Most Reverend José H. Gomez
Archbishop of Los Angeles
Mission San Gabriel Arcángel
San Gabriel, California
November 4, 2023
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,1
It is a joy to be with you for this important moment in the life of the family of God, as we install our brother, Bishop Brian Nunes, as episcopal vicar for the San Gabriel Pastoral Region of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
And it is fitting that we are worshiping today in this historic mission established by St. Junípero Serra, the great apostle to California and spiritual founder of Los Angeles.
The Church also remembers today in her liturgy the great bishop of the Catholic reformation, St. Charles Borromeo, so we ask his prayers today also for our new bishop.
These saints remind us that every bishop is called by Jesus and anointed to be a successor to the apostles. The word apostle means “one who is sent.”
And Jesus sends out his bishops, just as he did his apostles, to be missionaries of his saving love. He sends out his bishops to invite all men and women to the “wedding banquet” that he speaks of in today’s Gospel.
In the parable that we hear today, we need to understand that the wedding banquet that Jesus refers to is the Eucharist, the table that the Lord prepares for all of us in his kingdom.
In his plan of salvation, Jesus invites every man and woman — from every nation, race, and language — to this banquet, to the wedding feast of heaven and earth.
The Eucharist is so much more than a ritual symbol, or just something we do as Catholics on Sundays.
In every Eucharist, Jesus opens the heavens and comes down to be with us, to be the host of the banquet, to sit at the head of his table.
He speaks his Word to enlighten and encourage us, he feeds us bread and wine, and gives us a share in his divine life.
And in our Lord’s beautiful plan, the bishop is the guardian of the sanctity of these sacred mysteries. In his plan, the bishop’s presence at the altar is the sign of the unity of all humanity in Jesus Christ.
The first Christians used to say: Where the bishop is, there is the people of God, just as where Jesus is, there is his Catholic Church.2
Bishop Brian, this sacred duty is now entrusted to you. You are called to be the sign of unity and the steward of these mysteries of God.
The “secret key” to the Eucharist is that silent prayer that the bishop or priest prays at the altar in every Mass: “By the mystery of this water in wine, may we come to share in the divinity of Christ, who humbled himself to share in our humanity.”
But in the parable he tells us today, Jesus reminds us — that to share in his divinity, we need to imitate his humility.
“When you are invited … to a wedding banquet, do not recline at table in the place of honor,” he tells us. “Rather, when you are invited, go and take the lowest place.”
And, my brothers and sisters, today we are called to reflect on the truth that humility is the only path to walk if we want to find true happiness, holiness, and heaven.
Jesus humbled himself to die for us on the cross, that’s how precious we are to him. And because he did this, God greatly exalted him, raised him from dead and into the highest heavens.3
And Jesus is calling us to follow his same path. That is the meaning of the parable we hear today: “The one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
This is an important lesson for every one of us. But this teaching is especially important for bishops.
So, we pray for that grace of humility for all Bishops and today, especially for you Bishop Brian.
We pray that you will always keep your gaze fixed on Jesus and follow his example. And we pray that you will lead us in his humble way of selfless service to others.
Each of us can serve God, even in the “lowest place.” Wherever the Lord calls us, that’s where he wants us to serve.
And we have to remember that serving the Lord does not mean grand gestures or heroic deeds. Holiness shines in humility, sanctity is always the fruit of selfless service.
His promise is beautiful and true: if we follow him in humility, we will be exalted with him and live with him forever in heaven.
So, as we prepare now to receive our Lord in the Holy Sacrament, let us ask the Lord to open our hearts to this beautiful gift of his humility,
As he humbles himself once more to become the bread of life and our spiritual drink, may we humble ourselves to receive him, and as he gives his life to us, may we give our lives to him.
And let us continue to pray for our new bishops and today especially for Bishop Brian.
May our Blessed Mother, Queen of the Apostles, wrap him and all of us in the mantle of her love and keep us always close to the heart of her Son, our Lord Jesus Christ!
1. Readings: (Memorial of St. Charles Borromeo / Saturday of the 30th Week in Ordinary Time): Rom. 11:1–2a, 11–12, 25–29; Luke 14:1, 7–11.