Fear Had Taken Them Over

Dear Parishioners & Visitors,

Jesus took Peter, James, and John and Jed them up a high mountain apart by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white.

The disciples were scandalized. Jesus had announced to them that they were going up to Jerusalem where he would be rejected by the nation's religious leaders, abused, condemned to death and resurrect after three days. There was too much in those words for them to understand. So far they felt everything was under control. And now Jesus was shaking their confidence. This is the background to the reading of today's gospel. Insecurity and fear had taken them over.

Jesus needs to intervene, he needs to restore confidence among his disciples. And so he takes the three initial disciples with him up a high mountain. And it is there that he manifests to them the real purpose of his passion, death and resurrection. They are not going to be the end. There is more to come, a most glorious future. And he transforms himself in their presence. He shows them his real glory and the glory they are called to participate in.

We also know what it means to face rejection suffering and even death. And we are also afraid; afraid of the uncertainty of the future, afraid of the possibility of rejection, suffering and death. As we move into this Lenten season, Jesus offers us hope and consolation. He knows that we, like the disciples at times, find ourselves looking for answers and hope. Answers, because at times, we seem to encounter darkness and doubt in our lives, and we need answers to questions that seem to be riddled with confusion. And hope, because darkness prevents us from making sense of our and others' lives.

The transfiguration of Jesus reminds us of what the last goal of our life will be: the total identification with the risen Lord in the kingdom of God. Our crosses, which at times seem to be meaningless, acquire their difficult to identify purpose, to share in the life and glory of the risen Christ. It is a difficult lesson to learn at times. We like the disciples will have to witness to the cross before arriving to the full knowledge of our lives meaning and purpose. There is no Easter Sunday without a Good Friday!

-fr. Alberto Rodriguez, O.P.

Lent: Time to Empty Oneself

Dear Parishioners & Visitors,

A newly ordained priest was very excited about celebrating his first season of Lent as a priest. He was preparing the liturgies and homilies very diligently. This priest was serving in the United States but he was from another country. A few days before Ash Wednesday, his mother fell gravely ill. His mother was advanced in age and her health was weak. After some thought, he decided to go back to his country and help his mother hoping to get back soon to the US and celebrate Lent with his parishioners. While the priest was taking care of his mother, things got more complicated. She had a heart attack. The doctors helped her to come back. The doctors spent all night doing procedures on her to keep her alive. Early in the morning, after all the procedures, she was back. At that point, the priest anointed her. The priest realized that he needed to stay with her to help her in her recovery.

The priest spent the whole season of Lent taking care of her, helping her to take care of her basic needs. She recovered some more and the priest was able to return to his parish in the US just in time for Holy Week. Reflecting back, the priest recognized that initially he was disappointed he was not able to celebrate Lent in full as a priest with his parishioners. Nevertheless, taking care of his mother was one of the most meaningful religious experiences he ever had. While he was taking care of his mother he was able to get to know her better and to appreciate what she had done in life for her family, includ­ing her son, the priest. He was also able to be touched by the suffering and vulnerability of elderly people, especially women. Most importantly, through the whole experience, the priest had the opportunity of emptying himself from his own expectations about Lent. He understood that the religious practices are important and that they help us to grow. Nevertheless, Lent is about something deeper, the willingness to empty oneself for the benefit of others. Just as Christ did, "Christ suffered for sins once, the righteous for tr1e sake of the unrighteous, that he might lead you to God" (1 Peter 3: 18a). Only then is when Lent becomes a life changing experience.

The Lord gives us opportunities, like the one given to the priest, for us to empty ourselves in our daily lives. The Church invites us to empty oneself for the benefit of others through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. One of the ways our Parish is also giving us that opportunity is by becoming a member of the Saint Vincent de Paul society and volunteering to serve the poor. We heard their invitation last week and we heard how this service is a life changing experience. Please consider this opportunity. Now it is up to us, if this season of Lent is just one more in our lives, or if it is the one season that will change our lives for the rest of our existence. 

-fr. Jorge Rátiva, O.P.

Everything for the Glory of God

Dear Parishioners & Visitors,

"Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, 
do everything for the glory of God."

