Become a Saint

Solemnity of All Saints
November 1, 2024 — Year B
Readings: Rv 7:2-4, 9-14 / Ps 24 / 1 Jn 3:1-3 / Mt 5:1-12a
by Rev. Nixon Negparanon, Pastor

Last night at the Vigil Mass for All Saints Day, there was a boy who was wearing a costume of a saint, maybe a pope or a priest.  And I smiled when he fell in line for Communion, and I gave my appreciation to the boy after Communion before the final prayer, simply because one meaning of Halloween is the eve of the holy, and if it’s the eve of the holy, what costume should our children be wearing?  It should be costumes for saints, not those scary things.  In fact, I mentioned it last night; yes, it’s only for fun, but it’s not something proper for that day, if we truly observe the eve of the holy, because it’s like inviting those unkind or evil spirits.  And once that evil spirit enters our homes, we call the priest.

This reminds me of when I was in my previous parish.  There was a Baptist lady who came to our church and asked for a blessing for her house. I told her she needed to go to her pastor, and she said that her pastor did not know what to do and told her to go to a Catholic priest.  As a priest, even though the person does not belong to your congregation, you help.  When people need help, we just have to help.  That’s our job as Christians, not only as Catholics, as Christians.

Brothers and sisters, we know that every November 1 we celebrate All Saints Day.  What is the purpose of the Church in celebrating All Saints Day?  The Church celebrates All Saints Day simply because this reminds us of our vocation to be holy.  By virtue of our baptism, Christ called us to follow Him, to become holy, to become saints.  A French Catholic novelist, Leon Bloy, said the only real sadness, the only real failure, the only great tragedy in life is not to become a saint.  True, although in life, we have many failures.  When we were children growing up, we had some failures – we disobeyed our parents, or in school we experienced failures.  These are part of life, in jobs, and in everything.   But at the end of our lives, the only thing that matters is our salvation.  To become a saint is the only thing that matters at the end of the day.

If we fail to become a saint, to be the person whom Christ expects us to be, then we fail in life.  That is why, brothers and sisters, if we understand this kind of thinking, our perspective in life will surely change.  The many things that we value a lot in life, we will realize that they are just trivial and that they are not really important.  The important thing in life is to become a saint, because one day all of us desire and dream to be in heaven, and we can only be there if we become a saint.  That’s why Leon Bloy was right that the greatest failure we have in life, the only failure that we will regret for the rest of our lives is not to become a saint.  That’s why when we realize this kind of thinking, we will have that wisdom in our lives.  Wisdom is having a sense of what is really important in life and what is secondary or less important.

We will start to realize that many things in this world are just not really important.  What is truly important are the things that help to bring us to our salvation and make us a saint.  Wisdom is the ability to discern what is of lasting value and what is of passing concern.  Yes, we may become popular, we may become a mayor, a governor, a president, priest, a nun, a deacon, or a bishop.  We might become rich and powerful.  But if we do not become righteous or a saint, everything is useless.  We don’t want to regret at the end of our lives that we failed to do that.

What is it to be a saint?  When we hear the word saint, we think of people who are perfect beings.  We think of people who are not tempted, people who never get angry.  These are the misconceptions that we have about saints.  Saints are actually human beings like us.  They also get angry, they fall in love, they have flaws and shortcoming in life.  Sometimes they also commit sin.  Pope Francis once said that saints are not superhumans; they are people who love God and who share this love with others.  And that is a saint.  We experience the love of God and we want to share that love of God with others.

In all ways, in all aspects of life, we just have to share that love with others, loving even those people who are difficult to love.  Saints try to follow the two commandments – love of God and love of neighbor.  Love your neighbor as yourself.  That’s why this beautiful quote is helpful for us:  Saints are sinners who never stop trying to do good.  That’s a real saint.  Saints are sinners who never stop trying to become better persons.   That’s what Mother Teresa tells us.

