Wednesday, July 15, 2026

 

Memorial of Saint Bonaventure, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

(Isaiah 10:5-7.13b-16; Matthew 11:25-27)

Today’s gospel is understood as an insight into Jesus’ divinity.  The Passage is often introduced as a “Johannine thunderbolt in a Matthean sky.”  Recognizing Jesus as God’s Son is a dominant theme of John’s Gospel.  But Matthew as well has a “high Christology” which sees Jesus very much as divine.

Another critical aspect of the passage is its context.  Jesus has just expressed his frustration with the cities of Galilee for their rejection of him.  “’Woe to Chorazin’” and “’woe to Bethsaida,’” he lamented in yesterday’s gospel.  And yet in this very next passage he praises his Father for enabling the poor, the simple, and public sinners to accept his message.  By no means is Jesus a feint-hearted man.  In both good and bad times he is able to praise God, his Father.

We can see in today’s patron, Saint Bonaventure, a like spirit.  He was both an extremely gifted and a humble person.  Although a professor of theology at the University of Paris, Bonaventure became the leader of the Franciscans. Navigating between the regulars and the Spiritualists of the Order, Bonaventure was able to support the intellectual ministry while maintaining a simple life.

Tuesday, July 14, 2026

 

Memorial of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, Virgin

(Isaiah 7:1-9; Matthew 11:20-24)

Today’s reading gives a classic description of faith. With the Israel-Aram alliance threatening the Kingdom of Judah, God sends Isaiah on mission.  The prophet tells the king of Judah not to worry, but to trust that God will defend His people.  The prophecy becomes reality.  The super-power Assyria smashes the alliance.  But Israel will abandon trust in God as its protector and allies itself with pagan Assyria.

In the gospel Jesus laments the lack of faith in Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum.  These cities have witnessed his mighty deeds and yet refuse to heed his message of repentance and belief.  They cannot abide by his preferential attention to the poor and to sinners.  They refuse to repent of hypocrisy and continue their self-affirming ways.

The lessons of Isaiah and Jesus should affect all of us.  It is tempting to put more trust in medicine and savings for our welfare than in God.  We should always look to God first for salvation by diligent prayer and careful carrying out his will.  It is our faithfulness to Him, not our status in society, that will save us from ruin.

Monday, July 13, 2026

Monday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Isaiah 1:10-17; Matthew 10:34-11:1)

A man tells the story of his daughter.  When she was a teenager, she became pregnant outside marriage.  She wanted to have her baby, but her mother encouraged her to have an abortion.  For the mother, the girl was not only too young to be a mother but also needed to finish her education.  The girl desperately turned to her father who was divorced from his wife.  The man believed in his daughter and promised to help her keep her baby.  Relieved, the girl said that she had bought a bus ticket to another town in case no one would support her at home.  Whether she knows it or not, this girl is following Jesus’ instructions to his apostles in today’s gospel.

It is not that Jesus has abortion in mind as he lectures his apostles.  Rather, he knows that his righteousness will always unleash opposition.  His insistence that divorce opposes the Creator’s intention will cause a furor among those who favor a more lenient standard.  His reaching out to the grubby poor will scandalize those with a high sense of propriety.  In these ways Jesus forces people to choose.  Will they stand with him or conform to the prejudices of their families?

We may not have to choose between family and Jesus.  Our choice may be between Jesus and the urgings of our corrupted hearts.  Will we follow our impulses to illicit sex, or will we resist sinful sexual desires?  Will we continue to impose our will upon others, or will we work out a mutually acceptable agreement? Will we continue to seek others’ approval, or will we daily acknowledge our sinfulness and ask the Lord’s mercy? Facing issues like these, we realize that Jesus does not bring the peace of mind that we desire but a deeper peace that we cannot even imagine.

Friday, July 17, 2026

 

Friday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Isaiah 38:1-6.21-22.7-8; Matthew 12:1-8)

Not long ago, a group of Catholics, both young and old, were talking together.  Someone mentioned the old practice of abstinence from meat under pain of mortal sin every Friday, like the Church still insists upon during Lent.  The younger people seemed to be amused by the idea.  How could eating meat on any day Friday, then or now, be considered a mortal sin?

Certainly, eating meat on Friday is Church, not Divine, Law.  The question become, does Church leadership have authority to impose binding obligations on people?   Bishops have a responsibility not only of sanctifying their people but also of evangelizing others.  Given the “keys to the Kingdom,” they can bind people to penitential actions like abstaining from meat.  It is a simple demonstration of our living for God and not to satisfy our appetites.  For this reason, when Catholics publicly defer from eating meat, they indicate to others their love for God.   

We should be aware that although abstinence from meat on Fridays outside of Lent is no longer required, Catholics are still obliged to do penance on Fridays.  As in Jesus’ citing of the prophet Isaiah in today’s gospel, an act of mercy will more than suffice for this penance.  It would be good to see nursing homes or prisons filled with visitors on Fridays trying to carry out their penitential obligation.

Sunday, July 12, 2026

 

FIFTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
(Isaiah 55:10–11; Romans 8:18–23; Matthew 13:1–23)

This Gospel passage is both familiar and difficult to understand. We have heard it countless times, and we know that the different kinds of soil represent different kinds of people. These images are so striking that many people pay little attention to the second part of the passage. There Jesus indicates that some fail to understand the parable because they have already rejected the basic message of his preaching. Let us look once again at the parable before trying to understand how some people reject Jesus’ message.

We know that the Parable of the Sower appears in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. It is also found in a shortened but more powerful form in the Gospel of John.  Shortly before his Passion, Jesus says, “Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit” (John 12:24). In Matthew, Mark, and Luke, the soil must be rid of obstacles in order for the grain to bear fruit. In John, the emphasis is on the grain dying in the ground so that it may have an abundant harvest.  

In all four gospels the grain represents the word of God. Yet “the word” in Matthew, Mark, and Luke has a different referent than in John. The first three gospels present the “word of God” as God's message proclaimed and heard, much like the prophet describes it in today's first reading. Isaiah says that the word that goes forth from God's mouth always accomplishes His purpose.  It always brings salvation to God’s people. In John's Gospel, however, the “word of God” is Jesus himself who dies on the cross to redeem humanity from sin and death.

In Matthew, Mark, and Luke, Jesus explains the meaning of the parable. The seed that falls on the path cannot bear fruit because the birds devour it before it can sprout. It is like busybodies who don't focus on God's word but get carried away by life’s trivialities. Rocky ground doesn't yield a harvest because it is hard and shallow. It represents those who initially want to serve God but then lose heart when trials of death, duplicity, and hardship come. The thorny ground also fails to bear fruit because the thorns choke the young plants. It represents those who allow power, prestige, and pleasure to suffocate God's inspiration within their hearts. To bear abundant fruit, we must free ourselves from everything that prevents us from making a priority of loving God and neighbor.

Now let us consider the challenging part of today's Gospel. Jesus says that he speaks in parables because there are people who have eyes but do not see, and ears but do not hear or understand. These are the people who have rejected his basic message of “repent and believe.”  Their hearts resist loving others and forgiving those who have offended them. For them, the parables remain little more than foolish riddles.

Pope Francis used to observe that there is a crucial difference between sinners and the corrupt. He said that there is hope for sinners to repent but the corrupt have become so hardened that they no longer recognize their need for conversion. This group certainly includes assassins and pimps, but it can also include people who have become so rigid that, although they attend Mass, they do not want to hear about mercy and love.

All of us should ask ourselves if we have tendencies like those of this latter group. If we discover that our hearts have become hardened to loving others, if we find ourselves being increasingly self-absorbed, then we must repent without delay. The Lord never stops loving us. He is always ready to soften our hearts, to help us love others, and to enable us to bear abundant fruit for His Kingdom.

