Our desire for everlasting happiness!
The 5th Sunday of Easter invites us to reflect on the personal quest for
happiness each of us carries in our hearts. Our desire for lasting happiness can
sometimes feel like a never-ending thirst. Despite moments when happiness
seems fleeting, we remain hopeful, eager to cherish those precious, joyful
moments and hold onto them a little longer.
Yesterday was truly special as 35 children joyfully received Jesus for the first
time. This sacred event reflects Jesus’ powerful words: “Whoever eats my flesh
and drinks my blood has eternal life” (John 6:54). As your pastor and fellow
believer, I encourage you to continue bringing your children to experience Jesus
with your family. One of the most loving ways to nurture a child’s spiritual growth
is by bringing them to church every Sunday. Life’s busy moments can pull us in
many directions. In today’s Gospel, Jesus’ comforting words: “Do not let your
hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me,” encourage us to
seek spiritual joy and fulfillment through faith each day.
Attending Sunday Mass regularly helps us strengthen our faith and deepen
our understanding. The Eucharist nourishes the soul and guides us toward eternal
happiness. It’s important to recognize that true happiness begins with preparation
here on Earth. Parents play a vital role in helping their children develop a
relationship with Jesus, who longs for peace in their hearts.
This weekend is truly special as we come together to honor the remarkable
dedication of Msgr. John McMahon, celebrating his 60 years of priestly service,
and Father Michael Driscoll, marking his 59 years of devoted ministry. Their lives
are a wonderful example of God’s call, and their sincere response to serve Him is
truly inspiring. As Jesus tells us in the Gospel of St. Mark, “What profit is there for
one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?” (Mark 8:36) – a question that
captures their vocation. Both of them model the importance of prioritizing spiritual
matters over material pursuits. As Pope St. John Paul II beautifully expressed,
“There can be no Eucharist without the priesthood, just as there can be no
priesthood without the Eucharist.” Let us take every opportunity to thank our
priests for their dedicated service and to remember to keep them in our prayers.
Through them, we are blessed to encounter the living Jesus Christ among us in
the Eucharist.
Dear brothers and sisters, celebrating the fact that 35 of our children have
received Jesus for the first time fills our hearts with joy and hope. It also reminds
us of our own journey toward happiness through faith. Let us gather in gratitude
for our priests and their precious vocation and cherish every time we receive the
Eucharist as a step closer to eternal happiness and a deeper connection with God.
Rev. Dominic Toan Tran, Pastor