Dear Parishioners and Friends.

Since the beginning of time, He has been called the King. He is superior in His dignity to all creatures and surpasses them, He is their prototype. If He would walk today like He did 2000 years ago, maybe He would have been more well-known, because of the media. His words, gestures and actions would reach people with the same clarity, especially those who would be able to hear His call. He would surely point out the way we should go.

Christ reigns in the human mind not because of the depth of His Mind and the breadth of His knowledge, but because He is the Truth, and His people should accept Truth and draw from it. But do we all see Him as the Lord, Who in the promise of our Salvation, embraces us with love, or do we look, historically, feeling sorry and sad, not seeing in Him the King, our God, the Highest Cause, the greatest Good, but only as an  icon or image?

In the readings for today’s Celebration, God, through a prophet tells us what kind of Shepherd He is: a Protector of all, even of those who have gone astray. ‘For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness.” (Ez 34,11-12).

No matter what we call him, Shepherd, King, Father, He will always be a God who has love, care and tenderness for us, even if we happen to go astray, sin, upset or offend Him by our actions, words, and thoughts.

To obtain fulfillment of these promises here on earth, we must  not only remember that the most important commandment is Love, but above all to put this commandment into action. We need to feed the hungry and give water to the thirsty, not only to provide nourishment – but if needed – to be hospitable to the weary stranger. What about visiting the sick, or those who are imprisoned? A prayer for the dead? Anyway, the point is not about individual deeds, on the basis of: I went, completed the task, and the deed was done. The journey to eternity and holiness does not include a ticket book or voucher, from which we cut out coupons for good deeds or acts of mercy. As a guide for our future life, let us take to heart the words of Jesus Christ: “Truly I tell you, whatever you have done for one of these smallest brothers of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40)

I want to warmly congratulate Rosenda P. Tagamolila, our long-time parishioner from the Philippines, for receiving a distinction, certificate and Medal “Christifidelis Award 2017” from our Cardinal. Rosenda has been a member of the Parish Council for many years, Eucharist minister, lector and parish representative in the Archdiocesan subdivision IV-A.  She is a volunteer in the parish office, as well as in the financial office. May we have more such involved parishioners.

God Bless!