O Holy Apostle Philip,
Intercede with the merciful God
That he may grant our souls forgiveness of sins.
*************
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory to Him forever! + Slava Isusu Christu! Slava i vo viki!
From the Fathers of the Church …
St. Augustine of Hippo
We know that all our works are pure and pleasing in the sight of God if they are performed with a single heart. This means that they are performed out of charity and with an intention that is fixed on heaven. For “love is the fulfillment of the law.” Therefore in this passage we ought to understand the eye as the intention with which we perform all our actions. If this intention is pure and upright and directing its gaze where it ought to be directed, then unfailingly all our works are good works, because they are performed in accordance with that intention. And by the expression “whole body,” Christ designated all those works that he reproves and that he commands us to put to death. For the apostle also designates certain works as our “members.” “Therefore,” Paul writes, “mortify your members which are on earth: fornication, uncleanness, covetousness,”” and all other such things…
… At first he makes it abundantly clear that these things are not to be sought as if they were for us the kind of blessings for the sake of which we ought to make all our actions good actions but that they are necessities nevertheless. Then Jesus says, “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well.” In this sentence he clearly shows the difference between a good that ought to be sought as an end and a value that ought to be seen as a means. Our final good is therefore the kingdom of God and his justice. We ought to seek this good and fix our aim upon it. Let us perform all our actions for the sake of it. Yet, since we are waging war in this life in order to be able to reach that kingdom and since this life cannot be maintained unless those necessities are supplied, he says, “These things shall be given you besides, but seek you first the kingdom of God and his justice.”
St. John Chrysostom
Note the acceleration of images: just when the lilies are decked out, he no longer calls them lilies but “grass of the field.” He then points further to their vulnerable condition by saying “which are here today.” Then he does not merely say “and not tomorrow” but rather more callously “cast into the oven.” These creatures are not merely “clothed” but “so clothed” in this way as to be later brought to nothing. Do you see how Jesus everywhere abounds in amplifications and intensifications? And he does so in order to press his points home. So then he adds, “Will he not much more clothe you?” The force of the emphasis is on “you” to indicate covertly how great is the value set upon your personal existence and the concern God shows for you in particular. It is as though he were saying, “You, to whom he gave a soul, for whom he fashioned a body, for whose sake he made everything in creation, for whose sake he sent prophets, and gave the law, and wrought those innumerable good works, and for whose sake he gave up his only begotten Son.”
Announcements
Last Sunday, 57 souls came to pray at St. Philip’s, our tithes to the Lord were $, donations $, candles $, summer book sale $. Thank you for supporting our church, may God bless you abundantly for your generosity. Please consider making St. Philip’s parish a part of your estate planning.
Prayer requests. Fr. Marcus, Fr. Chris, Fr. Jozef, Fr. Randall, Fr. Brendan, Fr. Ted & Barbara, Sr. Patricia, Gary and Ingrid, Margaret and Don, Walter, Adam, Margaret, Oceana, Becky, Alexis, Marion, Curtis, Ronald, Taylor, Lorrie, Rosa, Frances, Maros, Alex, Ted.
Hospitality signup sheet: Jun 17 – Amy, Marion & Molly, Jun 24 – Baker family, Jun 30 – open. Please sign up for hospitality for the upcoming Sundays; the signup sheet is in the parish hall. Thank you to Murin family for providing hospitality for us last Sunday.
Fireworks booth. We will have fireworks stand at our parish again this year, trying to raise funds for our property insurance bill. Please consider volunteering your time during our fireworks sale. The schedule will be posted in the parish hall soon.
Catholic Communications Collection. Thank you for your contributions to the cause of proclaiming the Gospel message through the modern media. We have collected $ so far. If you would still like to send your donation, you can mail it to the parish office this week. This particular collection supports the USCCB efforts to promote the Catholic teachings in the world of media. You can find out more about how your donation will help this year at http://www.usccb.org/ccc.
Bishop’s Appeal 2018. Thank you for your participation in this year’s Appeal. When we receive the final update from the Eparchy, I will publish our overall contribution. May God reward you with heavenly blessings for your generosity. God bless you.
Liturgical schedule
Sun
Jun 17th
9:30 AM Divine Liturgy.
4th Sunday after Pentecost. Tone 3. Cantor: Gene Ford.
Thu
Jun 21st
7:00 AM Divine Liturgy.
Sun
Jun 24th
8:30 Confessions.
9:30 AM Divine Liturgy.
5th Sunday after Pentecost. Nativity of John the Baptist. Tone 4. Cantor: Tim Del Castillo & Amy Seyfried
For Confession, please come half an hour before the scheduled services, or schedule an appointment. During the Apostles’ Fast, we observe at least Wednesdays and Fridays as meatless days. The Apostles Fast concludes on June 28th. Let us remember one another as we offer our prayers and sacrifices to the Lord.
