Good day Friends!
I wish you well and happy. The first month of this new year already passed us and here we are in the second. If you follow the news of what is going on around the world, country, and local, especially with the recent shooting in Monterey, it appears that we all are left with a bad taste in the mouth. So where do we go from here? How are we coping? What will be our future? What will be next? More question and question…. As Christians, we cannot let these negativities take away our hope and joy, but rather we must face them with our firm faith in God by praying, working together, and doing our best. Back in the early church, Christians were struggling with their own issues and St. Peter reaffirmed them: “Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope but do it with gentleness and reverence, keeping your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who defame your good conduct in Christ may themselves be put to shame” (1Peter 3:15-16). So, what is the reason for your hope? How do you share your hope with your loved ones or anybody you encounter? Do you have hope by the way?
We all do have ups and downs in life, but I believe that God always has His way to assure us hope and His divine providence as illustrated in the lives of Saints and others. Regardless of what kind of personal crisis, St. Paul attested that God’s grace is sufficient for him: “Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12: 9-10). In facing our daily turmoil, we must refuse to allow negative things get into us because we have the power to do so. How? First, we must acknowledge and believe that God is still working in/through us and others. Second, we must do something. Third, we must stick to the community for strength and support in order to foster our relationship with God, others, and inner-selves. Lastly, we must get involved in charity and increase good deeds in bringing joy and hope to other vulnerable at the personal level. Again, St. James was very adamant in challenging Christians to be consistent between faith and action: “So also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead. Indeed someone may say, “You have faith and I have works.” Demonstrate your faith to me without works, and I will demonstrate my faith to you from my works” (2: 17-18). As such, to facilitate our coping process and to nurture our hope, I kindly invite you to review the ministries and upcoming events in this weekly bulletin. Also, don’t forget that we have free coffee and donuts every Sunday!
Thank you for being here and God bless!
Fr. Long Nguyen
