Category: Pastor Letter

September 7, 2025

“Which of you wishing to construct a tower does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its completion?” (Lk. 14:28)

On September 22, 23, and 24, Father Marty, Father Manh, Father Vincent, and I will spend three days on a discernment retreat. We will do what the Gospel for this weekend suggests. We will engage in spiritual conversations about our ministry at MHT and the ministries of the parish. Please keep us in your prayers, as we will be praying for all of you. If anything arises from the retreat that is important to share, we will do so.

Between the departure of the three priests who left this summer, my own arrival, and Father Vincent’s return, some of you may be feeling disoriented by the recent transitions. You might be mourning even more the loss of Fathers Duc, Francis, and Andrew. If so, I honor your feelings, because coming here has also been a significant transition for me. There are days when I miss my two previous parishes. Nevertheless, I know that I am slowly coming to know, to love, and to appreciate all of you. And as I have mentioned before, we all might feel the effects of the transition for some months to come.

The fans in the church have been installed, and we are actively looking at an air conditioning system. In the next several weeks, a vendor will give us an updated estimate of the scope and cost of the project, with the hope of having a cooling system installed by next summer. I have also received a number of concerns regarding the poor quality of the sound system in the church. We have consulted a sound professional to address this issue. Those who attended the last finance meeting identified this as a high priority.

Most Holy Trinity School is now in full session. After my first initial encounters with MHTS teachers and students, I came to realize that the school is such a gift to the parish because the students bring joy and hope to both the parish and society — because our students are being formed intellectually and spiritually in the values of the Catholic tradition.

Speaking of our students, the MHT Jesuit community, and the staffs of the parish and school communities, all deeply lament the shooting which took place at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, MN on Wednesday, August 27. This tragedy, which occurred during a Mass celebration, fills all of us with sorrow and pain, and deeply affects us. Ms. Darlene Sanchez, the Principal of MHTS, and I have been in communication about this, and I am grateful to Ms. Sanchez and her team for the care and responsibility that they have for each of our students. Let us all keep the Annunciation Parish and School communities in Minneapolis in our hearts and prayers these days as the school year begins.

In Christ,

Fr. Elias Puentes, SJ

Pastor

Ngày 7 tháng 9 năm 2025 (Tiếng Việt)

Gia đình Giáo xứ Chúa Ba Ngôi Quý Mến,

“Có ai trong anh em muốn xây một cái tháp mà lại không ngồi xuống trước để tính toán chi phí, xem mình có đủ để hoàn thành hay không?” (Lc 14,28)

Vào các ngày 22, 23 và 24 tháng 9, cha Marty, cha Mạnh, cha Phục Anh và tôi sẽ tham dự một buổi tĩnh tâm phân định kéo dài ba ngày. Chúng tôi sẽ thực hiện điều mà bài Tin Mừng cuối tuần này mời gọi: cùng nhau cầu nguyện và đối thoại thiêng liêng về sứ vụ mục vụ tại giáo xứ Chúa Ba Ngôi. Xin quý ông bà anh chị em hiệp lời cầu nguyện cho chúng tôi, và chúng tôi cũng sẽ cầu nguyện cho quý ông bà anh chị em. Nếu có điều gì quan trọng cần chia sẻ sau buổi tĩnh tâm, chúng tôi sẽ thông báo.

Giữa lúc ba linh mục rời giáo xứ trong mùa hè này, tôi vừa mới nhận nhiệm sở, và cha Phục Anh trở lại, có thể một số quý ông bà anh chị em cảm thấy hoang mang vì những thay đổi này. Có thể quý ông bà anh chị em vẫn đang nhớ cha Đức, cha Long và cha Andrew. Nếu là vậy, tôi rất trân trọng cảm xúc của quý ông bà anh chị em, vì bản thân tôi cũng đang trải qua một sự thay đổi lớn. Có những ngày tôi nhớ hai giáo xứ cũ của mình. Tuy nhiên, tôi biết rằng mình đang làm quen dần, yêu mến và trân trọng cộng đoàn nơi đây. Như tôi đã chia sẻ trước đây, có lẽ chúng ta sẽ tiếp tục cảm nhận sự thay đổi này trong vài tháng tới.