God does not call us always to be successful.  He always calls us to be faithful.  Every time our weaknesses resurface, our shortcomings will come out.  All we have to do is ask the Lord’s forgiveness and start all over again.  That’s the kind of life the saints have.

Bishop Robert Barron once said: “To be a saint is simply to become a friend of God.”  This means allowing God to live in us.  If we become friends of God, then we allow him to penetrate our whole being.  Saint Paul tells us, in his letter to the Galatians (Gal 2:20), “It is no longer I who live, but Jesus who lives in me.”  That’s very important; if we become true friends of our Lord Jesus Christ, we allow Him to enter into our being.  That’s why every time we go to Mass and receive Communion, it is a good reminder for us that before we receive Jesus, we believe that is Him – not a symbol of Jesus.  But that is Him that we are receiving.  He said, “This is my body.”  So that is Him that we receive.  That is why that every time we partake of Him, He becomes part of our being.  And by consuming Him, we pray and we hope that we think and we speak and we act like Jesus.

That’s very important.  Make that act of faith or prayer; do that prayer.  “Lord, I’m going to receive You right now.  I’m going to consume You.  And You are going to become part of my system and of my body.  You go to my stomach, and You will be distributed to all the parts of my body.  And I want You to transform me to become like You, so that everything that I think, everything that I will say and do and think will be like You.

But brothers and sisters, perhaps we may also ask the question about whether becoming a saint means that we lose our individuality.  Does becoming a saint mean that we also lose our personal life?  The answer is no.  In fact, it is surrendering of ourselves to Christ.  We discover ourselves and our true happiness.  Look at the saints; when they started to offer their lives to Christ, they became peaceful and happy.  They found meaning in their lives.  Why?  That’s just the grace of God.  We cannot explain that.  The world cannot give that kind of grace, that peace, that meaning in life to us.  Only the Lord can give that to us.  That is why, when Christ reigns in our lives, what will disappear?  In us, first our ego, our pride, our self-centeredness, our worldliness, and our greediness.  They will all disappear.  If Christ reigns in our lives, all of that will go away.  We won’t use our pride anymore to defend ourselves.  We remain humble in everything that we do.  So, in Christ we can truly be free.

So, who are the so-called saints?  One of the beautiful things in the Catholic Church is that are a variety of saints.  We know that there are saints who are both male and female.  There are saints who are both rich and poor.  Some are educated, and some are innocent.  Some are old, and some are young.  There is a variety of saints, and there is no one single type of saint; rather there is a wide variety of personalities with different styles and backgrounds and education.  But what do they have in common?  They all became friends of God.  They allowed Jesus to influence their lives.  They allowed Jesus to reign in their lives.  That’s why in everything that they do, they speak in reflection of the things that Jesus taught them.  There’s no saint that expresses the fullness of God; rather, each of the saints in his or her own unique way expresses something of the goodness of God.  True.  Only Jesus reveals to us the fullness of God, but the saints reveal only something or part of the goodness of the Lord.

That’s why many saints have many different ways of expressing the goodness and the love of God. That’s why nowadays, Pope Francis canonized few saints.  One of them is St. Titus Brandsma.  He died of lethal injection in a concentration camp, and one of his famous sayings is, “Do not yield to hatred.  We are here in a dark tunnel, but we have to go on.  At the end, an eternal light is shining for us.”  Amazing!  Despite the threat to his life, despite the difficulty and challenges that he faced, he remained trusting and having faith in God.

That is very important for us, especially when our faith is being tested.  I hear a lot of people questioning whether God really exists, with all the troubles of the world: “I’m worried about myself, I’m worried about my children.  What will happen to the world?  The church is being attacked.  God must not have seen what’s going on in the world.”  Of course, the answer is no.  If we think about persecution of the Church, the Church has experienced a lot of persecutions.  Remember those Dark Ages.  Remember those times when the Church was being suppressed by emperors and kings.  Those mighty powers with great powerful kingdoms – where are they all now?  They’re all under the ground.  But how about the Church that they were persecuting?  The Church has no guns or armies; it only relies on God’s grace and power.  It continues to grow even larger.  And that’s the face of God.  Perhaps, if we were in that time when the persecution happened, we would have said that God does not exist; he allowed my brother or my family member to be murdered, to be fed to the lions.  Perhaps we would have that kind of thinking that God does not exist.  Do you think those people in that time would believe in how the Church is growing today?  If they saw how the Church is growing right now, those people would likely have said that is impossible, and we would never think that the Church would continue to live.

