Our Gospel today from Saint Luke takes us to the foot of the Cross as Jesus is being crucified. As we end this Liturgical Year, we jump back, as it were, to Good Friday. Jesus is mocked and jeered by those around Him; the Pharisees, the Jewish high priests, strangers, and even a thief hanging beside Him.
And He is silent. Nothing. Abusive words have no effect and bring forth no response from Jesus. And then we hear the only prayer spoken, from the Good Thief: “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your Kingdom.”
Now Jesus responds – to the prayer! Now Jesus offers perhaps the greatest promise anyone could ever hear: “This day you will be with Me in Paradise.”
One day, each of us hopes to hear those same words spoken to us, by Jesus. In our Creed, prayed each week, we give honor and homage to the very same Jesus who was mocked by the crowd on the Cross: “…For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead…”
Jesus is the tender, loving judge. With his Crucifixion, He paid the price for our passage one day into Eternal Life. He also told us, as He told His disciples 2,000 years ago that the Kingdom of God is at hand, even now. Yes, one day we hope to be invited by a joyous Jesus into Heaven. But for now, let us live each day in the Kingdom of God with the humility and love of the Good Thief, Saint Dismas.
Let us choose to love both enemies and friends; let us choose to live the Beatitudes. Let us choose to be the eyes that see the least of our brothers and sisters; let us choose to be the witness and presence of Jesus Christ in the world today, in our corner of the Kingdom of God!
- Father Jim
Hospice Care Information
Faith at Home
These links provides you with the latest one-page resource for families, Faith At Home; it connects to the theme of the upcoming Sunday Liturgy. This resource is updated each week and can be found on the diocesan webpage at www.dioceseoftrenton.org/faith-at-home and en Español at www.dioceseoftrenton.org/fe-en-casa.
May God continue to bless us and keep us close to Him.
Please support the Society of St. Vincent de Paul so that together we can help local families in need. Those needing help should call the SVDP helpline at 856-291-7313. Click this link to visit the SVdP website: www.SVDPmoorestown.org
Local food pantries include:
St. Matthew's Church, 318 Chester Ave.
First Baptist Church, 19 West Main St., Moorestown
Bethel AME, 512 N. Church St., Moorestown
Prince of Peace 61 E Rte 70, Marlton, NJ 08053
SVDP also has Thinking of You cards available. A gift can be given to the poor in the name of someone special at your
request. You will be remembered in the prayers and works of the Moorestown Vincentians. We are so very grateful for your
generous ongoing donations.
Our Promise to Protect
The Diocese of Trenton is committed to the initiatives outlined in the U.S. Bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People in regard to the reporting and investigation of sexual abuse allegations involving minors. The Diocese has in place a Victim’s Assistance Coordinator, who is available to obtain support for your needs and help you make a formal complaint of abuse.
If you have been sexually abused as a minor by a member of the clergy or anyone representing the Catholic Church, or if you know someone who was, you can report that abuse through the diocesan Abuse Hotline: 1-888-296-2965 or via email at abuseline@dioceseoftrenton.org.
The Diocese encourages anyone with an allegation to also report that abuse to their local law enforcement agency. The Diocese reports all allegations received to the appropriate county prosecutor’s office.
ONLINE GIVING OPTIONS
please click on the corresponding hyperlinks below
