This is a question that resounds in the Gospel. We have the apostles answering with the things they have heard from others. Then Jesus follows with another question, "But who do you say that I am?" and the one that speaks is Peter. If we have been attentive in the previous Sunday readings, Peter has been very outspoken. Only sometimes saying the right thing, and yet being the first one. In this Gospel Reading, he does not make an exception. However, if we pay attention, the disciples can say what others have said about Jesus, but only Peter expresses his faith.

Brothers and Sisters,

This week we are celebrating our Patron Feast. This week we have special readings that express the life of Saint Rose of Lima and her life as a holy woman that cared for people experiencing poverty of her time. The reading of the book of Sirach gives us an introduction to the life of Holiness.

Humility and greatness come together; it might sound like two polar words. However, if we look at the life of Saint Rose of Lima, it shows that these two words come to express the life of a Saint. Brothers and Sisters, let us come together and celebrate the life of this saint and learn from Saint Rose.

Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Peace.

In the Gospel reading, we see an instance in which those who follow Jesus were afraid. That also should make us ponder the relationship of those who followed Jesus in their time; they were insecure. We could also say that even in our time, we are not different from those disciples. We struggle to follow and become afraid or discouraged in times of trouble.

Dear Fellow Disciples, peace.

According to the dictionary definition, to be transfigured is to “transform into something more beautiful or elevated.” This is what we see happening in Matthew’s Gospel today: Jesus takes his closest disciples up the mountain and there he is transformed – he is transfigured – before them. "His face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light”.

Dear Fellow Disciples, peace.

The parables of today's Gospel illustrate different paths leading to discipleship in the kingdom of God (or... of Heaven, as Matthew likes to call it).

The metaphor of the found treasure shows the kingdom flourishing within someone who welcomes it. Even though with no preparation, almost in a hurry. In a short time, the person passes through a conversion experience, touched by faith, leaving behind sin and vices.

Dear Fellow Disciples, peace.

Jesus warned us about the influence of evil in our lives. It is naive to think that we are free from the attacks of the forces of the anti- Kingdom, anti-God, anti-Church. Even worse is to convince ourselves and others that the devil doesn't exist. This is what he wants in order to deceive more, confuse more, destroy more. God's enemy, and ours, aims to neutralize the work of God in the world and our lives.

Dear Fellow Disciples, peace.

The parable of the sower calls attention to some important points on the missionary work of the disciples. Their work is to sow, not worry about the harvest. They need to reach out to as many people as possible.

Dear Fellow Disciples, peace.

In the time of Jesus, many scribes gave too much importance to themselves. They seemed to feel superior as compared to others, as if they had some religious knowledge unattainable by others. They saw themselves closer to God more than their fellow men and held the knowledge of God’s will.

Dear Fellow disciples, peace.

This Sunday’s Gospel reports maybe the hardest demand of Jesus to his disciples. He must be at the center, first place, in the life of each disciple.

To love Jesus implies having Him and His gospel at the center of our existence as the motor that gives strength and life to everything. It is to take all choices and decisions having in mind our sense of belonging to Him. He will become the source and the light of every step we make and every breath we take. There is no compromise! Our other loves must stay behind His. Otherwise, it will not be true love.

Dear Fellow Disciples, peace.

There will always be forces against the building up of the Kingdom of God in this world. Those forces will try to misguide, deviate and deceive the disciples of Jesus. Those called by Him to build the kingdom here and now. The disciples will be faced with a hard price to pay for staying faithful to God.

Their courage comes from the sure hope that their life is in God's hands. For this reason, there is nothing to fear, not even these diabolical forces. They know that nothing happens in their life that is not controlled and permitted by God.

Dear Fellow Disciples, peace.

Jesus used the metaphor of the harvest and the laborers as a way to talk about the need to have co-workers, collaborators in the mission. It is just too much work to be done just by one person. Those available to help are few. Hence the need to recruit a group so that the harvest will not go into waste.

Applied to the disciples, this metaphor shows the importance of the mission of proclaiming the Gospel to all peoples, following Jesus' footsteps. Without the disciples it would not be possible to reach all humanity, as the Father wishes it.

Dear Fellow Disciples, peace.

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ presents two essential elements for Christian discipleship. On one side it presents the faith and the reality of the real presence of Christ in the Eucharistic species and on the other these Eucharistic species, the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Christ, offered to the disciple as food for the journey.

Since the One Faith, One Family, One Parish Capital Campaign kicked off one month ago, our efforts have started to produce fruit. Our kick-off event and donations over that weekend produced $32,069. We have received an additional $48,500 from the initial efforts of our volunteers. Combined with $532,816 already reserved for our campaign, we have raised $613,385 towards our efforts. This means we have almost reached our goal for Phase One construction outlined in the case statement.