Bishop John Noonan | Diocese of Orland website

Bishop John Noonan of the Diocese of Orlando has issued a letter to parishioners reflecting on the Scripture readings for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, urging a focus on humility, service, and faith.

In his message, Bishop Noonan notes that the teachings presented in the readings are "countercultural" and call on believers to shift their priorities away from material possessions and towards God. He writes, "God tells us that our profession of faith to follow Him is not easy; that we are to give up our possessions to know, love and serve Him. He says not to treasure but keep our focus on God alone. The psalmist prays that not our will, but God’s will be done that the gracious care of the Lord be ours so that He alone prospers the work of our hands."

The bishop emphasizes living each day for God as a way to honor creation: "If we all lived for God, 24-7-365, imagine the beauty of the earth for God’s glory!"

He calls attention to how individuals can support one another through acts of love and humility. Bishop Noonan continues, "God, the Creator of all life, gave us one another that we might uphold His tender care by how we love one another. We are asked to pay attention, not to things, but to one another. We are asked to strive for docility to the Word of God and to flourish His gift of life upon one another. Like the psalmist, we pray for intellectual humility because we must accept

that our understanding of the world has limits. Our knowledge cannot compare to the limitless knowledge of God."

Addressing judgment among people, he adds: "In this we also seek humility when looking upon others and their actions truly know their situations and God asks us to serve, not judge. We pray that we will be filled with God’s wisdom as we come to know God, for then His wisdom within us abounds and we are led to Him."

Referencing St. Paul’s teachings on human dignity regardless of status or class, Bishop Noonan states: "St. Paul tells us that no matter the class of an individual, he or she is to be treated as a person of dignity through, with and in God. Rather than look down upon those with less economic or intellectual ability or people with whom we supervise, we are to see each one as a child of God. That designation gives the 'lowly' a status of God’s glory for all are created in God’s perfection."

Bishop Noonan highlights two individuals who will soon be canonized saints—Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati and Blessed Carlo Acutis—as examples of holiness in daily life. He describes Blessed Acutis as someone who used technology for evangelization before his death at age 14 from leukemia: "Born in 1991 and raised in Milan, Blessed Acutis used his technical skills to evangelize and was noted for his joyful faith and compassion for others before dying of leukemia in 2006 at age 14. He thirsted for and strived to live as Jesus the Eucharist during his short life." About Blessed Frassati he notes: "Blessed Frassati, born in 1901 into a prominent family in Turin, Italy, was admired for his deep spirituality, love for the poor and enthusiasm for life...He had complete faith in God and persevered through college, dedicating himself to helping the poor and supporting church social teaching." Both men will be canonized by Pope Leo XIV.

The bishop further mentions additional canonizations planned by Pope Leo XIV: "Pope Leo XIV also confirmed that seven other Blesseds will be canonized Oct. 19, World Mission Sunday. The group includes men and women from five countries, among them martyrs, founders of religious congregations and laypeople recognized for their heroic virtue and service."

He concludes with encouragement: "As you arise each day, pray how you might serve God’s people, in every moment that your day makes straight a path to holiness. Let us pray for one another that God prospers the work of our hands so that all the people will joyfully come to know, love, and serve God!"

The Diocese of Orlando was established in 1968 and serves nine counties across Central Florida including Brevard, Lake, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Seminole, Sumter, and Volusia Counties. It consists of 79 parishes along with missions and schools under its jurisdiction.