A Spiritual Communion

11^th Sunday in Ordinary Time
In absence of the celebration of Mass, please join us in this prayer which unites us to Christ and to each other at Saint Hubert.

Opening Our Heart to God
In the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Lord, I know you are with me, always.
I now turn to you to help me prepare to enter into this time of prayer as I acknowledge my sins and seek spiritual communion with you.

Lord have mercy.
Christ have mercy.
Lord have mercy.

Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth, peace to people of good will!

Opening Prayer
O God,
strength of those who hope in you,
graciously hear our pleas,
and, since without you mortal frailty can do nothing,
grant us always the help of your grace,
that in following your commands
we may please you by our resolve and our deeds.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever,
God, forever and ever.
Amen.

The Word of God: The Words of Life
Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time | USCCB

First Reading: Ezekiel 17:22-24
Through Ezekiel the prophet, God speaks of a strong cedar tree that will grow from a tender shoot he plants in Israel’s soil creating a safe haven for God’s creation to gather and prosper.

Responsorial: Psalm 92
Lord, it is good to give thanks to you.

Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:6-10
Paul reveals a truth found within the soul: we long to be with the Lord, now and always.

Gospel: Mark 4;26-34
Jesus gives us two parables about seeds that grow and develop into something much greater than seems possible. It’s an insight into what the Kingdom of God is like.

A Reflection by Fr. Mike
Today we hear Jesus’ parables about seeds. In a spiritual sense, we can use them as a way to describe God’s activity in our lives. Jesus says it’s like a seed that someone scatters on the ground. All of a sudden it begins to grow. And grow. And grow. Even a tiny mustard seed can grow into a sizeable tree. The one who plants it doesn’t really know how it happens (they leave that up to the scientists), they just know it does. The growth is hidden.

It can resonate with us when we think of our own lives. One day a parent looks at their child and realizes they’re no longer the one they held in their arms and protected for so long; they’re all grown up and are becoming a person who seeks to make it on their own.

We hear people say something like, “I’m not the person I used to be.”  Or “times change; people change”. We can swing between periods of prosperity when everything seems to be going well, to periods when we struggle. And yet, through it all—even with setbacks and things like a pandemic—we grow. Experience leads to wisdom.

I remember times in my life when people around me (especially my mom!) told me things like, “I don’t think I’d do that if I were you”—advice I didn’t always take, only to realize I should have. Sometimes we have to learn life lessons on our own.

I can see why in so many cultures there’s a great respect for seniors. They’ve lived a full life and have wisdom. As I look back at my own life, I would love to talk with my grandma because she just seemed to know the right things to tell me as I was growing up and making my way in the world.

I think what Jesus is encouraging us to see is that God is a part of all the experiences and growth even if we don’t always realize it at the time. That’s why prayer, practicing our faith, embracing the beauty and healing of reconciliation, and taking in the Eucharist, are so important to us. It’s an intentional sharing of lives. Our faith gives us direction and slowly helps us grow to be more Christ-like, sometimes without us even really realizing it. If anyone has asked you what your religion is, then it’s most likely a sign that they’ve seen something in you that’s taken root. It’s a sign of growth, and a sign the Kingdom of God is at hand.

Consider sharing some of your own perspectives or spend some time in personal reflection. How have grown spiritually over the years? What have been some “life lessons” you’ve realized over time, and especially over the last year while living within a pandemic?

All I Believe
As an alternative to the Nicene Creed, the Church also encourages Catholics around the world to profess the most ancient creed of our faith, The Apostle’s Creed.
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth;
and in Jesus Christ, his only Son Our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead;
He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God, the Father almighty; from there he shall come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy Catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body
and life everlasting.
Amen

The Prayers of the Faithful
Good and gracious God, in union with my brothers and sisters at St. Hubert, we bring our prayers to you.

• For God’s Church throughout the world, may we provide shelter and be a place of welcome for people of good will, we pray to the Lord.
• For a greater respect for the dignity of human life in all its stages and regardless of race, culture or financial status, we pray to the Lord.
• For environmentalists, may their work and study influence humanity’s care for the earth and preservation of natural resources, we pray to the Lord
• For migrant workers who plant and harvest, may they labor in safe working conditions and receive a just wage, we pray to the Lord.
• For the sick and injured, that they find comfort, including Nancy Sanchez, Vince Wroblewski, Nicole Potter, Lisa Filipucci, Michael Masen, Teldulo Bantique, Bob Russo, all those struggling from COVID-19 and other serious illnesses, and for those for whom you’d like to pray. We pray to the Lord.
• For those who have died in faith, that they may dwell in Christ’s abundant love for eternity, we pray to the Lord, including Christopher Dolezal Ferdinand Luciano, Elaine Fischer, William Warr, Conrado Cabias, Lorraine Schultz, Lawrence Bluethmann, and for those you would like to remember. We pray to the Lord.
• For those mentioned in our book of Prayer intentions, for your needs, and for those for whom we are offering this Masses for this weekend: Lou Buchenot, Frank and Kathy Fon as they celebrate 50 years of marriage, Frank Grzeskowiak, Marilyn Hayes, Daniel Pinson, and all our St. Hubert Parishioners, we pray to the Lord.