FATHER FRANK’S FIRE ARTICLE – JULY 12, 2026
This weekend’s readings use powerful images to describe the Word of God. The first reading and the Gospel use images that are familiar, water and seeds. The authors use these familiar images to help us to understand the power of God at work among us.
Isaiah tells us, “Just as from the heavens the rain and snow come down and do not return there till they have watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful …so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth.” Did you know that our bodies are primarily water? Without water we would die. Without the gift of rain, our crops would wither up and die, and we would be without food. Simply put, we cannot live without water. Isaiah tells us the same thing about the Word of God. Sure, we can pretend that we do not have to listen to God. We can pretend or even delude ourselves into thinking that we can do without the scriptures, but God says we cannot. While the earth and our bodies need water, our souls and spirits need the life-giving water that comes only from the Word of God. This water will bring us to life eternal. God promises us that this Word is not empty but “shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it.”
In the Gospel, Matthew uses the image of seeds to describe the Word of God. A seed contains everything it needs to grow; all it needs is the correct combination of soil, water, and sun. The Word of God is effective and can flourish under the correct set of circumstances. In many ways, God has given us control of the circumstances. We can choose to ignore the Word or we can choose to allow it to take root in our lives and let it grow and produce much fruit. Once again, the choice is ours. Are you willing to listen to the Word of God, act upon it and allow it to produce a great yield? Or will you ignore the Word, or not act upon it, or simply be indifferent to it – and thus choking it, not allowing it to grow? The choice is ours, but the consequences are of life and death.
WORD AND SACRAMENT – The scriptures today speak to us about the Word of God. Closely related to the Word is the Eucharist. I like to focus on the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharistic elements so that we have a greater understanding and appreciation of this awesome gift. Behind the altar of the church is the tabernacle. The tabernacle is the dwelling place of Jesus. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, the simple gifts of bread and wine are transformed into the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus. They are no longer bread and wine, but Jesus himself. The consecrated hosts not used at Mass are “reserved” in the tabernacle to be used at other Masses or to be distributed to those who are ill or homebound.
Since Jesus is present in the tabernacle – it is appropriate that we genuflect before we enter into our pews. So many people walk by the tabernacle as if it is nothing but a pretty box, not acknowledging the presence of our Lord, God and Savior among us. I am aware that for many decades the tabernacle at St. Michael was located in the day chapel. Over ten plus years ago the tabernacle was returned to its rightful place in the church. Sometimes we forget that the church is a house of prayer and not simply a gathering place. I ask you to be mindful that when we enter the church, we are to genuflect (or bow if we are unable to genuflect) to the tabernacle. This is a sign of our surrender to Jesus and a sign of reverence to the Almighty.
Being reminded of the Real Presence of Jesus can help us truly realize the reverence and respect that is due to Jesus present in the Eucharist. I would like to share with you a prayer that was used several years ago as part of the Eucharistic Revival.
Heavenly Father, we thank you for the gift of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who promised to stay with us always until the end of the age. Reawaken our wonder at His presence in the Most Holy Eucharist. May our hearts burn with us as He open the Scriptures and breaks the bread. Give us the eyes of faith to recognize His presence in our brothers and sisters, especially in the face of the poor and suffering. Nourished by the Eucharist, send us forth to walk faithfully as missionary disciples, proclaiming the Gospel to every heart and extending Your kingdom to ever land. We ask this through Christ our Lord. AMEN!
MISSIONARY COOPERATION PLAN – The following is a note from Fr. Valery Burusu for the Missionary Cooperation Plan from the Diocese of Nyundo in Rwanda.
This year, we humbly seek your support for two important project that are vital to the life and growth of our Church and our people:
Education for Girls – In our region, traditional gender roles often dictate that boy’s education is more valuable than girls. Girls are sometimes seen as primarily responsible for domestic duties and childcare, while boys are expected to pursue education and careers. Girls are often married in exchange for dowries, and are treated merely as a source of income. This injustice not only impoverishes young women of their dignity, but also maintains cycles of poverty and inequality. While progress has been in some areas, significant challenges remain in achieving gender parity in education in Nyundo. Some studies show that while girls may be catching up in in terms of primary school enrollment, they continue to face higher dropout rates and lower completion rates at secondary and higher levels. The Diocese of Nyundo makes efforts to address these inequalities, and is planning to build a primary school and secondary school in order to empower girls to be educated, a tool for creating a better community.
Clean Water – Many of our remote areas lack reliable access to clean water. People share contaminated water sources with livestock leading to widespread illness and tragic loss of life. People are requiring to travel long distances for clean water or rely on contaminated sources. Providing local water sources as crucial and basic need improves overall quality of life. Many faiths, including Christianity emphasize compassion, service to others, and caring to the poor and vulnerable. Drilling wells and providing clean water are seen as concrete way to live out these principles, and demonstrate love and care for a community. Churches often work with local communities, training them on well maintenance and repair to ensure the longevity of the water source. Each well costs approximately $8,000. With your support, we can continue to offer a gift of live and health to our community.
We invite St. Michael to partner with us in one of these two projects. These efforts are not just ours, they are the mission of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church lived out through the Diocese of Nyundo.