Friday, July 10, 2026

 

Friday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Hosea 14:2-10; Matthew 10:16-23)

In Robert Frost’s memorable poem, “Tree at my Window,” the poet compares a tree to himself.  He says that like the tree he sees in a storm, he tosses and turns in his sleep.  But as the tree, moored to the earth, does not fall, he survives his restless nights.  In today’s reading from the prophet Hosea compares the people of Israel to different trees.

Unmoored from idols and connected to God, Israel is as strong and fragrant as a Lebanon cedar.  The people are gloriously fruitful like an olive tree.  Also, like the protection the cedar and the cypress provide, they raise grain to nourish themselves. 

Like Israel, we must rid ourselves of idols so that we might thrive like a redwood or a giant oak.  Idols, of course, include more than metals objects some think of as bringing them good luck.  Idols are what we wrongly consider as sources of full happiness.  They can be sports teams, rock stars, perhaps our cars or our telephones.  We must acknowledge the Lord as the source of all good things and duly give Him thanks and praise.

Thursday, July 9, 2026

 

Thursday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Hosea 11:1-4.8e-9; Matthew 10:7-15)

Today when people set out on a journey they take more than what they need.  “Just in case,” they say, they carry clothes for the fall on a summer journey and a few hundred dollars more than what they anticipate spending.  Their concern with having enough contrasts with Jesus’ lesson for his missionaries in today’s gospel.

Jesus wants his apostles to preach the imminent coming of the Kingdom of God.  They are to show evidence of the Kingdom by their ministry to the sick and to the mentally disturbed.  Also, their own dependency upon God anticipates the immediacy of His Kingdom’s presence. They are not to take money, nor clothes other than what they wear, nor even a walking stick to help them traverse rough terrain.

Do Jesus’ instructions have any bearing on how we live today?  To be sure, it is meant for missionaries, not vacationers or salespersons on business.  Yet it warns us about greed.  We are not to let our risk-aversion culture make us worry about what may happen.  Rather we are to be practice what was called “liberality” by classical philosophers.  Liberality is the virtue that enables us to use our resources for the good of all. It frees us from fussing about whether we will always have enough so that we might help those now facing legitimate crises.

Wednesday, July 8, 2026

 

Wednesday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Hosea 10:1-3.7-8.12; Matthew 10:1-7)

The readings from the prophet Hosea these past two days tell of sowing and reaping.  Yesterday the prophet warned that if Israel sows the wind, it will reap the whirlwind.  The wind is the panoply of false gods – money, pleasure, power, and prestige.  Hosea means that any people who strives primarily for these vanities is bound to wreak havoc upon itself.  This result was evidenced after World War I, the so-called “Great War.”  After the Allied powers imposed heavy penalties upon Germany, a second, more disastrous war followed.

In today’s reading Hosea pleads with Israel to “sow for yourselves” justice so that it may “reap the fruit of piety.”  If a nation endeavors to put into practice the Lord’s justice, it will be duly rewarded.  After World War II, the United States established the Marshall Plan to rebuild Europe.  As a result, in not too many years the whole continent flourished economically.  The United States had markets for its products as well as the goodwill of the world.

We sometimes see slogans like “follow your dreams” or “do what your feelings tell you.”  Such advice might lead to “sow(ing) the wind.”  We are wise to think through our dreams and feelings to see where they are leading.  If they move us to love God and neighbor, then yes, let’s consider them seriously.  If not, let’s find fruitful alternatives.

Tuesday, July 7, 2026

 

Tuesday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Matthew 9:32-38; Hosea 8:4-7.11-13)

Today’s gospel passage represents a bridge from the first to the second of five sections making up the body of Matthew’s Gospel.  In the first section Jesus delivers his great Sermon on the Mount and begins his ministry of healing and exorcising.  The reading tells of an exorcism and then summarizes Jesus’ work.

The second section begins by noting Jesus’ compassion. He responds to the people’s need for pastoral guidance by drawing his disciples’ attention to it.  But rather than immediately sending them out to minister, he asks them to pray to God.  All pastoral ministry should begin by petitioning the help of the Holy Spirit. Jesus will soon give his “apostolic discourse” instructing his disciples on how to proclaim the gospel.

 It is often said that the gospels are not biographies of Jesus.  Rather they were presentations of events in his life that show why early Christians believed in him as Lord.  Their writers were skilled theologians and dramatists who were utterly convinced that Jesus saves believers from their sins.  They give us additional reason to move beyond our doubts and to follow Jesus with all our hearts.

Monday, July 6, 2026

 

Monday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Hosea 2:16.17c-18.21-22; Matthew 9:18-26)

Today’s reading from the prophet Hosea complements the history of Israel whose story was told at Mass during the last few weeks.  Hosea prophesied in Israel during the period of its corruption and downfall.  The people abandoned the justice which God’s law sought to establish.  Instead of absolute worship of the Lord God and care for the oppressed, the well-to-do people of both Northern and Southern Kingdoms chose self-gratification and worship of indulgent gods.  The result was disaster.

Hosea writes of a future time when Israel would recognize the true God who rescued their ancestors from slavery and endowed them with a law of moral perfection.  The prophet identifies Israel with a wanton woman who is left in distress.  God calls this woman into the desert of penance where she recognizes her sins and returns to the Lord, her Creator and Redeemer.  Once forgiven, she becomes the Lord’s bride in a union of faithful love.

We recognize the marriage taking place in Jesus’ union with Israel’s remnant which forms the Church.  His cross has cleansed the people of their sins. His resurrection has made her his bride for eternity.  We become his bride when we renounce desires to live for pleasure or power over others.  We also pledge ourselves to God’s honor and glory.  As troubled as our social environment has become, giving ourselves solely to him is a tall order.  But we must not reject it because it promises fullness of life.

Sunday – July 5, 2026

 

FOURTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME 
(Zechariah 9:9-10; Romans 8:9, 11-13; Matthew 11:25-30)

Of all the symbols of the United States, none attracts more attention than the Statue of Liberty. This colossal monument was a gift from France, originally intended to commemorate the nation's centennial in 1876. It was placed on a small island near New York Harbor so that immigrants arriving from Europe could see it as they entered the country.

Now, as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation, the Statue of Liberty stands as a tribute to the ideals of the United States. From its very beginning, this country has offered freedom, justice, and opportunity to millions of immigrants from every part of the world. It has given them the chance to participate in a society governed by the rule of law rather than by the privileged.

Inscribed on the pedestal of the statue is a poem that captures the spirit of the nation. One of its most famous lines is known by schoolchildren across the country: "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free..." The poem was written by a Jewish woman who worked with immigrants. Her words inspired hope in the hearts of the poor and the oppressed, offering them the promise of a better life. They also bear a remarkable resemblance to the words of Jesus in today's Gospel: "Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest."

Of course, Jesus' invitation is far more than an offer of political asylum or material prosperity. Rather, it is a call to lasting peace and eternal happiness through a close relationship with him. Trusting in Christ frees us from the anxiety that afflicts so many people who make wealth, prestige, and pleasure the supreme goals of life. Although these values are not evil in themselves, they cannot give us the fullness of life that Christ won for us. Indeed, when pursued without restraint, they can even lead to ruin.

Jesus gives us that fullness of life when we accept his gentle yoke. His yoke—the beam that joins us to him—is his teaching. At times those teachings challenge us, as when he insists that we forgive those who have wronged us. But we should always remember that Jesus is at our side, helping us carry the burden. His friendship comforts us, and his strength makes our load lighter.