But the grace of God works differently.  That’s why the scripture remains always true.  God will always humble the proud.  Those of you who pray the breviary every day know that plan.  And even Jesus is always true to His word – I will be with you until the end of time.  That is very true up to now.  Worrying about what’s going on in the world, God sees everything.  Trust and have faith in Him, and you will be free of anxiety and depression. Yes, it doesn’t mean that the problem will disappear; it will still be there, but it will not lead you to succumb to the depression and anxiety.  Because we know that there is a God who sees everything, and He can do anything He wants in this world.  He can transform anything in a split second.  All you have to do is to trust His will in our lives.

Another saint that we need to remember is Blessed Carl Acutis, who is the first millennial to be beatified by the Church.  In his short life of fifteen years, he showed to the world that he was a normal person.  Like any other young man or woman who likes to use a computer, he knew how to use the internet and social media.  But despite all this, Carlo Acutis loved God.  And he said that he used his skills to spread the good news.  In fact, he made a website that tells us of Eucharistic miracles that have happened in different parts of the world.

So, brothers and sisters, what should be our challenge today as we celebrate All Saints Day?  I think it would be very good for us to choose a saint to imitate.  Choose a saint that you can relate to, or one whose life you could follow.  Mother Teresa of Calcutta, because she was a saint who loved to take care of the neglected and the poor.  Or whatever saint you would want to imitate.  And pray for that saint and ask that saint to help and intercede for you.  I hope, brothers and sisters, despite your busy schedules, or the things that you enjoy in life, I pray and I hope that you will become friends of our Lord Jesus Christ.  And let us not forget the only real sadness, the only real failure, the only great tragedy in life is not to become a saint.

Rooted in Faith and Love

Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
June 16, 2024 — Year B
Readings: Ez 17:22-24 / Ps 92 / 2 Cor 5:6-10 / Mk 4:26-34
by Rev. Nixon Negparanon, Pastor

This Sunday, we celebrate the liturgy with hearts open to the word of God, which reveals the mysteries of faith and the kingdom of heaven. Today’s readings, filled with imagery of growth and cultivation, invite us to reflect on the role of fathers, both earthly and heavenly, in nurturing and guiding the growth of their families and communities.

In the first reading, from Ezekial, God promises to take a tender shoot from the top of a cedar and plant it on a high and lofty mountain.  This tender shoot will grow into a majestic cedar, providing shelter and shade for all creatures.

This image is a powerful reminder of the role of parents as planters and nurturers. Fathers are called to plant seeds of faith, love, and virtue in the hearts of their children, trusting that God will bring these seeds into fruition. Just as the cedar grows strong and tall, so too do the seeds of guidance and example provided by fathers help their children grow in strength and character.

The psalm speaks of the righteous flourishing, like a palm tree and growing like a cedar of Lebanon, planted in the house of the Lord. This flourishing is not just physical, but spiritual and moral.  On Father’s Day we honor the fathers who, through their steadfast love and dedication, have created environments where their children can thrive. Their commitment and sacrifices are akin to the nurturing environment provided by fertile soil, allowing their children to grow deep roots in faith and moral integrity.

Karol Wojtyla Sr., father of the future Pope John Paul II, played a pivotal role in shaping his son’s spiritual life, as detailed in the book, John Paul II: Man of Prayer. Widowed when his son was just nine, Karol, known as “the captain,” was a quiet, upright, retired soldier and former tailor, who took on the roles of cooking, cleaning, and making his son’s clothes. He encouraged his son in his friendships, studies, and sports.

