The Rev. Fabian Marquez of El Buen Pastor Mission shared a reflection on the anniversary of the tragic El Paso shooting, which took place on August 3, 2019, Catholic Extension reported. 

Marquez, whose parish lies in one of the poorest sections of Texas, provides emotional and spiritual support for a community that was devastated by the 21-year-old shooter's senseless actions a year ago.

“On Saturday, August 3, 2019, a 21-year-old man, armed with 1,000 high-powered rounds of ammunition, drove 650 miles to El Paso with the intention of inflicting maximum harm to others, fueled by his hatred of Hispanic people and immigrants,” Catholic Extension reported. “Inside the Walmart, eyewitnesses described him targeting Hispanic shoppers. A total of 23 innocent victims died, ranging in age from 15 to 90 years old.”

The Rev. Fabian Marquez | Facebook

Marquez knew what he needed to do in the hours, days and weeks following the incident and made himself accessible to the families in mourning. He led a Mass and invited community members to pray with him, sharing the sign of peace and reading over Psalm 23.

“I shared the Gospel story of the pain and anguish of the apostles together in the upper room following Christ’s crucifixion,” Marquez told Catholic Extension. “They felt as we feel now. And surely as Jesus was with them, He is with us.”

Marquez stood by the sides of the families who had to identify the bodies of their loved ones and attended the funerals of all of the individuals who were buried in El Paso following the shooting. One year later, he said that he was not a hero but a servant of God, doing what he was sent to do. 

Drawing parallels to the El Paso shooting and the more recent death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Marquez concluded by saying that race is of no matter when it comes to loving those around you. 

“I see Christ in George Floyd,” he said. “It should not matter what you look like. Only that you are a child of God to be safeguarded, loved, respected and treated with inherent dignity.”