Dear Friends,
Confirmation day was such a beautiful summer-like day. Archbishop Pérez celebrated two Masses and administered the Sacrament to ___ of our young disciples. This marks the third of the three Sacraments of Initiation that they have received (Baptism, Holy Communion, and Confirmation). This Sacrament confirms them with the full outpouring of the Holy Spirit Who dwells within their (and our) very souls. We are Temples of God by God’s grace! Congratulations to them and to their families on such a blessed and special day.
This weekend at the 12 Noon Mass, we host our annual Mass of Remembrance, remembering our loved ones who died this past year. As was announced, we will place pictures of your loved ones in the Sanctuary for the Mass and read out their names as we pray for them and for all the Faithful Departed.
Our faith in the risen Jesus Christ confirms that death does not have the final word. It is not the end. Our relationship is changed with those who have departed from us, but we are still in communion with them through our Lord Jesus Christ. Our prayers for them are beneficial for them and remind us of this union that we have through God. And, we look forward in hope to our entrance into His everlasting glory, where there are no more tears, no sufferings, nor pain. In that hope we pray with confidence: Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
One final thought, I was struck by the last sentence in our Gospel this weekend. Jesus says, “By your perseverance you will secure your lives.” Jesus is prophesizing about the fall of Jerusalem and the crowd wants to know when that will be. He warns them that many false prophets will come; there will be wars, insurrections, earthquakes, famines, plagues; they will seize and persecute His disciples, imprison them, and even put them to death. Jesus urges trust because He will give His disciples wisdom that cannot be refuted. The words they speak will come from God and God will not let them (us) be destroyed.
The Gospel eerily reflects the many happenings and events occurring in our world today. For sure all of these have been found in each age of the world throughout these past two thousand plus years. But Jesus is assuring us of His presence and God’s help in every age, and today, telling us, “By your perseverance you will secure your lives.” Faith leads us to persevere in accord with God’s graces and blessings. As Saint John Paul II told us, “Brothers and sisters, do not be afraid to welcome Christ and accept his power…. Do not be afraid. Open wide the doors for Christ.” May we open the doors of our hearts, minds, and souls to Christ every day!
God bless you, God love you,
Monsignor McCulken