In this week's second reading, Saint Paul invites us to do everything for the glory of God. Though this invitation might seem to be very tame, it has deep implications. It questions the deep reason behind all our actions. What are the real motivations behind our daily behaviors?

That we live in a self-centered and hedonistic society is evident to all of us. Our culture does not foster generosity and self-giving attitudes. Preoccupation with self-advancement, sexual and sensual gratification, and the creation of false human idols-sports, politics, and the arts-drum the behavior of the masses. The greater glory of God seems to be far away from the minds of most of those with whom we live our lives.

How can we create around ourselves an environment which will empower us to give priority to this goal? Some people might think that isolation might be the solution. But isolation negates our role as witnesses to the Gospel in the world. Jesus himself told us that we were in the world but not of the world. This dichotomy challenges us to live with the inner tension of being immersed in the world but not belonging to the world. It takes a mature faith to be able to withstand the forces of the world and its culture which try to engulf us. As in the day of Saint Paul, it is not easy to live a Christian life which aims to do everything for the glory of God.

It is up to each one of us to develop that mature faith. God grants us the graces to live a Christian life, but it is up to each one of us to create that inner personal culture of faith which would enable us to live our lives for the greater glory of God. Faith education plays a very important role in this process. In the same way in which we con­stantly update ourselves in our professional fields, it is fundamental we do so at the level of our faith formation. Let us make the best of the opportunities offered to us to grow in our faith. Only through a mature faith will we be able to live as Saint Ignatius of Loyola taught his followers: Ad Maiorem Dei Gloria!

-fr. Alberto Rodriguez, O.P.

Preach the Gospel!

Dear Parishioners & Visitors,

Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel! - I Cor 9:16

When I was in my early twenties, I started to read the Bible with certain regularity. At the time, I was living in Colombia in the midst of a very complicated political situation. There was a lot of social unrest. Every time I read the Bible, I would find hope and healing. That was a moment of abundant grace in my life. This reading of the Bible and the situation of my country moved me to grow in the understanding and practice of my faith. Soon after that, I started to attend Bible classes. I was not confirmed yet, so I also decided to seek faith formation. In the midst of this search, I was also looking for a Church where the preaching would help me to grow in faith and especially in hope.

One day, I decided to go to Parroquia de Santo Domingo, the Dominican parish in my hometown. That day, the homily of the priest really spoke to my heart. At the end of Mass, the priest also announced that the confirmation classes were about to start. I was very happy because I had found the two things I was looking for in just one place.

The priest who celebrated the Mass that day was Luis Carlos Perea, O.P. He was known as Padre Perea. He was very joyful, very passionate about God's love for us, and a very good Dominican. I started to attend mass frequently. Padre Perea and I became friends. Later on, he asked me to help him with First Communion classes since he did not have enough teachers. I accepted even though I was a little hesitant since it was my first time teaching religious classes in a Church setting.

One day, Padre Perea and I were having coffee, and he asked me if I would like to be a Dominican. When I heard this question something happened inside me. For me, it was like the whole world had stopped. I said to him that I had never thought about it. He asked me if I would like to think about it to which I said I would. Since then, I never stopped thinking about being a Dominican. Later on, with the help and guidance of Padre Perea, I decided to join the Order.

As in my personal vocation story, there are many other stories that help to highlight how essential the mission of preaching the Gospel is. This is precisely what St. Paul is reminding us in his letter today. It is very clear that the mission of preaching the Gospel is to open the hearts of the people of God to receive inspiration, healing, and conversion. It is through the mission of preaching that God makes his way in to move the hearts of his people to new opportunities and new decisions to respond to His Holy Will.

In a parish like ours, the mission of Preaching the Gospel, is not just the responsibility of the priest but of every member. Have you ever wonder how God is calling you to participate in the mission of preaching the Gospel? If not, would you like to think about it?

-fr. Jorge Rátiva, O.P

Times of Many Voices

Dear Parishioners & Visitors,

The people were astonished at his teaching, 
for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.

The listeners of Jesus were astonished because he taught them as one having authority. His words were not grounded on others' authority but on himself. He spoke in the name of the Father and his message resounded in their hearts.