But most importantly, he instilled a deep faith in him. Their modest apartment in Wadowice, Poland was described by John Paul II as a domestic seminary. The elder Wojtyla set an example through his own deep and unselfconscious piety, praying often on his knees and making prayer a constant in their lives.  The two would read the Bible and pray the rosary together.

One significant detail from the book highlights this devotion.  Sometimes, young Karol would wake in the night to find his father kneeling in the dark, praying silently. This profound example of faith and integrity greatly influenced the spiritual formation of the future Pope.

Paul reminds us in the second reading that we walk by faith, not by sight. Fathers often embody this principle in their role as providers and protectors, making countless decisions and sacrifices, motivated by love and faith, even when the outcomes are uncertain. Paul’s message encourages fathers to persevere in their mission, trusting that their efforts, guided by faith, will be pleasing to the Lord.

Finally. in the gospel of Mark, Jesus uses the parables of growing seed and the mustard seed to illustrate the kingdom of God.  These parables highlight the mysterious and gradual growth of the kingdom, often unnoticed, but unstoppable. Fathers can draw inspiration from these parables, understanding that their efforts, even the smallest acts of love and guidance, are like seeds planted in the hearts of their children.  Though the growth may be slow and imperceptible at times, the impact is profound and enduring.

A man was visiting a farmer and saw him planting his field. “What are you sowing?” he asked. “Wheat” was the answer. “And what do you expect to reap from it?” he asked. “Wheat, of course,” said the farmer.

The very same day, some little thing provoked the farmer to go into cursing and swearing.  The visitor asked, “What are you sowing now?” The farmer said, “What? Do you take such serious views of every mood, word, and action?” The visitor replied, “Yes. For every word helps to form a permanent temper. And for every word we must give account, and every act aids to form a habit. And habits are to the soul what the veins and arteries are to the blood, the courses in which it moves and will move forever. By all these little words and actions, we are forming character, and the character will go with us to eternity, and according to it will be our destiny and the destiny of others forever.”

Jesus’ parable emphasizes the natural and gradual process of growth.  The seed grows night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up. This underscores the idea that spiritual growth and the advancement of God’s kingdom are often not immediately visible but occur continuously and inevitably over time.  It reassures believers that God is at work, even when we do not see immediate results. Our role is to plant the seed and trust in God’s timing for the growth and fruition.

The transformation from a tiny seed to a large plant signifies the profound impact the kingdom of God can have on the world and on individuals’ lives. The mustard plant becomes large enough that the birds of the air can perch in its shade.

This highlights the inclusive and expansive nature of God’s kingdom, providing shelter, refuge, and community. It challenges believers to consider how their faith and actions can contribute to creating a welcoming and nurturing environment for others.

The parable encourages us and those who may feel that their efforts are too small to make a difference. It reassures us that God values and can use even the smallest acts of faith and kindness in a world that often celebrates immediate success and grand gestures. This parable invites us to appreciate the humble beginnings and trust in the long-term impact of our faithfulness.

This Sunday, the Church calls us to trust in the power of small beginnings and our role in enhancing the growth of the kingdom of God. It encourages us to nurture our faith; be patient with the process; and contribute to a community where all can find refuge and support. This reflection invites us to embrace the mystery of God’s work in the world and our lives, holding onto the hope that even the small seeds of faith can grow into something magnificent.

Today, brothers and sisters, as we reflect on the readings and celebrate Father’s Day, let us give thanks for the fathers and father figures in our lives.  Let us recognize the vital role they play in nurturing, guiding, and supporting their families.  Their love and dedication reflect God’s love for us: a love that is patient, steadfast, and ever-present.

As we honor our fathers, let us also pray for them, that they may continue to be strong and faithful stewards of their families, and that they may be blessed with wisdom and grace to lead their children towards life rooted in faith and love. May all fathers find joy in their vocation, and may their children grow to be the living testimony to their tireless love and devotion.

