Dear Friend of Carmel Mission,
In the Gospel today Jesus tells Jairus, “Do not be afraid; just have faith.” (Mark 5:36) This was probably easier said than done for a fearful and grieving father. Jesus knows two things that Jairus does not. First, that death is no obstacle for His healing power. Second, that the very faith that caused Jairus to seek Him out can sustain Jairus through any crisis.
There is an important connection between faith and action, witnessed in the Gospel story today. In the Gospel, Jairus did not just stay at home, wringing his hands, worrying about his sick daughter. He sought Jesus out, brought Jesus to his home, and in the critical moment, confronting death itself, found the courage to follow Jesus’ instruction and “just have faith.”
I have written often about the great faith of our own St. Junipero which brought him to the coast of California, and drove him to work tirelessly for God’s Kingdom in the New World. The evidence of that faith surrounds us here at Carmel Mission, and indeed at all the mission churches. What is less documented, but no less certain, are the days when St. Junipero doubted and feared. Junipero Serra was a human being, and as prone to doubt, worry and indecision as any of us. He is a saint of the Church today because he did not allow his human failings to paralyze him. He rallied his strength and his courage and put Jesus’ words into action.
As I contemplate the legacy of St. Junipero, and the past 250 years of Carmel Mission’s history, it is this example of courageous faith that I hope we carry forward into the next 250 years. I pray that you will continue to accompany our community of Carmel Mission as we move always forward, never back, with hope in our hearts.
I wish you and your loved ones blessings of good health, renewed hope, and courageous faith,
Fr. Paul
Please take a moment to read our Carmel Mission Weekly Bulletin.