Keeping God Close Pushes Our Fears Away

The law of intimacy in relationships between persons is that people are either moving closer together or drifting apart.  So, no relationships are stagnant.  Our relationship with God is no different in the sense that it is a dynamic reality requiring our constant and deliberate attention, care, nurturing, energy and investment.   This is what makes it exciting!    The only way to be bored with God is to stand outside of him; to be disengaged and to keep your distance.  This is why God is never bored with us – he is invested in our lives!  

In today’s Gospel, Jesus says:  “Whoever loves me will keep my word… whoever does not love me does not keep my words…”  (John 14:23, 24).   Keeping God’s word is the way we stay close to him and receive daily assurance that he dwells within us.  Ignoring his word is the equivalent of “keeping our distance”. 

The key to maintaining healthy relationships, especially the most intimate ones is realizing at least two things: One, hard work and sacrifice is required.  And two, it’s more than worth it!   During our weekly bible study a few years ago on the Gospel of Luke, we discussed Jesus’ words contrasting those who are “hearers” of the word and those who are “doers” of the word (Luke 6:46-49).  I reminded those attending that even our time at bible study will only make a difference if we put the scriptures we study into action in our lives.
In fact, we shouldn’t look at the bible as primarily a book to be studied, but a Word to be encountered and a Savior to be embraced!  Nor is it simply a source of information but a means of transformation when our hearts and minds are open to it.  In fact, the Word of God wants to bring about in each of our lives nothing short of a spiritual revolution!  But any student of history knows that revolutions never turn out well if there isn’t a functioning and just government established to replace the old one.  But if we rely on and keep his word then Christ can take up his rightful seat in the throne room of our hearts and through his governance, deliver us from the tyranny of self-reliance. 

Jesus said that when we “keep” his word, he and the Father make their dwelling place within us.  Let us heed our Lord’s voice now so that the days of being troubled and afraid will yield to the abiding presence of the Living God. 

Learn the Art and the Ministry of Intercessory Prayer:

Do you feel called to intercessory prayer? 
Do you want to learn how you can grow in praying for others? 
Or do you have the gift of prayer? 
If you answered yes to any of those questions, we invite you to let us know by emailing
 staugustineprayer@gmail.com and providing your name, email address, phone number and the Mass you attend. We will be in touch with you soon for a meeting in which we will discuss the next steps including how you may be equipped to share your gift with the parish.

1. Don’t Forget to Use Your Easter Envelope!   
2. Twice a year (Christmas & Easter) our Pastor asks all wage earning parishioners to make a concerted effort to increase their contribution toward the Sunday Collection.
3. On Easter Sunday the 15% Archdiocesan Offertory Tax is only applied to the AVERAGE amount collected on a typical Sunday in the year. So, this Easter please be sure to USE YOUR EASTER ENVELOPE starting this week and the throughout the Easter Season so we can far exceed a typical Sunday Collection.
4. This year, as previous years, please consider giving at least a $100 offering in your Easter Envelope or ONLINE through Faith Direct.  Of course, for those who have the means, I encourage you to give significantly more!   I am hoping this year that your generous Easter Gift will expedite our efforts to do the urgently needed repairs of the roof of our Parish Center.  Thank you! 

Renovation & Repair

As always, you can mail in contributions, or, from within the continental United States, make a cash donation through FaithDirect, or you can text-to-give at 202-930-8147. (Please type "PROJECTS" in the  comments.) 
You can also donate stock. 

Thank you for doing your part!
- Fr. Pat

Daily Mass is open to the public and takes place at 8:15am from Tuesday to Thursday in the Chapel located at 1419 V Street N.W. Washington, DC 20009 and on Fridays in the Church at the corner of 15^th and V Streets N.W.   Masks are required. 

NOTE: ONLY the Friday Mass will be accessible online via Livestream on the St. Augustine YouTube Channel. 

In partnership with the Washington Archdiocese Office of Catechesis — St. Augustine Parish will host a Faith Foundations Course as part of our commitment to empower and equip our parishioners with a deeper appreciation and understanding of our Catholic Faith.