May Jesus Christ be praised.

He Lays Down His Life

Fourth Sunday of Easter
April 21, 2024 — Year B
Readings: Acts 4:8-12 / Ps 118 / 1 Jn 3:1-2 / Jn 10:11-18
by Rev. Nixon Negparanon, Pastor

Perhaps you are already very familiar with Psalm 23, the most popular psalm, on the Good Shepherd. Jesus, in our gospel today, tells us that He came precisely so that we may live with that life, peace, and happiness described in Psalm 23. Part of it I will read to you:

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures He gives me repose.
Beside restful waters He leads me.
He refreshes my soul.
He guides me in right paths for His name’s sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley, I fear no evil.
For You are at my side with Your rod and Your staff that give me courage.”

As we ponder upon our readings this Sunday, our hearts are drawn to the profound imagery of Jesus as the Good Shepherd. In this beautiful passage from the Gospel of St. John, we are reminded of the tender care and unwavering love that Jesus, our Shepherd, extends to each of us.

As we reflect on this imagery, we are invited to contemplate our relationship with Jesus. Just as a shepherd knows his sheep by name and lays down his life for them, Jesus knows each of us intimately, and selflessly offers Himself for our salvation. It’s a comforting thought, knowing that amidst life’s uncertainties and challenges, we have a shepherd who guides, protects, and sustains us.

This middle Sunday of Easter season is traditionally celebrated as Good Shepherd Sunday. We lift up the particular image of Jesus and the way of thinking about God’s care for us. We hear the deeply comforting words of Psalm 23. We are reminded that Jesus not only protects us in our darkest hour, but that He freely laid down His life for us. What greater love can be imagined?

This image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd is one that is well-known, and so it should be. When we think of Him in this image, it brings to our mind all kinds of images which recall the ways in which Our Lord cares for us. As stated in Psalm 23, God Himself is depicted in lovely ways as the shepherd of His people.

Perhaps most significantly are the promises that God makes through His prophets that, since no one else is worthy or able to assume the responsibility, He will Himself come and be His people’s shepherd. In His care, people will be safe, and they will be content.

With this in mind, we hear Jesus’ claim, and we cannot help but be struck by the significance of it. His claim is that He is God, come to His people as promised, to be their shepherd. He is the fulfiller of the long hopes of God’s people.

Why did Jesus use this image of the Good Shepherd? In Palestine, the shepherd brought the sheep into the sheepfold every night. It was a circular stone wall with an opening or door where the sheep entered. Once the sheep were inside for the night, the shepherd slept in that opening or door all night. The sheep could not get out without stepping over the shepherd’s body, which meant they would not get out at all during the night.

Jesus is the gate, and anyone who enters through Him will be safe and will go freely in and out and be sure of finding pasture. Others steal, kill, and destroy, but Jesus is the Good Shepherd.

The Church calls us to reflect on our role as sheep in Jesus’ flock. Do we listen attentively to His voice, trusting in His guidance, even when the path ahead seems unclear? Do we allow ourselves to be led to the green pastures of spiritual nourishment and the still waters of His peace? Or do we wander off, entangled in the destructions and temptations of the world?

Moreover, the image of Jesus as Good Shepherd challenges us to consider our own role as shepherds to others. How do we extend Christ’s love and compassion to those around us, especially to those who are lost, vulnerable, or in need of care? Are we willing to emulate Jesus’ sacrificial love, laying down our lives for the sake of others?

This Sunday is also known as Vocation Sunday, and vocations to the priesthood and the religious life are highlighted. There is something that we are asking of the Lord. There is something that we want of the Lord. We are asking the Lord to send more men and women to serve in His vineyard and especially more men to serve as shepherds as priests and deacons in the Church. Yet the fact is that many are called, but few have responded.

So let us ask the Lord to open the hearts of those He has called, so that they will follow the Good Shepherd in laying down their lives to serve God and His people. On our part, let us pray, and let us also encourage those who are discerning the call of the Lord, that may the Eternal Shepherd send us good shepherds who will serve with love and lead the people of God to green pastures and peaceful waters as well as through the valleys of darkness and distress.

