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STATE DEPUTY MESSAGE for APRIL
Worthy Brothers,
I would like to share with you some thoughts about the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30)
In the parable, the talents were made of gold, and they had great value. As we know, the first two servants were able to double the value of the gold talents that were given to their safe keeping. But, the third servant buried the gold that he was given. Because he said that he feared his master. The master was well pleased with the first two servants and said to them, “Well done, my good and faithful servant!” He was not so pleased with the third.
Let us look at the talents as abilities, not quite as valuable as gold, but nevertheless valuable. What happens to talents whether gold or abilities when you don’t use them? It seems like they are taken from you, and you are worse off than if you never had them. There was talk of being bound and thrown into darkness where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth. This is a kind of “use it or lose it” situation. We all have been given talents, abilities, gifts and graces. The question is are we using these gifts in a way to get the most out of them, create the most value and are benefiting those around us? Or are we just burying them?
St. Mother Teresa said “You have been given much. Now it is the time to share your gifts.”
As Knights and as Catholics are we going that extra mile? Are we climbing that next hill to get to our goal of evangelizing our faith by our good works? Or are we coasting down the hill where we will end up in the darkness and grinding our teeth? You can see the option of doing nothing is not an option. As Past State Deputy Joseph Schultz always said, “You didn’t volunteer to do nothing.” Unlike other organizations we can only really lead from the front. Our brothers watch us and will follow us if we show them the way.
There is much to be done. The church needs our councils active and helping in the front. Knights are expected to be there. The Supreme Knight said, “Where there is a need, there is a Knight.” We must look for that need and fill it. We must also look for more Knights to help fill those needs. There can never be enough Knights. You see the work and the needs never ends. The more brothers we have the bigger impact that can be made. We need more men. If we can invite more men to be Knights there will be more jackets given to the needy, more ultrasounds saving lives, more wheelchairs distributed and more needs being met in our parishes. There are more men and their families lives to change, to bring closer to God and their faith. We must invite them to join our mission. We must never be satisfied.
Are we fulfilling our mission? Are we keeping our promises to serve? Are we using our talents to the utmost?
I think we are in many ways. Is it good enough? Maybe not yet. Maybe the question we must ask ourselves is when we are at the Gates of Heaven and we are asked, what have you done in your life to help those in need, what have you done for the least of your brothers? And after you tell the story of your life, what will God say to you on that judgement day?
We should all be working towards that answer with the hope that God will on that day say, “Well done My good and faithful servant, come sit at My right hand and enjoy eternal life with Me in Heaven!”
Thank you for your service, my brothers, to God and those in need.
Happy Easter to You and Your Family,
Vivat Jesus!
GREG MARRACQ
State Deputy 2023-2024
STATE CHAPLAIN MESSAGE FOR APRIL
Dear Worthy Knights,
A Happy Easter filled with God’s Blessings to you and your families.
We have just observed the forty days (40) of Lent that prepared us for the celebration of the Easter Triduum, meaning “Three Days,” (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Vigil) and Easter Sunday. However, we don’t seem to be very good at observing the Great Fifty Days (50) of Easter or what we call, the “Eastertide.” For us Christians, Easter must be our most significant holiday.
In his letter to the Corinthians, Saint Paul claims, “If Christ has not been raised, then empty is our preaching and our faith” (1 Cor 15: 14). The Church finds it necessary to emphasize the season of the Lord’s Resurrection between Easter Sunday and Pentecost Sunday.
Brothers, the Great 50 Days are actually the “50 Days of Dwelling in the Paschal Mystery – the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus.” When they have learned about the resurrection of their Lord and Master, the Apostles went about boldly to proclaim what they have witnessed. As a result, those whom they encountered experienced countless miracles of healing and conversion. During the people’s most difficult and darkest moments, the experience of the Resurrection brought them renewed hope.
There is a Filipino Easter tradition held before sunrise on Easter Sunday that is called “Salubong.” (SahLUHbhong). The word, which means, “meeting,” points to the Risen Christ’s appearance to his sorrowing Mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary. Although the meeting between the Risen Christ and his Mother is not recorded in Scripture, many theologians claim that no one more than the Blessed Virgin Mary had the right to this favor. No one doubts that the first visit of a Son so loving would be to his mother. For Filipinos, if there is someone to whom a son or daughter wishes to share his or her achievement, it would be his or her mother. In a special way, the Salubong or the meeting between the triumphant Christ and the sorrowing Mother truly manifests the constancy of the relationship in the Paschal Mystery, that is, in suffering, death and resurrection.
In his Chrism Mass homily during which priests renew their priestly commitment, a Filipino bishop addressed his priests from the heart and said, “the purest part of our life and ministry as priests will come out in times of difficulties, in times of trials and in times of crises and when we are purged by the difficult moment in our lives.” Then looking into their eyes with compassion, he continued, “Remember that whenever we encounter difficulties in ministry, the Risen Lord desires to bring out the best in us even in our failures, even in our infidelities, and even in our sickness.” The Bishop simply reminded his priests to dwell always in the Paschal Mystery that proclaims inevitably the reception of new life and new spirit after undergoing some kind of suffering and even death.
As we dwell in the Paschal Mystery during the Great 50 Days, let us rejoice and remain hopeful in the opportunity to meet our sorrowing brothers and sisters by carrying out faithfully our responsibilities and programs through our respective councils. Having been founded by the principles of charity, unity, and fraternity, our calling echoes the words of the Risen Christ, “Do not be afraid… Peace I give to you.” (Jn. 20:19). Certainly, our world desperately needs to hear again the message of the Risen Christ.
Brothers, let us now follow our Risen Lord towards the new life He offers us and which we often celebrate in the Eucharist.
Christ is risen. He is risen indeed. Alleluia!
Vivat Jesus!
REV. RAYMUND REYES
State Chaplain 2023-2024
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