We are all on a journey through the circle of life, called to live it fully and embrace every moment. Our final destiny is eternal life, but we must live the present stage with mindfulness and faith.

This homily celebrates the 70-year history of the parish, reflecting on its origins as an apricot orchard and recognizing the flourishing of faith that has taken root in the community over decades.

Pope Francis's humble acknowledgment of his own sinfulness after becoming pope sets an example for how we should live. We are called to ground ourselves in humility, just as he did, no matter our position.

Today’s homily reflects on St. Luke, the physician, and how his gospel offers a compassionate view of Jesus as the divine healer. Luke’s writings emphasize Jesus’ role as the source of healing and hope.

To look at our own lives, to become aware of our own lives, and to see where God's grace is already at work in our own life. And then to be grateful for that grace in our lives. That is the reason we come to the Eucharist every week, to offer that gratitude for the graces that are received. But the challenge is that God's grace just does not happen on Sundays. It happens every day of our week.

It is easy to identify with the prophet Habakkuk's lament of difficult times.  We sometimes identify our times as the most difficult at times, that we are under persecution with our faith. Sometimes people are not taking religion seriously anymore. The secular society seems to be winning the battle, and we look at what is happening around the world. Violence and wars and it is hard not to get seduced by the lament of prophet Habakkuk.