In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, with whom all things are possible, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
Lord Jesus, you call us to humble our hearts before the majesty of God: Lord, have mercy. Christ Jesus, you promise eternal life to all who follow you: Christ, have mercy. Lord Jesus, in our weakness you reveal your saving power: Lord, have mercy.
In our first reading from Ezekiel, the Lord speaks directly to the prince of Tyre, whose heart had grown haughty because of his great intelligence, wisdom, and success. Ezekiel gently but firmly sets the truth before him: “You are a man, and not a god.”
In the Gospel, the disciples are astonished when Jesus speaks of how hard it is to enter the Kingdom by human self-reliance. They ask in wonder, “Who then can be saved?”
Jesus looks at them and speaks words that anchor our faith: “For men this is impossible, but for God all things are possible.”
True greatness before God is never about pride or earthly boasting. It is found in humility… in placing our whole trust into the Father’s loving hands.
We saw that beautiful balance of brilliance and humility in Benjamin Vo.
Ben was blessed with an extraordinary mind. At an age when most boys were just discovering simple hobbies, Ben was diving with eager curiosity into coding, complex logic, and cloud technology—learning alongside his dad with sophisticated insight. Yet with all his sharp intellect, Benjamin remained completely unassuming and gentle. He had no arrogance in him. He was the sweetest boy… always smiling, deeply respectful to his parents, and filled with a pure, quiet goodness.
It has been nine weeks since Ben was called home to the Lord. Nine weeks where the absence of his gentle voice and bright curiosity leaves an ache in the quiet moments of each day.
Yet Jesus reminds us today that what is impossible for human strength alone, God accomplishes in His boundless mercy. The Lord promises a hundredfold reward and eternal life to those who trust Him. Ben is safe in that divine promise, held in the joyful light of Heaven.
To Alan, Thao, and dear Ryan: lean into God’s quiet strength whenever the path feels steep. Hold close to one another, and keep moving forward with love and hope for Ryan.
To Ben’s aunts and uncles, everyone joining us in prayer from near and far, children carrying heavy burdens, and every family enduring sorrow: Our Lady wraps you in her mantle of peace. You are seen, loved, and held by God.
Benjamin rests in the everlasting light of Christ… where the pure of heart behold the face of God forever.
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.