It is with great joy that we all gather today to remember, to renew, and to rejoice in God’s love for us, Bishop Gallegos’ family, Religious community, the Diocese of Sacramento and us all.

Bishop Gallegos’ motto was “Amense Unos a los Otros” (Love One Another). How fitting his choice of this phrase from St. John. Bishop Gallegos interiorized and externalized this command of Jesus throughout his extraordinary life.

I invite us to reflect on three phases of his life and ministry, all three on the path to the Light and to holiness.

First of all, Bishop Gallegos knew in his heart that his baptism as a child offered him a path to the light that is Christ and the path to holiness to which all of us are called to walk.

Yet, in spite of obstacles along this path, Bishop Gallegos remained firm, hopeful and ministered with even more conviction to all he would meet along the path. He had the vision to see God in everyone even in the most challenging of times.

Secondly, on the path to the Light and to holiness, Bishop Gallegos served the Church, so dedicated and so immensely caring to four families in particular.

–The beautiful family in which he was born in 1931.

–The Religious family of the Augustian Recollects into which he was received in 1950.

– The family of the Diocese of Sacramento — including such a diversity of people of all ages and cultural roots.

– Treating all with the love of Christ – living out the dictate — Love One Another.

– And lastly, the family of each of us – even if we only met him once, or were the frequent recipients of his visits and a sharing of meals. His gentle humor, acceptance and love made us all feel so comfortable and important to him.

As my secretary, his secretary, Olympia Núñez, said so beautifully “He had the joy and serenity of those who truly live the Gospel.”

And lastly, his own prayer and spiritual life. “No greater love can one have than to lay down his life for his friends”. Bishop Gallegos was a master at doing precisely this.

As our first reading from the Book of Deuteronomy tells us:

“Therefore, you shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength.”

In his own heart, Bishop Gallegos knew that his strength and constant hope would be in the source of all life, God Himself. Bishop Gallegos daily placed his hands and heart at the disposition of Christ and our Lady of Guadalupe, finding new and hidden ways to minister Christian love to others.

In our Gospel today, Jesus has a beautiful dialogue with a scribe — a scribe who also had internalized the path to the Light and to holiness. Jesus tells him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.”

May we walk this path of light and holiness to be never far from the Kingdom of God as we love one another as Christ loves us. This path to holiness is one upon which all of us should journey.

Our first reading ends with these words as I do:

“Take to heart these words which I enjoin on you today.”

God bless you always.