¿Eres Terreno Duro, Rocoso, Espinoso o Fértil?

You're Invited: My Installation Mass as Your Pastor

Before the homily, Fr. Martin shares an important parish announcement: next Sunday at 4:00 PM is his Installation Mass as Pastor of St. Joseph, celebrated by Bishop Timothy Freyer in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese (note: the 5:00 PM Mass is canceled that day).  With over 1,000 guests and 50 priests expected, he offers practical guidance on parking and arrival (carpooling, walking/biking/rideshare encouraged, overflow parking at Valencia High School and Holy Cross Melkite Church), overflow seating with livestream in the parish hall, and details on the post-Mass dinner reception in the back lot and field.  He also invites the parish to give or volunteer for the celebration via QR code, website, or the parish office.

Están Invitados: Mi Misa de Instalación como su Párroco

Antes de la homilía, el Padre Martin comparte un anuncio importante de la parroquia: el próximo domingo a las 4:00 PM será su Misa de Instalación como Párroco de San José, celebrada por el Obispo Timothy Freyer en inglés, español y vietnamita (nota: la Misa de las 5:00 PM será cancelada ese día).  Con más de 1,000 invitados y 50 sacerdotes confirmados, ofrece indicaciones prácticas sobre estacionamiento y llegada (se recomienda compartir carro, caminar, ir en bicicleta o usar transporte compartido), estacionamiento adicional en Valencia High School y la Iglesia Melkita Holy Cross, asientos de desborde con transmisión en vivo en el salón parroquial, y detalles sobre la recepción-cena después de la Misa en el estacionamiento trasero y el campo.  También invita a la parroquia a contribuir a la celebración a través del fondo de Proyectos Especiales, mediante código QR, el sitio web, o la oficina parroquial.

Hard Ground, Rocky Ground, Thorny Ground, Rich Ground. Which Am I?

On this Known by Name Weekend, Fr. Martin reflects on a recent trip to Kauai, where daily rain transforms the island into a lush, blooming paradise. Drawing from the Prophet Isaiah and the Parable of the Sower, he explores how God's word is like that rain — always given generously, but only fruitful depending on the condition of the soil it falls on.  Fr. Martin walks through the four types of ground Jesus describes (hard, rocky, thorny, and rich) and invites listeners to honestly ask: what soil am I right now? He closes with real stories from the parish of hearts being softened and transformed, and a hopeful reminder that we don't have to till the soil ourselves — we just have to let God in.

¿Eres Terreno Duro, Rocoso, Espinoso o Fértil?

En este Domingo de Nombres, el Padre Martín reflexiona sobre un reciente viaje a Kauai, donde la lluvia diaria transforma la isla en un paraíso exuberante y florido. Basándose en el Profeta Isaías y la Parábola del Sembrador, explora cómo la palabra de Dios es como esa lluvia — siempre dada generosamente, pero solo fructífera según la condición de la tierra en la que cae.  El Padre Martín repasa los cuatro tipos de terreno que Jesús describe (duro, rocoso, espinoso y fértil) e invita a los oyentes a preguntarse honestamente: ¿qué tipo de tierra soy ahora mismo? Concluye con historias reales de la parroquia sobre corazones que han sido ablandados y transformados, y un recordatorio esperanzador de que no tenemos que labrar la tierra nosotros mismos — solo tenemos que dejar entrar a Dios.

Are You Generous or Are You Greedy? Do You Give or Do You Grab?

In this homily, Fr. Martin begins by sharing several important parish transitions: thanking Fr. Danh on his final weekend at St. Joseph, welcoming Fr. Arundas Thomas as the new parochial vicar, and announcing his own Installation Mass as pastor on July 26. The homily then turns to a simple but challenging question: "Are you generous or greedy? Do you give or do you grab?" Fr. Martin reflects that while we all like to think of ourselves as generous, every disciple must examine how freely we give our time, talents, and treasure. Drawing from the readings, he explains that saints are marked by generosity, while sin leads us to grasp and hoard. He highlights Jesus' teaching that "it is more blessed to give than to receive" and illustrates this truth through the contrast between the Sea of Galilee, which remains full of life because it receives and gives away water, and the Dead Sea, which stagnates because it only receives and never gives. Connecting this image to St. Joseph Parish's Five Habits of a Disciple—Pray, Connect, Invite, Serve, and Give—Fr. Martin encourages listeners to practice concrete generosity during the week by giving their time, talents, and financial resources. He concludes with a memorable challenge: "Don't grab. Give." Like the Sea of Galilee, a life of generosity becomes a life that is spiritually alive, fruitful, and overflowing with God's blessings.