In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Welcome as we gather in the light of Christ to listen to God’s word and find comfort in His holy presence.
Lord Jesus, you call us to turn and become like little children: Lord, have mercy. Christ Jesus, your promises are sweeter than honey to our souls: Christ, have mercy. Lord Jesus, you never suffer a single one of your little ones to be lost: Lord, have mercy.
Ezekiel is handed a unrolled scroll covered in words of sorrow… yet when he consumes God’s word, he tells us: “I ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth.”
How can God's word bring sweetness in the midst of human pain?
Jesus gives us the answer in today’s Gospel. When the disciples debate who is greatest, Jesus places a child in their midst. He tells them: “Unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven.”
To become like a child is to possess a pure heart… to live with trust, humility, and unburdened wonder.
We saw that sweet, child-like wonder so clearly in Benjamin Vo. Think of his joyful, innocent imagination… how his face would light up with gentle giggles whenever he talked about his creative ideas, like his dream of starting “con chim airlines.” Ben had a mind that could soar, yet his spirit remained wonderfully humble, gentle, and sweet.
It has been eight weeks since Benjamin went home to the Father. Eight weeks where the heavy weight of missing him can feel like the sorrow written on Ezekiel’s scroll.
Yet Jesus speaks directly to our aching hearts today: “It is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost.” Benjamin’s angel gazes directly upon the face of God… held safely in the Father’s love, where every divine promise is sweeter than honey.
To Alan, Thao, and dear Ryan: Christ walks right beside you today. Lean into His grace, hold tight to one another, and let Ben’s gentle spirit inspire you as you continue living with courage and love for Ryan.
To Ben’s aunts and uncles, those praying from afar, children who are suffering, and every family bearing a heavy cross: Our Lady holds you close under her loving mantle.
Benjamin rests peacefully in the Kingdom… smiling upon us, forever enfolded in the Lord’s light.
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 evil, and bring us to everlasting life. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
✝ May almighty God bless you: the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.