“Yes, Father,
such has been your gracious will.” (Matthew 11:26)
My
friends I cannot begin to tell you how thrilled I am to be with you today to
celebrate my first Sunday Mass as your new pastor. I’m not just excited because I’m beginning a
new ministry, I’m excited because everywhere God has led me has been a source
of great joy as I share Jesus Christ with the people of God. This is an amazing parish with a great
tradition that spans 60 years, and as I wrote in the bulletin, I was humbled
when they Archbishop called me to tell me that I was coming to Immaculate
Conception in the great city of Hialeah.
While I wasn’t technically born here (I was born in South Miami
hospital), my parents did live here when I was born which is why my father has
no problem telling people that I was actually born in Hialeah. We lived here for two years and now I get to
come back to a place where I literally took my first steps. This week I begin to take my first steps as
your pastor, for such has been God’s gracious will. The words of the gospel today are so
comforting for all of us as we each go through this parochial transition. We turn to God and trust in his will. I remember three years ago, I had this exact
same gospel on my first Sunday in a new parish that was undergoing a similar
transition, and I spoke about the hidden things that God only reveals to the
childlike. As God’s children, we entrust
ourselves to him this day so that he may continue to reveal his will to us and
find rest from our burdens in the Lord.
Jesus
himself promises us that he will give us rest.
We are in the midst of summer and I know that many are off vacationing
especially during the long weekend, but the invitation to rest is a daily one
from the Lord. Where can we find this
rest? Where we can we put on the yoke of
the Lord and learn from him? We are so
blessed as a parish that we have a Perpetual Adoration Chapel. Jesus is there waiting for us, longing for
us, and thirsting for our presence. I
invite you to get to know that chapel, to make it your second home. Since I got here last Monday, I have always
found people in their before work, after work, early in the morning, late at
night, all of them brining their burdens before Jesus in the Eucharist. It is an oasis of peace. Even during the 4th of July
celebration on Friday, there were people there.
There is no greater treasure on this property than the Real Presence of
our Lord in that little chapel. You will
find silence in this noisy world. You will
find the peace that you can rarely found out there.
As
we begin this new chapter in the rich life of our parish, may we rededicate
ourselves to prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. I ask for your prayers as I begin my ministry
as your pastor. Always pray for your
priests. And as we join in prayer, may
we pray for each other that we may strive for nothing less than holiness. During my first nights here, I have walked
around the campus admiring the beautifully lit tower that shines brightly and
can be seen all around this great community.
My prayer this day is that Immaculate Conception continue to be a beacon
like that tower to all who are burdened and need Jesus Christ. Know that I am here to serve you and to walk
with you as we continue to build the Kingdom of God here in Hialeah. Entrusting ourselves to our Blessed Mother
and united in prayer, we thank God for bringing us to this moment, for this has
been his “gracious will.”