It would not be accurate to say that the United States is a Christian nation. Nevertheless, our country has incorporated many values inspired by Christianity, such as equality, freedom, and a welcoming spirit toward the poor and the refugee. On this Independence Day weekend, let us thank God for these principles. At the same time, let us pray that America will continue to live by them. They have been a source of our nation's strength and greatness. And as we strive to remain faithful to these ideals, may God continue to bless the United States.

 

Friday, July 3, 2026

 

Feast of Saint Thomas, apostle

(Ephesians 2:19-22; John 20:24-29)

Earlier in his gospel as in today’s reading, John says that Thomas is also called “Didymus.” This is the Aramaic version of the Greek name “Thomas.”  In both languages the words mean “twin.” John’s explanation of the name does not seem to be parenthetical.  Rather he may be suggesting that we identify with him.  We are Thomas’ twin.  Like Thomas, we are on a journey to know the Lord.  Of course, our journey is spiritual where Thomas is both physical and spiritual.

Thomas is introduced in the gospel as Jesus decides to return to Judea to raise Lazarus from the dead.  When the other disciples warn Jesus of the danger of the return, Thomas enthusiastically proclaims, “Let us also go to die with him.” As young men and women the thought of dying for Christ was attractive to us as well.  We thought of ourselves as becoming heroes praised by the people and assured of a martyr’s reward.  But aging often wears the soul as well as the body.  We become more cautious not wanting to cut short the years remaining to us.  Thomas becomes skeptical of Jesus’ resurrection.  He will not believe when the other disciples tell him that they have seen the Lord.  In the same vein, we begin to doubt the value of martyrdom. However, when the risen Jesus appears to him, Thomas professes faith that he is Lord.

Not because we have seen the risen Lord but because we have witnessed his glory, we profess faith in the Resurrection and the Lordship of Jesus.  What have we observed?  We have heard stories of the saints and have known holy men and women whose lives manifested an uncompromising love of Christ. We have noted how Christian doctrine quite sensibly coordinates both Scripture and experience.  And who of us has not prayed to Jesus and not found our requests honored?  We know that the Lord Jesus lives and follow the road he marked for us in the gospels.  If God calls us to martyrdom, we will not run away from it.

Thursday, July 2, 2026

 

Thursday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Psalm 19)

The psalm response today gave rise to a memorable line of Abraham Lincoln: “The judgments of the Lord are true and all of them just.” Lincoln was reflecting on the Civil War in his magisterial Second Inaugural Address shortly before his assassination.  He lamented how the war devastated the land and slaughtered its people.  Yet at the same it facilitated God’s purpose of ending slavery in the nation.

The psalm itself gives tribute to God’s creation.  It begins with a reflection on the sun which comes and goes every day as it warms the earth.  The psalm continues with a paean to God’s law.  Like the sun, the law is unrelenting in its benefit for the people.  It instructs all as it lays down the rules for a just society.

As the United States celebrates its two hundred and fiftieth anniversary, it should thank God especially for Abraham Lincoln.  As its president, he led the people to a self-understanding that coordinated its high aspirations with the people’s deep Biblical faith. 

Wednesday, July 1, 2026

 

Wednesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Amos 5:184-15.21-24; Matthew 8:28-34)

In the middle of the eighth century before Christ, the Kingdom of Israel’s prosperity reached spectacular heights.  Assyria, the major power in the region, had just smashed the Kingdom of Aram-Damascus leaving Israel in charge of the region’s commerce.  Its wealthy citizens increased their coffers with taxes, tariffs, and the cultivation of cash crops.  Meanwhile, Israel’s poor suffered from being drafted, paying taxation, having crop failures, and losing their land.  To survive they borrowed from the rich at exorbitant interest. 

Amos, a farmer from the Kingdom of Judah, found himself in the Northern Kingdom preaching against social injustice.  It was not only the economic imbalance that enraged him.  Also, rich people’s attempt to appease God with luxurious peace offerings moved Amos to diatribe.  He spoke out as strongly as any prophet that justice pleases the Lord, not fancy liturgy or abundant offering.  As the rich were looking forward to the Day of the Lord for even greater profits, Amos promised that the Day would bring them ruin.

As the United Sates celebrates its 250^th anniversary, the country must question whether its prosperity reflects the injustices of Israel.  Certainly many Americans are generous, and the government has fostered poverty programs both domestically and internationally.  Yet consumption among Americans may be greater than what is truly beneficial, and many poor Americans are not developing their potential.  Solutions to these problems are complex and difficult.  Money is hardly all that is needed.  Community is necessary as is personal awareness that we should not live exclusively for ourselves but to also assist others.   

Tuesday, June 30, 2026

Tuesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Amos 3:1-8.4:11-12; Matthew 8:23-27)

At this point in the Gospel of Matthew the disciples have heard Jesus preach with authority and heal the sick.  But they haven’t as yet considered his divinity.  In today’s reading they are made to wonder about him in this way.

It is said that the passage reflects the condition of the early Church.  Troubles arise in the newly formed communities like violent storms.  The Church, still small, struggles as a tiny ship on a violent sea.  Jesus, ascended to heaven, seems incommunicable as if he were asleep.  The men and women who have accepted the faith petition the Lord like the disciples in the sinking boat, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!”  Jesus’ demonstration of saving power makes them ask with the disciples, “What sort of man is this, whom even the winds and the sea obey?”

Instead of worrying over troubles, we should call on Jesus early and often.  Perhaps at such moments we begin to think that he is not there.  But he is always ready to help us.  There is another occasion when we begin to lose faith in Jesus.  When we are being tempted, we may think, “Who cares if what I do is wrong? God? He doesn’t exist.” We are kidding ourselves.  God knows what we are doing.  Because He loves us, He does not want us to leave the way to eternal life with him.

Monday, June 29. 2026

 

Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles

(Acts 12:1-11; II Timothy 4:6-8.17-18; Matthew 16:13-19)

An ancient tradition tells the story of St. Peter fleeing Rome during Nero’s persecution in the first century.  On the way, he meets the Lord going the other way.  Peter asks Jesus in Latin, “Quo vadis, Domine?” (Where are you going, Lord?) Jesus answers, “I am going to Rome to be crucified again.”  Peter, ashamed that he was once again denying Jesus, turns around and gives his life as a martyr.

Of course, Peter repented of cowardice in the gospel as well. Evidently, he was a man of tremendous ability – a type A character – and it was probably for this reason that the Lord entrusts him with the “keys of the Kingdom” in today’s gospel. But he, like all of us, could sin.  St. Paul, as well, gravely offended God by at first not recognizing Christ’s glory and then by persecuting the Church.  He also repented, rendered Christ magnificent service as a teacher, and died a martyr.

Saints Peter and Paul exemplify how Christians are a community of saints.  All of us have sinned and, when truth is told, continue to fail the Lord.  Yet asking God’s forgiveness, we pick up our walking stick to continue the journey of love and truth.  We can count on Christ’s help.  As he showed Peter the way to go in the tradition of “Quo vadis?” he will lead us through the Church which Peter led and Paul taught. 

Sunday, June 28, 2026

 

THIRTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – June 28, 2026
(2 Kings 4:8-11, 14-16; Romans 6:3-4, 8-11; Matthew 10:37-42)

With the celebration of our nation's semiquincentennial approaching, we should declare ourselves grateful both for our country—whether by birth or by adoption—and for our Catholic faith. We can add that we are loyal to both. Our participation in American society has secured for us the rights necessary to live with dignity, while our baptism has bestowed upon us the inheritance of eternal life.

Today, the Catholic Church is the largest religious community in the United States. The current Vice President is Catholic, as was the previous President. A majority of the members of the Supreme Court are Catholic, as are many members of the Senate and the House of Representatives. And many Catholics have given their lives defending this country.