In the vales of the world, often fraught with division and uncertainty, the image of the Good Shepherd offers us hope and reassurance. It reminds us that we are never alone, that we are cherished and protected by a Shepherd who will never abandon us. As we journey through life, let us strive to follow the voice of our Shepherd, trusting His guidance, and seeking to share His love with all whom we encounter.

May Jesus Christ be praised.

Soldiers of Christ

Fifth Sunday of Easter
May 7, 2023 – Year A
Readings: Acts 6:1-7 / Ps 33 / 1 Pt 2:4-9 / Jn 14:1-12
by Rev. Dan Kelly, Guest Celebrant

“Amen, amen, I say to you.” Why do we hear this repetitiveness? It’s kind of Jewish prose, if you will. A way of speaking, a way of writing even.

As a youngster, attending Holy Mass when it was celebrated in Latin. Maybe I was only in fourth grade or so. I was captivated by some of the repetitions that I would hear. When the priest would read the gospel, it would be read in Latin, and then it would be read in English. And the priest would say, “Amen, amen, dico vobis.” So when I came home from Mass, I would say to Dad, “Amen, amen, dico vobis.” It was such a familiar thing to me, I actually knew what I was saying, because he gave it to us in English too. But that sort of rhythm was something that captivated me. It was also part of the Hebrew heritage of the repetitiveness, for calling attention: “Amen, amen I say to you.”

The other thing I want to call your attention to is the fact that we have in the reading from the Acts of the Apostles the naming and the calling of the first deacons. They chose seven men filled with the Holy Spirit. The first deacons: Stephen, filled with faith and the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Timon, Parmenas, Nicanor, Nicholas of Antioch, a convert. They presented these men to the apostles.

We’re anticipating, coming in just a few weeks, the Feast of Pentecost, the coming of the Holy Spirit. And I’m wondering when’s the first time that I ever thought seriously about the Holy Spirit. It was when I was to receive the sacrament of Confirmation. You’re going to receive the Holy Spirit when the bishop comes in. He’ll be wearing that tall hat called a mitre, and he will walk down the aisle and then he will face you. You will come forward, and he will anoint you and put hands on your head and confirm you in the Faith. And you will be Soldiers of Christ. It meant you had the courage and the strength to defend your faith in Jesus Christ.

Now what about those men selected to be deacons? What is this role of deacon about? They don’t collect any salary. What they do is serve in their parishes. There you have a little summary of the diaconate, much of which you may have already known.

I’m going to turn now to the gospel. It’s the Last Supper, and the apostle John is remembering all this. Jesus is talking to the apostles, if you remember. They ask Him, “Where are You going?” And He has to explain. Jesus knows that He’s about to die. He also knows that He will be spending the night in agony in the garden. So He’s trying to explain to His apostles at the Last Supper how they must have strength and must have courage.

Soon we will have the feast of Pentecost in which the Holy Spirit comes down upon the apostles. Not only the apostles, but others too, including the Blessed Virgin Mary. But He knows that they need to have strength. He will be arrested. And the next day He will be on trial. They’re going to see some terrible things happening to their leader, and they’ll remember His healings, His raising of the dead, Lazarus and others, and His driving the devil out and of those who were possessed by the devil.

On that night, He also gives His commandment to love one another. As Jesus washed the feet of His apostles what did Peter say? Oh, you’re not going to wash my feet. And Jesus answered, Peter, if you don’t let me wash your feet how can you enter into the Kingdom with me then? What else did Peter say? Wash my head. Wash me all over, if that’s what it takes.

So why did Jesus wash the apostles’ feet? Because the washing of feet was done in a household by the lowest slave. And Jesus Himself takes that role of a lowest servant in a household and puts on an apron and washes the feet of His disciples. By doing so, He reminds them that that’s what they need to be doing.

