From the Pastor's Desk……

July 13, 2003

Dear Fellow Parishioners,

This past year I had a unique experience.  It took place last September on Labor Day.  I was invited to be a participant in the Consecration of the new Our Lady of the Angels Cathedral in downtown Los Angeles by His Eminence, Cardinal Roger Mahony.  It was a long ceremony --- almost four hours!  There were many dramatic moments.  One was when the Cardinal officially opened the new Cathedral by striking the huge bronze doors with a silver mallet.  Another moment that impressed me very much was when the Cardinal took off his regular vestments and put on an apron and began to pour oil all over the huge main alter.  The oil he used is called "Chrism".  He gently, reverently, and lovingly began to rub the oil into the marble alter.  It took about 20 minutes.  From that moment on, the alter was set apart solely for God's service.

You and I have also been anointed with that same oil at our baptism and confirmation.  When the priest or deacon who baptized us put that "Chrism" on the crown of our heads in the form of a cross, he said"  "AS JESUS CHRIST WAS ANOINTED PRIEST, PROPHET, AND KING, SO MAY YOU LIVE ALWAYS AS A MEMBER OF HIS BODY, SHARING EVERLASTING LIFE."  Like Amos (see today's First Reading for the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time Amos 7: 12-15), God called us to be prophets.  What does a  prophet do?  He or she listens to what God proclaims --- peace, kindness, truth, and justice.  (See today's Responsorial Psalm #85: 9-12).  We were chosen for this role according to God's eternal plan formed long ago before the foundation of the world.  Secondly, a prophet speaks the truth in love (see Ephesians 4: 15).  As in the case of Amos, the Old Testament prophet, or Jesus' twelve Apostles, it does not matter whether others accept the truth we speak to them in love or not.  The mere fact that we have listened to the truth and proclaimed it is enough!

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. Ray Tintle, OFM
Pastor