In our Gospel today we have a stark instruction from Jesus to His disciples: “Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand, for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute” (Luke 21:14-15).  This becomes a powerful lens through which we can view our Christian discipleship.

     The world around us is not perfect; there are areas of struggle within our society and culture that we face daily that run contrary to the Gospel. Jesus tells us not to worry about that, however, because when we must confront such darkness and evil in the world, He will give us the words to say, and He will direct our actions. I think that for most of us, the real challenge in following this advice is to believe it when things are going sideways. Part of us will always want to take charge of problem solving, especially if it doesn’t seem to be happening as quickly as we would like. Jesus’ advice is two-fold: “Trust Me,” and “Let Me be God!”

     If we can do both of those things with humility of heart, then we allow God to be the pilot while we are the copilot. We allow God to be the potter while we are the clay. We allow God to define the road ahead, while we make the pilgrimage journey.  We allow God to be the conductor, while we simply play our little part of the symphony.

     All these metaphors can actually help us to face each day energized with excitement! What does God have in mind for you and for me today?  Will I be ready for it? (“Yes, because God has prepared you!”) Will the challenges before me be surprises or unexpected? (“Probably, because we are not God.”)

     Will I have the courage to be the humble creature and do whatever God tells me, without preparing a defense beforehand and knowing that God will give me the wisdom to simply act?

     We decide that answer, every day, with our lives of discipleship!

  - Father Jim

Special Note: One of our parishioners, Mr. Jeff Miceli, took the decisive next step in serving Jesus by choosing to serve us as “Deacon Jeff.”  I am most grateful for his faithfulness and trusting in God’s plan for him, and on behalf of our parish and whole Church, I thank Jeff and his family for this sacred commitment to us. On Sunday, November 30, we will host a Parish Reception for Deacon Jeff after the 12 Noon Mass.  I hope you will plan to join us for some light refreshments as we express our thanks to Jeff.

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