Love God, Love Others, Share the Good News!

    This Week's Letter From Father

Twenty-Eighth Sunday In Ordinary Time C

October 12, 2025

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The author of Second Timothy (2 Timothy 2:8-13), from which our second reading is taken for this Sunday, continues to speak in the voice of Paul, who remains imprisoned for the sake of the Gospel. Many might believe that this man, now older and suffering from the hardships he has faced as a missionary and Apostle to the Gentiles, is discouraged. However, Paul is quite content because he understands that the word of God cannot be chained. Regardless of what happens to him, the message of God will continue to plead through those he encounters, and that message will strengthen them. In turn, Paul offers encouragement and strength to his spiritual son, Timothy, through the word of God.

He shares the uplifting message that their suffering has purpose, as they unite in Christ’s journey: “If we have died with him, we shall also live with him.” With his resurrection, we find hope, and his promises are genuinely reliable. Their suffering is not in vain because they share in the suffering of Christ. He is risen and his word is trustworthy.

Timothy isn’t a rookie; he has traveled with Paul on missionary journeys and faced many challenges alongside him. Additionally, Timothy, who was half Hebrew and half Greek, experienced rejection firsthand. When he became a leader of the church in Ephesus, his role was similar to that of a parish pastor. Unfortunately, some prejudiced members of the congregation did not accept him because he was a foreigner, part Greek. Others rejected him due to his young age.

Timothy, having been rejected by members of his own congregation, could easily empathize with the lepers mentioned in today’s Gospel reading (Luke 17:11-19). The lepers, too, faced rejection from their fellow Jews. According to Jewish law, lepers were required to isolate themselves (Numbers 5:2-3). When they saw others approaching, they were instructed to shout-out warnings (Leviticus 13:45).

In the Gospel reading, the lepers did not shout warnings. Instead, they sought mercy and compassion. Jesus neither touched them nor spoke words of healing, nor did he ask about their faith. They were healed while on their way to show themselves to the priests to be declared clean. Their decision to embark on this journey in response to Jesus’ word, was, in itself, an act of faith. Only one of them returned to praise God and give thanks to for the healing gift. He was a foreigner, a Samaritan whom the Jews despised.

Today’s reading reminds us of the importance of not denying Christ. They emphasize that when we reject or dismiss others based on race, ethnicity, culture, gender, social status, age or any other reason, we are, in effect, denying Christ. We are also rejecting God, who is the a creator and the Father-Mother of all humanity.

Lepers are individuals whom nobody invites to parties, sits with in the school dining room, lounges with at work, or welcomes to church events.

Let’s embrace the incredible truth about God, who is a loving Creator and our nurturing Father and Mother.

In Christ,

Fr. Ryszard

Welcome Message

Greetings in Christ Jesus!

Whether you are just visiting for a short while, have moved here and are joining our parish, or are returning to your Catholic Faith, on behalf of our parish community, we welcome you to St. Egbert Catholic Church and the beautiful Crystal Coast of North Carolina.

When Jesus was asked which of all the commandments was the greatest, he replied, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.  This is the great, and first commandment. And a second is like it, you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” These two Commandments form the foundation of our mission to Love God, Love Neighbor, and to Share the Good News.