Yet Catholics were not always welcomed in American society. During the colonial period, laws existed that prohibited the public practice of the Catholic faith and voting rights to Catholics. Although the Constitution guaranteed religious freedom, in the years before the Civil War a political party arose whose sole purpose was to limit Catholic influence. After the war, the Ku Klux Klan directed its hostility first against African Americans and later against Catholics and Jews. And when John Kennedy ran for President, he had to face the hateful accusation that he would obey the Pope before obeying the laws of the nation.

That accusation touches on a statement Jesus makes in today's Gospel. When He says, “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me,” we could, in a sense, substitute “country” for “father or mother.” The Catechism discusses our duties toward civil authority within its treatment of the Fourth Commandment (nos. 2234-2257). Is it true, then? Should we love Jesus more than our country? Of course, we should.

For the most part, there is no conflict between love of country and love of God. Love of country—patriotism—is tied to our participation in the temporal society in which we live. Love of God is associated with our participation in the eternal society to which we are called. The two loves have different focuses, and so we can possess both. It is like belonging both to a labor union and to the Knights of Columbus. In fact, the two loves support one another. While our civil society guarantees the freedom to worship God, the eternal society of God's Kingdom insists that its members be just and honest citizens of the earthly society in which they live.

There is another reason why these two loyalties should not conflict. God is the supreme common good. When we honor God with all our hearts, we contribute to the common good, which is the very purpose of civil government.

Unfortunately, sooner or later conflicts arise between the state and the law of God. For some time now there have been proposals that would require physicians to perform abortions or, at the very least, refer pregnant women to those who do. Both actions are contrary to our faith. Likewise, from time to time we hear proposals that would require priests to reveal what they have heard in Confession regarding the abuse of children. I can say that I would never violate the seal of Confession for any reason whatsoever, and I expect no other priest to do so either.

Part of our love for God is obeying Him when He speaks to us through a faith-formed conscience. Our attitude should be similar to that of the presidential candidate John Kennedy. When asked whether there could ever be a situation in which he would follow his faith rather than the law, he replied: “…if the time should ever come — and I do not concede any conflict to be even remotely possible — when my office would require me to either violate my conscience or violate the national interest, then I would resign the office…”

Let us conclude with the words of a saint about what to do when a conflict arises between faith and government. St. Thomas More was about to be executed for refusing to recognize the king as head of the Church. His last words were: “I die the King's good servant, but God's first.”

 

Friday, June 26, 2026

 

Friday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time

(II Kings 25:1-12; Matthew 8:1-4)

Did you ever have to make a decision where there seemed to be no good options?  Say your daughter wants a “destination wedding” outside the Church.  You not only cannot approve the invalid marriage, you also doubt the couple’s maturity.  Should you support your daughter by attending the wedding?   In both readings today someone makes a decision when the options are not apparently favorable.

Behind the scenes in the first reading King Zedekiah is caught between losing support of his base and ignoring the Word of God spoken through the prophet Jeremiah.  In the gospel Jesus is confronted by a leper who asks healing.  Either he will touch the man and show authority over the law or disappoint the oppressed leper.  Zedekiah opts against God’s Word, but Jesus, who is the Word, lives up to it.

We must not be afraid to abide by the Word of God.  He speaks to us through Scripture, the Church, and our consciences.  Walking with him will, at times, bring hardship.  However, we will end stronger and already close to eternal life.

Thursday, June 25, 2026

 

Thursday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time

(II Kings 24:8-17; Matthew 7:21-27)

Did you ever notice yourself saying grace before eating when people are around but forgetting to do it when you are alone?  I have.  It is disconcerting to think that Jesus may forsake me for my pretension as indicated in today’s gospel.

Or perhaps we have given a sizeable amount to Catholic Charities and now figure that the Lord will overlook our pettiness with family and friends.  He is saying today that he expects better from us.  He does not care about any “mighty deeds” that we have done.  Rather what matters is our attention to the everyday details of a holy life: prayer, humility, kindness.

We may think we are as good as the next guy and better than most, but such calculation does not impress Jesus.  He calls us to perfection and sends us the Holy Spirit to make that happen.  If we focus on our accomplishments and not on his words, we settle for less and may end up disappointed.  But if we do good because Jesus has told us to do it, without aiming to impress him or anyone else, then we will find ourselves in his gracious company forever.

Wednesday, June 24, 2026

 

Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist

(Isaiah 49:1-6; Acts 13:22-26; Luke 1:57-66.80)

A man in his second career was having a “mountaintop experience.”  His wife had just given birth to their first child.  He looked at the baby and recognized his replacement.  Or so it seemed at the moment.  God-loving people will allow the possibility of the Lord’s shaping the destiny of their progeny in ways unthought of.

Elizabeth and Zachariah prove themselves such people in today’s gospel.  For years they have waited for their newborn.  Like the people surrounding them, they had probably presumed that he would be called “Zachariah” and follow in his father’s career path.  But when it all happened, they were aware enough of God’s hand in their son’s becoming to name their son “John” as the Lord indicated to them.

John did not follow his father as a priest, but he did manifest his father’s submission to God’s authority.  He had thought that the Messiah would purify the people with fire so to speak.  Then he met Jesus and recognized in him another kind of saving power.  John gave up his pretension of how the Messiah would fulfill his promise.  In John’s eyes Jesus was the lamb and not the lion of God.

We too should align our hopes and expectations with the Lord’s.  Our lives, after all, are not about ourselves but about Him.  This may mean a career change when we enjoy what we are doing.  It certainly necessitates our following His commands and not our own instincts and feelings.    We do it for Him who will compensate us more than we imagine.

Tuesday, June 23, 2026

 

Tuesday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time

(II Kings19:9b-11.14-21.31-35a.36; Matthew 5:6.12-14)

The kings of Judah and Israel were often as corrupt as tyrannical strongmen today.  They feigned piety while using their position of power to satisfy mundane desires.  King Hezekiah of Judah, however, was an exception to this rule.  Acting contrary to his unfaithful father, he destroyed idols and reformed public worship.  In his greatest trial he turned to the Lord for mercy and was not denied.

We read today the account of Assyria’s siege of Jerusalem.  Having subjected the Northern Kingdom, its powerful army and was bearing on Hezekiah’s Southern Kingdom.  The king recognized his desperate situation and prayed to the Lord for deliverance.  In one of the most remarkable turnabouts in recorded history, Assyria retreated without assaulting Jerusalem.

God hears the prayer of His faithful servants.  We can live assured of this.  His response to our request is not always what we desire, but it does bring us peace.  Having fulfilled His will, we can look forward to experiencing now the beginnings of His glory.

Monday, June 22, 2026

 

(Optional) Memorial of Saint John Fisher, Bishop and Saint Thomas More, Martyrs

(II Kings 17:5-8.13-15a.18; Matthew 7:1-5)

Today’s first reading demonstrates the viewpoint of the Deuteronomic author (or authors).  This writer composed or at least edited the Book of Deuteronomy and several other Old Testament works including the two Books of Kings.  Deuteronomic theology sounds to many rather karma-like.  It teaches that if you do good, you will be rewarded and if you do bad, you are doomed.

In the first reading the tit-for-tat is straight forward.  The Samarians (that is the inhabitants of the Northern Kingdom (also called Israel and Ephraim) repeatedly violated Israel’s law.  They paid for their transgressions with deportation from their land.  Today’s gospel is more conventional, at least for Christians. Jesus tells his disciples not to judge, by which he means not to condemn others quickly.  If they do, he warns, God’s judgment of them in eternity will be swift and severe.