The path to death does not end with death. And that is what we can recall too. Whenever illness, great illness affects us or loved ones in this life we have this great confidence and hope in life eternal. God bless us all in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Good Shepherds

Fourth Sunday of Easter
May 8, 2022 — Year C
Readings: Acts 13:14, 43-52 / Ps 100 / Rev 7:9, 14b-17 / Jn 10:27-30
by Rev. Nixon Negparanon, Pastor

Four clergymen, taking a short break from their heavy schedules, were on a park bench chatting and enjoying an early Spring day.

“You know, since all of us are such good friends,” said one, “this might be a good time to discuss personal problems.”  They all agreed.

“Well, I would like to share with you the fact that I drink to excess,” said one.  There was a gasp from the other three.

Then another spoke up.  “Since you were so honest, I’d like to say that my big problem is gambling.  It’s terrible, I know, but I can’t quit.  I’ve even been tempted to take money from the collection plate.”  Another gasp was heard.

The third clergyman spoke.  “I’m really troubled, brothers, because I’m growing fond of a woman in my church, a married woman.”  More gasps.

But the fourth remained silent.  After a few minutes, the others coaxed him to open up.  “The fact is that I just don’t know how to tell you about my problem.”

“It’s all right, brother, your secret is safe with us,” said the others.

“Well, it’s this way,” he said, “You see, I’m an incurable gossip.”

Brothers and Sisters, jokes like this have shaped our view of priests, as if there is no difference between the life and work of a priest and that of other Christians.  That is true only up to a point.  We see another dimension to the life and work of priests when we consider it from the aspect of vocations, or the Call of God.  This is the aspect that the Church wants us to dwell on today, as we observe the World Day of Prayer for Vocations.  Today the Church invites us to reflect on the meaning of God’s call, and to pray for an increase in vocations.

To help us reflect on the meaning of the priestly vocation, let us not only pray for religious vocations, but also encourage and support young men and women who have the inclination to walk the less-travelled road.  If you feel you are called, or have the desire, to serve God and His people in a more meaningful way, and without having a family, a wife or children, then you are called to become a priest and to grab that opportunity given by God.  You should inquire further and discern God’s will.  You can consult me or some other priest regarding your desire, or call our Vocation Director.

One way of showing our love for God, especially for parents, is by supporting and encouraging our children to enter the priesthood.  The family is the seedbed of vocations; a fertile ground for more vocations.  Parents can demonstrate their faith in the way they encourage their children.

In last Sunday’s gospel, we heard Jesus three times give Peter the charge to “feed my sheep.”  In that way, He made Peter a shepherd, a pastor, a priest.  In today’s gospel, the Church presents to us the figure of Jesus, the Good Shepherd.  Our Lord continues His work of shepherding His people through Peter and his co-workers, the apostles and the disciples, and through their successors, the Pope, the bishops, priests, deacons, catechists, laypeople, and others.

Today is also known as Good Shepherd Sunday.  In today’s gospel, Jesus tells us what a good shepherd is.  A good shepherd is present, knows, directs, tends, and protects the sheep.

We who are in involved in shepherding others in one way or another, would do well to ask ourselves today if we are good or bad shepherds or shepherdesses, in the light of today’s gospel.

First of all, a shepherd must be present to the sheep.  How can the sheep hear someone who is absent, or is not accessible, or is hard to reach?  We can say anything we want, or put up numerous excuses and reasons, but being present and being with the sheep are very basic and important.

Second, a good shepherd knows the sheep, or at least takes time and gives effort to get to know the sheep.  We want shepherds who are genuinely interested and who genuinely care.  A text message says it beautifully:  People don’t care about what you know, as long as they know you care.

Third, a good shepherd leads and directs the sheep.  He or she must have an idea, a direction, of where to lead the sheep.  The good shepherd or shepherdess must have a clear vision and a strong sense of mission for the sheep.