Quạt trong nhà thờ đã được lắp đặt, và chúng tôi đang tích cực tìm hiểu hệ thống máy điều hòa. Trong vài tuần tới, một công ty sẽ bàn về quy mô và chi phí của dự án, với hy vọng rằng chúng ta sẽ có hệ thống làm mát vào mùa hè năm sau. Tôi cũng đã nghe về việc âm thanh trong nhà thờ không được tốt. Chúng tôi đã liên lac với một chuyên gia âm thanh về vấn đề này. Trong cuộc họp tài chính gần đây, mọi người đã xác định đây là một ưu tiên hàng đầu.
Trường học Chúa Ba Ngôi hiện đã vào năm học mới. Qua những lần gặp gỡ đầu tiên với các thầy cô và học sinh của trường, tôi thấy rằng trường học thật sự là một món quà quý giá dành cho giáo xứ. Các em học sinh mang lại niềm vui và hy vọng, không chỉ cho giáo xứ mà còn cho xã hội, vì các em đang được đào tạo về trí tuệ lẫn tinh thần theo các giá trị của truyền thống Công giáo.

Nhắc đến học sinh, cộng đoàn các linh mục Dòng Tên Chúa Ba Ngôi, và toàn thể nhân viên của giáo xứ và nhà trường vô cùng đau buồn về vụ xả súng xảy ra tại Trường Công giáo Annunciation ở Minneapolis, Minnesota vào thứ Tư, ngày 27 tháng 8. Thảm kịch này xảy ra trong Thánh lễ, khiến tất cả chúng ta vô cùng thương xót và đau lòng. Cô Darlene Sanchez, Hiệu trưởng trường Chúa Ba Ngôi, và tôi đã nói chuyện với nhau về việc này. Tôi rất biết ơn cô Sanchez và đội ngũ của cô vì sự chăm sóc và tinh thần trách nhiệm dành cho từng học sinh. Trong những ngày đầu năm học, trong lời cầu nguyện của mình, xin quý ông bà anh chị em cùng nhớ đến cộng đoàn giáo xứ và trường học Annunciation tại Minneapolis.

Hiệp thông trong Chúa Kitô,

Lm Elias Puentes, SJ

Chánh xứ

August 31, 2025                                                                               

Dear Most Holy Trinity Family,

In light of the reading from the Book of Sirach, I want to acknowledge our Faith Formation Coordinators, Porty Nevarez and Sr. Bernadette Nguyen, along with the catechists and other members of their team. The Book of Sirach is part of the wisdom biblical literature, and the section corresponding to this weekend deals with instructing children and youth. This kind of formation and instruction is part of the vocation of catechists and teachers like you, because you are forming the minds and hearts of children and youth. What you are doing now will one day bear fruit, and the work you are doing will leave a lasting impression on those you teach.

In this weekend’s parable, Jesus is also instructing his audience in a new way of thinking and acting with respect to fellow human beings. Catechists are also engaged in this kind of teaching. You are not just teaching your students to memorize prayers and doctrine, as important as this is. You are also forming them in the love of God and neighbor, especially those who have been marginalized. Thus we hear that, when we hold a banquet, we should “invite those who cannot repay you.” The reading is confronting the conventional behavior of balanced reciprocity, meaning the exchange of goods or services with the expectation of roughly an equivalent return. This mindset prevails in our society. But Jesus’ parable challenges this mentality and invites us to live in a new context.

Moreover, we hear the advice in the Book of Sirach: “Humble yourself the more, the greater you are, and you will find favor with God.” Jesus is teaching an entirely new way of thinking and acting. In this way, he is preparing us for success in God’s Kingdom. Those of you involved in faith formation are doing the same kind of preparation.

Thank you to Porty, Sr. Bernadette, our catechists, and all who support faith formation in our parish. Your work is a blessing to our whole community.

In Christ,

Fr. Elias Puentes, SJ

Pastor

August 24, 2025                                                                               
Dear Most Holy Trinity Family,

We are moving closer to the end of summer, and another busy cycle is about to begin. We should not be anxious, as this is a sign of God’s blessing and of the ministerial work that lies ahead.

The first reading and Gospel for this weekend create a picture of people from all corners of the earth participating in the kingdom of God. This is a reminder that the kingdom of God is always bigger than our own community, nationality, or culture.  This portion of the readings speaks of unity: one God, one people. It reminds me of our parish community because, week after week, we gather for the Eucharist as one people to offer our joys and sorrows, and to serve and pray. We come from different parts of the city and the world to participate at the Banquet of the Lord and to be nourished with His Body and Word.

