In Mark’s Gospel today, we see that Jesus could not perform many miracles because
the people lacked faith. This is a powerful reminder for us, mission partners of the
Filipino Council of the Archdiocese of Baltimore (FC of AOB), that our faith is crucial for
God’s work in our lives and our church community. Living on our faith in God is critical
for our mission and life. We need God’s help to transform our personal and community
lives.
The Gospel tells us we will struggle without believing in Him and His guidance. Lack of
faith in God hinders our mission. Our faith opens the door to His power and strength.
God continually offers us what we need to shine His light in our midst, but we must
believe in His word and trust His intentions. He wants us to be evidence of His love and
presence and recognize that we are His people. Much of the success of our mission or
ministry depends on believing in and following the Holy Spirit’s guidance. So I urge you
to respond to His call by revealing your faith in Him and uniting with His plan. This is
how we can transform our ministry into one that embraces personal conversion and
discipleship. Our trust in Him will encourage us to follow His lead, change our
environment, and appreciate our role, as mission partners in His plan. I pray that you
may recognize and receive God’s guidance without resistance. Lack of faith, manifested
by disengagement or obstinacy, would prevent us from seeing God’s presence and
disable His work among us.
As we have announced the 14 th Archdiocesan Filipino Fiesta celebration on September
29 th , now is the time to trust God more than ourselves as we plan for this event. He
never abandons us as we work and journey together in Filipino ministry. By choosing to
trust Him, we allow His direction, presence, and mission to be experienced powerfully
by all. Join me in prayer that all mission partners of the FC of AOB may choose to allow
Jesus to perform mighty deeds in us and among us and that we may embrace faith and
open ourselves to His transformative power.
Fr. Pete Literal Chaplain
