Dear Parishioners of Saint Polycarp,

“Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?” was the discussion among the disciples of Jesus, as they left the region of Caesarea Philippi for Capernaum. Upon hearing their conversation, Jesus offered them a concrete and an important lesson about being greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. The Gospel of Mark describes Jesus’ lesson to the disciples as follows: “Then [He] sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, ‘if anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.’ Taking a child, [He] placed it in their midst, and putting his arms around it, [He] said to them, ‘Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me’” (Mk 9:35-37).

It is important to note that Jesus began with an acceptance or a reception of a child, who is powerless and is depended on others for a living, to an acceptance of Him, and of God the Father. I often emphasize this acceptance at Mass and in my various talks: a child is a human person. Jesus came to us in the form of a child to reveal to us His Father’s love and forgiveness. In other words, the greatest subject in the Kingdom of Heaven is the human person, who is made the image of God (imago Dei).

We humans are important and special to God. This is the reason I always love the story of the creation of the human person in the Book of Genesis. It says, “So God created mankind in [His] own image, in the image of God [He] created them; male and female [He] created them” (Gen 1:27). We humans are sacred. Thus, to accept one another as a child of God is important to Jesus because He taught us to love our neighbors as ourselves. Our faith is incomplete if we say that we love God but and fail to love another person.

As I reflect on Jesus’ teaching today and on the story of creation about seeing God in others, I want to thank you all of those who generous gave their times and energy to support our Parish Fiesta. Your generosity demonstrates Jesus’ teaching of serving God through serving others, and loving God through loving others.

On behalf of the people of Saint Polycarp, I and the parish priests want to take this opportunity to express my deepest gratitude to the Fiesta’s Core Team (Tom, Dylan, Phuong, Celina, Calvin, and Joel), all ministry leaders, benefactors, and volunteers for your generous support of Parish Fiesta this year. It was a wonderful parish event. Remember that your service to the parish community illustrates your love to serve and to build the Body of Jesus Christ. Be assured of my prayers and appreciation for each one of you.

Lastly, now the Parish Fiesta is behind us, I invite you to begin praying for the upcoming parish Marian Celebration on October 4. May God, through the intercession of St. Joseph, Mary, and Saint Polycarp, keep you safe always.

Fr. Viet Peter Ho
Pastor