In today's gospel (Mt 13: 1-23), Jesus goes out once again to have an encounter with the people; an encounter that still fills us with joy, as the Lord's presence continues to be as real in our days, as it was in the moment that he sat down by the sea where large crowds gathered around him. Those people were considered blessed because they were in the presence of the Lord. And today, we join together to the celebration of the Eucharist; to the personal encounter with Jesus, where we continue being witnesses of what many people wished to see and hear.
It is great to know that many people joined to the workshops of the “V Encuentro” (5th Encounter) that has been celebrated in our parish since the day of the feast of our patron Saint, St. Anthony of Padua. I am sure that many of you had no clear knowledge about what was in store for those who came; but we removed the blindfold to our date with the Lord the first day, to learn and feel what Jesus has always tried to tell us.
As days of "Encuentros" went by, we came closer as a community to learn about our burdens that make us feel distant from God. Later on, we learned that God is always sowing the seed of the word in our hearts, no matter if he sows the seed in rocky grounds where it had little to grow. Now, following the example of Jesus, we his "Missionary Disciples", are called to continue sowing a tiny seed of the word of God in someone's heart. it is a blessing for this parish to have the thirst of meeting with Jesus through our community experience.
We are looking forward to create more opportunities for all of our parishioners; not only to know each other more, but to grow and strengthen our personal relation with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. May the protection of the first "Disciple-Missionary" of Jesus Christ, our Mother the Virgin Mary under the patronage of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, who's feast we celebrate today, motivate us to continue opening our hearts to the Word of God, which like that seed that fell on rich soil also wants to produce abundant fruit in our parish community.