This is a truly very special, exciting and anointed time. As you may know, it is about 25 years since I moved to north Scottsdale and attended my first Mass at Blessed Sacrament; and also just under 23 years since I left Blessed Sacrament Parish to go to Seminary at Mount Angel in Oregon with the blessing of Fr. Pat Robinson, the pastor back in 2000, and all of the Parish.

What an amazing journey it has been over these years. Now I am “returning home” in a special role. I feel like one of the twelve Apostles returning to his hometown with Jesus’ commission. What a joy it must have been, especially for those Apostles who had the opportunity to meet and greet old friends and those dear to them and go and make new disciples. Remember that Jesus first sent the Twelve out to those who would know them and be open to meeting them in homes and in synagogues:

“Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, make this proclamation: The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.”

Through the sacrament of baptism, we are incorporated into Christ’s great evangelizing mission. As Christians, we are called to live a new life that changes all our human plans and focuses all our thoughts, until everything around us begins to revolve around the establishment of Christ’s Kingdom in the world.

Our Golden Jubilee:

This is a truly special and anointed time. 49 years ago, on July 30, 1974, Bishop Edward McCarthy, the first bishop of the new Diocese of Phoenix, formally established Blessed Sacrament Parish in Scottsdale. This means that we are beginning our Jubilee Year at the end of this month.

This is a very big deal. In the Bible, the Year of Jubilee came every 50th year and was a year full of relieving people from their debts, releasing all slaves, and returning property to who owned it, as described in Leviticus, Chapter 25.

This year was also dedicated to rest. During this year, the Israelites were not supposed to reap or harvest; it was a time for people to return home and celebrate as family. It is now the time of the Eucharistic Revival. It is time to seriously refocus our faith and to deepen our relationship with God at Mass.

Like Elisha the Prophet, I know that you will warmly welcome me, and I look forward to partnering with Fr. Williams, Fr. Doug and our retired priests, and also our wonderful Deacons, Bob, Bill and Jeff, as well as all of our great Parish Staff and Volunteers, and Parishioners.

A special word of thanks to Fr. Williams Abba and to Fr. Devaraju Gangolu. Over these last six months, they have both done a grand job and have teed me up nicely for my homecoming!

The Gospel message this week is very simple: Put God First In Your Life! If you don’t, then you will inevitably put God last, because there will always be some reason or distraction to derail our becoming saints. Let’s make this journey of faith together!

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