Today we also celebrate the feast of Christ the King and we are once again reminded by the Archbishop that Jesus is ever present in every single one of us. When we go to Bicol for our mission trip, we remember what Jesus has called us to do, to show compassion and love to those in need. By doing this, we are also loving God as he is present is every single one of us.
We pray for all the newly confirmed L9s, that they will stay committed to God and that they would continue to contribute in the building of the church. It has been a wonderful journey thus far and let us continue to treasure the friendships we have formed and end of the year with a bang by making this mission trip a success :)
Uncle Al writes:
Despite its inherent daunting challenge, I've always loved this week's Gospel reading from Matthew, Chapter 25, describing "the Last Judgment." It says that we ultimately will be judged by whether or not we serve the "least" -- the lost and most needy people -- among us.
That passage always conjures up in my imagination an occasional chance discovery by me of someone struggling in one of the ways listed. I see myself interrupting my routine to respond to a lonely, hungry or oppressed person's need.
So, according to my imagined scene, I pass judgment. Sometimes, thanks to the calling of this Gospel, I do this in real life.
But I have the nagging feeling that such an approach is minimal. Consider the companion reading from Ezekiel, in which the Lord seeks out the lost, strayed, injured and sick to heal and comfort them. I've witnessed other people who have made seeking out the least the foundation of their lives. For instance, a woman I know has spent her entire adulthood training, creating employment opportunities and advocating for individuals with disabilities. Her restaurant business became secondary to training and employing the disabled in meaningful work for which their community would respect them. Besides restaurants, this lady set up small catering and restaurant support enterprises, always focused on providing handicapped people with marketable skills.
Recently she initiated a program, training and employing persons with disabilities, to contract with certain businesses to develop and maintain databases.
Nancy has made it her occupation to seek out people struggling at the margins of society and help them fulfill their human potential and encourage their independence.
Jesus said, "Whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me."
Indeed, we come face to face with our love for God in serving "the least," even if it's only when we run across them from time to time. But if we seek out and continue to accompany "the least" among us, we likewise find Christ and remain with him.
Congratulations to everyone on your confirmation. You have received the power. Now use it.
Uncle Al writes:
Despite its inherent daunting challenge, I've always loved this week's Gospel reading from Matthew, Chapter 25, describing "the Last Judgment." It says that we ultimately will be judged by whether or not we serve the "least" -- the lost and most needy people -- among us.
That passage always conjures up in my imagination an occasional chance discovery by me of someone struggling in one of the ways listed. I see myself interrupting my routine to respond to a lonely, hungry or oppressed person's need.
So, according to my imagined scene, I pass judgment. Sometimes, thanks to the calling of this Gospel, I do this in real life.
But I have the nagging feeling that such an approach is minimal. Consider the companion reading from Ezekiel, in which the Lord seeks out the lost, strayed, injured and sick to heal and comfort them. I've witnessed other people who have made seeking out the least the foundation of their lives. For instance, a woman I know has spent her entire adulthood training, creating employment opportunities and advocating for individuals with disabilities. Her restaurant business became secondary to training and employing the disabled in meaningful work for which their community would respect them. Besides restaurants, this lady set up small catering and restaurant support enterprises, always focused on providing handicapped people with marketable skills.
Recently she initiated a program, training and employing persons with disabilities, to contract with certain businesses to develop and maintain databases.
Nancy has made it her occupation to seek out people struggling at the margins of society and help them fulfill their human potential and encourage their independence.
Jesus said, "Whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me."
Indeed, we come face to face with our love for God in serving "the least," even if it's only when we run across them from time to time. But if we seek out and continue to accompany "the least" among us, we likewise find Christ and remain with him.
Congratulations to everyone on your confirmation. You have received the power. Now use it.
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