We see the two martyrs in this conventional light.  Both were beheaded for testifying to the supreme authority of the pope in the Church.  They are remembered after almost 500 years among England’s most renowned saints.  Thomas More has been lionized by the play and movie A Man for All Seasons.  John Fisher is recognized as a brilliant bishop whose theology influenced the Council of Trent.  More importantly, they have been rewarded with seats in the Kingdom of heaven.

Sunday, June 21, 2026

 

TWELFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, JUNE 21, 2026

(Jeremiah 20:10-13; Romans 5:12-15; Matthew 10:26-33)

Once again the gospel today imparts a basic lesson for growth in the spiritual life. The passage is taken from Jesus' “apostolic discourse,” one of the five lessons that along with their accompanying narratives constitute the body of Matthew’s Gospel. We can think of it as preliminary instructions for the great sending of the apostles at the end of the work.

As Pope Saint John Paul II used to tell all Catholics, Jesus warns his apostles: “'Do not fear.'” Afraid of what? In the first three centuries of the Church, the lives of Christians were in danger because of their beliefs and practices. This type of persecution still exists in China, several Muslim countries and some parts of Africa. But it is rare in Western nations.

However, there is another type of fear among us. Many fear being belittled or considered out of touch and not “cool” if they live the faith as the Catechism teaches. That is, if we insist on attending Sunday mass even though we have to drive twenty miles or if we leave a movie theater that shows nudity. Some may make fun of us now. But it should not surprise us that in twenty years we will be remembered for having dedicated ourselves to a cause as noble as the conspiracy of charity that is the Catholic Church.

Jesus does not say that all kinds of fear are unnecessary. In fact, he recommends fear of the one “who can throw our soul and body into the place of punishment.” Unfortunately, he does not mention who he is referring to. Who can throw us into hell? Some Bible commentators have said that he has in mind God, his Father. Others think he means the devil. But isn't it true that both – God and the devil – are formidable and merit fear?

We think of the devil more as a person who can seduce us to perdition than as someone who could throw us there. However, the effect would be the same: the perpetual loss of happiness. By the way, if we do not accept terms like “devil” and “Satan,” we can change them to “evil” or “the web of evil.” What we are saying is that our natural tendencies toward  goods such as pleasure, power, and prestige can become disordered so that they suffocate us. That is, they can extinguish our desire to have just relationships with God and neighbor.

Certainly God can throw us into hell, but would He? Maybe not in the sense of forcing us out of His care. However, He has created us with free will to be responsible men and women. Furthermore, he has sent us his own Son to break the bonds of sin and light the paths to justice. If we wish to reject all these advantages, He will not prevent us from separating ourselves from Him.

Yes, we must fear God, particularly when we lack maturity. But once we grow in wisdom, fear turns into love like a caterpillar turns into a butterfly. We recognize that our happiness remains with Him and not with the praise of drinking buddies. For this reason, the Word of God stipulates that fear of God is only “the beginning of wisdom.” We are truly wise when we cling to God like a child to his father in the middle of a crowd at a soccer match.

Since we have mentioned soccer, we can conclude with a comment about the World Cup. In previous years the competition was associated with much illicit pleasure. Obviously, the participants in the disordered activities were immature people despite being millionaires. They needed the fear of God to put them on the right path. But fans who are also friends of God always thank him for having created athletes with such skill as a Lionel Messi or a Kylian Mbappé. For them, football is an exciting pastime, but not as importance as Sunday mass.  It gives them even more reason to glorify God for all He has done.

Friday, June 19, 2026

 Friday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time

(II Kings 11:1-4.9-18.20; Matthew 6:190-23)

The first reading today is long and impossible to appreciate without awareness of its context.  It forms an episode in the saga of the kings of Judah and Israel.  Athaliah is the daughter of the wicked King Ahab and Jezebel of Israel.  She is also the wife of King Jehoram of Judah.  When her husband and son are killed, Athaliah attempts to have all Jehoram’s sons by other mothers slain so that she can rule Judah.  Her plan is foiled as one of Jehoram’s sons survives Athaliah’s massacre and comes to rule the nation.  The saga demonstrates what Jesus teaches his disciples with his difficult parable.

“’The lamp of the body is the eye,’” Jesus tells his disciples.  He is saying that we look into ourselves with the same eyes that we see the world.  If we see the world as the locus of growth in truth and goodness, we will find in ourselves the seeds of virtue to be cultivated.  But if we look at the world primarily as opportunities for more fame, wealth, or pleasure, we will mostly desire to satisfy our basest needs.

Although Scripture testifies to God’s plan for us, it can be opaque at times.  We need to use its clearer parts to help us interpret the problematic ones.  Its long and rich contents provide material to ponder and contemplate as we make our way through life.  Hopefully, it will guide us to God’s Kingdom.

Thursday, June 18, 2026

 

Thursday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time

(Sirach 48:1-14; Matthew 6:7-15)

A man was hurt as a child by the school’s bully.  His arm was twisted behind his back until its ligaments were torn from the bone.  The injury caused intense pain at the moment and long afterwards. He resented his offender until he experienced a conversion when he was writing him a letter about the trouble he caused.

One day, the man found his abuser’s picture and a description of his activities in an Internet search.  The former bad boy was the director of a large trucking company.  The man began a grudge letter but then stopped realizing that he harbored hatred.  The letter changed from vindictive to reconciliatory as the man asked forgiveness for his long-term resentment.  He received a gracious letter back, but it was also a bit disappointing.  The former bully said that he honestly could not recall the incident but was sorry for any injury he had caused.

Sometimes we hurt others without realizing the damage that is done.   We cannot make an adequate apology.  We stand helpless before God unable to feel contriteness for our sin.  In light of what Jesus says in today’s gospel, we should ask God to forgive not only the offenses we are conscious of but also those which we do not realize that we made.  Likewise, we pray that we may forgive others even when – as is sometimes the case -- they do not realize how they have offended us.

Wednesday, June 17, 2026

 

Wednesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time

(II Kings 2:1.6-14; Matthew 6:1-6.16-18))

There are two transitions in today’s first reading.  Obviously, Elijah is giving Elisha his authority to speak on behalf of God.  The younger prophet will need a double portion of Elijah’s spirit to face the new challenges of his generation.  Elijah defeated the threat of the Baalites to Israel.  But other false gods and empty promises will attract the people.  Elisha will need to assert God’s ongoing presence in their midst.

The second transition is the forever changing times.  Things never stay the same but are always in flux.  Seniors today recall the pre-computer age.  Television threatened the development of children in the 1950s.  Artificial Intelligence reached instantly through smartphones has become the culprit today.  Will our children overcome the challenges of technology to remain peaceful and loving?

They can if they disconnect long enough to hear the voice of God spoken within their hearts.  He will tell them not to worry about being better than others but try to serve the needy.  He will assure them of His love but assert that the world does not revolve around them.  He is at its center with the Son in the Spirit forever making things new.

Tuesday, June 16, 2026

 

Tuesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time

(I Kings 21:17-29; Matthew 5:43-48)

Biblical theologian John Meier found Jesus’ command, “Love your enemy,” unique.  He examined all extant Jewish and pagan literature before and during Jesus’ lifetime without locating any equivalent saying.  For Meier this indicated that the words come directly from Jesus.  That is, he was convinced that the command could not have been borrowed from another source and attributed to Jesus as “the kind of thing he would say.”  “Love your enemy” may be jarring to those who hear it for the first time, but it is not the only statement of today’s gospel that wakes one from slumber.

Jesus tells his disciples to “’be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.’”  This statement sounds almost neurotic.  Conventional wisdom states that “perfection is the enemy of the good.”  Mothers advise their children that only God is perfect and that humans must accept their fallibility.  But Jesus remains unsparing in his command.  His disciples are to become like God in their relations with others; that is, they must treat everyone justly.

