So often, there is confusion between what is wanted and what is needed. There is quite a difference between the two, and God recognizes that.
That was the message delivered during the homily by Father William McIntyre, OFM when he celebrated Padua Franciscan High School’s annual Easter Season Mass at St. Anthony of Padua Church on Thursday, April 9, 2026.
“God gives us what we need, and often, what we want, we really don’t need,” McIntyre said. “A famous holy person said, ‘I thank God that God has given me not what I wanted, but what I needed’ because he asked for things he didn’t need.
“You and I, we can do what Jesus does. How? Well, when we love God and love our neighbor and when we care for God, and we care for creation, nature, animals and human beings. When we care for God, we will do what Jesus does, and we should walk with Jesus. Sometimes, like those disciples, we’re walking in the wrong direction, but then, we can turn around.”
During the homily, McIntyre used the first reading from The Acts of the Apostles as a perfect example of the difference between wants and needs.
“We have a man who is near temple, a synagogue, and he is asking for help,” McIntyre recalled. “The help he wants is money. Now, Peter and John, the Apostles, later on, they see this man, and they say, ‘Silver and Gold we don’t have.’ They don’t have any money, ‘but in the name of Jesus, be healed,’ and he was healed. He wanted money, but he received healing so he could walk.”
McIntyre then reminded everyone that through their education at Padua, there are four pillars to live out: Pray, Serve, Care and Bring Peace. He called on the congregation to be living examples of Jesus’ love in the world.
“Be the words of Jesus, the words of God,” McIntyre said. “And then, feel like Jesus, imitate Jesus. If you have little siblings, your younger brother or sister would do whatever you do, whatever you did.
“Well, we should do the same. Imitate Jesus like the Apostles did. How do we get imitate Jesus? We care for people. We care for others. If you do all these things, you will recognize Jesus. That’s not just my words. Jesus promised us, ‘Where two or three are gathered in my name,’ and we have a few hundred gathered here today, He is present.”
Following the mass, which included a Baptismal reminder with blessings of Holy Water, Padua Principal Bob DiRocco called for attendees to be peacemakers in a world filled with unrest and violence. He led everyone in praying a Hail Mary.
