Dear Parishioners,
First of all, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who participated in and helped organize our Corpus Christi celebration and Eucharistic Procession. It was truly a beautiful witness of faith as we carried our Eucharistic Lord through our neighborhood, proclaiming that Christ is alive and present among His people. Special thanks to all the volunteers, liturgical ministers, choir members, altar servers, organizers, flower arrangements, school band, PREP teachers and students, VPD and its officers, MAGI and parishioners whose dedication made the celebration so meaningful.
What made the day even more remarkable was the weather. The forecast had predicted unfavorable conditions, yet God blessed us with a beautiful day. It felt as though the Lord Himself acknowledged and blessed our efforts to honor Him publicly. As we walked together in prayer and song, we fulfilled the mission of being witnesses to Christ in the world. As St. John Paul II once said, “The Church draws her life from the Eucharist.” Our procession was a visible reminder of this truth.
In these days, our readings from the Book of Exodus remind us of God's covenant with His people. Through Moses, God tells the Israelites, “I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself” (Ex 19:4). God chose Israel not because they were stronger or better than others, but because of His love and His plan for the salvation of all nations. Being “chosen” was not a privilege for self-glory but a responsibility to reflect God's holiness. The same is true for us. Through Baptism, we too are God's people, called to live faithfully and bear witness to His love.
St. Paul, in Romans 5:6-11, reminds us of the astonishing depth of God's love. “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Human beings may occasionally sacrifice themselves for a good person, but Christ gave His life for the ungodly, for sinners, for all of us. In this way, God proves His love beyond all doubt. As St. Augustine beautifully wrote, “God loves each one of us as if there were only one of us.”
In the Gospel, Jesus looks upon the crowds and is moved with compassion because they are like sheep without a shepherd. His response is not merely sympathy but action. He sends His disciples to proclaim that “the Kingdom of Heaven has come near.” The Church continues that mission today. Pope Francis reminds us that “the Church is called to be the house of the Father's mercy.”
May our participation in the Eucharist strengthen us to be compassionate disciples, faithful to God's covenant and courageous witnesses of His love in our homes, workplaces, and community.
God bless you all.