Though people were astonished, that did not mean that they liked his message, because his message challenged many of their religious and devotional traditions. The Sadducees did not like when he spoke of resurrection and angels. The Pharisees did not like what he had to say about their mechanical following of the letter of the Mosaic Law and their judging of other people's lives. Jesus' words were at times harsh to listen to and even harsher to accept. His teachings were forcing people to expand their understanding of who God was and how God loved us. Jesus' words of truth brought many to hate him and produce his violent death.

We live in times of many voices; voices that try to redefine for us the meaning of truth, of who we are and how we are supposed to lead our lives. Amidst the noise of these many voices, it is not easy at times to recognize the voice of Jesus, the one who spoke with authority. How to discern among the many voices? How to listen to the voice of the Master?

In the Catholic Church we have the advantage to know whom to listen to and how to listen. We know, as part of the content of our faith, that Jesus gave to Peter and the other Apostles the power to bind and loose, the power of the keys. And our faith tells us that these powers are passed onto their successors.

These powers connote the authority to absolve sins, to pronounce doctrinal judgments, and to make disciplinary decisions in the Church. We are not left alone. The voice of the Master still reaches us through the voice of the Bishop of Rome and the College of Bishops. And they do speak with clarity and ;authority. We might not always like what they tell us; but at the end we have to be able to put to the side the cafeteria approach to the Church. It is not about liking or disliking. It is about listening to the voice and obeying it.

- fr. Alberto Rodriguez, O.P.

I am Calling You!

Dear Parishioners & Visitors,

Simon, Andrew, James, and John were fishermen. Simon and his brother Andrew were casting their nets into the sea while James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John were in a boat mending their nets. They were doing their regular daily work when the Lord saw them. Then the Lord called them to follow him and become fishers of men. It is interesting to see how the extraordinary of the Kingdom of God unfolds within the ordinary routines and activities of our lives.

It is within their own circumstances that Jesus cal1ed Simon, Andrew, James, and John to participate in the mission of proclaiming the Kingdom of God. After hearing the call, they left their nets and James and John left their father along with the hired men. In order to follow Jesus, they had to leave someone or something behind.

In our daily lives, we need attentive listening to be able to hear Jesus' call and the freedom and willingness to follow him and fulfill the mission to which he is calling us. What is the Lord calling me to today? What do I need to let go of to follow him and proclaim the Kingdom of God? We are invited to ponder these two questions individually and as a parish.

The mission statement of Holy Parish says that "we strive to live and spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ." This is at the very heart of our parish. This is the call we have received. We respond to this mission by participating in the liturgy, the sacraments, and all the other ministries. A good number of parishioners are already taking part on this call We are grateful for their generosity. Still, the Lord is calling others. For this reason, I would like to take this opportunity to invite you to take a look at our different ministries and consider enrolling in one of them. This is one of the concrete ways we respond to the call.

As for the first disciples, responding to Jesus' call is a Life changing experience. We might need to leave something or someone behind, we might need to do some changes in our ordinary lives but be sure that only then, the extraordinary of the Kingdom of God will come.

-fr. Jorge Rátiva, O.P.

Planting the Seeds of Vocations

Dear Parishioners & Visitors,

"Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them, 'What are you looking for?'They said to him, 'Rabbi, where are you staying?' He said to them, 'Come, and you will see.' So they; went and saw where Jesus was staying, and they stayed with him that day."

Vocations to the priesthood and religious life are fundamental to the healthy development and future of the Church in the United States. Sadly, we are presently encountering a crisis. Though we in our parish do not experience the brunt of this situation, we have to look into the future and ask ourselves: what are we doing in order to secure the proper ministerial assistance for our parish community?

Vocations can not only be a concern for bishops and provincials. Vocations are born and fostered in the safe space of our families. It is the parental invitation that plants the seeds of vocations in the hearts of the younger generation. Parental encouragement is fundamental. The parents within our communities need to question themselves: how would I react if one of my children wanted to become a priest or religious? Sadly, I believe that for some parents it is more important to create an attitude which encourages success and status in the minds of their children. In my experience, I have encountered a number of young men who were afraid to pose to their parents a question regarding a vocation to the priesthood or religious life. There is a fear of disappointing them; of not fulfilling their expectations. Is this the attitude prevailing within our families? Though it is always important to encourage our children to be their best in preparing for their future, this should never preclude the possibility of a vocation to the priesthood or religious life.

