After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit.” (Luke 10:1) The major theme for this 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time focuses on our missionary duty of sharing with others the joy of our true identity, which is being the sons and daughters of God, and our Catholic faith by our Lord’s instructions on how to accomplish our mission of evangelization, realizing our true vocation. We remember last Sunday, the 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time, we discussed about the urgency of fulfilling God’s will in our lives, proclaiming the Good News of the Gospel to the world and the importance of sharing our Christian faith with others, coming from our identification of who Jesus really is for each one of us and our personal relationship with the Lord. Moreover, Jesus reminded us on last Sunday that once we have started this work or ministry, we should give all of ourselves to it, putting all our attention and energy into the tasks, and must not look back with uncertainty, vacillation or dissipated energy in order to accomplish and produce abundantly many good fruits to glorify God. Today’s readings continue last week’s theme in which the Lord .... [Click to continue]
“En aquel tiempo, Jesús designó a otros setenta y dos discípulos y los mandó por delante, de dos en dos, a todos los pueblos y lugares a donde pensaba ir.” (Lucas 10:1) El tema principal de este 14º Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario se centra en nuestro deber misionero de compartir con los demás la alegría de nuestra verdadera identidad, que es ser hijos e hijas de Dios, y nuestra fe católica por las instrucciones de nuestro Señor sobre cómo cumplir nuestra misión de la evangelización, realizando nuestra verdadera vocación. Recordamos el domingo pasado, XIII Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario, discutimos sobre la urgencia de cumplir la voluntad de Dios en nuestras vidas, proclamando la Buena Nueva del Evangelio al mundo y la importancia de compartir nuestra fe cristiana con los demás, a partir de nuestra identificación de quién es realmente Jesús para cada uno de nosotros y nuestra relación personal con el Señor. Además, Jesús nos recordó el domingo pasado que una vez iniciada esta obra o ministerio, debemos entregarnos por completo a ella, poniendo toda nuestra atención y energía en las tareas, y no mirar hacia atrás con incertidumbre, vacilación o energía disipada para realizar y producir en abundancia muchos buenos frutos para glorificar a Dios. Las lecturas de hoy continúan el tema de la semana pasada en el que el Señor .... [Haz click para continuar]
Early bird prices are ending for C3CON 2022 on June 30! But you can still sign up after that for the Aug. 2 conference for a fresh new lineup of extraordinary speakers like keynoter Fr. Greg Boyle (Founder, Homeboy Industries), Alessandro DiSanto (Co-Founder and Head of Growth, Hallow), Jodee Blanco ( NY Times Bestselling Author and Speaker) and more! Here's what's in store for you at C3CON 2022: ✅ 70+ Interactive Workshops To Choose From: Build new skills, acquire unique and useful resources with achievable results, and learn how to utilize powerful tools and innovative practices in your role. ✅ Workshop Series: Take a deep dive into “the what, why, and most important, the how” of the meaningful integration of technology to help you "level up" in your role. ✅ PD Credits: Earn credits with every workshop toward your Conference Certificate of Completion. (a total of 10 credits required to earn a certificate) ✅ Prizes: Enter to win exclusive and useful prizes. ✅ On-Demand Workshops: Learn anywhere, at any time, with many useful on-demand workshops and recorded “live” Zoom replays. Do not miss out - passes will not be at this early bird price again. Act quick! This will be your last chance to snag Early Bird Passes before June 30. Save your seat with Early Bird pricing, click here.
