Santa Maria del Mar Catholic Church
P.O. Box 130
Flagler Beach, FL 32136August 1, 2008
A Letter of Welcome and Love to Our Parishioners:
"It is impossible to have too much confidence in God."God is good! All the time! My experiences with the people of God at Santa Maria del Mar have confirmed the truth of this simple prayer. Each time I converse with one of you or celebrate the Sacred Liturgy in your presence, I become more aware of the beauty and power of God's presence. It seems as if the Holy Spirit has brought us together for a special purpose, and I am eager to see what God has in mind for us. God is indeed good ... all the time!
In the course of my homily preparation over the last three weeks, the message of the Gospel has been remarkably consistent and clear: It is impossible to have too much confidence in God. During my first week at the parish, we heard the voice of Jesus say, "Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest." Our second week together, the Gospel painted a picture of Jesus as a happy-go-lucky farmer, lavishly scattering seed on good soil and bad soil alike. Most recently, we heard Jesus advising us to let the weeds and the wheat grow together: God, the Father, at the end of time will pluck out the weeds before gathering the wheat into the barn of infinite love.
In these Gospel passages, Jesus has given us three teachings to help us grow as a family. First, the Church is the home of those who long for deep rest, prayerful awareness of the passionate, personal presence of God. Second, the Church is the home of unconditional love, a place where all are welcome to receive the seed that God plants in the human heart. Third, the Church is radically open to the wisdom of God, our Heavenly Father, who knows exactly when to push and when to yield. These three essential characteristics of a truly Catholic parish -- to pray authentically, to love without counting the cost, to follow the wisdom of God even when it seems impossible -- are rooted in a heartfelt knowledge that God will always provide, no matter what! Trust is the foundation of love, human and divine.
In the upcoming months, I look forward to hearing your personal stories -- what seizes your imagination, what gets you out of bed in the mornings, what you read, what breaks your heart, and what amazes you with joy and gratitude. If you have not had a chance to say hello to me after mass, I invite you to take a moment to introduce yourself. And if you have not been to Church in awhile, know that you always have a home at Santa Maria del Mar! God has called me to be the spiritual father of this community, and I desire to respond to God's call with all my mind, heart, and strength. Don't forget to pray for me daily--and by name!
I can't wait to see you at mass this weekend -- and God can't wait to fan the fire of love into flame at Santa Maria del Mar. When we fall in love with God and stay in love with Him, we become bearers of the Good News. Come and catch the Spirit!
Peace and Joy in the Risen Christ,
Father Alberto G. Esposito
Pastor, Santa Maria del Mar Catholic Church
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