• Blog
  • Archive
  • The Grand Retablo
  • Bio/Contact
  • Menu

Rector Emeritus

Rector Emeritus
  • Blog
  • Archive
  • The Grand Retablo
  • Bio/Contact
Blog RSS

12th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Reflection

June 24, 2017

Years ago, Stanley Coopersmith of the University of California became curious about why some people succeed, while others with equal talents and opportunities fail.  To answer his question, he studied 1,700 students for six years, following them through the key growth years.  Coopersmith's findings are remarkable.  They show that the most important factor contributing to success or failure is a person's self image.  A person with a positive self-image is apt to succeed.  A person with a negative self-image is apt to fail.

In other words, if we perceive ourselves to be valuable or lovable, we will probably succeed in what we do.  But if we do not perceive ourselves to be valuable or lovable, we will probably fail. 

But the effect of our self-image extends even beyond this.  Psychologists now tell us that our self-image holds the key to success not only as professional people but also as Christians.  How is this so?  Our success as Christians is measured by our ability to love God and our neighbor.  Studies show that people with a positive self-image are far more capable of loving God and neighbor than are people with a negative self image.   The reason for this should be obvious.  For love is nothing less than to see ourselves as a gift given to another person.  If we don't think we are valuable or lovable we won't be able to give ourselves as a gift to another person.  No one gives junk to another person, especially to someone he or she respects or admires.

A critical question, however, remains.  How do we develop our self-image?  Where do we pick up the idea that we are valuable or lovable?  The answer should be obvious.  We pick up this idea from other people, especially those closest to us, like our family and friends.  No wonder then that the role of parent, to be father or mother is so important in our world today.  Parents hold the unique privilege of being the first to shape the identity of their children; to help them come to know and accept their goodness and lovableness through the tender care, the challenging guidance and the forgiving love which they show to their sons and daughters. 

As Christians, we believe that God is the ultimate loving parent in our lives.  With the love of a father and mother, our identities are shaped by God's abiding and caring love.  Today's gospel speaks an important message to us.  It says that we are valuable and lovable.  For, God himself has told us so.  It is up to us to speak this same message of love to one another, especially the young.  Their future well-being, not only in this world but also in the world to come, depends on it.

Prev / Next

msgr. Arthur a. holquin, s.t.L.

Msgr. Art was ordained to the priesthood on May 25, 1974 for service in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Shortly after the creation of the new Diocese of Orange in 1976, he completed post-graduate work at the Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium, obtaining an S.T.L. in Sacramental Theology and an M.A. in Religious Studies. He has served the Diocese in a number of ministerial capacities:  Director for the Office of Worship, Director for the Office of Evangelization, Rector of Holy Family Cathedral and finally, Pastor and Rector of Mission Basilica San Juan Capistrano. In 2009 he contracted a rare neurological condition (Primary Lateral Sclerosis) that gradually impacted his walking and speech. In 2014 he was named Rector Emeritus of the Basilica parish. Msgr. Art’s favorite quotation is from Blessed Henry Cardinal Newman: To live is to change and to be perfect is to have changed often.


Featured Posts

Featured
IMG_2447.JPG
Jul 20, 2019
Reflections on the Dedication of Christ Cathedral
Jul 20, 2019
Jul 20, 2019
fullsizeoutput_2955.jpeg
Jul 15, 2019
From Crystal to Christ - A Guide to the Nation's newest Cathedral
Jul 15, 2019
Jul 15, 2019
UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_8e3.jpg
Mar 19, 2018
Progress Report on Christ Cathedral Renovation
Mar 19, 2018
Mar 19, 2018
Life is about Change
Mar 19, 2017
Life is about Change
Mar 19, 2017
Mar 19, 2017