Sermons by Fr. Ricardo

A Note from the Pastor – Dec 26

The Gospel tells the story of the Holy Family guided by a dream. The key figure was not Herod the Great or his son Archelaus, but Joseph—a quiet and courageous man. He dreamed, gathered his family, and set out on a journey. Impactful actions: dream, discern, go, and protect. Four decisive verbs for every family…

A Note from the Pastor – 4th Sunday of Advent

Among the witnesses to Christmas is Joseph, a man with calloused hands and a kind heart. He is silent yet courageous, balancing practicality with dreams. His hopes reflect God’s will, and his home is ready as he prepares to marry Mary, the love of his life. Their story embodies true love. Mary discovers she’s pregnant,…

A Note from the Pastor – 3rd Sunday of Advent

John the Baptist, the greatest among those born of women, suddenly questioned Jesus: Is it you? Or should we wait for someone else? He expected someone rowdy and iron-fisted, and Jesus exudes mercy and understanding, even toward fierce opponents. Like John, there are times when my way is not God’s way; you pictured angels slaying…

A Note from the Pastor – 2nd Sunday of Advent

John the Baptist eagerly awaits the announcement of the Kingdom—new heavens, a new earth, and a fresh world coming into existence. The prophets indicate that the Kingdom is “near”; God is present. The coming Messiah has journeyed far, no fable but flesh and bone. He is as intimate as bread in the mouth, a word…

A Note from the Pastor – 1st Sunday of Advent

Advent shifts our coordinates from searching for God to waiting for Him—a God who often feels distant in today’s distracted world. Distraction leads to superficial living, making it easy to overlook the depth and complexity of life. “As in the days of Noah, they ate and drank, married, and remained oblivious.” This can result in…

A Note from the Pastor – Nov 14

Where is the good news about God and humanity amid this gospel of catastrophes, flashing swords, and falling planets? If we listen closely, we’ll find that each image of the end sparks hope. In Luke 21:9, it says not to be terrified by wars and revolutions, as they are not the end. Verses 16-17 speak…

A Note from the Pastor Oct 31

The liturgy is void of tears, for it celebrates not death, but resurrection. It has no tears, unless they are wiped away by the hand of God. The Lord teaches us to fear a meaningless life more than death itself, urging us to embrace the journey ahead while clinging to Jesus. If God exists, if…

A Note from the Pastor – Oct 10

“And as they went, they were healed.” This marks the end of Luke’s narrative, but it feels like a new beginning. The Gospel is filled with healed individuals, celebrating Jesus’ message: God is here; He is with us. Jesus sent them to see the priests. When they moved forward, the ten lepers began to heal…

A Note from the Pastor – Sept 26

The story highlights the divide between a wealthy man and a beggar, prompting us to consider what creates these gaps and how to bridge them. It encourages us to prioritize caring for humanity over ignoring it. Two protagonists who cross paths and cannot speak to each other, one dressed in rags, the other in purple;…

A Note from the Pastor – Sept 19

Jesus inspires us with another parable about a steward who, despite mismanaging wealth, takes decisive action upon learning his job is ending, securing a brighter future for himself. The servant took a moment to reflect and asked himself, “What should I do?” This realization opened his eyes to the distinction between false wealth and true…