Reverend Larry Silva, Bishop | Diocese of Honolulu

The Bishop of Honolulu addressed the congregation on the Third Sunday of Lent, emphasizing the challenges faced by many dioceses on the Mainland, which are experiencing parish closures due to a shortage of priests and parishioners. He noted that while the Diocese of Honolulu has largely avoided this issue, it should serve as a "wake up call" for everyone.

He stated, "Jesus tells the people, 'If you do not repent, you will all perish as they did!' Does the fact that we have not had to close parishes indicate that we are different from our Mainland brothers and sisters? I do not think so!"

The Bishop pointed out what he sees as a significant shortcoming among Catholics: a lack of effective evangelization. He described this as akin to being a fig tree that bears little fruit over time. The Bishop stressed the need for Catholics to change their approach and focus more on missionary work, which he considers essential to the Church's mission.

As preparations begin for the 200th anniversary of Catholic missionaries' arrival in Hawaii in July 1827, he reflected on how these early missionaries established the faith among Native Hawaiians who were unfamiliar with Jesus Christ. He highlighted their efforts in spreading Christianity from scratch.

He expressed concern about modern society's shift away from Christian values towards self-worship. "Instead of worshipping the true God...we tend to worship ourselves and our own ways," he said. The Bishop urged those gathered to reignite their missionary spirit through Baptism and Confirmation.

Accompanying catechumens towards Easter celebrations was another focal point. He acknowledged those who acted as missionaries by bringing new members into the Church through witnessing Jesus' love.

In closing, he called for repentance from inward-focused attitudes and encouraged sharing Jesus' Good News with others. He concluded by reminding them that like Hawaii's first missionaries, they might also need to start anew but have everything needed to bear abundant fruit.