Dear Parish Family,
I greet you all again this week. I hope you had a great week! In today’s Gospel, we see a beautiful invitation from Jesus to His disciples: “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” This invitation comes after the disciples had returned from their missionary journeys, full of excitement and stories but also undoubtedly weary from their labors. 
 
Jesus, in his deep understanding, recognized their need for rest. He saw that they had been working tirelessly, spreading the Good News, healing the sick, and casting out demons. He understood that even His most dedicated followers need time to recharge, to be refreshed both physically and spiritually.
 
In our own lives, we often find ourselves caught up in the busyness of our daily routines. Work, family responsibilities, and countless other commitments can leave us feeling drained. We know eating nutritious food and getting good sleep are essential for the body's recovery, but how often do we step back, reflect, and renew our spirits? Spiritual renewal is just as important as physical rest.
 
Jesus’ invitation, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” teaches us the importance of Sunday and daily prayer time. Sunday is a day set apart from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the week. It is a day to focus on our relationship with God, to worship Him, and to find rest in His presence. It is a day to receive spiritual strength to live the week by participating in the Eucharist. In a world that never seems to slow down, Sunday is a precious gift, a day to reconnect with what truly matters. 
 
In addition, daily prayer and meditation renew our souls. In the Bible, Jesus often went to quiet, deserted places to pray. Jesus spent a busy daily life healing the sick, teaching, and traveling. Even in his busy daily life, Jesus never forgot to spend time with God in prayer, and this teaches us many things.
 
I hope you take the time to talk to God, even if it's just for 10 or 15 minutes before Mass begins or before you go to bed. In silence, I hope you will listen to what God is saying to you when you’ve had a busy week or day. If you have had a difficult time, please share your worries with God, and if you have something you are thankful for, please praise God. Let us become Christians who use this time given as a gift from God for the glory of the Lord and for our neighbors.
Until next week, take care, keep praying, stay healthy!
 
In Christ, 
Fr. Fabian Han