Please join us at the 9:15 am Mass on September 14. I will be installed as pastor that day, but the celebration is not just about me. As the readings this weekend mention, it will be about us – one people coming together from different parts of the earth. Bishop Oscar Cantu will preside at the Mass. It will be a multilingual celebration. If you cannot attend the Mass, you are welcome to join an informal reception in the Trinity Center afterward. I am grateful to the team organizing this celebration.

On September 21, at the 5:30 pm Mass, we will have another opportunity to gather. This is the annual Liturgical celebration for Migrants and Refugees, and this year our parish will be hosting it. The Mass will also be presided over by Bishop Oscar Cantú, and the Mass will be bilingual or multilingual.

As summer ends and a new season begins in parish life, I look forward to the liturgical celebrations between now and Christmas. I know I am not alone in this anticipation.

Meanwhile, as the diverse community we are, let us live into the vision of God depicted in this weekend’s readings: one God, one people.

In Christ,

Fr. Elias Puentes, SJ

Pastor

August 17, 2025
Dear Most Holy Trinity Family,

“I have come to set the world on fire, and how I wish that it were already blazing.”
(Luke 12:49)

In this sentence from Luke’s Gospel, we hear of Jesus’s desire to set the world on fire. I am not sure what you hear in these words, but I hear in them a longing to end wars and other social injustices. Those of us who have been Baptized and Confirmed received the fire from the Holy Spirit. Thus, with the grace of God, we can carry the flame given to us at our Baptism and Confirmation to set the world on fire with the same holy desire that burns within Jesus.

I want to thank all the supporters of the St. Vincent de Paul Society at MHT, because in supporting this program, you are engaged in the ministry of social justice. Those of you who contribute financially and/or volunteer your time are engaged in providing food and supporting economic justice. I thank you for your giving and serving, because you do it with kindness, joy, and with the desire to end all social injustice.

As you know, the Church has a long history and commitment to social justice concerns. As a result, within the body of documents of Catholic social teaching, seven principal themes stand out:

1. The Life and Dignity of the Human Person

2. The Call to Family, Community, and Participation

3. Rights and Responsibilities

4. The Option for the Poor and Vulnerable

5. The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers

6. Solidarity

7. The Care for God’s Creation

Moreover, if you read the decrees of the different General Congregations of the Society of Jesus, you will find out that the Society of Jesus also adopted the same interest for social justice concerns. Catholic social teaching is rooted in Scripture, and the Pastoral Plan of the Diocese of San José has included it among the priorities and objectives of the plan because these are part of the building blocks of the Catholic tradition.

So, when you gather to pray, study Scripture, or participate in faith sharing, try to make Catholic social teaching part of your prayer and reflection so that we may continue to keep the flame that we received at our Baptism and Confirmation burning with the same holy desire that Jesus has for a society free of war, hunger, discrimination, greed, and so many other social evils.

May the fire of the Holy Spirit continue to burn brightly in our hearts and in our works.

In Christ,

Fr. Elias Puentes, SJ

Pastor

Aug. 10, 2025

Dear Most Holy Trinity Family:

Gird Loins and Lit Lamps

I recently have had the privilege of meeting Darlene Sanchez, Principal of Most Holy Trinity School. She told me that the school teachers are like the servants in this weekend’s Gospel –vigilantly waiting for the arrival of the students, and ready to serve them. They will have a Welcome Back Spaghetti Dinner on Aug. 18th, and the students will be starting the school year on Aug. 20^th. I am also looking forward to the start of the school year, and ready to support such a valuable ministry in our parish.

I want to thank all of you, particularly, the staff of the parish and school community, and everyone involved in the different ministries of the MHT community for being like the servants of the Gospel – always vigilant and faithfully active in serving the parish community. Vigilance always implies service. Thus, when we are involved in ministry, we never do it for profit. It’s always done in service of others, and ultimately, in the service of Christ. But, as you can tell from the Gospel reading (often used for funeral Masses), when the time comes God will welcome us in the Heavenly kingdom. Christ himself will have us recline at table and wait on us. Blessed are you for girding up your loins and lighting up your lamps.

Mother Mary also waited vigilantly in service for the return of her Son, Jesus. This week, the Church will celebrate the day that Mary was taken into heaven at the end of her life. In the tradition of the Church, from early on, the Holy Spirt has led the Church to believe that Mary was assumed into heaven in body and soul. This is one of the oldest celebrations of Our Lady in the Church. The Assumption of Mary was originally known as the “Falling Asleep of Mary”. This solemnity concerns all of us because it also has to do with the end of life on earth. Thus, it reminds us that when it comes to our death, we are absolutely powerless and dependent on God.

