In the Acts of the Apostles, we see something both surprising and deeply encouraging: the Gospel refuses to stay contained. Philip goes down to Samaria, enemy territory from the Jewish point of view, and yet the Word takes root there. People listen, hearts are changed, the sick are healed, and we are told there is “great joy in that city.” That phrase matters. Wherever Christ is truly preached and received, joy follows.
But the story doesn’t end there. Peter and John arrive, lay hands on the believers, and they receive the Holy Spirit. The Church is not just a collection of individuals who “figure it out” on their own; it is a Church, it is a communion, a visible and sacramental reality where grace is handed on, where the Spirit is given through the life of the Church. The Lord is gathering a people into the body of an organized Church, not just inspiring a crowd. You see a hierarchy and sacraments take immediate hold in the Church.
And then in the Gospel, our Lord tells us how all of this holds together: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments… and I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate.” Love is not sentiment; it is obedience. And obedience is not cold duty; it is the doorway into communion with God. Jesus promises that we are not left alone, not abandoned like orphans, but filled with His very Spirit.
So the Christian life is not about trying harder on our own strength, quite the opposite. It is about living in that relationship: loving Christ, keeping His commandments, and allowing the Holy Spirit to dwell within us. My friends, if we find ourselves lacking joy, lacking peace, lacking direction, the answer is not more noise or distraction, it is deeper surrender and silence. The same Spirit who transformed Samaria is offered to us. The question is whether we are ready to receive Him, whether we open ourselves to receive Him who desires to transform us.
A lot of you have asked what all we can do to support Andrew Bilgri as he enters seminary. First, pray for him now and always. Second, if you want to get him something, just like with priests, cash is best. Andrew has very specific things he will need to purchase that are costly and are not easy for someone else to do in your place. The easiest thing to do is give him cash, which gives him the ability to get what he needs to start and along the way. Lastly, write to him. Nothing is more encouraging in seminary than getting mail.
It is very exciting for our parish and community! Let us encourage more to consider seminary! They are in our midst! Pray! It’s truly a joyous moment like in that first reading. Let that joy be contagious!
Lastly, please consider taking a role in the upcoming parish picnic. As always, we need volunteers to step up to make this a reality. Thank you to the committee and all those who stepped up to make sure this year’s picnic is a success, but everyone is aware it takes many hands for this big event! Let’s throw the greatest party in town and welcome so many to our growing campus to see the stewardship, excitement, and hospitality of St. Francis Solanus Parish.
Father Arisman