3RD SUNDAY OF LENT
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The Gospel shows us, first, a conversation between Jesus and some people who told Him about a tragic situation that happened. Jesus made clear that those things did not happen because they were greater sinners than the rest. But even more, Jesus was emphatic in the main lesson: if you do not repent you will all perish as they did. The point is simple and very important: we can ask many questions about the problem of evil; we can reflect and talk about important issues. In the end, what matters is if we repent, if we work for our conversion and live according to the Gospel.

Lent is a time to bear fruit. This is why the second part of the Gospel tells us about the parable of the fig tree: from a simple perspective, if a tree does not give fruits, you cut it off. But Jesus, the gardener, intercedes for us and obtains a new opportunity. Lent is that time of salvation in which we should offer some fruit. We don´t know how many more Lents we will have; how many more opportunities. Now is the acceptable time, now is the time of salvation. Let us give fruits now.

With my prayers,
Fr. Daniel

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2ND SUNDAY OF LENT
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No Homily Recording this Week

Dear friends in Christ,
The second Sunday in Lent takes to a different place than where we went a week ago, when Jesus took us to the desert to witness his temptations. Today we go with Him to the mountain, where we can see his glory in the mystery of the Transfiguration.

Now, the important detail is that we “can” see his glory. The Gospel tells us, significantly, that when Jesus’ face changed in appearance and Moses and Elijah appeared, the disciples were asleep. This is what we read: Peter and his companions had been overcome by sleep, but becoming fully awake, they saw his glory. Just as the disciples, we can be “asleep”, distracted and not see the glory of the Lord as it is manifested before our eyes in so many ways. But also, we can become fully awake, and so see his glory. Lent is the time to try to become fully awake through more prayer, more sacrifice and more charity.

With my prayers,
Fr. Daniel

1ST SUNDAY OF LENT
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Dear friends in Christ,
A new Lent has begun and so we are taken again with Jesus to the desert. These forty days are a time to be with Him, more closely, more intimately, in the silence and quietude of the desert. Lent is considered a desert because it is a time that should be different; a season in which change should help us to grow closer to God. This is why we commit to some resolutions: not simply to keep some external customs, but rather to do things that might not be part of normal routine and can help us to work in our conversion. These resolutions should be means to grow in charity, to offer some sacrifice and to pray better.

Do you have your Lenten resolution? Is it something that will move you closer to Christ? Is it easy or challenging? May our resolutions help us to experience the unique character of Lent; may they guide our steps through the desert of this time of conversion.

With my prayers for a holy Lent,
Fr. Daniel

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5TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
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Dear brothers and sisters,
The liturgy of the Word of this Sunday clearly makes us think about our calling. We are all called to follow Christ, but also, as it appears in the readings, to be his apostles. This is one of the points in which we can find more resistance among Catholics. While most people will accept that we should all announce the good news of Christ, very few would do the simple math: that means me too. In some strange but common way of reasoning, we frequently find arguments to be the exception to the rule: I don’t have time, I have too many problems, I am not worthy, I have no formation. However, our readings show us that there are no excuses. Isaiah felt unclean and yet he was sent; Paul, who had persecuted the Church, was not fit to be called an apostle, and yet he was chosen; Peter was aware of his sinfulness, and still, Jesus called him to be a fisher of men. Our excuses are no more than that: excuses. We should not try to show God what, apparently, he missed when he called us (our lack of time, our past sins, our lack of preparation, etc). He knows that, and He calls us today to be his apostles. What will we say? Hopefully, even being aware of our unworthiness, we will say like Isaiah: here I am, send me.

With my prayers,
Fr. Daniel

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2ND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
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No homily recording this week.

Dear brothers and sisters,
After the special days of the Christmas season, we are just beginning the path a new ordinary time, with our focus placed now on following Christ along his ordinary, daily life. It is very meaningful that today we are called to reflect on Jesus’ first sign and on Mary’s intercession.

Jesus showed his glory to his disciples through a sign that expressed his concern for our happiness: He multiplied wine for a wedding celebration. His hour had not yet come, but He still made what seemed impossible. This “sets the tone” for Jesus’ teaching and ministry: He cares for our salvation, but He also invites us trust in his providence for all our needs. In this first miracle, Mary had a decisive role. She, with motherly reverence and care, noticed that they were running out of wine and interceded for the couple before Jesus. She obtained this miracle, this sign of God’s love, this first manifestation of Christ’s glory.

In the same way, as we begin this year, Jesus wants us to rest assured of his providential love and trust in Him, and Mary wants us to place our confidence in her maternal intercession. With her, we can be certain that our needs will be taken care of, because she will know what is lacking in us and pray for it to her Son.

With my prayers,
Fr. Daniel

THE SOLEMNITY OF THE EPIPHANY
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Dear brothers and sisters,
Happy Solemnity of the Epiphany! Today is a day of great joy and celebration, as we contemplate the glory of Christ, hidden in his humility, yet revealed for those who are humble. The magi came from afar to see the newborn King. There are many details of this narrative that remain unknown to us. But, among those that we know, one aspect of their story appears particularly salient: they were overjoyed when they saw the star. “Overjoyed”… if we look carefully at the original text of the Gospel, a more literal translation would read: they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. These words are so rich! They sound redundant and even clumsy, but they express what words cannot express: the unique joy of knowing that all the promises are being fulfilled, that the long centuries of expectation are reaching their fulfillment, that all evil and suffering are going to be overcome in the coming of the Divine Child.

For us, the star also brings good news. Our own problems find an answer; our sins, redemption; our hopes, fulfillment. It is true: God becomes one of us, He becomes our brother, He comes to redeem our lives. Hope is real, and thus, joy is overwhelming: we too, should rejoice exceedingly with great joy, for we have seen his glory, the glory of his Epiphany.

With my prayers,
Fr. Daniel

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FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY
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Dear brothers and sisters,
Happy feast day of the Holy Family! Still within the octave of Christmas, we are celebrating today one of the most beautiful realities of the mystery of the incarnation: God became man, God became a member of a family. In this way, He teaches us with his own example that family life is part of God’s loving plan for us, that it is a path to holiness.

As we contemplate the simple and meaningful life of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, we feel moved to renew our efforts to grow in our love for our families and be good, as good as we can. And so we listen to the program for growth in virtues announced by St. Paul in the second reading: heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another.

Simple, but sometimes challenging! This is the path of true love, which is the bond of perfection, the way for a truly alive family. We should celebrate the great gift of the birth of Christ, and the joy of being part of a family, knowing that God has sanctified domestic life, opening for us the wonderful horizon of true love.

In Christ, Mary and Joseph,
Fr. Daniel

CHRISTMAS
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Christmas Vespers Homily (4:30PM)

Christmas Night Homily (10:00PM)

Christmas Day Homily (9:00AM)

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