sn't matter whether we are given credit for what we do, but each word and action of ours that enhances our lives and the lives of others is recognized by the Almighty.The Community at Prayer
Reflection by Father Paul M. Baca
April 3, 2011, 4th Sunday of Lent
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I would like to start my reflections today by focusing on the First Reading from the First Book of Samuel. "The Lord said to Samuel, 'Fill your horn with oil and be on your way. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen my king from among his sons.'" Sometimes we read these words and do not appreciate what they should mean to us. I am sure we have all heard that each one of us has an essential part in God's plan to bring about a better world, one of justice and peace. Somehow I get the impression that Almighty God only bothers to choose those who have a lofty calling, forgetting that so much of the good that is done, is done and must be done by people like you and me. It doesn't matter whether we are given credit for what we do, but each word and action of ours that enhances our lives and the lives of others is recognized by the Almighty.
"As Jesse and his sons came to the sacrifice, Samuel looked at Eliab and thought, 'Surely the Lord's anointed is here before him.' But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not judge from his appearance or from his lofty stature, because I have rejected him. Not as man sees does God see, but because man sees the appearance, but the Lord sees into the heart. In the same way that Jesse presented seven sons before Samuel, but Samuel said to Jesse, 'The Lord has not chosen any of these.' Then Samuel asked Jesse, 'Are these all the sons you have?' Jesse replied, 'There is still the youngest who is tending the sheep.'" I find it interesting that Jesse didn't even bother to have David presented to the prophet. After all, he was the youngest and not really important. We see clearly that our ways are not God's ways. "Jesse sent and had the young man brought to them. He was ruddy, a youth handsome to behold and making a splendid appearance. 'There, anoint him, for this is the one.'"
This story really touches my life as I have experienced it because it was not the words of a bishop or a priest that kept the faith alive for centuries in New Mexico, but rather the devotion and effort of parents and especially women who became the catechists, teaching the faith to the children. I especially remember Josephine Romero, the teacher in the one-room schoolhouse in a little village called Colonias. She was by far one of the most effective catechists I have ever known. I was always amazed how well she prepared the children for First Communion and Confirmation and this besides her teaching, taking care of her elderly parents and being a leader in the community.
Then, too, this story reminds me of all the people who were involved in several building enterprises in parishes where I served. I remember in El Rito that the people wanted the sisters of Our Lady of Victory to work with us for three months out of the year but we did not have any housing for them. It was a youngster who said, "Why don't we build a little house for you, Father, and then the sisters can live in the rectory?" We had no money and the parish income was barely enough for the basic expenses. So I was not too sure we could do it. A man encouraged me when he said, "We can do the work ourselves." So we started making adobes, bringing vigas down from the mountains and drawing plans. The little parish house became a reality and it still serves the purpose, but I wonder how many people remember all the sacrifice and work that went into it.
This First Reading also inspired me when I came to Bernalillo. We had a grade school and a high school there made possible by the sacrifice and wonderful work of the Sisters of Loreto. We needed school buses and a new school building but we were barely meeting our current financial obligations. Putting our heads together we started dreaming that these needs could become a reality. Believe it or not, with Green Stamps we were able to get two large school buses, making it possible to transport more than half of the children in our schools. Again, the men and youngsters put their talents together and built a beautiful school. The inspiration of this story from First Book of Samuel enabled us to build a church in Corrales, a church at Queen of Heaven, a much needed addition to the 
school at Queen of Heaven, a parish plant at Risen Savior and again, at Prince of Peace. There is no one person who can take credit for all of this, but rather, the countless women, men and children who rose to the occasion and did their part. Once in a while when I reminisce I can't believe that all of this happened on my watch, but then, I realize that in reality it is God who works through us with our gifts and talents.
I am sure that we all feel at times like the author of the Responsorial Psalm, so we pray in gratitude to Almighty God, our loving mother and father, for the gift of our faith. "He guides me in right paths for his names' sake; even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil for you are at my side with your rod and staff that give me courage."
We never had a fund raiser for any of these projects, but God, through the prayers and efforts of the people, provided the necessary funding in the usual Sunday offerings.