Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

With this month of July, the Confirmation “season” is basically behind me. Thanks be to God, the Confirmation celebrations have been well attended with large crowds throughout our Diocese of Stockton. The Jubilee Year has truly reflected a sense of hope for the Church as our youth, young adults, and adults have stepped forward to “be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit.” For the rest of us who were confirmed many years ago, let us allow each celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation to offer us the opportunity to reflect on how we have allowed the Spirit to lead us in our everyday lives.

(Luke 10:1-12, 17-20) The Gospel we hear this Sunday, which presents the Liturgy of the Word, shows Jesus sending his disciples on missionary work, giving them instructions, including bringing the greeting of Peace: "...Let peace reign in this house..."

The disciples also bring a wonderful and life-changing message to the places where Jesus planned to go: "The Kingdom of God is at hand."

Today, we celebrate the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, though their personalities and missions were so different. This Solemnity commemorates the martyrdom of two great Apostles assigned to the same day on June 29. There must be a reason why we celebrate both the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul. It is because we already have Feasts in honor of the Chair of Peter and of the Conversion of St. Paul. Peter and Paul, did not work so closely together. And so, why do we celebrate this Solemnity to honor them both? How can we compare these two super apostles?

This weekend we celebrate the Feast of Corpus Christi, also known as the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ; it is the Catholic celebration of the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. Jesus instructed the apostles to consecrate the bread and wine to become His true body and blood as the Holy Sacrifice in the Mass. Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, as the catholic faithful participate in his one sacrifice, represented at Calvary, continuously, every hour at all Masses throughout the world. This has always been the teaching of the Catholic Church, though its understanding had become less known in recent generations.

My Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

This year continues to live up to its reputation as a Year of Jubilee, a year of joyful celebration and gratitude to God for his grace and mercy. Here are a few things that are contributing to our celebration of this Jubilee Year: We, as the Universal Church, have been blessed with a new Successor of St. Peter, Pope Leo XIV. We, as the local church, have prayed, and patiently waited, six years for the ordination of a priest, and our Lord Jesus has graced us with Fr. Akbar Saul Perez.

Come Holy Spirit fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.

You have probably heard this as a prayer or heard it as the gospel antiphon this weekend. This is a popular prayer to the Holy Spirit, and this weekend we celebrate Pentecost-fifty days after Easter and the end of the Easter season.

Jesus has completed his earthly mission, and this signifies his enthronement as heavenly king. Jesus has also completed his Father’s mission and he now rules with all authority and intercedes with all sympathy as our mediator and high priest. There are four main implications of this for our lives today. First, Jesus is presently reigning as king and remains active and engaged in our world and our lives. Second, we therefore need to live boldly, confidently and strategically as servants of the exalted king of heaven. Know that your labors in the Lord Jesus are not in vain (1 Cor 15: 58).