St. Anthony Mary Claret Home

My Dear Friends in Christ,
We often hear the response to a difficult question…if the Lord wills. While the Lord’s will for
us includes a path toward eternity with Him, we sometimes falter in our willingness to align our
hearts with His. The responses of the two sons in the Gospel of Matthew teaches us the duality
that exists in each of us. It reveals that the struggle of practicing our faith is real. We may intend
the goodness that Lord desires for us, but we realize that good intentions are not enough for us to
gain entrance into God’s kingdom. Rather, it is in the actual participation of doing what is good
and pleasing that we honor Him. There is then a continual movement of converting both our
heart and will to discover His immense love and acceptance of us.
As a pastor, I have seen and witness the power of spiritual alignment in people’s lives. I often
share with those who have detoured themselves away from the path of the Lord…it is never too
late to return to the Father! Thank God for the sacrament of Reconciliation. This is echoed in the
voice of the prophet Ezekiel 18:28, “since he has turned away from all the sins which he
committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.” I pray that this week may provide us the
opportunity to give encouragement to those who desire to return to the Father. Maybe, it is our
own self. Let us not delay, but be ever eager to reconcile our hearts and minds with that of the
Lord.

 

Fr. Bill Cao, Pastor