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Cursillo
30th Anniversary My dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ: May the peace and love of the Lord Jesus be upon you. May this day be a very special occasion of God’s grace for each of you. I am very pleased to welcome you here today to our Catholic Pastoral Center. I congratulate you, Cursillastas, from all over the Archdiocese as we celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of your ministry and service here. Your enthusiastic practice of our Catholic faith is an example and a blessing for all our people. I thank you wholeheartedly and assure you of my continuing prayers and support. Today the Church observes a beautiful feast day called “The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mother.” Mary, the mother of Jesus is the very best human example of faith and love for all people. She received God’s love totally and loved Him completely in return. Mary, the Mother of God, holds a unique place in the history of mankind. She does not just suddenly appear from nowhere. She is a part of the plan of God from all time. In the Old Testament, God reveals His plan of salvation for the human race. He calls specific prophets and teachers to communicate His Presence and His plan. In foretelling the coming of Christ, the Sacred Scriptures bring into clearer light the figure of a woman, the Mother of the Redeemer. This is the Blessed Virgin Mary whom the Church proclaims as the joy of Israel and the noble daughter of Zion. Today, as we celebrate this feast of the Presentation of Mary, we are reminded of the many ways she responded to God’s loving plan. Thus she again gives us an example and an incentive. By her sincere obedience to the law and her wholehearted acceptance of God’s Will, the Virgin Mary is exalted among the humble and poor of the Lord. She also teaches us that those who trustingly hope in God for salvation will receive it. Mary not only gave birth to Jesus and is therefore the Mother of God, she is our Mother also. Jesus shared His mother with all of us from the cross when He said to Saint John on behalf of all of us: “Son, behold your mother.” Therefore, in the Blessed Virgin Mary, we have a model, an intercessor and a loving mother to watch over us. From the moment of Bethlehem when Mary gave birth to Jesus to this very moment, as we gather here together, the Blessed Virgin Mary continues to bring Jesus to us and to lead us to Jesus. Her role, her example and her prayers enable us to approach her Son Jesus with confidence and trust. Thus we are assured that Jesus will hear us. He will save us. Our Catholic faith, which is a great gift from God, recognizes the promises of the Blessed Virgin Mother in the plan of salvation which God has revealed to us. Therefore, the Church encourages us to develop a loving devotion to our heavenly mother. There is no better guide for us on our pilgrim journey of faith on this earth to life everlasting in heaven than Mary. In fact, as Catholic people we are instructed by the Word of God in the Bible, nurtured by the grace of God in the sacraments and guided by the Blessed Virgin Mary which is why we humbly ask: “Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.” Most Reverend Eusebius J. Beltran Archbishop of Oklahoma City |