TWENTY-EIGHTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
DIVING IN TO OUR VISION – FELLOWSHIP – DARE TO CARE
SCRIPTURE: WIS 7:7-11 HEB 4:12-13 MK 10:17-30

The Prophet Ezekiel – 500 Years Before Jesus

• At a young age was called to minister to his cherished people forcefully exiled to Babylon
  His was a voice of hope to those who wanted to return home – a people divided among
  themselves
• Remember Ezekiel’s vision of dry bones being infused with the winds of the Holy Spirit
• They came together- the thighbone connected to the hip bone etc. enfleshed and renewed

Ezekiel’s Second vision – Twelve Tibesa People Divided

• Kingdoms of the North – 10 tribes – Kingdoms of the South – 2 tribes
• God directed Ezekiel to obtain two sticks – write the name of 10 tribes on one
• Then bind the two sticks together
• God promised to the chosen people that he would be the agent that restored unity
• Two sticks joined together are stronger than a single stick

Diving into Our Mission and Vision – Fellowship: Dare to Care

• The whole is always greater that the individual parts
• The Church, the People of God is always greater than its individual members
• Our St. Mary Parish family is always greater than the individual members Each individual member is unique and unrepeatable….great
• There is greatness that outshines our individuality when we come together in fellowship
• What makes us great is that we are disciples together

The Rich Young Man

• Was a great individual – lived life with the Ten Commandments in mind Thought his good deeds would be his admit card into heaven
• Salvation is a pure gift from the Lord
• In receiving Jesus and his gift of salvation we are changed
• That change is that now we live for others
  Salvation, hope and healing are ours to be shared with others

JESUS INVITED THE RICH YOUNG MAN TO A DEEPER SENSE OF
SOLIDARITY WITH OTHERS. GO AND SELL WHAT YOU HAVE AND GIVE TO
THE POOR.

Questions for Reflection

•  What impacted you from the readings/homily?
• How is the story of Ezekiel and the twelve tribes relevant for today?
• How can fellowship bind us together in a real way?
• How can being disciples together make a bigger impact than when we are disciples alone?
• What would be two of St. Mary Parish shining lights?

LIVE CONNECTED

Consider a way to comfortably engage in fellowship with your brothers and sisters at St. Mary
Parish.