Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me,naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’
Then the righteous will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?
When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?
When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’
And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’
Matthew 25: 34-40
Even in the midst of this incredibly challenging time, Saint John the Evangelist has continued our mission To Know, To Love, and to Serve God in His Church and Our Community. From providing food to the Saint Vincent DePaul Food Pantry (thank you to all who have brought food to our offices as we have delivered vans full of grocery items already), working with Naples Park Elementary to find and feed children unable to get to the school for their free breakfasts and lunches, or in continuing our Masses online for our Parish Family, Saint John lives our faith on a daily basis.
One component of our Finish the Church Campaign has been a desire since the outset of our vision for the future of our Parish Family. The newly installed statue entitled “To the Least of My Brothers” was created by the artist Timothy Schmalz, the same sculptor of our other bronze statues, like our “Lest We Forget” solider and Jesus statue, as well as our Mary and Child and Saint John the Evangelist statues within the Sanctuary. Also called “Homeless Jesus”, this powerful piece clearly illustrates Jesus’ clear direction to us as written by Matthew, to take care of those in need around us in order to live out his mission here on earth. His wounds are clearly visible on this visage of a homeless man asleep on a bench. If you gaze into the cowl, you will witness the face of Jesus.
Saint John will continue to live out this mission no matter what is thrown at us. Thank you all for your continued engagement and support of our Parish Family. Please have a Blessed Easter and Stay Safe and Healthy!