Fr. Andrew will officially complete his time with us by the middle of August. I am grateful for his willingness to stay longer to support us until the full crew of Jesuits serving MHT has arrived. I can tell that Fr. Andrew has been a good shepherd to you all, but particularly to the Spanish speaking community. He is already being missed. Fr. Vincent Doung will be joining us the weekend of Aug. 15. Please warmly welcome him back to MHT. Among other duties, Fr. Vincent will be assisting us with the coordination for all liturgical celebrations.

To conclude, I want to take advantage of the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary to recognize the Legion of Mary in our parish for their Marian heart and their ministerial dedication.

Thank you,

Fr. Elias Puentes, SJ

Pastor

August 3, 2025

Dear Most Holy Trinity Family:

Speak, Your Servant Is Listening

God gave us the gift of communication, and we use different modes to communicate. Some of these are verbal, while others are non-verbal. The ability to communicate is a gift from God, and God, the Master of Communication, also communicates with us by using modes that are relatable to us. Communication presupposes communion and community. An example of this union is the Contemplation on the Incarnation in the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. In this contemplation, as the Trinity looks down from heaven, they enter into conversation to discuss the work of redemption, and from this dialogue, Jesus, the Son of God, takes human flesh and becomes Emmanuel, God with us. In the Ignatian tradition, this is a sign of communal discernment – of listening, conversation, and consultation. This is also known as synodality.

 This is the model that we, the Jesuits serving at Most Holy Trinity, want to imitate. This is also the model that we are encouraging all the different ministries and communities of MHT to imitate. Fathers Marty, Manh, Vincent, and I will work together to serve the different needs of the parish community. Although I may be the final decision maker, I will not make decisions without consulting and valuing the advice of my Jesuit brothers as well as others within the parish community. I am not delegating the leadership responsibility of the Vietnamese community to Fr. Manh, or to Fr. Vincent. In the same way, I am not delegating the leadership responsibility of the Filipino community to Fr. Marty, nor of the Hispanic community to myself.

No, I will not be using this model. Instead, the four of us will work together, and for cultural and communication affairs for the Filipino, and the Vietnamese communities, I will rely on them, and on you, and together, we will serve the needs of the MHT community.

 I will be using the same consultative model with the Parish and Financial Councils, as well as with the staff of the parish and the school. These entities are important consultative bodies that advise me. Those of us involved in any ministerial and leadership capacity must make use of these consultative bodies as a way of working together.

 And speaking of teamwork, I want to recognize Sal Rojas, Music Director, for his work and dedication to the MHT community. After three decades of dedicated service to the parish community, he will step down from this position. Fortunately, he will continue his service as the coordinator of the Spanish choir. As a result, the position of Music Director is now open. If you look at the priorities and objectives of the pastoral plan of the Diocese, liturgical music is among them. Thus, it is important to have a staff person coordinating and supporting this vital ministry for all the choirs at MHT. After all, God also speaks to us through music and song.

Fr. Elias Puentes, SJ

Pastor

July 27, 2025

Dear Most Holy Trinity Family:

Welcome and Hospitality

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus entered the house of Martha and Mary, and they welcomed Him by offering hospitality. I have noticed that parishioners at MHT come from very hospitable cultures. This is something we need to continue fostering in our parish. However, it’s easier to be welcoming and hospitable to members of our own group, but more challenging to be open to those outside of it. So, I encourage you to show gestures of hospitality to all our fellow parishioners, not just those in our inner group. Try not to let language, culture, or any other difference be a barrier to showing hospitality to others.

Hospitality is a characteristic of the Holy Trinity, and as one multicultural and multilingual community, hospitality among and across our diverse community must also be one of our characteristics. All of us are responsible for hospitality, but those of us involved in any ministry bear a greater responsibility. We are hospitable when we acknowledge and take into consideration each and every person in our parish community, not just the members of our inner circle.

The story of the Good Samaritan, also in the Gospel of Luke, shows a gesture of hospitality when the Good Samaritan cares for the wounded person by mounting him on his own animal and taking him to an inn. According to the story, when it comes to who my neighbor is, cultural, social, or religious identities are irrelevant. The lesson that the scholar of the law learned is that we are all neighbors. Yes, at MHT, we all bear different and important cultural, social, linguistic, professional, and other identities, but we are also all neighbors—brothers and sisters, members of the same Body of Christ.

