“Being a Christian is more than just an instantaneous conversion — it is a daily process whereby you grow to be more and more like Christ.” (Billy Graham) - Daily Bible Reflections September 4,2015

WHO ARE YOU?

 

Christ Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. – Colossians 1:15

 

       The Gospel was perfect for the occasion during Fr. Peter Coching’s last Mass in our parish before his reassignment. It was the story of John the Baptist saying, “(Jesus) must increase, I must decrease.”

      Fr. Peter told the story of a family who had invited him for a despedida lunch. The parents came not just with their kids but with grandparents and an aunt, too. They thanked the priest for his touching sermons while he served at our parish. But throughout lunch, none of them called him by his right name. The parents called him Fr. Bong. The kids corrected them by saying, “He’s not Fr. Bong; he’s Fr. Raul!”

       Fr. Peter began to doubt if he was really the one they wanted to treat or they had invited the wrong priest. But this he realized: “In the end, it wasn’t my name that was important. What’s important was that I fulfilled my mission in this parish.” Just like John the Baptist, Fr. Peter was content to leave the mark of Christ in the hearts of the parishioners he served.

       Friends, are we the “image of the invisible God” to people who encounter us? Rissa Singson Kawpeng (justbreatherissa@gmail.com)

 

Reflection: “Being a Christian is more than just an instantaneous conversion — it is a daily process whereby you grow to be more and more like Christ.” (Billy Graham)

 

Lord, bless our priests and all those who’ve offered their lives to serve You. May we be Christ to our world. Amen.

 

St. Rose of Viterbo, pray for us.