The LORD said to Elijah: “You shall anoint Elisha, son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah, as prophet to succeed you.” (1 Kings 19:16) The major theme for this 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C focuses on our true vocation as disciples of Christ. That God has given us certain talents, gifts and has called us to fulfill some specific tasks and/or purposes to help extend the Kingdom of God, to share the Good News of the Gospel with people around us, to apply the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ and to accomplish God’s divine will in our lives. Our vocation and ministry are natural and necessary expressions of our faith in Christ Jesus and service to the Church. They are always graced and constituted by a divine initiative in the person of our Lord Jesus and God’s chosen people as instruments of divine grace. Therefore, our vocation and ministry are a melding of human and divine energies, a cooperative effort between our almighty ever faithful God who never fails and us, human beings, whose hands, feet, head and heart that often falter. Our vocation and ministry are empowered and driven by divine grace to withstand different changes throughout the Church’s history: (1) threats of human prejudice (e.g. distinction between Jewish and gentile Christians), (2) religious persecutions, (3) heresies and other misrepresentation of the truth faith, (4) theological and political animosity and complication, (5) misguided military campaign, (6) heartless and ruthless inquisition, (7) corruptions of political power and misuse of authority, (8) Protestant Reformation of the 16th century C.E. due to the loss of ecclesial integrity and credibility, (9) Enlightenment in the age of secular rationalism, (10) Modernism and Relativism that affect the decimation of the .... [Click to continue]
En aquellos tiempos, el Señor le dijo a Elías: “Unge a Eliseo, el hijo de Safat, originario de Abel-Mejolá, para que sea profeta en lugar tuyo.” (1 Reyes 19:16) El tema principal para este 13 Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario Año C se enfoca en nuestra verdadera vocación como discípulos de Cristo que Dios nos ha dado ciertos talentos, dones y nos ha llamado a cumplir con algunas tareas específicas, propósitos para ayudar a extender el Reino de Dios, para compartir la Buena Nueva del Evangelio con las personas que nos rodean, para aplicar las enseñanzas de nuestro Señor Jesucristo para cumplir la voluntad divina de Dios en nuestras vidas. Nuestra vocación y ministerio son una expresión natural y necesaria de nuestra fe en Cristo Jesús y el servicio a la Iglesia. Son siempre agraciados y constituidos por iniciativa divina en la persona de nuestro Señor Jesús y el pueblo elegido de Dios como instrumentos de la gracia divina. Por lo tanto, nuestra vocación y ministerio son una fusión de energías humanas y divinas, un esfuerzo cooperativo entre nuestro Dios todopoderoso siempre fiel que nunca falla y nosotros, los seres humanos, cuyas manos, pies, cabeza y corazón muchas veces flaquean. Nuestra vocación y ministerio están empoderados e impulsados por la gracia divina para resistir diferentes cambios a lo largo de la historia de la Iglesia: (1) amenazas de prejuicio humano (por ejemplo, distinción entre cristianos judíos y gentiles), (2) persecuciones religiosas, (3) herejías y otras tergiversaciones de la fe verdadera, (4) animosidad y complicación teológica y política, (5) campaña militar equivocada, (6) inquisición cruel y despiadada, (7) corrupción del poder político y mal uso de la autoridad, (8) Reforma Protestante del siglo XVI. E.C. debido a la pérdida de integridad y credibilidad eclesial, (9) Ilustración en la era del racionalismo secular, (10) Modernismo y Relativismo que .... [Haz click para continuar]
On Saturday, June 18, from 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m., the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and Catholic Cemeteries & Mortuaries invite you to a special prayer of thanksgiving for Father’s Day weekend. We want to honor all fathers the Saturday before Father’s Day, and we invite you to join us in praying the Rosary. Join us in person at all Cemeteries & Mortuaries or via livestream. You can view and join LIVE at facebook.com/lacatholics and catholiccm.org at 2 PM (PST).
