Father Gervan Menezes - July 5

St. Philip Catholic Church: There are certain weekends that naturally invite us to pause and reflect. This one, this is one of them. As a nation, we celebrate the fourth of July, yesterday, America's two hundred and fiftieth birthday. We thank God for the gifts of freedom for those who have sacrificed to preserve it. and for the blessing we enjoy in our country. For me personally, this weekend is also special because it marks one year since I arrived as your pastor at St. Philip. Looking back over these twelve months, my heart is filled with gratitude. Thank you for welcoming into your parish family for your patience, your kindness, your prayers, and your willingness to walk this journey together. It has been a year of getting to know one another. Making changes, a lot of changes. Celebrating joy, facing challenges, and above all, growing together as disciples of Jesus Christ. And as I pray over today's gospel, I realize that these words of Jesus describe exactly what I hope our parish continues to become. Come to me, all who labor in our burden, and I will give you rest. Notice what Jesus does not say. He does not say come to me if you have your life altogether. He does not say come to me when you solve all your problems. He simply says come to me. That invitation is for everyone. The exhausted parent, the grieving widow, the teenager trying to discover who they are. The couple struggling with their marriage. The person worry about the future, the sinner carry out guilt, the faithful disciple simply try to remain faithful another day. Jesus says, Come. This weekend we celebrate political freedom, and rightly so. Freedom is a precious gift. But today's readings remind us that there is another freedom. That is even greater. St. Paul tells us that we are called to live according to the spirit, not according to the flesh. Political freedom. A person can f can live in the freest country in the world and is to be slavery by anger, addiction, resentment, greed, pride, or fear. Jesus came not only to free nations, but he came to free hearts. That is freedom every human being longs for. The Prop Prophet Zechariah points paints an extraordinary picture. The king comes to you, meek riding a donkey. Not a war horse Not with an army, not with power, but with humility. He comes bringing peace, not conquest. The word says strength is dominating others. Jesus says, strength is serving others. The word says power is making everyone listen to you. Jesus says, greatness, begin with listen to the Father. The Word says, carry your own burdens. Jesus says, Bring them to me. One thing I have learned during my first year here at St. Philip is that every person who walks through those doors is carrying something. Some of these burdens are visible. Many of them are hidden. Someone smiling at mass may have just received a devastating medical news. Someone singing loudly may be grieving the loss of a spouse. A young family may be wondering how they will pay next month's bills. Someone may be quietly carrying anxiety, loneliness, depression, or uncertainty. We never really know. That's why Jesus tells us not first to judge, but to invite. Not first to criticize, but to accompany. Not first to condemn, but to love. If our parish is going to reflect the heart of Christ, then everyone who enters here should leave knowing one thing here I encounter Christ. When I first came here we changed our mission to to know, love and serve God and our neighbor. This mission is our mission. And I hope throughout this year it became even more clear for us. My dream for Saint Philip is not simply to have more programs, more ministries, not simply renovate buildings, despite we've done a lot of that, not simply increase numbers. Those things can be important, but they are not our goal. The goal is that every person who comes here discover a relationship with Jesus Christ. The children fall in love with Jesus. Marriages become stronger. The young people hear God's voice. Families pray together. That the lonely find community, the sinner discover mercy. Saints are formed. That's the parish that Jesus wants. We heard this phrase in the gospel today, his yoke is easy. At first glance, Jesus' words almost sound strange. My yoke is easy. Really? Well, falling Christ isn't isn't it always easy? The gospel demands sacrifice. It asks forgiveness, generosity, purity, charity. Self deny. So what does Jesus mean by his yoke is easy? Think about a yoke used in a farm. Two oxes are joined together. The stronger one carries most of the weight. That's exactly what Jesus offered us. He never promised there would be no cross. He promised we would never carry it alone. The burden becomes lighter because Christ carries it with us. Here's a little story. A little boy once tried to carry his baby sister up the hill. Someone watching says, That's a heavy load for you, for somebody your size. The boy smiled and answered, She's not heavy. She's my sister. Love changes the weight of the burden. When we love Christ, even sacrifice becomes meaningful. When Christ walks beside us, even crosses become bearable. As we begin this second year together, today I simply want to say thank you. Thank you for allowing me to be your pastor. Thank you for your encouragement, your patience, your generosity, your prayers, your letters to the bishop. Many of them, and you know who you are, and your love for this parish. I also ask you something today. Pray for me, pray that I always be a faithful shepherd after the heart of Christ, and know that I pray for each one of you every day as we begin this second year together. Let us keep our eye our eyes fixed on Jesus. May Saint Philip the Apostle become every more a place where people truly hear the word today's gospel. Come to me, where the weary find rest, where sinners find mercy, where families find hope, where vocations are born, where disciples are Our form. And where everyone can truly come to know, to love and to serve God and our neighbour.