If you look at the priorities of the Diocesan Pastoral Plan that I mentioned in my most recent letter, you will see that creating a parish culture of welcome and hospitality is one of the main objectives of the plan. So, let us continue to foster a welcoming and hospitable parish community by the way we interact with one another.

On September 21, the Diocese has chosen MHT for the annual celebration of the Mass for Immigrants and Refugees. This will be a multilingual celebration and an opportunity to come together in solidarity with so many people in our country who feel threatened by the prevailing anti-immigrant climate. The celebration of the Mass will be at 5:30 PM.

Finally, I want to thank all the people who have welcomed and shown hospitality to me since my arrival. You have made me feel at home in this, our parish.

Sincerely,

Fr. Elias Puentes, S.J.
Pastor

July 27, 2027

Dear Most Holy Trinity Family:

Welcome and Hospitality

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus entered the house of Martha and Mary, and they welcomed Him by offering hospitality. I have noticed that parishioners at MHT come from very hospitable cultures. This is something we need to continue fostering in our parish. However, it’s easier to be welcoming and hospitable to members of our own group, but more challenging to be open to those outside of it. So, I encourage you to show gestures of hospitality to all our fellow parishioners, not just those in our inner group. Try not to let language, culture, or any other difference be a barrier to showing hospitality to others.

Hospitality is a characteristic of the Holy Trinity, and as one multicultural and multilingual community, hospitality among and across our diverse community must also be one of our characteristics. All of us are responsible for hospitality, but those of us involved in any ministry bear a greater responsibility. We are hospitable when we acknowledge and take into consideration each and every person in our parish community, not just the members of our inner circle.

The story of the Good Samaritan, also in the Gospel of Luke, shows a gesture of hospitality when the Good Samaritan cares for the wounded person by mounting him on his own animal and taking him to an inn. According to the story, when it comes to who my neighbor is, cultural, social, or religious identities are irrelevant. The lesson that the scholar of the law learned is that we are all neighbors. Yes, at MHT, we all bear different and important cultural, social, linguistic, professional, and other identities, but we are also all neighbors—brothers and sisters, members of the same Body of Christ.

If you look at the priorities of the Diocesan Pastoral Plan that I mentioned in my most recent letter, you will see that creating a parish culture of welcome and hospitality is one of the main objectives of the plan. So, let us continue to foster a welcoming and hospitable parish community by the way we interact with one another.

On September 21, the Diocese has chosen MHT for the annual celebration of the Mass for Immigrants and Refugees. This will be a multilingual celebration and an opportunity to come together in solidarity with so many people in our country who feel threatened by the prevailing anti-immigrant climate. The celebration of the Mass will be at 5:30 PM.

Finally, I want to thank all the people who have welcomed and shown hospitality to me since my arrival. You have made me feel at home in this, our parish.

Fr. Elias Puentes, S.J.
Pastor

July 20, 2025

Dear Most Holy Trinity Family: The Kingdom of God is at hand; the harvest is now.

I want to express my gratitude for being part of the team of harvesters at Most Holy Trinity. You do it by giving of your time, talent, and treasure, and as the Prayer for Generosity of St. Ignatius Loyola states, you toil, and you do not seek for rest.

As some of you are aware, the Diocese of San Jose has launched a long-range plan that encompasses all of the parishes in the Diocese. For a comprehensive review of the plan, please visit the web page of the Diocese (https://www.dsj.org/pastoral-planning-2/). In the upcoming months and years, you will continue to hear more about the plan. Some of the things included in the plan are already happening in our parish and need to be strengthened, while others still need to be activated. The focus of the plan is primarily ministerial, which means that it does not include the construction of new buildings.

Speaking of projects, after consultation with parish council members, staff, and vendors, we have agreed to install four large silent ceiling fans in the church. We came to this agreement with some reservations because this is not the ultimate solution. But for now, this is what we can offer. If all goes according to plan, the fans should be installed in about 6 weeks or less. They will provide some comfort through moving the air itself. Some of you have expressed frustration because a central air conditioning system has been talked about for years, and money for this project has been donated. The consultation for the installation of the air conditioning system was done, but there is significant work that needs to be done with an electric power unit that will be compatible with the air conditioning system. Also there needs to be proper engineering work done for the installation. Having said this, the proposal of having an air conditioning system remains standing.

