Dear friends,

Wise people say, "Those who do not forgive break the bridge on which they have to pass." This is because everyone needs forgiveness. In response to Peter's question, "Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?"Jesus answered, "I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times." (Mathew 18:21-22)

Dear friends,

We are called to a life of Holiness.

Holiness as a noun means "the state of being holy." It is "a life of holiness and a total devotion to God" (Definition from the Oxford English Dictionary). Holiness is an essential attribute of God, and it reflects His perfect and unblemished nature. Literally speaking, living a holy life means that the Christian is set apart, reserved to give glory to God. It is a life of discipline, focus, and attention to matters of righteous living.

Dear Friends,

One fascinating Biblical story for me in the Old Testament is that of the burning bush, where Moses met God in a mysterious way (Exodus 3:1-12). The descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were facing a real crisis in Egypt, where they were forced to live in slavery. It was not easy for anyone to speak about God nor to experience His presence in suffering. However, while in exile shepherding his father-in-law Jethro's flock, Moses saw the bush on fire which was not getting consumed; he became curious about it, saying, "I must turn aside to look at this remarkable sight. Why does the bush not burn up?"

Dear Friends,

In one of my past reflections, I concluded that Prayer is a conversation between two persons, and for us, it is a Father-child relationship. We pray not because we want to convince God to do what we want. Prayer is an act of faith and must be done consistently. There are times when we pray for one week and expect miracles. We go to confession once and expect never to be tempted again. But God usually works like a farmer, not like a magician.

Dear Friends,

Two weeks ago, in anticipation of our Parish Day celebrations, the Deacons, Dave and Chito, in their weekend preaching, reflected on the role of Mary in our Christian life, and with them we prayed, placing ourselves and our Parish under the maternal care of Mary, Our Lady of Mount Carmel. On the following Thursday, July 16, which was the actual feast day of OLMC, I remember beginning my reflections with the words, "The best experience I have ever had in life was in the hands of a woman !... And that woman was my mother"

Dear Friends,

The gift of listening is irreplaceable in our journey of faith. The priest Eli finally understood that the Lord was calling the youth (Samuel), and he said to him, "Go to sleep, and if you are called, reply, 'Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening." - 1 Samuel 3:8-9. God continues to call people, and only those who are attentive can hear Him. Hearing is different from listening. We must learn to be silent before God. In silence God speaks to our hearts.

Dear Friends,

Our OLMC Parish prayer before Sunday Masses and Holy days of obligation begins with the words, "My parish is composed of people like me. I help make it what it is. It will be friendly if I am. It will be holy if I am .... "

Yes, this is true, and it is realizable if each and every one of us who are already members of the faith Community of Our Lady of Mount Carmel makes an effort to be more welcoming and more open to accepting other people, prays with them and for them, and seeks God's grace so that we may all go to heaven.

Dear Friends,

As we celebrate 250 years of Independence and existence of the United States of America, allow me to wish each and everyone a blessed, peaceful, happy and fulfilling Independence Day Anniversary. May this auspicious celebration promote equality, uplift human dignity, and empower the lives of all people to align with God's Kingdom which is established not by coercion but by the gentle authority of humility, righteousness, and peace.