Winter can be depressing. Depending on where you live in the country, you may not get to see the sun for two or three months. It can be bone-chillingly cold and there is little sign of life except for the brave neighbors who shovel their driveways. The days are short and dark, the trees are lifeless, and we don’t hear children playing outside or birds chirping. It can be so desolate. Carrying our cross is often a “winter” for our soul. It can be challenging, lonely, and feel never-ending. The hope that we have in Christ is for the springtime that is to come. We carry our cross and accept death to ourselves so that we can experience the Resurrection with him. The budding of flowers and leaves on the trees, the warmth of the sun, and life coming to bloom again. But in order to experience this beautiful springtime, we must first go through the trial of winter.

The cross is the icon of our discipleship and witnessing. We transform others with our witness to become world-class Christians. So, when you carry your cross, you are not only a disciple, but also you’re witnessing to what the cross stands for “to lay down our life for one’s friends!” That’s what Jesus did: he gave his life for all of us. No questions asked. Period.

Have you ever been so sick that you needed to rely on a family member or a friend to help you get to the doctor? Sometimes, we are unable to be healed on our own. We need someone else to bring us. Today we will read about a man who was brought to Jesus and how grateful he was to those who loved him enough to present him before the Divine Physician.

Try your best to be a person of value: “Be a good listener! Read with your hearts! And be a nourishing speaker! Deliver a message from your heart that is life-giving and dream-building!”

God desires our whole hearts, not simply our actions. We can do good acts but still keep our hearts far from him. But if we lift up our hearts, the power of Jesus’ resurrection can transform us overtime to actually become more like him. Then our actions will flow seamlessly from who we are in our hearts.

SEPTEMBER is a significant month for the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette around the world. OUR LADY OF LA SALETTE visited the world in September 19, 1846, in a small village, called La Salette in Southeastern France. And this year (2018), we are celebrating the 172nd Anniversary of the Apparition of OUR LADY OF LA SALETTE.

The word “Christian” literally translates to mean “follower of Christ”. That means we are followers of Christ, but many of us have probably not ever thought about what it actually means to follow him. Maybe we never even consciously decided to follow him, but we have always gone to Church because that’s how we were raised, or that’s what our spouse does.

My invitation to husbands and wives in our midst is: “Be ‘submissive’ to each other to live ONE LOVE as ever, and enjoy ONE LIFE forever.”

In the Gospel readings over the past few weeks we have witnessed the unfolding of Jesus’ discourse on the Eucharist. Today we reach the climax of his teaching and get to meditate on his words about the Bread from heaven that he longs to feed us with. These are words of deep riches that unveil to us how desperately God desires intimacy with each one of us.

If today, you say: “I am hungry,” Jesus tells you with certainty: “Eat this bread [and you will] remain in me and I in [you]… [and you] will live forever.” (JN 6:51,56,58)

Cheers to 30 years of Faith, Family and Fun!! September 28 - 30, 2018... Come out and support the Festival’s 30th Anniversary!! Volunteers are Needed!! Contact Dario or Karen Aldecoa, Chairs (909)315-9426

Have you ever heard something that sounded completely outlandish? The Jews in today’s Gospel are not just shocked by Jesus’ teaching, they are likely disgusted and offended. Is Jesus of Nazareth really telling them that He IS the Bread of Life, he is the fulfillment of all the Scriptures? He is the “New Passover”? This is scandalous to them. Often times, living our faith can cause scandal. It’s radical for us to cling to the truths of the faith and to Christ in today’s culture. Let’s take some time to learn more about the Eucharist, the source and summit of our faith, today. Jesus knew we need physical signs, and so he gave us his very self, hidden under the appearances of bread and wine, to nourish us on our journey in this life.

As we gather around the Eucharistic table today, please do create a space in your hearts where Jesus can write his life sustaining words: “I am the bread of life… [if you] eat this bread, [you] will live forever…” (Jn 6:41,51)

Have you ever asked yourself why God doesn’t just perform miracles all the time to reveal his presence so that everyone will believe in him? It’s a valid question, but one of those questions that we might ignore or push to the back of our mind because we don’t think there’s a good answer. But these questions have answers in Catholic theology, and we are called to pray about these questions, because God will illuminate the answers to them.

Jesus is the ultimate image of God’s generosity. What he has given to us: blessed life and energized spirit are not just gifts to behold, but as values to be shared to others without any reservation at all.

When was the last time you experienced a situation that you thought, “there is no solution—it is impossible” Often we feel cornered by circumstances in life and that there is no possible way out. And yet, miraculously, things all end up working out, for our good. Today’s Gospel highlights Jesus’ love for his people as he makes a seemingly impossible task of feeding 5,000 people come to fruition with hardly any food to begin. Let’s work this week on placing our trust in God’s love for us.

Today with generosity’s impetus, let us build a Church where no one is so poor as to have nothing to give; a Church where no one is so rich as to have nothing to receive. Let us make a miracle today!

We are lost in the dense jungle of this world and are made for heaven. We all long to get there, but we encounter so many needs along the way. If we aren’t careful, searching to fill those needs can replace our true compass. Instead of focusing on searching for home, we can be consumed by never being hungry, cold, or lonely. When that happens, we end up living a life full of the shells of the things we are made for. Our true hunger and loneliness can’t be filled by this world. But God hasn’t left us alone in this jungle – he sent us his only Son to lead us home to him. Jesus is our true compass. He is our Good Shepherd. He is the way, the truth, and the life.

When hope and love envelop your hearts, life offers infinite possibilities. Then, tell yourself this: “I am SOMEBODY… because GOD don’t make no JUNK.” Yes, you are the beloved! God loves you very much. Always believe that when Jesus sees you, his heart will move with love – only for “you.”

Heroes in many stories are usually the strongest, the smartest, or the most beautiful people who conquer evil by overpowering it in some way. Even if the heroes don’t start out that way, a crucial part of the story usually consists of the hero getting stronger and preparing for battle. They know that everything is up to them.