Before putting aside Jesus’ command as impossible, impractical, or self-destructive, we need to consider something.  These dictates come with grace of the Holy Spirit.  He is the very presence of God who does not merely help but transforms us.  We are no longer crippled by sin but walk as God’s children. As Bach’s children wrote music approaching the glory of their father’s work so too can our virtue resemble the perfection of our heavenly Father’s.

Monday, June 15, 2026

 

Monday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time

(I Kings 21:1-16; Matthew 5:43-48)

“’Frailty, thy name is woman,’” Prince Hamlet says of his mother, the queen, in Shakespeare’s play.  But it is not true.  Some women, like Lady Macbeth in another Shakespearean play, are as hard as the seats in the church basement.  There is nothing frail either about Queen Jezebel in the first reading.  As her husband, the king, pouts over not being able to obtain a parcel of land, she cooks up a treachery that would impress the Godfather.  She not only defrauds but murders to steal the land away.  Then she triply defies God’s law by arranging false witnesses testify that they heard poor Naboth curse God.  Not frailty but pure wickedness characterizes this dame!

Some may see Jezebel as a figure of the archetypal Eve and cast all women in a negative hue.  But that characterization is erroneous as well as villainous.  In Genesis, both Adam and Eve willingly share the forbidden fruit.  In contemporary life, men much more typically than women commit heinous crimes.  What sin always demonstrates, however, is the human need of redemption.  Somehow humans must be freed from the burden of guilt attached to their crimes.

“...all have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God. They are justified freely by his grace through the redemption in Christ Jesus...,” declares St. Paul in the Letter to the Romans.  Christ has freed Jews and Greeks, men and women, the dark and the light complexioned from the guilt which would hold them in sin like a car stuck in sand.  We celebrate this redemption in the Eucharist.  Here he frees us from our wanton desire to possess, dominate, and even to kill like King Ahab and Queen Jezebel.

 

Sunday, June 14, 2026

Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time 

(Exodus 19:2-6a; Romans 5:6-11; Matthew 9:36–10:8)

This Sunday we resume reading the Gospel according to Saint Matthew. It will be our guide until Advent. Matthew’s Gospel emphasizes discipleship.  It teaches us how best to serve the Lord.

In today’s reading, Jesus notices how much the people need pastoral care. He sees them as “troubled and abandoned.” To a large extent, the Jewish leadership has failed them. The scribes are preoccupied with the minutiae of the law, while the people long to hear about God’s love. The Pharisees seek places of honor at banquets, while the people need to know how to respond to God’s goodness.

The lack of adequate pastoral accompaniment continues today. However, the problem is not so much that people feel “troubled and abandoned.” Rather, the faithful are often confused and bewildered by the things they see around them. Many people in Western society desire affirmation even when they act in ways that were once considered abominations. The problem is not so much that they want to tattoo their arms up to their shoulders or dye their hair green. Rather, they show little regard for the primacy of the family. They want to live with their partner outside of marriage, to have a same-sex partner, or even to change their biological sex.

These irregularities become particularly visible during this month of June, designated by some as “pride month.” It seems strange to us that so many people want to boast publicly about things that were once considered private. As disciples of Jesus, how should we respond? Jesus’ recommendation in the gospel that we pray to the Father is particularly appropriate. These sexual matters are profound and sensitive. Wisdom is needed to address them appropriately. What else could we do?

In the first reading, God indicates what He wants from Israel. He says that they will be His chosen people if they keep His commandments. He adds that he will protect the nation as long as it maintains the covenant it has made with Him. In addition to advising prayer, in the gospel Jesus chooses the Twelve Apostles to proclaim this same message of election and protection. He sends them particularly to those who have gone astray to guide them back to the right path. The message remains relevant today.

God's love does not allow us to condone habits that distance those involved from Him. Behaviors such as having sex outside of marriage do precisely this. We may have the opportunity to speak honestly and openly to those in these situations. If so, we can convey to them how their actions offend God. At the same time, we want to hear their personal histories if they are willing to share them. In this way, the give and take will foster mutual understanding and goodwill.

Let's take the case of a Catholic school teacher who has a child in her class with two fathers and no mother. Some might wonder if the school administration should admit children in this situation. However, the Church does not consider admission impermissible in such cases. It reasons that the child will receive a Catholic education. It can be further hoped that by dialoguing with the teacher, his parents will come to value chastity. At the same time, the teacher will learn something about the reasons for and difficulties of having homosexual tendencies.

One might ask if our era is the best time to live in history. Who knows? It is true that we live more comfortably today than at any other time in history. On the other hand, it may be harder now than ever to convey the teaching of Christ. Nevertheless, we are called as ever to follow the Lord Jesus. We must ask for his help as we proclaim his truth.

Friday, June 12, 2026

 

Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

(Deuteronomy 7:6-11; I John 4:7-16; Matthew 11:25-30)

Some Christians still believe that there is a qualitative difference between “the God of the Old Testament” and “the God of the New.”  In the Old, they say, God is primarily wrathful, even vengeful, with inklings of tenderness.  In the New Testament, they would say, Jesus reveals God to be much kinder and gentler.  Jesus certainly emphasized the Father’s loving kindness, but so do the prophets of the Old Testament.  In the first reading Moses does not refrain from speaking of God’s merciful love.

We might note as well Jesus’ God never hesitating to correct His people when necessary.  The context of today’s gospel is Jesus’ chastising Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum. Their failure to believe in him as God’s Son, despite his powerful preaching and mighty deeds, required disciplining.  Fortunately, not all reject Jesus.  It is the poorer, lesser educated who tend to accept him.  To these he offers his yoke of wisdom.

Jesus’ wisdom is a product of both his brain and his heart.  By “brain” we understand correct assessment of right and wrong.  By “heart” we mean a proclivity to forgive. Jesus’ heart was pierced on the cross and drained of its life blood but hardly of his mercy.  It dispenses forgiveness where our sins deserve punishment.

Thursday, June 11, 2026

 Memorial of Saint Barnabas, apostle

 (Acts 11:21b-26.13:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12)

St. Barnabas is mentioned a number of times in Acts and the letters of St. Paul.  From all that is said, he is an exemplary Christian disciple.  He donates the proceeds from the sale of his land to the community of disciples (Acts 4:36-37).  He is sent to Antioch as a representative of the Church to investigate the new Christian community there.  One may find in him the gifts of patience and mercy in an incident that occurred while preaching with Paul.  Barnabas’ desire to allow John Mark to rejoin the preaching team after previously abandoning the project contrasts with Paul’s demand that he stay behind (Acts 15:39).

Today’s reading from Acts even testifies to his virtue calling him “a good man full of the Holy Spirit and of faith” (Acts 11:24).  The same Spirit asks that he and Paul be set aside for missionary work (Acts 13:2). It further indicates his ability by naming Barnabas the first of the prophets and teachers at Antioch.

 We should imitate Barnabas.  We certainly can be generous with what we own.  We can also be people of faith ready to forgive others.  We should also speak up in favor of Jesus and the Church.  Jesus’ teachings of self-sacrificial love are called into question by radical groups today.  The Church has detractors for its stand in favor of the assignment of gender with DNA code, the integrity of marriage between a man and a woman, and the dignity of life from conception to natural death. Jesus never doubted these natural truths as he showed us our destiny with God through his Paschal experience.

Wednesday, June 10, 2026

 

Wednesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time

(I Kings 18:20-39; Matthew 5:19-19)

It should be no wonder why Israel is looking to Baal for salvation.  Their land has had draught conditions for years.  The people need rain in order to survive.  Yahweh seems deaf to their pleas.  Then they hear their neighbors speak of Baal, the god of rain, lightning, and fertility.  They say to themselves, “Why not give this god a try?”

