In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Welcome, dear family and friends, as we gather in prayer to listen to God's holy Word and seek His comforting presence.
Lord Jesus, you came to reveal the depth of the Father's love: Lord, have mercy. Christ Jesus, you call us to open our hearts to your grace: Christ, have mercy. Lord Jesus, you are the resurrection and the eternal life: Lord, have mercy.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus returns to his hometown of Nazareth. But the people could not see who was standing right before them. “Is he not the carpenter’s son?” they asked. They looked at the ordinary surface and missed the divine grace in their midst.
In our First Reading, the LORD commands Jeremiah to stand in the court of the temple and speak every word, to “omit nothing.” Jeremiah called the people to open their eyes and turn their hearts back to God. How easy it is for human eyes to miss the extraordinary gifts God places right before us.
To the world, a young boy might seem like just another student… just another teenager. But those who knew Benjamin Vo knew they were in the presence of a truly rare and tender soul.
Benjamin possessed a brilliant mind, but even more, a heart of pure, selfless generosity. When his uncle suffered strokes, fifteen-year-old Ben did not hesitate. He was ready to give up his entire piggy bank, offering everything he had to help. No calculation. No hesitation. Just complete, radiant love.
Where the people of Nazareth missed the wonder right in front of them, you, Alan and Thao, never missed it in Benjamin. You saw his gentle spirit every day. You cherished his smile.
It has been six weeks now since Ben was called home. Six weeks of quiet longing. To Alan and Thao… the weight of grief is heavy, but please, keep living and loving deeply for Ryan. Surround Ryan with that same light and hope that Ben shared so freely.
To Ben’s aunts, uncles, everyone tuning in from afar, and every family carrying a silent cross: Jesus sees you. He holds you close.
Benjamin Vo is not gone from God’s care. He rests safely in the arms of the Father, his generous heart forever peaceful, watching over you always.
For the intentions entrusted to Ben on our prayer wall:
At the Savior’s command and formed by divine teaching, we dare to say:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
May the Lord bless us, protect us from all distress, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.
✝ May almighty God bless you: the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.