A Journey
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February 21, 2023Last week I completed my third retreat with three other priests aboard the Carnival Miracle, traveling from Long Beach, CA, to Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada in Mexico. The five-day trip included daily Mass, preaching and making the Sacrament of Reconciliation available to about 150 Vietnamese Catholic passengers.
A special Lunar New Year Mass was offered to express deep gratitude to God and to our ancestors, followed by a great musical celebration performed by a group of talented young singers and musicians on the second day of the trip. It was humbling when one of my original songs expressing God’s blessings on the New Year, “Xuân Về Trên Quê Hương,” was performed and well received by the audience.
On the last day of our trip, about 20 married couples joyfully and lovingly renewed their wedding vows at the Cathedral of Ensenada, Our Lady of Guadalupe.
The gospel of the day we celebrated the New Year Mass was focused on the word “Ephphatha,” which means “Be opened.” Adam’s and Eve’s minds were open to believing in God’s greatness and knowing themselves. The Deaf man’s ears were opened to hear more about who his healer was, and he could praise God’s love and mercy for God’s people. In other words, living our lives with the awareness of the greatness and mercy of God is an important element of our spiritual life.
Those who are married are open to knowing themselves and the suitability of their partners so that they love and respect one another for the rest of their lives. As Christ’s followers, we are open to bringing God’s healing to those suffering in this wounded world.
May we always be Missionaries of Hope to all we serve during this quadrennium.