Elijah, however, knows that appealing to Baal will only bring ruin to Israel.  He realizes that the reason for the draught is not an indifferent Yahweh.  Rather, Yahweh is chastising them for their faithlessness.  The infidelity is epitomized by their wicked king Ahab.  Elijah challenges the prophets of Baal to a test.  If Baal exists, then as the god of lightening, he should be able to easily burn his prophets’ offering.  But, of course, he doesn’t exist and cannot consume the offering.  Yahweh, however, burns up Elijah’s sacrifice, even after the prophet has made it hard to do so.

Don’t many people – perhaps some of us -- worship Baals?  They attach superhuman status to entertainers, politicians, and athletes.  These people try to fulfill their needs for doing well and being recognized by identifying with these celebrities.  They may even wear their jerseys, copy their hairstyles, or imitate their mannerisms.  Such attention to gifted but inevitably flawed heroes may bring a little euphoria but cannot bring happiness.  Worse, it diverts one from following the true God revealed in Jesus Christ.  If this portrait describes us, we must stop worshipping Baal and concentrate on following Jesus.

Tuesday, June 9, 2026

 

Tuesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time

(II Kings7:7-16; Matthew 5:13-16)

As the United States celebrates its semiquincentennial, its citizens will recall a famous sermon preached by John Winthrop, the governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony.  In 1630, Winthrop told a shipfull of Puritan colonists that they would be like “a city on a hill” of which the world would take notice.  He exhorted the people to reflect the decency and justice which their faith espoused. The analogy was taken from today’s gospel passage.

In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus coins the expression “a city on a hill.”  He means, of course, that his disciples should lead exemplary lives of virtue.  He himself is the lamp to be reflected by every household as a guide for all the world.  Living as he teaches, they would make of the earth the forerunner of God’s Kingdom.

The United States is not a Christian nation.  It is composed of adherents to many different religious traditions and of people without faith.  Yet its founding principles are largely in line with Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount.  It has always advocated the primacy of law, the virtue of charity, the value of freedom, and (yes) the necessity of belief in God.  It has been “a city on a hill” that has not only guided many to its shores but has served as a model for other nations.

Monday, June 8, 2026

 

Monday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time

(II Kings 17:1-6; Matthew 5:1-12)

Both readings today speak of the Lord’s care for those who love Him.  The context of the first reading is important.  Elijah is announcing to King Ahab God’s guilty verdict.  Israel’s ruler has married a pagan woman and worshipped her god.  Having spoken truth to power, Elijah is forced into exile.  He might perish, but the Lord has ravens bring him food.

Once again, we hear the gospel pronouncing as "blessed" those who overcome pride and do good.  Although the world may be blind to their sanctity, the Lord will not let it go unrewarded.  He will grant Jesus’ faithful disciples the most wanted real estate of all, a place in the Kingdom of heaven.

As good as it sounds and as reliable as it has been, we may still doubt God’s beneficence.  Doubting and temporizing, we don’t place ourselves in God’s hands when in trouble. Rather we let ourselves worry.  Yet our experience is quite the contrary. Like me, you probably ask yourself why God is so good to you.  We just cannot place ourselves outside the infinite reach of His mercy.

Sunday, June 7, 2026

SOLEMNITY OF THE BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST

(Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 14-16; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17; John 6:51-58)

We might call this time of the year “the season of the great mysteries.” Last Sunday we celebrated the Holy Trinity, known as the central mystery of the Christian faith. Although it does not belong to this season, the mystery of the Incarnation, or Christmas, is also of extraordinary importance. Likewise, the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead holds a transcendent place among the mysteries of our faith. We complete this list of principal mysteries with the feast we celebrate today: the Body and Blood of Christ, or Corpus Christi.

Before reflecting on this solemnity, it is important to understand what a mystery of faith is. It is not a puzzle to be solved by the human mind. Rather, it is a revelation from God to be contemplated, accepted, and incorporated into our lives. We speak, for example, of the “mysteries of the Rosary,” such as the Assumption of Mary and the Transfiguration of the Lord. By contemplating them, we realize that they are not entirely beyond our grasp. Through the grace of the Holy Spirit, we too hope will be assumed into the Kingdom of God where we shall behold Christ’s glory.

When we speak of the “Body and Blood of Christ,” we are referring to the Eucharist, the sacrament that strengthens and deepens our relationship with Jesus Christ. In his presence we experience the first glimmers of eternal life. In this way, we move toward the universal human goal of everlasting happiness. Today’s readings teach us what this sacrament is and how it transforms our lives.

In the Gospel, Jesus declares that he gives his own body to eat and his own blood to drink. Because the Jews respond with disbelief, Jesus emphasizes that he is not speaking figuratively. He repeats what he has just said but uses an even stronger expression: whoever eats his flesh remains in him. How can the flesh of a person be consumed without violating human dignity? The answer introduces us to the Eucharistic mystery. Eucharistic bread has been inwardly transformed into Christ’s Body for the benefit of the one who eats it. Human dignity is not violated because what is consumed is the appearance and qualities of bread, not those of human flesh. Yet beneath the appearance of bread remains the reality of Christ’s Body.

As evidence of this mystery, the Body of Christ does not diminish within the person who receives it; rather, it grows. In the second reading, Saint Paul asks, “The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?” Of course it is. The Body of Christ, which is also the Church, grows as we are strengthened by the Eucharist. In a famous statement, Saint Augustine explains this phenomenon: ordinary food is transformed into the person who eats it; but when we receive the Body of Christ, it is the communicant who is transformed into Christ.

The Eucharist is also food for the journey. The first reading comes from Moses’ final address to the Israelites. There he reminds them that the Lord fed them with another extraordinary “bread” in the desert. That “bread,” the manna, enabled them to continue their journey and become the People of God. In the same way, the Eucharist enables us to persevere through the struggles of life. Through it we can overcome temptations, grow in charity, and endure life’s trials until we reach our final destination with God.

The mysteries of faith are not meant only to be contemplated; they are also meant to be lived. With regard to the Body and Blood of Christ, living this mystery requires that we give positive answers to several questions. Do we give the Eucharist the honor it deserves by preparing to receive it through the proper fast, by seeking forgiveness for our sins, and by responding with a sincere “Amen” when it is handed to us? Do we observe the commandments and teachings of the Church, cooperate with the initiatives of our parish, and take an active role in its ministries? Finally, are we preparing for the end of our life by treating our family members with love, sharing our abundance with the poor, and avoiding evil?

Although living in this way requires effort, it is well worth it. It is no accident that the Eucharist, the Body and Blood of Christ, is called “the source and summit” of our Catholic faith.  It is the source because it nourishes us on the journey, and it is the summit because it becomes the heavenly banquet.

 

Friday, June 5, 2026

 

Memorial of Saint Boniface, Bishop and Martyr

(II Timothy 3:7-10; Mark 12:35-37)

The two readings today are deceptively rich in ideas.  In the first, St. Paul reminds Timothy of the different uses of Scripture.  Beyond its help in praying, the Word of God instructs and can be used to refute mistaken beliefs.  In today’s gospel Jesus employs Scripture for this third purpose.

Jesus has won the crowd’s esteem by overcoming the challenges of his religious adversaries.  Now he instructs the people with a display of mastery over the Holy Writ.  He brings up a claim of the scribes that the Messiah is merely the Son of David.  Later he will tell the Sanhedrin that he is the Messiah, the Son of God who will sit on God’s right hand.  For now, he just shows how even David recognizes that the Messiah (or Christ) is more than his Son; he is also his Lord.  Jesus uses Psalm 110 to make his point.  David presumedly wrote the psalm, which says: “The Lord [that is God] said to my Lord [that is Christ], ‘Sit at my right hand …’”

We cannot underestimate the value of Scripture. St. Jerome said, "Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ."  Scripture is like a roadmap to get us through life safely.  If we do not consult it regularly, we are going to lose our way to salvation.