“For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over, took bread, and, after he had given thanks, broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” (1 Corinthians 11:23-25) The major theme for this Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, also known as the feast of Corpus Christi, focuses on the importance of the Holy Eucharist in our Christian life that sustains us on our spiritual journey, daily pilgrimage toward God, following the footsteps of our Good Shepherd Lord Jesus Christ. Today’s celebration is established by the Church and promulgated by Pope Urban IV in 1264 for three purposes: (1) to give God collective thanks for Christ’s abiding presence with us in the Eucharist, and to honor Christ in that special way, (2) to instruct and catechize the people in the mystery, faith and devotion on the Eucharist, (3) to teach us the importance of appreciating and making use of the great gift of the Holy Eucharist as a sacrament and as a sacrifice. We commemorate it today because the Eucharist is the most precious gift of our Lord. It is the source and summit of our life of faith together as the Church. The Council of Trent declared that we must honor publicly our Lord Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist, so that those who observed the Catholic faith in the Most Holy Eucharist might be attracted to the Eucharistic Lord and believe in the Divinity of Our Lord present in this great Sacrament. The New Testament affirms the real presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist. St. Thomas Aquinas explains the real presence of Christ by the process of “transubstantiation,” which means that the “substance” of bread and wine is changed during Mass into the risen and glorified Body and Blood of Christ, even though, the “accidents” like taste, color, shape… of bread and wine remain the same. This is one of the ways that .... [Click to continue]
“Hermanos: Yo recibí del Señor lo mismo que les he transmitido: Que el Señor Jesús, la noche en que iba a ser entregado, tomó pan en sus manos, y pronunciando la acción de gracias, lo partió y dijo: “Esto es mi cuerpo, que se entrega por ustedes. Hagan esto en memoria mía”. Lo mismo hizo con el cáliz, después de cenar, diciendo: “Este cáliz es la nueva alianza que se sella con mi sangre. Hagan esto en memoria mía siempre que beban de él.” (1 Corintios 11:23-25) El tema principal de esta Solemnidad del Santísimo Cuerpo y Sangre de Cristo, también conocida como la fiesta del Corpus Christi, se centra en la importancia de la Sagrada Eucaristía en nuestra vida cristiana que nos sostiene en nuestro camino espiritual, peregrinación diaria hacia Dios, siguiendo las huellas de nuestro Buen Pastor Señor Jesucristo. La celebración de hoy es establecida por la Iglesia y promulgada por el Papa Urbano IV en 1264 con tres propósitos: (1) agradecer colectivamente a Dios por la presencia permanente de Cristo con nosotros en la Eucaristía, y honrar a Cristo de esa manera especial, (2) para instruir y catequizar al pueblo en el misterio, la fe y la devoción en la Eucaristía, (3) para enseñarnos la importancia de apreciar y hacer uso del gran don de la Sagrada Eucaristía como sacramento y como sacrificio. Lo conmemoramos hoy porque la Eucaristía es el don más precioso de nuestro Señor. Es la fuente y cumbre de nuestra vida de fe juntos como Iglesia. El Concilio de Trento declaró que debemos honrar públicamente a nuestro Señor Jesucristo en la Sagrada Eucaristía, para que aquellos que observaron la fe católica en la Santísima Eucaristía, puedan ser atraídos al Señor Eucarístico y crean en la Divinidad de Nuestro Señor presente en este gran sacramento. El Nuevo Testamento afirma la presencia real de Cristo en la Sagrada Eucaristía. Santo Tomás de Aquino explica la presencia real de Cristo por el proceso de “transubstanciación”, lo que significa que la “sustancia” del pan y el vino se transforma durante la Misa en el Cuerpo y la Sangre de Cristo resucitado y glorificado, aunque los “accidentes” como el sabor, el color, la forma… del pan y del vino siguen siendo los mismos. Esta es una de las formas en que .... [Haz click para continuar]
“Glory to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; to God who is, who was, and who is to come.” (Revelation 1:8) The major theme for this Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity focuses on our Christian doctrine of the Divine Trinity or the three persons of God: The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The Church teaches us this dogma that there is only one God in three divine persons. The Father is not more God than the Son, neither is the Son more God than the Holy Spirit. They are all equally God, but there is only one God. No human being can fully understand this sublime truth. But we all need to submit humbly ourselves and say: “Lord, I believe in You despite my limited understanding, please illumine my mind and help my weak faith.” All three divine Persons contribute to and share in the work of redemption. The Father calls us to the faith and sends His Son to us, for "God so loved the world as to give His only-begotten Son" (John 3:16). The Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, becomes man, dies for us, redeems us and makes us children of God. He remains the liturgist par excellence to whom we are united in all sacred functions. After Christ's ascension, God .... {Click to continue]
