest from our labors, the work of Christian discipleship knows no holiday. We are always Christians, whether at work, at school, at home or on a holiday/seasonal break. Our holiday this weekend gives us the appropriate time to reflect on what true freedom is all about for the Christian disciple. It is not liberty to do as we please, but to do as we ought in the name of God and, in doing so, honor God with the gift of that service. We come to realize, as we celebrate the gifts of "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness", that these gifts come from the "giver of all good gifts" – Almighty God.

Life, the first and greatest gifts, is to be afforded to all – the preborn, the mentally and physically challenged, the poor and marginalized, the imprisoned, the elderly and infirmed, and even those actively dying. It is given by God and, as such, is neither ours to bestow or remove. Liberty, the second gift, is that opportunity God gives us to worship Him free of constraints from the world. We are pleased and privileged to have it, and must cherish it always. The Pursuit of Happiness is not the attainment of material goods, but the "storing up in heaven" the gifts that last – peace, justice, truth and love – gifts that have permanence and meaning.

I pray that we use this weekend (as well as subsequent holiday weekends) wisely and well, reflecting on the goodness of God and all of the gifts He has given us. May we pray that God will continue to pour out His Spirit upon us, so that we may seek out these gifts, use them for the betterment of ourselves and our brothers and sisters and always strive for the greater glory of God!

A Blessed Week to All,

Fr. Paul