I understand that there are other projects pending, such as the expansion of bathrooms in the vestibule area and installing a prayer garden, among others. I have been in conversation with Mario Lucas, Fr. Marty, and Finance Council members about the projects. I understand that they have been delayed for different reasons, but we will continue to push them forward. In the next couple of months, you will get a progress report on the projects. While the projects are important, it is more important that we continue to walk together as one multilingual and multicultural parish community formed by different members but guided by the same Holy Spirit.

In an unrelated topic, I want to acknowledge the ongoing news about the accusations against Fr. Theodore Gabrielli for the alleged sex abuse of minors. Many of you remember Fr. Ted, because several years ago, he had been assigned to MHT, and some of you have expressed a sense of sadness and perplexity about this. As a faith community, we always turn to God in prayer, and I ask that we do that now. As these accusations are being investigated, let us pray for all victims, and for Fr. Ted, for healing, justice, and mercy. In the meantime, if you need to have a conversation about these heartbreaking allegations, please contact one of the Jesuits at MHT, or Ms. Tracy Primrose, Assistant for Communications for the Jesuits West Province (tprimrose@jesuits.org).

Sincerely, 

Fr. Elias Puentes, S.J.

Pastor

April 27, 2025

Dear Parishioners,

Very often, we are so wrapped up in our own thoughts and feelings that even when the reality out there stares at us unblinking, telling us a completely opposite story, we simply ignore it. Sorrowful eyes see everything as sad; arrogant heart looks down on everyone. To be truly alive, we must verify our interior world against external reality before someone or something bursts our bubble.

Nevertheless, even the so-called external reality is not the ultimate truth; it is only a world of facts and data, and facts and data must be interpreted to decipher the truth. Here comes the wonderful reminder of Isaiah, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts” (Is 55:8). Only the thoughts and the ways of God, the Creator of the universe, determine what is truth.

Only with that perspective can we grasp the richness and power of the Gospel reading today. Jesus’s disciples were hiding behind locked doors out of fear. Fear of what? Fear of sharing the horrible fate of their master, fear of the rumors that Jesus was alive. How could they face the one whom they abandoned and betrayed? Everything out there seemed to be against them, especially Jesus, the Messiah.

Suddenly, Jesus showed up unannounced. For a moment, their fears increased a thousand times, until Jesus’s words reached their ears, “Peace be with you.” Then he showed them his wounds. Now they knew he was alive. Now they knew he meant what he said, “Peace be with you.” Not a hint of sadness, not a sliver of scolding. Furthermore, he breathed on them the Holy Spirit. Jesus’s thoughts were not their thoughts; nor were his ways their ways.

Then the whole process was repeated with Thomas, who was not there at the first appearance. In addition to fear and shame, Thomas also doubted what other disciples had told him about Jesus’s resurrection. Again, the same peace was rendered to Thomas. Jesus even indulged in Thomas’s demand of putting fingers into his wounds. Like his fellow disciples, Thomas now believed without carrying out his demand, “My Lord and my God!”

As soon as Jesus’s disciples embraced his thoughts and his ways, their fears had turned into joy, cowardice into courage, shame into strength. They went out to all the ends of the earth, so that you and I could receive the faith in Jesus Christ. When humans cooperate in God’s ways, miracles happen, over and over again.

On this Sunday, it is good to contemplate the image of the Divine Mercy. From the very heart that was pierced both by betrayal and cruelty shines forth God’s mercy and forgiveness. Theologically, the moment that Jesus’s heart was pierced by the spear and water and blood poured out was also the conception of the Church. And the Pentecost is the birth of the Church. Human depravity has been transformed into the incipient Body of Christ, the Church. Nothing can stop God from doing what God desires.

What are thinking and feeling? Are they fears, doubts, worries, shames, angers, frustrations, loneliness? Economic chaos, inflation, wars, sickness, and natural disasters are causing a lot of concerns. Whatever they are, it is ok. We do not have control over our feelings and thoughts, most of the time.

The important thing is: what are God’s thoughts and God’s ways with us and for us? God’s ways are eternal, forever unchanging. God wants to give us peace, courage, joy, endurance, hope. In fact, God gives us his own Spirit, who alone provides us with whatever we need in our own circumstances.

Like Jesus’s disciples after the momentous event of the resurrection, for us to experience the joy, peace, hope, and courage that God gives us, we must set aside our own thoughts and feelings, and we must pay attention to the voice of the Holy Spirit.