In Christ’s love,
Father Frank A. Kurucz
Pastor of St. Michael Parish
ESPAÑOL – EL FUEGO DEL PADRE FRANK – ARTÍCULO DEL BOLETÍN – 12 DE JULIO 2026
Las lecturas de este fin de semana emplean imágenes poderosas para describir la Palabra de Dios. Tanto la primera lectura como el Evangelio utilizan imágenes familiares: el agua y las semillas. Los autores recurren a estas imágenes cotidianas para ayudarnos a comprender el poder de Dios que actúa entre nosotros.
Isaías nos dice: “Así como la lluvia y la nieve descienden de los cielos y no vuelven allá sin haber regado la tierra, haciéndola fértil y fecunda… así será la palabra que sale de mi boca”. ¿Sabían que nuestros cuerpos están compuestos principalmente de agua? Sin agua, moriríamos. Sin el don de la lluvia, nuestros cultivos se marchitarían y morirían, y nos quedaríamos sin alimentos. En pocas palabras, no podemos vivir sin agua. Isaías nos dice lo mismo sobre la Palabra de Dios. Ciertamente, podemos fingir que no tenemos que escuchar a Dios. Podemos fingir, o incluso engañarnos pensando que podemos prescindir de las Escrituras, pero Dios dice que no podemos. Si bien la tierra y nuestros cuerpos necesitan agua, nuestras almas y espíritus necesitan el agua vivificante que proviene únicamente de la Palabra de Dios. Esta agua nos conducirá a la vida eterna. Dios nos promete que esta Palabra no está vacía, sino que “hará mi voluntad, cumpliendo el propósito para el cual la envié”.
En el Evangelio, Mateo utiliza la imagen de las semillas para describir la Palabra de Dios. Una semilla contiene todo lo necesario para crecer; solo requiere la combinación adecuada de tierra, agua y sol. La Palabra de Dios es eficaz y puede florecer bajo las circunstancias adecuadas. En muchos sentidos, Dios nos ha dado el control sobre esas circunstancias. Podemos optar por ignorar la Palabra o permitir que eche raíces en nuestras vidas, crezca y dé mucho fruto. Una vez más, la elección es nuestra. ¿Estás dispuesto a escuchar la Palabra de Dios, ponerla en práctica y permitir que produzca una gran cosecha? ¿O ignorarás la Palabra, o no actuarás conforme a ella, o simplemente serás indiferente a ella, y así la ahogarás, impidiendo que crezca? La elección es nuestra, pero las consecuencias son de vida o muerte.
PALABRA Y SACRAMENTO – Las Escrituras de hoy nos hablan de la Palabra de Dios. La Eucaristía está estrechamente relacionada con la Palabra. Me gusta centrarme en la presencia real de Jesús en los elementos eucarísticos para que comprendamos y apreciemos mejor este maravilloso don. Detrás del altar de la iglesia se encuentra el sagrario. El sagrario es la morada de Jesús. Por el poder del Espíritu Santo, los sencillos dones del pan y el vino se transforman en el Cuerpo, la Sangre, el Alma y la Divinidad de Jesús. Ya no son pan y vino, sino Jesús mismo. Las hostias consagradas que no se utilizan en la Misa se “reservan” en el sagrario para ser utilizadas en otras Misas o para ser distribuidas a los enfermos o a quienes no pueden salir de casa.
Dado que Jesús está presente en el sagrario, es apropiado que hagamos una genuflexión antes de entrar en nuestros bancos. Mucha gente pasa junto al sagrario como si fuera solo una bonita caja, sin reconocer la presencia de nuestro Señor, Dios y Salvador entre nosotros. Sé que durante muchas décadas, el sagrario de San Miguel estuvo ubicado en la capilla. Hace más de diez años, el sagrario fue devuelto a su lugar legítimo en la iglesia. A veces olvidamos que la iglesia es una casa de oración y no simplemente un lugar de reunión. Les pido que recuerden que al entrar en la iglesia, debemos hacer una genuflexión (o una reverencia si no podemos) ante el sagrario. Este es un signo de nuestra entrega a Jesús y de reverencia al Todopoderoso.
Recordar la Presencia Real de Jesús nos ayuda a comprender verdaderamente la reverencia y el respeto que se le debe a Jesús presente en la Eucaristía. Quisiera compartir con ustedes una oración que se utilizó hace algunos años como parte del Renacimiento Eucarístico.
Padre Celestial, te damos gracias por el don de tu Hijo, nuestro Señor Jesucristo, quien prometió estar con nosotros siempre hasta el fin de los tiempos. Reaviva nuestra admiración por su presencia en la Santísima Eucaristía. Que nuestros corazones ardan con nosotros al abrir las Escrituras y partir el pan. Danos la mirada de la fe para reconocer su presencia en nuestros hermanos y hermanas, especialmente en el rostro de los pobres y los que sufren. Alimentados por la Eucaristía, envíanos a caminar fielmente como discípulos misioneros, proclamando el Evangelio a cada corazón y extendiendo tu reino a todas las tierras. Te lo pedimos por Cristo nuestro Señor. Amén.
En el amor de Cristo,
Padre Frank A. Kurucz
Párroco de la Iglesia de St. Michael