/Bulletin/

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Dear Loving Brothers, Sisters and Children in Christ Jesus!

There are three distinct parts in today’s Gospel: parable, interlude, and 

explanation of the parable. In the parable itself the emphasis is on God

(the sower) who works and produces results. The interpretation of the

parable puts the emphasis more on us (the soil) and the ways in which

we can respond. The interlude or comment in between gives the key to

our response and subsequent fertility of the seed.

This is clearly a message of hope for communities which may at times

be discouraged by the meagre results of their evangelization efforts. We

are reading here from Matthew 13. The whole chapter consists of

“parables of the Kingdom”. They all say in different ways that the

Kingdom of God, in spite of its tiny and weak beginnings will be

established for it is “like a treasure hidden in a field” or “a pearl of great

price”. Once discovered, all else is given up in order to be part of it.

In the whole of Scripture God’s word is not just a spoken word. It is a

doing word, a creating, life-giving word. It is like a life-bearing seed.

Where do we encounter that word? If we are sufficiently sensitive, we

encounter it unceasingly in every experience of our lives, whether that

experience is joyful or sad, a success or a failure, pleasant or painful.

There is clearly, of course, for us one place in particular where God’s

word is more clearly experienced and that is in Jesus Christ. For Jesus is

the Word of God. Everything that Jesus said, everything that Jesus did

was God communicating to us through him. Not just his teaching but his

whole life, from the hidden years of Nazareth through his public life to

his death and resurrection – in all of this Jesus was, and is for us today,

the Word of God.

In the long run, as we said at the beginning, the work of God cannot be

frustrated either by threats from society or from within the Christian

community. But what matters for me as I hear this Scripture is to be

aware that I, as this individual, can refuse to provide the fertile patch of

soil for God’s Word to take deep root. God’s plan as a whole will

succeed but it is up to me to be part of that plan. I personally can say No

or Not yet or Yes, but… I can, like many of the people that Jesus

   knew, resist the radical change of view that conversion entails. In the

process I will also miss out, of course, on the deep healing that the Word

of God can bring into my life and, with the healing, a sense of liberation,

happiness and peace. “Listen, anyone who has ears!”

 COLLECTIONS: Sunday, July 5 th , 2020 – ICC – $1,715.00

St. Margaret’s - $975.00

St. Margaret’s Bulletin

St. Margaret’s is hosting a picnic for Corey, Shaya Clark and family as they

prepare to move to Malta.  We want to acknowledge all they have done for our

community, to wish them well as they move and let them know we will miss

them. Everyone is invited to gather at the Geraldine City Park at 12:30 pm on

Sunday, July 19. Everyone is to bring their own picnic lunch as food is not to be

shared in crowds while we use precautions for COVID 19. The park will provide

the opportunity for social distancing as we gather. We are looking forward to

seeing you there.

Parish Council Nominations—Please remember to fill out the form for Parish

Council Nominations and leave it at the back of the church in the basket.  

Reflection by Trish—Laugher is the Best Medicine

Many of you are probably familiar with the saying: 

Do you know how to make God laugh? 

Tell her what you have planned. 

Yes, I believe God laughs. When I am joyful, happy, silly or laughing, God is there

also sharing in the joy and/or laughter. God is not a static power. Our God is a

God of joy. 

We are told that God is always with us in good times and in difficult times. I

believe God sheds tears and holds us in loving hands. God is present for us. When

I am feeling down, sad, disappointed, or hurt, having someone present means

that there is someone with empathy and understanding with me. The one with

me may shed a tear, give me a hug, or speak words of comfort. If God is a static

presence, right beside us but without emotion, I am not sure I would take comfort

in this presence.

The Divine One who loves us created us with laughter. God gave us the ability to

laugh to aid in healing. This is a very important gift. In today’s world, where there

is so much to worry about, so much is uncertain, and the future seems less

predictable than usual, let us find reasons to laugh. 

It has been scientifically proven that laughter is the best medicine:

~~Laughter relaxes the whole body. A good, hearty laugh relieves physical tension

and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after.

~~Laughter boosts the immune system. Laughter decreases stress hormones and

increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your

resistance to disease. 

~~Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good

chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even

temporarily relieve pain. 

~~Laughter protects the heart. Laughter improves the function of blood vessels

and increases blood flow, which can help protect you against a heart attack and

other cardiovascular problems. ~~Laughter burns calories. OK, so it’s no

replacement for going to the gym, but one study found that laughing for 10 to 15

minutes a day can burn approximately 40 calories—which could be enough to

lose three or four pounds over the course of a year. 

~~Laughter lightens anger’s heavy load. Nothing diffuses anger and conflict faster

than a shared laugh. Looking at the funny side can put problems into perspective

and enable you to move on from confrontations without holding onto bitterness

or resentment. 

~~Laughter may even help you to live longer. A study in Norway found that

people with a strong sense of humor outlived those who don’t laugh as much. The

difference was particularly notable for those battling cancer. 

Yes, we have been created with a gift that is important to use, especially at this

time. Do not hesitate to laugh. Go online and find jokes that make you smile.

Share something silly that you accidentally did with someone else. Share a quirky

misstep that made you smile at yourself. When we share something silly or funny

it makes us smile, maybe even giggle. You can even just make the sound of

laughter. Yes, loudly just say, “Ha, ha, ho ho,” over and over until you laugh

because you sound so silly. This act of laughing will decrease your stress and make

you healthier. 

Many years ago, I purchased a book that I love - A Prairie Home Companion

PRETTY GOOD JOKE BOOK, 4th edition. The books are a compilation of jokes, over

300 pages. You might be able to find one of the editions in a local bookstore or

used online. Here are a couple jokes from my book. 

Do you think that Moses led the Israelites through the desert for forty years

because God was testing him, or because he wanted them to really appreciate the

Promised Land when they finally got there, or was it because Moses refused to

ask directions? 

A man was praying to God. He said: God!? 

God responded: Yes? 

Man: Can I ask a question? 

God: Go right ahead. 

Man: What is a million years to you? 

God: A million years to me is only a second. 

Man: Hmmm. God what is a million dollars to you? 

God: A million dollars to me is like a penny. 

Man: God, can I have a penny? 

God: Sure! Just a second. 

This week find a joke and share it with several people.

Imagine God laughing with you.