Young Samuel in this Sunday's first reading was unable to recognize the voice of God. It took the advice of Eli, who played a parental role in his life, to help him recognize the call as the call from God. Only then was he able to respond and accept the call. It is primarily the role of the parents to teach their children to discern the voice of God in their lives. We live in a world where the voices are many and confusing and many of them do not attempt to lead us to love and serve God. The parents, as the first teachers of their children, play a unique and privileged role in the religious formation of their children.

It is also important to realize the power of prayer regarding vocations. We, as a parish community, need to constantly pray for vocations. Jesus himself told his disciples to pray to the Father for more workers for the harvest. Our prayers pave the way for more vocations. Our prayers united to the intercession of the Blessed Mother will help us foster and support more vocations within the hearts of our families.

-fr. Alberto Rodriguez, 0.P.

A Guiding Star

Dear Parishioners & Visitors,

Today we hear in the Gospel of a guiding star: "And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother"(Matthew 2,9b-11a). I could not help but contemplate how our Holy Rosary parish is a guiding star that leads many to see Jesus and his mother.

After my first months of ministry here, I have witnessed this guidance. Holy Rosary is a guiding star by being faithful to the Magisterium of the Church in our preaching, teaching and the liturgical celebrations. Holy Rosary as a guiding star is also very inspired by the testimony of God's love in the lives of many. As Pastor, I have had the grace and the privilege of seeing how God is restoring the lives of people who come to confession or seek spiritual advice. Parishioners are also always ready to love their neighbor by helping them when they are in need. This was very clear to me after Hurricane Harvey. Love for the neighbor is very concrete and real in our parish by the service of the staff, the volunteers, the ministry leaders, the friars, and all the faithful who support the ministry of this parish with their time, talent and treasure. Personally, I am very grateful to all parishioners for their love and support. This is a parish that truly strives to live and spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I can also say that Holy Rosary is the guiding star that brought me here as Pastor. When I was discerning to serve in this capacity, I felt drawn to it in part because of the place that Our Lady of the Holy Rosary has in my life and my vocation. Even though I visited the parish before, I did not have the opportunity to become more familiar with parishioners and the parish life itself. Now that I have met some of the wonderful, faithful people that strive for holiness here at Holy Rosary, I am very happy being here as a part of this guiding star. I also appreciate the challenges of the parish life because they are opportunities for growth, grace, and conversion.

As a guiding star Holy Rosary calls us to be active participants of our faith so that we may arrive to the place God is leading us to. As we begin this new year and trusting in this guiding star, I look forward in continuing walking with you in order to bring more people from Houston and beyond to see Jesus and his mother Mary here at Holy Rosary. 

-fr. Jorge Rátiva, O.P.

The Inner Joy in the Heart of Jesus

Dear Parishioners & Visitors,

In today's second reading Saint Paul exhorts us to rejoice. Why should he be reminding us of something that seems so unimportant? Should joy be an essential part of our Christian life? Joy should be at the heart of every Christian life. The joy that exists in our lives is but a reflection of the inner joy in the heart of Jesus who is constantly inviting us to follow him in the path of salvation. Joy is the natural response of the souls that discover that God loves us in the person of the Messiah with a love beyond commitment. Through the incarnation of the Eternal Word, God came into the life of the world to bring radical change, an empowerment to conquer sin and death. And in the face of this, we cannot remain without a proper response. And that response is joy; a joy that is not born out of simple human fulfillment but a joy that comes from the knowledge that God loves us in the person of Jesus, who came into our world to offer us a path to forgiveness and eternal life. We, the baptized, are therefore constantly reminded in Jesus of our dignity and condition.

We are no longer tied to the bonds of sin and death. We are children of God blessed and called to eternal life. No Christian can be on the path toward salvation without joy in their lives. Rejoice and be glad!

-fr. Alberto Rodriguez, O.P