Sunday, June 15, 2025

Monsignor Luis Alonso, a visiting missionary priest, delivered a rich homily that touches upon themes of vocation, faith, community, generosity, and the profound meaning of the Eucharist. Reflecting on his words can deepen our understanding of our faith and our call to discipleship and accompaniment.

Here are some reflection and discussion questions, designed to foster insightful conversation and connect to the principles of accompaniment within our Catholic faith:

Vocation and Discerning God's Will

• Reflection:

  Monsignor Alonso shared his constant prayer, "that all the doors that I should not go through be closed and the door that I should go through be opened". He also recounted his initial resistance to Bishop Carlson’s call to priesthood, stating, "I have everything planned Bishop". How might Monsignor Alonso’s experience of waiting for God's clear direction and persevering in prayer, even when it contradicted his own plans, challenge or affirm *your* approach to discerning God's will in *your* life?

• Accompaniment Connection:

  How can we, as a faith community, better accompany individuals who are discerning significant life changes, vocations, or difficult decisions, offering prayerful support and understanding as they seek to identify and walk through the doors God opens for them? What concrete steps can we take to be a supportive presence for those in discernment?

The Holy Trinity: Source and Summit of Faith

• Reflection:

  Monsignor Alonso emphasized the Holy Trinity as "the mystery at the center of our faith where everything originates and to where everything returns". He noted that this mystery is "ever present in our daily lives" from baptism onward. How does *your* understanding of the Holy Trinity, as the foundational mystery of our faith, influence *your* daily prayer life and *your* participation in the Sacraments, particularly Baptism and the Eucharist?

• Accompaniment Connection:

  How can we, as members of the universal Church, better accompany new converts or those seeking a deeper understanding of their faith by helping them grasp the central mystery of the Holy Trinity and its presence in their spiritual journey, perhaps through catechesis or shared prayer?

Formation of Community and Trusting God's Evolving Plan

• Reflection:

  Monsignor Alonso initially envisioned a peaceful return to his house in Colombia, but God had "different plans" for him. The formation of the "Messengers of Peace" community evolved organically, through the requests of young men in difficulty and the Archbishop's persistent questions about their name, statutes, rule of life, and even their habit. How does this narrative illustrate the importance of humility and openness to God's evolving plan, even when it differs from our initial expectations, or when it requires us to step out of our comfort zone?

• Accompaniment Connection:

  When new initiatives or ministries emerge within our faith community, how can we accompany their growth and development, providing guidance and support while allowing them the space to discern and evolve according to God's leading, even if their path isn't perfectly clear from the outset? How can we foster a spirit of flexibility and trust in God's timing within our community?

The Power of Generosity and Shared Mission

• Reflection:

  Monsignor Alonso repeatedly thanked his listeners, emphasizing how their "prayers, generosity, friendship, [and] encouragement" made it possible for the "Messengers of Peace" to feed the poor, take groceries to the elderly, and provide a home for "young girls that are used abused misused thrown away". He described these contributions as instrumental in helping "so many lives that have been changed". How do these tangible examples challenge *your* understanding of Christian generosity and its profound, life-changing impact on those in need?

• Accompaniment Connection:

  Beyond financial contributions, how can we personally accompany the poor, the elderly, or those who have been marginalized in our own community, ensuring our acts of charity are rooted in presence, relationship, and respect for their dignity, rather than just provision? How can we walk alongside them in their struggles and joys?

Eucharistic Love and True Wealth: The Story of Barbarita

• Reflection:

  The powerful story of Barbarita, who despite her extreme physical suffering—dysentery, gangrene legs, and abandonment—declared herself a "wealthy woman" because she had received "the greatest gift anybody can receive... our Lord body blood soul and divinity" in the Eucharist, is a central moment in the homily. She taught Monsignor Alonso how "very grateful we need to be how very blessed we are every time we receive our Lord". How does Barbarita's profound gratitude and understanding of true wealth challenge *your* own perception of material possessions versus spiritual riches, particularly in relation to *your* reception of the Eucharist?

• Accompaniment Connection:

  How can we, as a Catholic community, better accompany the sick, the homebound, and those facing physical or emotional suffering, ensuring they have access to the Sacraments and fostering an environment where they can encounter Christ's real presence and realize their profound spiritual wealth, just as Barbarita did? What practices or ministries can we strengthen to ensure no one feels abandoned or disconnected from the Body of Christ?