Increase Our Faith!

The apostles said to the Lord Jesus: “Increase our faith!” (Luke 17:5) In His response, Jesus confirms their lack of faith by telling them that if they only had the faith of a mustard seed, they would be able to command this mulberry tree to be uprooted and planted in the sea, and it would obey them. Such are the wonders that faith can do! It is in this context that Jesus tells the Parable of the Unprofitable Servant, whereby the “increase of faith” for which the Apostles asked for, was to come through obedience to the Lord’s will.

In the parable, Jesus teaches the apostles that if a master is not indebted to his servant for the service which the servant was supposed to do, then neither would the Lord be indebted to His disciples for the service which they are supposed to do. Anyone who thinks that the Lord is indebted to them because of their good works or service is badly mistaken. St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans reiterates this point:

“For who has known the mind of the Lord or who has been his counselor? Or who has given him anything that he may be repaid?” (Rom 11:34-35)

The Parable of the Unprofitable Servant calls us to examine our attitude towards God. One question commonly asked by people is: Why has God not answered my prayers? Why has God not given me what I have asked for? For years, I have been praying for something and God has not answered my prayers. I’ve been to church, I contribute money, get counseling and read my bible, but nothing seems to work. God continues to ignore me. I still haven’t met the right person to marry, or get the job I want, or the healing I want.

If we come to God with the idea that He will give us stuff if we worship Him, then we are in fact saying that we really desire stuff more than His love! That is using God as a means to an end! Being a true Christian is realizing that God is the true desire of our heart and that He is our ultimate objective.

It is not wrong to ask God for something, but if our relationship with God is only about getting the things we want, then there is a problem. It is one thing to ask God for something we need, or to pray for someone, or for good to happen in the world, but it is another thing to treat God like a genie and to base our love and service for Him on whether or not He gets us the things we want. The truth is that God has already given us everything we need to get through this life. Jesus told St. Paul: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2Cor 12:9)

US Census Complete Count Campaign

Bishop Joel Konzen, who is currently the Administrator of the Archdiocese of Atlanta, recently signed a resolution creating a “Census 2020 Complete Count Campaign” to increase awareness and participation of Atlanta parishes in the 2020 Census. The U.S. Constitution requires a complete count of the nation’s population every 10 years. Census data impacts decisions at the national, state and local levels — from congressional representation to the annual allocation of more than $675 billion. These resources are essential to the well-being of all of our neighbors, supporting schools, hospitals, emergency services, etc.

Parishes that participate in the “Census 2020 Complete Count Campaign” educate their parishioners about the 2020 Census and encourage households to fill out their census forms. They help make sure that everyone living in the United States is counted once, and only once, and in the right place, including reaching hard-to-count members in the community. Parishes in communities that have historically been under-counted have the opportunity to help ensure that much needed and deserved federal funds reach them. The Holy Name of Jesus Chinese Catholic Mission will be participating in the “Census 2020 Complete Count Campaign”. Mary Cheng is serving as our coordinator. More information about the 2020 Census will be coming soon.

Pastoral council meets today at 12:30 pm. Finance council meets today at 1:30 pm.

The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick will be ministered today by Fr. Bill in the chapel after the morning Mass. This sacrament is intended for persons whose health is seriously impaired by illness or old age.