“Gloria al Padre y al Hijo y al Espíritu Santo. Al Dios que es, que era y que vendrá.” (Apocalipsis 1:8) El tema principal de esta Solemnidad de la Santísima Trinidad se centra en nuestra doctrina cristiana de la Trinidad Divina o las tres personas de Dios: el Padre, el Hijo y el Espíritu Santo. La Iglesia nos enseña este dogma de que hay un solo Dios en tres personas divinas. El Padre no es más Dios que el Hijo, ni el Hijo es más Dios que el Espíritu Santo. Todos son igualmente Dios, pero hay un solo Dios. Ningún ser humano puede comprender completamente esta sublime verdad. Pero todos debemos someternos humildemente y decir: “Señor, creo en Ti a pesar de mi comprensión limitada, por favor ilumina mi mente y ayuda a mi fe débil”. Las tres Personas divinas contribuyen y participan en la obra de la redención. El Padre nos llama a la fe y nos envía a su Hijo, porque "Dios amó tanto al mundo que dio a su Hijo unigénito" (Juan 3:16). El Hijo, nuestro Señor y Salvador Jesucristo, se hace hombre, muere por nosotros, nos redime y nos hace hijos adoptivos de Dios. Él sigue siendo el liturgista por excelencia al que estamos unidos en todas las funciones sagradas. Después de la ascensión de Cristo, Dios .... [Haz click para continuar]
“When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.” (Acts 2:1-4) The major theme for this Pentecost Sunday focuses on the Church’s birthday, the coming of the Holy Spirit like tongues of fire descending upon the disciples in the upper room, transforming them from being fearful of the Jews to becoming brave and courageous to proclaim the Good News, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to testify to the resurrection of the Lord to the world. Pentecost, means 50, which is originally a Jewish post-harvest thanksgiving feast celebrated on the 50th day after the Passover to commemorate God’s covenant with Noah, then with Moses on Mount Sinai. During the Passover, a bushel of barley is offered to God. But at Pentecost, two loaves of bread are offered in gratitude for the harvest. Therefore, Pentecost contains a sense of transformation and fulfillment as symbolized by the change of barley into loaves of bread. Christian disciples celebrate Pentecost with different meanings because of .... {Click to continue]
“El día de Pentecostés, todos los discípulos estaban reunidos en un mismo lugar. De repente se oyó un gran ruido que venía del cielo, como cuando sopla un viento fuerte, que resonó por toda la casa donde se encontraban. Entonces aparecieron lenguas de fuego, que se distribuyeron y se posaron sobre ellos; se llenaron todos del Espíritu Santo y empezaron a hablar en otros idiomas, según el Espíritu los inducía a expresarse.” (Hechos 2:1-4) El tema principal de este domingo de Pentecostés se centra en el nacimiento de la Iglesia, la venida del Espíritu Santo como lengua de fuego que desciende sobre los discípulos en el cenáculo, transformándolos de temerosos de los judíos a valientes y corajes para proclamar la Buena Nueva, el Evangelio de Jesucristo, para dar testimonio de la resurrección del Señor al mundo. Pentecostés, significa 50, que originalmente es una fiesta judía de acción de gracias posterior a la cosecha celebrada el día 50 después de la Pascua para conmemorar la alianza de Dios con Noé, luego con Moisés en el Monte Sinaí. Durante la Pascua, se ofrece a Dios un canasto de cebada. Pero en Pentecostés, se ofrecen dos hogazas de pan en agradecimiento por la cosecha. Por lo tanto, Pentecostés contiene un sentido de transformación y cumplimiento simbolizado por el cambio de la cebada en hogazas de pan. Los discípulos cristianos celebran Pentecostés con diferentes significados por su .... [Haz click para continuar]
Después salió con ellos fuera de la ciudad, hacia un lugar cercano a Betania; levantando las manos, los bendijo, y mientras los bendecía, se fue apartando de ellos y elevándose al cielo. Ellos, después de adorarlo, regresaron a Jerusalén, llenos de gozo, y permanecían constantemente en el templo, alabando a Dios.” (Lucas 24:50-53) El tema principal de esta Fiesta de la Ascensión del Señor se enfoca en la partida de Jesucristo al Padre celestial para que nos preparemos para la venida del Espíritu Santo en Pentecostés y para recibirlo el próximo domingo. Cristo nos enseña que debe ir al Padre para que Él nos envíe el Espíritu Santo. La partida de Cristo causa gran ansiedad de separación a muchos discípulos. Sin embargo, es una necesidad que Jesús vaya al Padre porque, como explica Jesús, si Él no va, el Espíritu Santo no vendrá a