Fourth, a good shepherd gives.  He or she must have a sense of sacrifice.  We need shepherds and shepherdesses who can also give us our sense of dignity, freedom, respect, and personhood.

Finally, a good shepherd protects the sheep.  He or she must be aware and must protect us from all that would harm us.  When push comes to shove, he or she must be ready to sacrifice life and limb for the good of the sheep.

So, Brothers and Sisters, on Good Shepherd Sunday, let us pray for more good shepherds of the church.  Let us also pray for a better understanding and appreciation of the life and work of ordained ministers, so that more and more people avail themselves of the grace which God makes available through them.  Let us also pray that more young people will be drawn to follow in their footsteps and generously answer the call of God.

Be Good Shepherds

Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
July 18, 2021 — Year B
Readings: Jer 23:1-6 / Ps 23 / Eph 2:13-18 / Mk 6:30-34
by Rev. Nixon Negparanon, Pastor

In our first reading, the prophet Jeremiah reveals God’s displeasure with the leaders of Israel at that time, because they thought only of their own interests and not the welfare of God’s people. We can understand how God feels, because even today, we can still experience that type of leader, even in the Church – leaders who don’t really work for the betterment of society. (more…)

What, How, and Why to Preach

Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
July 11, 2021 — Year B
Readings: Am 7:12-15 / Ps 85 / Eph 1:3-14 / Mk 6:7-13
by Rev. Nixon Negparanon, Pastor

There is a story about St. Peter, who, one day was very busy at the gate of Heaven due to the numerous newest arrivals, most of whom were farmers and poor people.  As he was about to admit them, he saw a politician in the group.  He motioned for the man to step forward, then escorted him inside.  As the man entered, a marching band came to meet him, and a red carpet was spread out. (more…)

Living the Faith

Fourth Sunday of Easter
May 3, 2020 – Year A
Readings: Acts 2:14A, 36-41 / Ps 23 / 1 Pt 2:20B-25 / Jn 10:1-10
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

We are now in the month of May, and in this time of the year we honor the Blessed Virgin Mary, our Lord Jesus’ mother and our mother. One of her titles is Our Lady of Victory. We believe that with her on our side, we, and all God’s children all over the world, will win in our battle against this invisible enemy, the Coronavirus, because we have an invincible God who is all powerful and almighty, and He is our shepherd. (more…)

How Can This Be Possible?

Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God
January 1, 2020 – Year A
Readings: Nm 6:22-27 / Ps 67 / Gal 4:4-7 / Lk 2:16-21
by Deacon Michael Stinson, Guest Homilist

When I was in college, I often went to a particular convenience store that was near our campus. I usually went there in the evening to get coffee, when I was studying in one of the classrooms that was just across the road. The name of that store was “Tinee Giant.” I went there so often that I bought a mug with the store logo on it, and I still have it. For some reason they spelled “Tiny,” T-I-N-E-E.

That name, Tinee Giant, is what we call in English class an oxymoron. It’s a figure of speech that puts two things together that seem to be opposite, like tiny and giant. How can something be tiny and giant at the same time? I’ll bet you can think of more oxymorons: “jumbo shrimp”? That’s a favorite one. “Open secret,” “virtual reality,” “alone in a crowd,” “unpopular celebrity,” and of course, you can quote Shakespeare: a “damned saint,” an “honorable villain.” (more…)

Faith: God Is With Us

Fourth Sunday of Advent
December 22, 2019 – Year A
Readings: Is 7:10-14 / Ps 24 / Rom 1:1-7 / Mt 1:18-24
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

A couple of weeks ago when I was in the Philippines preparing to fly back here to the US, the Philippine weather bureau had announced that a super typhoon was about to hit our island. This caused the airlines to cancel all of the flights. This super typhoon was probably the equivalent of a category 5 hurricane.

The most popular shelter there during the storms has always been the Catholic churches, because they are the biggest and the strongest buildings in the islands. Most of all, people feel safe there because, as we all believe, the Lord Jesus is present there in the church: Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity in the Blessed Sacrament. (more…)