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
