From our Pastor’s Desk

Dear Family:

Gradually, we are moving towards the Coming of the Paraclete. That we need guidance and direction in everything we do is a statement of fact. That we are for the most part, not fully aware of the mysteries of God and the dynamics of the world is also a truthful statement. Additionally, that we live in a debased, immoral, perverse, corrupt and evil world, yet are expected to lead holy, blameless and exemplary lives is indubitable. For the Christian therefore, thriving in a turbulent and free-for-all society where commandments are looked at as oppressive and suppressive, regulations and laws as burdensome and restrictive, one has a definite need of the Holy Spirit, the promised counsellor, the Paraclete. However, there is a requisite we must imbibe for us to have this Counsellor – love of Christ and fidelity to his commandments.

We heard Jesus say categorically that when we love him and keep his commandments, he will ask the Father to send us another Counsellor, the Spirit of Truth who will be with us forever (Jn.14:16-17). By our fidelity to God’s law, the Holy Spirit, our Advocate, Paraclete and Counsellor, will be given to us; with the Spirit of God in us, our safety will be sure and our happiness guaranteed. More so, He will give us the required strength to face those who abuse and revile us thereby making us suffer unjustly (1 Pet. 3:16-17).

According to the apostle of love, John, there is only one test of love – obedience. Out of obedience to God’s will, Jesus demonstrated his supreme love for Him; the same obedience to the Father was what precipitated the greatest show of love the world has ever known – Jesus’ self-sacrifice for sinful humanity. We too, can only show our love for Jesus when we obey his command. This obedient love is or should be pragmatic. Jesus should see us working for him by leading good and holy lives even when we are slandered, abused and made to suffer like St. Peter says in the second reading. Christ should see us witnessing to him wherever we find ourselves like Philip did in Samaria today.

Moreover, when we have and keep Jesus’ law, and hence love him, we have a twofold advantage: God loves us eternally, and Jesus not only loves us, but He also manifests Himself in us. Therefore, our lives become worthy of acclaim both here on earth and in heaven. We have a further advantage too: we are assured of always being informed in the way of truth, for the Spirit of truth will be given to us. We may do well to observe obedient love today not just for God alone but for our fellow man.

Husbands and wives who profess forever love to each other but through their selfishness, irritability and thoughtless unkindness bring nothing but pain to one another are called to love like Christ loved God and humanity. Children and young people who say they love their parents yet cause them grief and anxiety are called to love like Christ taught them; leaders who profess their love and commitment to their followers yet inflict hardship, tyranny and dictatorial rule and misery on them are exhorted to start loving like Christ did and still does. All those who profess their love in words but at the same time bring pain and heartbreak to those whom they claim to love are called to change.

This change can only happen through Jesus Christ. It has been five weeks since Easter and we are still hearing from Jesus at the Last Supper. He feeds his disciples with the Eucharist, food that disappears quickly but works invisibly in their souls and bodies. He nourishes them, and us, with words that take much longer to ruminate on. Words take longer to digest than bread and wine, which is why Jesus gives us both together. In fact, though we hear the word of God proclaimed before we receive the Eucharist, the Eucharist, like an enzyme, helps us, by grace, to break down and assimilate the divine word we hear.

We pray today for a docile heart towards God’s law. We pray too that God in turn blesses us with the Holy Spirit to direct our journey of life, heal his creation and cleanse it of every illness. We pray that if we love one another as Christ loved God and man, then our world would be a haven desired by all. We hold up the empty bowls of our souls and say, “Please, Lord, let me have some more; feed me again and again.” Jesus is more than happy to provide. He tells us he is coming again. He tells us the Father is sending an Advocate, the Paraclete, the Spirit of truth. The immediate comforts of Jesus’s presence give way to the long-lasting, deep-rooted strength the Holy Spirit provides. We pray to have Him always with us.

During this weekend we celebrate our mothers, alive and deceased. They are truly an example of God’s love for us. They hold us in their womb, care, teach, feed, protect and support unconditionally, for the most part. That is why they hold a special place in the heart of their children. May God bless, protect and love them always, and may we never forget what they have done for us since day one of our lives.

This weekend was also a joyous one for us in the Archdiocese of Miami; nine men were ordained to the priesthood for our archdiocese. They are Fr. Adam P. Cahill, Fr. Henry J. Cárdenas, Fr. Thomaz Kaziel, Fr. Aristides L. Lima, Fr. Carlos E. Luzardo, Fr. Christian D. Mendieta, Fr. Saint-Clos Papouloute, Fr. Pietro Pironato and Fr. Michele Sega. Let us pray for them, for their new ministry as priests of the Archdiocese of Miami and for their families. Also, it is worthy to mention the 50th Priestly Ordination Anniversary of our own archbishop, Thomas G. Wenski this coming Friday, May 15th. We give thanks to God for his tenure as priest, and bishop, but most importantly, for his years of service as our archbishop.

Finally, I would like to share with you the pictures of our kids who received their First Communion last Saturday, May 2nd; the picture to the left at the 11:00 am Mass and the picture to the right at the 2:00 pm Mass. Let us pray also for them, for their perseverance in the faith through always receiving faithfully the Eucharist.

Loving one another us God loves us will always make us One Body, One Spirit, One Family! Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Katharine Drexel, Saint Michael the Archangel, St. José Gregorio Hernández, Pope Saint Pius X, St. Teresa of Avila, and St. Charbel, pray for us.

Yours in Christ!
Fr. Omar