Bishop Daniel Walsh's homily at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church
Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time October 21, 2007
Our 150th Anniversary Celebration Begins
My Dear People,
We gather to celebrate one hundred and fifty years of God’s goodness and fidelity and dedication of the parishioners who have formed this family of faith for one hundred and fifty years. As we begin this jubilee celebration, we recall all that the Lord has done for, with and in this parish over the last hundred and fifty years. We also remember the many wonderful people, priests and religious who have given of themselves, - their time, talents and treasures for the proclamation of the gospel here in Napa.
The readings for this twenty-ninth Sunday of the year are most appropriate for this celebration since they highlight certain elements that have marked the wonderful history of this parish. The selection from the Book of Exodus points out for us that God uses human instruments to accomplish his will in this world of ours. Moses was instrumental in the victory over Amalek through holding his arms aloof throughout the day with the help of Aaron and Hur. It is through human instruments that the Lord accomplishes his goals in our world.
So too throughout the history of this parish God has used the talents and commitment of many people so that this community of faith might bring God’s presence and power to this area. Through very human instruments God has given this community the strength and power to face and conquer all the challenges it has encountered. Wars, earthquakes, floods, as well as human sinfulness and weakness are part of our history here. But it was through the faith filled men and women who made up this community that allowed this community to grow stronger and more faithful with each challenge with the help of God. It was through very human efforts that God’s presence and power were experienced here.
On this occasion we all renew our commitment to be instruments in the hand of God to bring his power and presence, his salvation and love to all the worlds.
And through all these years this parish knew and realized that our help is from the Lord who made heaven and earth. The deep faith and reliance of the people then and now on the providential love and care of God sustained them in every peril and challenge. God uses each and every one of is to promote his work here in this parish in the past, in the present and in the future…
In St. Paul’s letter to Timothy, we are reminded of the fidelity of the people who have formed this parish. Throughout one hundred and fifty years, the people of St. John the Baptist Parish remained faithful to the gospel and the teachings of the Church. Sacred Scripture has nourished and formed this community of faith from the very beginning. It sustains and nourishes us now.
Over the years to the very present, the priests, religious and laity of this parish has embraced and lived the instruction of St. Paul to St, Timothy: “I charge you proclaim the word; be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient; convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching.” The word of God that gives is life has been and id the continued focus of this community of faith, not only to listen and learn but to live.
On this occasion we all renew our commitment to be faithful to the Word of God and to live out that Word in our everyday lives.
Finally the gospel reading emphasizes for us that this community to be a community of faith has been, is and must be praying community. Throughout the years this community has gathered together to pray. Around the table of the Lord each generation has prayed and been nourished with the Bread of Life. The prayers of this community through the years have been enhanced by the effects of the sacraments of our Church: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Matrimony and Holy Orders. How often the sacraments have brought blessings and graces to this praying community.
Through the waters of baptism, how many have been given a share in the divine life of grace? How many have received the gift of the Holy Spirit through the Sacrament of Confirmation? How many have been nourished and strengthened by the Eucharist at the table of the Lord? How many sinners have reconciled with their sins forgiven through the Sacrament of Penance? How many sick have had their sufferings joined to the savings suffering of Christ through the anointing of the sick? How many couples have pledged their life long love for each other before God in the sacrament of Matrimony? How many priests have been ordained to be sent to serve the people here as shepherds? Yes God has blessed this prayerful community with the sacraments of the Church.
The Prayer life of this community has been enhanced recently in the development of Eucharistic Adoration. At every moment of every day some of the parishioners are praying before the Blessed Sacrament. This Persistence of Prayer in the life of this community brings many blessings and grace to this community and to the whole Church and world.
On this occasion we all renew our commitment to be a community of prayer and through the Sacraments to be sanctified and made holy.
Finally the last sentence of the gospel, the words of our Lord challenge us today to persist in the faith that has been handed on to is here at St. John the Baptist in Napa down through these past one hundred and fifty years: “When the Son of Man comes. Will he find faith on earth?” If we continue to be instruments on the hands of God, if we are formed and nourished by the Word of God, if we are a praying sacramental community, the Son of Man when He comes, he will find faith here in St. John the Baptist in Napa.
Blessings,
Bishop Daniel Walsh