Thursday, June 4, 2026

 

Thursday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time

(II Timothy 2:8-15; Mark 12:28-34)

We nod affirmingly to the words of Jesus in today’s gospel.  “Yes,” we say, “we are to love God above all and to love our neighbors as ourselves.”  But then, as Paul points out in the first reading, we quibble about words.  “What does it mean to say, “above all”?  we ask, and “How can I be expected to show the same love to another household as I do my own?”

Responses to our queries need not be abstract.  “Above all” means that we realize, as Bishop Robert Barron frequently says, that our lives are not about ourselves but about God.  We are to seek what He wants of us, not what we may like for ourselves.  I might enjoy watching sports events at the bar with my friends on Sunday evenings, but my conscience – that is God speaking -- tells me to spend time at the nursing home visiting an old relative.

As everything else in the world, love should be ordered.  We can hardly pay as much attention to the needs of all who are around us as we do to ourselves and our families.  Loving our neighbor as ourselves means that we don’t forget them as we proportion our resources.  Certainly, our children have a greater claim on our time than the neighbor’s children.  But those children too require our consideration and effort. 

Wednesday, June 3, 2026

 Memorial of Saint Charles Lwanga and Companions, Martyrs

 II Timothy 1:1-3.6-12; Mark 12:18-27)

In A Grief Observed, his memoir of dealing with the death of his wife, C.S. Lewis exhibits no euphoria about eventual reunion.  He almost dismisses the idea saying that it is not biblical and, in any case, cannot be a replay of earthly bliss.  In this last remark Lewis reflects the surprising teaching of Jesus in today’s gospel.

 The context of the passage is a debate between Jesus and a group of Sadducees, the priestly party which does not believe in the resurrection of the dead.  The Sadducees propose to Jesus a ridiculous scenario of seven brothers marrying in succession the same woman in order to give the first brother-husband an heir.  Then they pose the question, “’At the resurrection when they arise, whose wife shall she be?’’’  Jesus responds that the Sadducees misunderstand the nature of resurrected life where marriage between man and woman does not exist.

 Although Christians eagerly look forward to eternal life, it is best that we not try to describe it.  Saying that it is like an eternal honeymoon seems to conflict with what Jesus is saying here.  Describing it as an eternal liturgy is likely to take away many people’s interest.  The idea of an eternal banquet may raise more interest, but sound theologians have commented that there is no corporal satiation in heaven.  We just don’t know what eternal life is like, yet we do know that it brings happiness eminently worth striving for.

Tuesday, June 2, 2026

 

Tuesday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time

(II Peter 3:12-15a.17-18; Mark 12:13-17)

The recent motion pictures “Man of God” relates the saintly life of the Greek Orthodox priest, Nektarios of Aegina.  Nektarios demonstrated holiness when he gave a beggar the shoes on his feet, when he retired to prayer and work in a monastery, and – most of all -- when he refused to use his popularity as a platform to attain high ecclesial office.  In a poignant scene, Nektarios is urged to seek the patriarchy of Alexandria for the sake of the people.  He told his promoter that he was tempting him with power.  In today’s gospel Jesus similarly resists the flattery of the Herodians and Pharisees.

In Jerusalem to give himself as God’s servant, Jesus is approached by his enemies.  Before they ask a question meant to ensnare him in controversy, they try to flatter him with accolades about his integrity.  Jesus, however, knows their hearts, refuses to respond to the flattery, and then deftly responds to the question.  The scene ends with even his opponents amazed at Jesus’ astuteness.

Flattery plays on our pride, the basest vice because it inflates our ego.  Thinking of ourselves as important, we think less of God.  We are wise to be wary of excessive attention to us and to acknowledge the Lord behind any virtue we possess.  

Monday, June 1, 2026

 

Memorial of Saint Justin, Martyr

(II Peter 1:2-7; Mark 12:1-12)

Today’s first reading resonates with the life of its patron, St. Justin Martyr.  The reading speaks of the need to fortify one’s hope with virtue.  Desiring eternal life alone will not accomplish it.  Rather, we must strive to live in accord with the classical virtues.  Christ will then crown our achievement with the courage to live and die for him.

St. Justin was such a sterling example of a virtuous life crowned with Christ that “Martyr” has become his last name.  Born of pagan parents, he studied philosophy before he became a Christian.  When he converted, he used his developed reasoning and oratory skills to defend the Church.  His legacy includes not only arguments for Christianity but also descriptions of early Christian liturgy.

The word “martyr” today is often used to chide someone who strives to live virtuously.  Some would say to such a person, “Why do want to be a martyr?” as if the person wanted harm to be done to her. However, the root meaning of “martyr” is witness -- not necessarily dying witness but living witness as well.  We all can and should strive to be martyrs.

Sunday, May 31, 2026

SOLEMNITY OF THE MOST HOLY TRINITY 

(Exodus 34:4-6, 8-9; II Corinthians 13:11-13; John 3:16-18)

Today’s readings focus on one of the deepest mysteries of our Christian faith. From almost the very beginning, the Church has proclaimed the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit as God. In time, the triune God came to be called “the Most Holy Trinity.” For eight centuries there were controversies about how the three persons relate to one another. Even today there is misunderstanding of the doctrine. So we may ask: why does the Church bring the Trinity into the liturgy at all? The answer is not difficult: because the doctrine of the Trinity shapes the way we live our daily lives.

The Judeo‑Christian understanding of God differs from others. The defining characteristic of the God of the Bible is not power but love. Almost all ancient peoples believed that the world was created through battles among the gods. The culture of Babylon, where the Jewish leaders were exiled for half a century, offers a typical example. The Babylonians believed that the great goddess Tiamat represented all the forces of terror: storms, floods, famine, and invasion by foreign tribes. To defend themselves from disaster, the lesser gods asked the great god Marduk to protect them from Tiamat. Marduk agreed to save them on the condition that they become his servants. Then Marduk cut Tiamat’s body in two to form the sea and the land. Once the world was established, the gods created human beings to bear the yoke of divine service. They were in no way equal to the gods—neither their partners, nor their image-bearers, nor stewards of their lands.

The Babylonian creation story is completely different from the biblical account. In the Bible, the one God created the world with the intention of allowing human beings, made in his image, to care for it. In time, God shared with them his name so they could call upon him in their need. In the reading from Exodus, God reveals himself as “compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, rich in mercy and faithfulness.” In other words, God is loving.

The understanding of God as loving expanded with the coming of Christ. Today’s Gospel speaks of God’s “only Son.” There is great love between the Father and the Son. Yet the Father handed over his Son to save us from sin. If it is true that one who loves much, does much, then this gift of the Son reveals the Father’s love for us as well. As Saint Paul: “I am convinced that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor the present nor the future, nor any powers, nor height nor depth, nor any other creature will ever be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom 8:38‑39).

The love between the Father and the Son is identified as the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is not merely a common trait of the Father and the Son like strength. Rather, the Spirit is the dynamic love that unites them forever. Their mutual love overflows and reaches us so that we may become holy like they are.

The Most Holy Trinity is utterly unique. It cannot be described easily. What distinguishes the three persons? It is not what they think for all three think alike. Nor is what they want for all three want the same. Nor is it where they are for wherever one is, the other two are present. Nor is it what they do; what one does, the others do as well. The only way they differ is in their relationships with one another. One is Father, another is Son, and another is the Spirit of love.

The doctrine of the Trinity serves to remind us of the priority of love in our behavior. Just as the Father loves the Son and the Son loves the Father, so we are called to love one another.