May 18, 2025 - Fifth Sunday of Easter
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
In today’s Gospel, we find ourselves in the upper room. Jesus has just washed His disciples’ feet. He knows His Passion is near, yet in this hour of trial, He doesn’t give a long speech or a complicated instruction. Instead, He gives a simple command, one that sums up the entire Christian life: “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.” He doesn’t say: “Love each other when it’s easy,” or “when they agree with you,” or “when they deserve it.” No, Jesus loves sacrificially, patiently, forgivingly, even unto death. That’s the love that will define His Church. “By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples.”
Today, that love is made visible in a beautiful way—through the First Holy Communion of our children. What a holy moment this is—for them, for their families, and for our entire parish. In a world that often moves too fast and forgets what is sacred, our children are encountering Jesus Himself in the Eucharist—not a symbol, not a memory, but the Real Presence of Christ. This is the love Jesus spoke of: a love that feeds, that gives itself, that says, “This is my body, given for you.” Children, today Jesus is coming into your heart in a special way. But here’s something even more amazing: He has always loved you, even before you were born. And today He is saying, “Welcome. Sit at my table. You are mine.” And to you, dear parents and grandparents: thank you for planting the seeds of faith. Today you are witnessing the fruit of that love, please help them to continue to grow in it.
This week as well, the whole Church has been given a sign of renewal: the election of Pope Leo XIV. A humble man from the United States and Peru, formed by the spirituality of St. Augustine, he now steps into the shoes of Peter. His very name—Leo—recalls great popes of the past, like Leo the Great and Leo XIII, men of deep intellect and courage. But this Pope’s mission, like Jesus’, is rooted not in power, but in love. In his first words as Pope, he reminded us to be a Church of peace, of justice, and of mercy—especially to the poor and the forgotten. Let us pray for him, and let us listen. The Church is alive, and the Holy Spirit is at work.
As we bring these moments together—Jesus’ command to love, the joy of First Communion, and the hope of a new pope—we are reminded of what the Church truly is: Not just an institution, but a living body, a family of faith, a community of love. So let’s ask ourselves today: How am I loving as Jesus loves? Do I bring that love into my family, my work, my neighborhood? Am I helping these children grow not just in age, but in holiness? Let us each of us give answer to Jesus and to his love for each one of us, and this corresponding to his love will make us happy in this life and forever in heaven. “Love one another as I have loved you.”
God bless everyone always!!!
Fr. Stan