nosotros, los discípulos. Jesús le habló una vez a María Magdalena: “Deja de aferrarte a mí, porque todavía no he subido al Padre. Pero ve a mis hermanos y diles: "Voy a mi Padre y a vuestro Padre, a mi Dios y a vuestro Dios" (Juan 20:17). Por lo tanto, debemos dejar ir a Jesús y apreciar todo lo que ha hecho por nosotros y desarrollar nuestra paciencia para esperar la llegada del Espíritu Santo. La Ascensión de Jesús significa: (1) la victoria final de Cristo; (2) la finalización de la obra de Cristo; (3) su llegada a ser Señor y rey sobre todos los pueblos; y (4) su exaltación y glorificación final por el Padre. Después de la resurrección de entre los muertos, Jesús no es reconocido “formalmente” como el Salvador victorioso de todos. Todavía no ha sido glorificado como el Mesías, el Cristo. Es en la Ascensión que Jesús es “formalmente” .... [Haz click para continuar]
“Then he led them [out] as far as Bethany, raised his hands, and blessed them. As he blessed them he parted from them and was taken up to heaven. They did him homage and then returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and they were continually in the temple praising God.” (Luke 24:50-53) The major theme for this Feast of the Ascension of the Lord focuses on the departure of Jesus Christ to the heavenly Father for us to prepare for the coming of the Holy Spirit on the Pentecost and to receive Him next Sunday. Christ teaches us that he must go to the Father for Him to send the Holy Spirit to us. Christ’s departure causes great separation anxiety to many disciples. However, it is a necessity that Jesus goes to the Father because, as Jesus explains, if He does not go, the Holy Spirit will not come to us, the disciples. Jesus once spoke to Mary Magdalene: “Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God” (John 20:17). Therefore, we need to let Jesus go and appreciate all that He has done for us and develop our patience to wait for the arrival of the Holy Spirit. The Ascension of Jesus means: (1) the final victory of Christ; (2) the completion of Christ’s work; (3) his becoming Lord and king over all people; and (4) his final exaltation and glorification by the Father. After the resurrection from the dead, Jesus is not “formally” recognized as the victorious Savior of all. He is not yet glorified as the Messiah, the Christ. It is on the Ascension that Jesus becomes .... [Click to continue]
Fr. Joseph reminds everyone that Monday, July 4th is Independence Day, a federal Holiday. Therefore, the parish office is closed and will resume on Tuesday, July 5th, 2022. Fr. Joseph wishes everyone a very happy Independence Day weekend. .... 1 - Fr. Joseph invites everyone to participate in St. Clement Golf Classic on Sept. 17, 2022 at Sepulveda Golf Center in Encino. Enjoy a great outing, delicious foods, good exercise and fun time with friends and families. Please sign up on our Church website that says "St. Clement Golf Classic" or write down your contact information on the sign-up sheet by the Church entrance. Invite sponsors for this great event to raise fund for our Church! .... 3 - Let us welcome a new associate priest, Fr. Thomas Park, for St. Monica Church who will be with us in residence for some time while the rectory of St. Monica Church is undergoing retrofitting and remodeling. If you see Fr. Tom, please say hi and welcome him. .... 4- Fr. Joseph THANKS everyone for participating in the second collection for the retirement fund to support our retired priests. May God reward your generosity and bless you. .... [Click to continue]
Young Ministering Adults at St. Monica Catholic Community in Santa Monica present the Grapes & Grain tasting event on June 12, 2022 beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the pavilion. All parishioners and friends age 21 and older are welcome to attend. A $20 admission ticket includes 5 tastings and a souvenir tasting glass, plus snacks. There will be over 10 beers and 10 wines to taste, plus a raffle and live music. .... For tickets and more information, go to stmonica.net/grape
Jesus said: “The Advocate, the Holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name—he will teach you everything and remind you of all that [I] told you.” (John 14:26) The major theme for this 6th Sunday of Easter focuses on the importance of the Holy Spirit in our Christian discipleship and daily life as we prepare for the coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost Sunday in 2 weeks. Our creed affirms the mystery of the Triune God, one in three “persons”: the Father who creates the universe, the Son who redeems the world and the Holy Spirit who sanctifies everything. The Holy Spirit is the first to awaken faith in us and communicates to us the new life in Christ, which is to "know the Father and the one whom he has sent, Jesus Christ." Even though the Holy Spirit is the last of the persons of the Divine Trinity to be revealed, he is at work with the Father and the Son from the beginning to the completion of the plan for our salvation. St. Paul teaches us that we are temples of the Holy Spirit, which means that God’s abiding presence or indwelling is in His Church and in each one of us. Therefore, the Holy Spirit encourages us to live a saintly life and to behave correctly as the adopted children of God, holy, dignified, unblemished before God. Our Lord Jesus Christ promises us the coming of the Holy Spirit, who will continually teach, guide, console, sustain, challenge, correct and remind us everything that He has taught us. Because the coming of the Holy Spirit is a gracious gift of God through Christ, we should .... [Click to continue]