What is God calling you and me to do now? What is God’s plan for you and me in the current crisis? For sure, God wants us to continue to do what is good, true, and generous. We will have joy when we lift others from their sorrow. We will have peace when we forgive others. We will receive abundantly when we give to others, especially those in dire need like our parish. We will be full of hope when we bring hope to others. Only by making God’s ways our ways that we are fully alive, both now and forever.

In the Most Holy Trinity and in solidarity with you all,

Fr. Duc

P.S.: This is my last weekly letter as I wrap up my term as pastor of MHT. I have written every week for the last six years, since May 1, 2019. I hope the weekly letters have helped you pray with the Sunday Gospel and put them into practice in your life.

Ông Bà Anh Chị Em quý mến,

Rất thường xuyên, chúng ta quá đắm chìm trong những suy nghĩ và cảm xúc của riêng mình đến nỗi ngay cả khi thực tế ngoài kia nhìn chằm chằm vào chúng ta không chớp mắt, kể cho chúng ta một câu chuyện hoàn toàn trái ngược, chúng ta vẫn chỉ đơn giản là lờ nó đi. Đôi mắt buồn bã thấy mọi thứ đều buồn tẻ; trái tim kiêu ngạo coi thường mọi người. Để thực sự sống, chúng ta phải đối chiếu thế giới nội tâm của mình với thực tế bên ngoài trước khi ai đó hoặc điều gì đó chọc vỡ bong bóng trong đầu chúng ta.

Tuy nhiên, ngay cả cái gọi là thực tế bên ngoài cũng không phải là sự thật tối thượng; nó chỉ là một thế giới của sự kiện và dữ liệu, và sự kiện và dữ liệu phải được diễn giải để tìm ra sự thật. Đây là lời nhắc nhở tuyệt vời của Isaia, “Vì tư tưởng của Ta không phải là tư tưởng của các ngươi, cũng như đường lối của các ngươi không phải là đường lối của Ta. Vì trời cao hơn đất chừng nào, thì đường lối của Ta cũng cao hơn đường lối của các ngươi, và tư tưởng của Ta cũng cao hơn tư tưởng của các ngươi chừng ấy” (Is 55:8). Chỉ có tư tưởng và đường lối của Chúa, Đấng Tạo Hóa của vũ trụ, mới quyết định được chân lý là gì.

Chỉ với góc nhìn đó, chúng ta mới có thể nắm bắt được sự phong phú và sức mạnh của bài đọc Tin Mừng hôm nay. Các môn đồ của Chúa Giêsu đã trốn sau những cánh cửa đóng kín vì sợ hãi. Sợ điều gì? Sợ phải chia sẻ số phận khủng khiếp của Thầy, sợ tin đồn rằng Chúa Giêsu vẫn còn sống. Làm sao họ có thể đối mặt với người mà họ đã bỏ rơi và phản bội? Mọi thứ ngoài kia dường như đều chống lại họ, đặc biệt là Chúa Giêsu, Đấng Mêsia.

Đột nhiên, Chúa Giêsu xuất hiện mà không báo trước. Trong một khoảnh khắc, nỗi sợ hãi của họ tăng lên gấp ngàn lần, cho đến khi những lời của Chúa Giêsu đến tai họ, “Bình an cho các con”. Sau đó, Người cho họ xem vết thương của Người. Bây giờ họ biết Người còn sống. Bây giờ họ biết Người có ý như vậy khi nói, “Bình an cho các con”. Không một chút buồn bã, không một chút trách mắng. Hơn nữa, Người thổi hơi Thánh Thần vào họ. Suy nghĩ của Chúa Giêsu không phải là suy nghĩ của họ; đường lối của Người cũng không phải là đường lối của họ.

Sau đó, toàn bộ quá trình được lặp lại với Tôma, người không có mặt ở đó khi Chúa Giêsu lần đầu tiên xuất hiện. Ngoài nỗi sợ hãi và xấu hổ, Tôma còn nghi ngờ những gì các môn đồ khác đã nói với ông về sự phục sinh của Chúa Giêsu. Một lần nữa, sự bình an tương tự đã được ban cho Tôma. Chúa Giêsu thậm chí còn chiều theo yêu cầu của Tôma là mời ông đặt ngón tay vào vết thương của Người. Giống như các môn đồ khác, Tôma giờ đây đã tin mà không thực hiện lời yêu cầu của mình, “Lạy Chúa của con, lạy Thiên Chúa của con!”

