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

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.

A Blessing for Father's Day

On Father's Day, we give thanks to God for all fathers and father figures in our parish community: new fathers, single fathers, grandfathers, spiritual fathers, those facing challenges, those longing to be fathers, and those who have gone before us in faith.  We ask the Holy Spirit to bless and strengthen them so that they may reflect God's paternal love in their families and in the world. Through the intercession of St. Joseph, patron of our parish and model of fatherhood, we pray for all fathers and offer them a small gift of holy water and a prayer card to bless their homes and families.

Una Bendición para el Día del Padre

En este Día del Padre, damos gracias a Dios por todos los papás y figuras paternas de nuestra comunidad: los nuevos padres, los padres solteros, los abuelos, los padres espirituales, quienes atraviesan dificultades, quienes desean ser padres y aquellos que ya han partido a la Casa del Padre.  Pedimos al Espíritu Santo que los bendiga y fortalezca para que sean signos vivos del amor paternal de Dios en sus familias y en el mundo. Por la intercesión de San José, patrono de nuestra parroquia y modelo de paternidad, encomendamos a todos los papás al cuidado amoroso del Señor.