From Our Pastor

Two thousand years later, although we have a better understanding of the Mission and the teaching of Jesus, unfortunately, we still hold aspirations similar to those of Jesus’ disciples and fight among ourselves for recognition, acceptance, power, positions, and prestige.

Our Christian vocation is a call to serve others. Jesus asks us to care for one another out of love. This is an invitation that Jesus makes to each one of us. It is a personal invitation: “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.”

During his apostolic visit to Cuba in September 2015, Pope Francis said: “Caring for others out of love means putting the question of brothers and sisters at the center. Service always involves looking at specific faces, touching their flesh, feeling their closeness, and even sometimes ‘suffering’ that closeness and trying to help them. Service is never ideological because we don’t serve ideas; we serve people.”

Jesus asked his disciples, “What were you arguing about on the way?” The Church is not a springboard to reach prestigious positions, to emerge, or to gain control over others. The Church is the place where each one shares the gifts he has received from God and celebrates his greatness of being a son and daughter of God in humble service to others. In God’s eyes, the greatest is the one who most resembles Jesus, and Jesus is the servant of all.

During this week, I invite you to reflect on these two questions:

Do I have resentments, jealousy, and conflicts stored in my heart?
What consequences do they bring to my personal life, family, and community?

May the Lord always give you His peace.

Fr. Lalo Jara, OFM
Pastor, Mission San Luis Rey Parish