Ngay khi các môn đồ của Chúa Giêsu chấp nhận những suy nghĩ và cách thức của Người, nỗi sợ hãi của họ đã biến thành niềm vui, sự hèn nhát thành lòng can đảm, sự xấu hổ thành sức mạnh. Họ đã đi đến tận cùng trái đất, để chúng ta có thể đón nhận đức tin vào Chúa Giêsu Kitô. Khi con người hợp tác với đường lối của Chúa, phép lạ sẽ xảy ra, hết lần này đến lần khác.

Vào Chúa Nhật này, thật là điều tốt đẹp khi chiêm ngưỡng hình ảnh Lòng Thương Xót Chúa. Từ chính trái tim bị đâm thâu bởi sự phản bội và tàn ác, lòng thương xót và sự tha thứ của Chúa tỏa sáng. Về mặt thần học, khoảnh khắc trái tim Chúa Giêsu bị đâm thủng bởi ngọn giáo và nước và máu đổ ra cũng là khoảnh khắc hình thành nên Giáo hội. Và Lễ Ngũ Tuần là ngày khai sinh của Giáo hội. Sự đồi trụy của con người đã được chuyển hóa thành Thân thể mới chớm nở của Chúa Kitô, tức là Giáo hội. Không gì có thể ngăn cản Chúa thực hiện những gì Chúa muốn.

Chúng ta suy nghĩ và cảm xúc gì? Đó có phải là nỗi sợ hãi, sự nghi ngờ, lo lắng, xấu hổ, tức giận, thất vọng, cô đơn không? Hỗn loạn kinh tế, lạm phát, chiến tranh, bệnh tật và thiên tai đang gây ra nhiều lo ngại. Dù là gì thì cũng không sao. Chúng ta hầu như không kiểm soát được cảm xúc và suy nghĩ nhất thời của mình.

Điều quan trọng là: tư tưởng của Chúa và kế hoạch của Chúa cho chúng ta và vì chúng ta là gì? Phương thức hoạt động của Chúa là vĩnh cửu, mãi mãi không thay đổi. Chúa muốn ban cho chúng ta sự bình an, lòng can đảm, niềm vui, sức chịu đựng, hy vọng. Trên thực tế, Chúa ban cho chúng ta Thánh Linh của Ngài, là Đấng duy nhất cung cấp cho chúng ta bất cứ điều gì chúng ta cần trong hoàn cảnh của riêng mình.

Giống như các môn đồ của Chúa Giêsu sau sự kiện trọng đại của sự phục sinh, để chúng ta trải nghiệm được niềm vui, sự bình an, hy vọng và lòng can đảm mà Chúa ban cho chúng ta, chúng ta phải gạt bỏ những suy nghĩ và cảm xúc của riêng mình, và chúng ta phải chú ý đến tiếng nói của Chúa Thánh Linh.

Chúa đang kêu gọi bạn và tôi làm gì bây giờ? Kế hoạch của Chúa dành cho bạn và tôi trong cuộc khủng hoảng hiện tại là gì? Chắc chắn, Chúa muốn chúng ta tiếp tục làm những điều tốt lành, chân thật và quảng đại. Chúng ta sẽ có niềm vui khi nâng đỡ người khác trong nỗi buồn của họ. Chúng ta sẽ có sự bình an khi tha thứ cho người khác. Chúng ta sẽ nhận được dồi dào khi chúng ta cho đi, đặc biệt là những người đang rất cần như giáo xứ của chúng ta. Chúng ta sẽ tràn đầy hy vọng khi chúng ta mang lại hy vọng cho người khác. Chỉ bằng cách biến đường lối của Chúa thành đường lối của chúng ta, chúng ta mới được sống trọn vẹn, cả bây giờ và mãi mãi.

Hiệp thông trong Chúa Ba Ngôi và hiệp nhất với ông bà anh chị em,

Lm Tôma Vũ Minh Đức, SJ

Phụ Chú: Đây là lá thư hàng tuần cuối cùng của tôi trong nhiệm kỳ Chánh Xứ tại CBN. Tôi đã viết hàng tuần trong suốt sáu năm qua, kể từ ngày 1 tháng 5 năm 2019. Tôi hy vọng những lá thư hàng tuần đã giúp mọi người cầu nguyện với Phúc âm Chúa Nhật và thực hành chúng trong cuộc sống của mình.