Jesús dijo: “El Paráclito, el Espíritu Santo que mi Padre les enviará en mi nombre, les enseñará todas las cosas y les recordará todo cuanto yo les he dicho.” (Juan 14:26) El tema principal de este sexto domingo de Pascua se centra en la importancia del Espíritu Santo en nuestro discipulado cristiano y en la vida diaria mientras nos preparamos para la venida del Espíritu Santo el domingo de Pentecostés en 2 semanas. Nuestro credo afirma el misterio del Dios Triuno, uno en tres “personas”: el Padre que crea el universo, el Hijo que redime al mundo y el Espíritu Santo que santifica todo. El Espíritu Santo es el primero que despierta en nosotros la fe y nos comunica la vida nueva en Cristo, que es "conocer al Padre y a quien él ha enviado, Jesucristo". Aunque el Espíritu Santo es la última de las personas de la Trinidad Divina en ser revelada, está trabajando con el Padre y el Hijo desde el principio hasta la finalización del plan para nuestra salvación. San Pablo nos enseña que somos templos del Espíritu Santo, lo que significa que la presencia permanente o morada de Dios está en Su Iglesia y en cada uno de nosotros. Por lo tanto, el Espíritu Santo nos anima a vivir una vida santa y a comportarnos correctamente como hijos adoptivos de Dios, santos, dignos, sin mancha ante Dios. Nuestro Señor Jesucristo nos promete la venida del Espíritu Santo, quien continuamente nos enseñará, guiará, consolará, sostendrá, desafiará, corregirá y recordará todo lo que Él nos ha enseñado. Debido a que la venida del Espíritu Santo es un regalo de la gracia de Dios a través de Cristo, debemos estar .... [Haz click para continuar]
Pope Francis says we will emerge from this time of crisis better or worse, but not the same. In this moment, we can renew our relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ, who is present to us in the Holy Eucharist. .... On June 19, 2022, the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, the Church in the United States will launch a three-year Eucharistic Revival. This is a movement of Catholics across the United States, healed, converted, formed, and unified by an encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist—and sent out in mission for the life of the world. .... Here in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, we will host a series of experiences in the coming year to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ and promote Eucharistic devotion, including: Archdiocesan Eucharistic Congress, Aug. 13, 2022 (Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels); Regional Eucharistic Congresses, fall and winter; 24-Hours with the Lord, fall; Archdiocesan Eucharistic Procession, spring; and Parish Eucharistic processions, June 11, 2023 Please join Archbishop Gomez as we launch this Eucharistic Revival this month.
Jesus said: “I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.” (John 13:34) The major theme for this 5th Sunday of Easter focuses on the essential reason and the commandment of Christ to love, evangelize, spread and proclaim continually the Good News of Jesus Christ to everyone, for the progressing heavenly manifestation to enfold, and for Christ Jesus to offer the totality of himself to God for our salvation. All these happenings in today’s readings can be summarized in one single reason or theme, which is God’s infinite, compassionate and merciful love for us all. “God is love” (1 John 4:8). Love is the essence and reason for all existence of God’s creation. It is because of love, the love of God, the love of Christ, the love of the Gospel, and the love for humanity that motivated earliest Christian missionaries to persevere against all odds to proclaim their faith and hope in Jesus Christ, even when they had to undergo many trials, tribulations, pain and sufferings, and offering up their lives in sacrifice for God, for goodness of all, and for the salvation of humanity. Because of their sacrificial love for Christ, for God and for all, God transforms, sanctifies, and renews everything in God’s creation. This Christian love is the reason for our discipleship, and the vocation of our mission. Love indeed is Jesus Christ’s most important legacy that he gives us, and the most important commandment that he insists on all his disciples to fulfill. Jesus Christ teaches that .... [Click to continue]