This question has come up for me recently.  And it comes up in the readings today, especially the first reading.  The Prophet Amos is quoting the words of someone in his time with power and money, who is contemplating how to make even more money.  The most scandalous part of their thinking is how they value of others, and how little they value the poor: “We will buy the lowly for silver, and the poor for a pair of sandals.”  Imagine that.  Thinking that you could buy a person for the price of some huaraches.  

The great temptation of our times is to think that we humans get to decide the value of another person’s life, or to think that any of us is somehow less than another person.  I believe this is the greatest temptation to sin.  That is what is so completely wrong about the death penalty—when we decide that another person’s life is not worth living.  It is what is so evil about the assassination of a public figure, like we saw last week, or the murder of someone in secret.  One person or group of persons never gets to set the value of a person’s life.  

It is a danger of our immigration system.  While Catholic teaching says that of course a country is entitled to have borders and protect them, and while I completely understand the need for immigration laws, albeit they need to be just and humane, the great temptation for a person showing up to defend their right to be in this county is that they can begin to doubt their very worth.  I witness people showing up in the federal courts in downtown San Diego.  They are from all countries and cultures.  They come fearful, worried that their future in our country may change.  And my greatest worry is that they will believe that their worth as people is up for grabs, that someone will decide they cannot stay and so that therefore they believe the blatant lie that their worth is less than another.  The second reading, to Timothy reminds us of the truth:  God wills everyone to be saved, and Jesus Christ “gave himself as ransom for all.”  The One who decides our worth is God and God alone.   Our worth as God’s sons and daughters is infinite. That is the truth.  May it guide us in these times.

Liturgy of the Word with Communion, Sept. 22–26 

This upcoming week, September 22 to 26, there will be celebrations of Liturgy of the Word with Communion from Tuesday to Friday. The priests will be attending a diocesan meeting so there will be no masses and confessions from Tuesday to Friday this week.

Would you like to learn more about how to pray? Would you like to deepen your relationship with God? Come to Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish for “Saturdays with St. Ignatius”, every 4th Saturday of the month (from September 2025 to May 2026, except in December), from 9am–12pm in the parish hall. Bring a snack to share. 

It will be facilitated by the Religious Sisters of the Sacred Heart from Tijuana and the Jesuits.
There will be presentations in both English and Spanish. All are welcome to join!

Our parish is hosting a family fun day at the beach. Come join us. 

See below for more details. 

The Diocese of San Diego will hold a special Mass in Recognition for All Immigrants on September 28th at 11 am at St. Francis of Assisi Parish (525 W Vista Way Vista, CA 92083).
This mass will be celebrated by Bishop Bejarano. You are all invited to come to pray together and to be in solidarity with our immigrant brothers and sisters. For more information, see the attached flyer or visit https://sdcatholic.org/event/mass-in-recognition-of-all-immigrants/.

The Diocese of San Diego takes all allegations of sexual misconduct seriously and addresses them promptly, confidentially, and with integrity. To report any incident of sexual misconduct, please contact the Victim Assistance Coordinator.
Criminal abuse that is reported or suspected is reported to law enforcement in accordance with civil law.

Mary Acosta

Coordinadora de Asistencia a Víctimas

(858) 490-8353.