Andrew, an explorer who was crossing a desert, had no more water and was almost dying of thirst.  Suddenly, he came upon an old water pump sticking up out of the sand… and, next to it, a large jar of clear, fresh water. As he grabbed the jar, he saw a sign: “Do not drink the jar of water.  Use it to prime the pump.  Then leave a full jar for those coming after you.”

Even though he felt desperate, Andrew poured the water into the pump, instead of drinking it himself.  Water gushed out, and he joyfully drank his fill.  Then he filled up his own water containers to continue his journey… and left a full jar behind for any caravan coming after him.

I think we all get the point: Living our lives requires obeying wise advice, like the note left by a wise person. And, life requires discipline at moments when we’d rather “grab and guzzle.” Andrew desperately wanted to “grab and guzzle”--but he saw the wisdom in holding back.

We live in a culture that praises and worships individualism. Children are often fussed over by parents and grandparents, constantly praised, and never told “No!”.  No wonder they grow up thinking it is only their needs that matter. But the over-focus on “what he or she wants” easily drives out Jesus’ message to teach to live a life of giving and sacrifice, so that others may not starve.

“May our seeds grow into trees, to be shade and comfort for others!

Welcome: Tomorrow, June 14^th, we welcome seminarian, John Ferguson who will be spending his pastoral year of seminary formation in our parish.  The pastoral year is for John’s discernment into the life of a parish priest.  During this year, John will have the opportunity to put into practice the ideals and lessons learned in the seminary classroom.

John is from Butler County, his home parish is St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen.  He has just completed his 2^nd year of theological studies at Saint Vincent Seminary in Latrobe, PA.  John will be introducing himself at Mass in the weeks to come.  Please welcome John and continue to pray for him and all seminarians.