Welcome to October! As the leaves change and the sunset gets earlier and earlier, we’re reminded by nature that our time on this earth is limited.

The realities of life often challenge our notions of fairness. One of the foundational questions many of us grapple with, especially in times of crisis or personal loss, is: “Has life been fair to me?”

Forgiveness is a complex aspect of human relationships. As we navigate through life, we often face situations where we must choose to forgive or hold onto grudges. The Scriptures of Sirach 27:30-28:7, St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans 14:7-9, and Matthew 18:21-35 tackle the topic of forgiveness, emphasizing its depth and importance.

Our Scripture readings this weekend offer lessons on love, responsibility, and community accountability. Ezekiel introduces the concept of collective moral responsibility, while Romans emphasizes that the essence of moral obligation is love.

Life is often likened to a journey, but it’s perhaps more apt to envision it as a labyrinth.

Over the past 13 years of my priesthood, I have grown accustomed to wearing my Roman collar when traveling, particularly if I am traveling for parish- or diocesan-related events.

Faith was and continues to be an important part of my life. I was fortunate to be born into a family of faith, where my parents and extended family taught me the importance of living a life of faith, and even more importantly, to safeguard my faith.

As a kid born and raised in Brooklyn, I loved going to the beach during the summer. I had friends who lived on Long Island who would invite me to spend the day at the beach with them. I enjoyed having sand in between my toes and lounging in the sun.

I have had the tremendous joy of making two pilgrimages to the Holy Land. My first was as a transitional deacon with my seminary classmates along with the Rector and Vice-Rector of the seminary.

Just before my ordination 15 years ago, one of my aunts gave me a beautiful gift — a framed image of Jesus with a Spanish inscription: “A Jesucristo es imposible conocerle y no amarle, amarle y no seguirle.”