Sunday, August 30, 2026

 

TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

(Jeremiah 20:7-9; Romans 12:1-2; Matthew 16:21-27)

Today’s Gospel reading follows immediately after last Sunday’s. We recall how Simon pronounced Jesus “the Messiah, the Son of the living God,” and Jesus returned the compliment by calling him “Peter,” the rock upon which he would build his church. Indeed, the two passages form a dialogue that should be read as a single passage. Yes, Jesus is the Messiah, but not a conquistador. And Peter may be a rock, but not polished and ready for use. In fact, he will have to be reshaped to serve as the cornerstone of Jesus’  Church. The reshaping begins as soon as Jesus reveals the tribulations the Messiah will undergo.

Jesus tells his disciples that precisely because he is the Messiah, he must suffer greatly. He says that he will be condemned and martyred. Peter objects to this prophecy, considering it a negative way of thinking.  He begins to argue with the Lord. Although Peter wants to keep his criticism private, Jesus thinks otherwise. He believes it is necessary to correct Peter openly and drastically so that all his disciples realize how serious the matter is. First of all, he calls Peter “Satan” for tempting him with references only to victory. Then he says that instead of acting as a foundation stone, Peter seems more like a stumbling block.

Jesus explains the kind of sacrifice his disciples will have to make if they want to follow him. He says that to be his faithful disciples, they must deny themselves, take up their individual crosses, and follow him. In other words, they have to change their way of thinking and acting. Instead of thinking of themselves as their primary concern, they have to be concerned first and foremost about God. Instead of acting out of self-interest, they have to serve the Lord. It is the ultimate transition that must be experienced to become part of the Kingdom of God.

A fable can help us understand this gospel lesson. A hen and a pig were walking around the farm one morning. They wanted to give the farmer a special birthday breakfast. The hen turned to the pig and said, “Let’s give him bacon and eggs! It’s his favorite food.” The pig stopped, looking worried, and shook his head. He said to the hen, “Wait, please. For you, that breakfast is just a small contribution. For me, it’s total sacrifice!”

What the hen suggests to the pig may sound harsh, and it really is. But it’s also what Jesus is proposing for his disciples. It is, if you will, “the cost of discipleship.” For the parents of a child with cerebral palsy, “taking up their cross and following him” means caring for their daughter all day, every day. For the single woman with no family responsibilities, it might mean helping the Missionaries of Charity with their ministries to abandoned women and children. For retired people, it could be volunteering to tutor children with reading difficulties.

And what if we don't want to fully commit ourselves fully to serving the Lord? What if we only want to pay a tithe and attend Sunday Mass? Then we would be like the hen in the story: unworthy to be true disciples of Jesus. Perhaps we wouldn't be completely lost, but we should begin to pray assiduously that the Lord will turn us into genuine disciples. We will not have a place in the Kingdom if our way of loving does not conform to Jesus' way. To be his disciples means that we love others as he has loved us.

Friday, August 28, 2026

 

Memorial of St. Augustine, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

(I Corinthians 1:17-25; Matthew 25:1-13)

Today’s reading from the First Letter to the Corinthians illustrates one of St. Augustine’s most salient teachings.  Paul tells the Corinthians that they have not been brought to Christ by either eloquence or wisdom.  Rather it is through the cross of Christ that they are being saved.  His sacrifice is more than an act of heroism; it is a humbling of self to nothing before God's will so that others may receive something of eternal efficacy.

St. Augustine knew from experience that being praised by other humans only makes one’s inevitable fall more calamitous.  He advised that if you want to rise you must first descend.  Humility, he taught, is the first, second, and third principle of faith.  Augustine achieved success as a lawyer and teacher. However, earthly glory did not bring him fulfilment.  Only when he surrendered himself to the Lord's will was he able to rest secure.

So, are we to stop trying to succeed?  Are we to give up our work live on prayers and alms?  No, that would be wasting our talents and ignoring the Lord’s call to make the world better.  However, we are to give up our illusion that the world’s salvation rests on our efforts alone and to ask God daily that His kingdom come.

Thursday, August 27, 2026

 

Memorial of Saint Monica

(I Corinthians 1:1-9; Matthew 24:42-51

“’Blessed is that servant whom his master on his arrival finds doing (his duty),’” Jesus tells his disciples in today’s gospel. He is describing how they should live until his return in glory.  Faithful disciples keep their baptismal promises.  That is, each one in his or her own way becomes priest, prophet, and king in the world.

In his autobiography, Saint Augustine writes of his mother, Saint Monica, as a worthy disciple.  She fulfilled her duty to God and family by encouraging both her sons to live
Christian lives.  This went far beyond telling them to do the right thing.  It included constant prayer and bringing them resources to facilitate practice of the faith.

St. Monica has become one of the more popular saints because of the great number of Catholics who have left the Church.  Their parents are often praying, like St. Monica, that they return to the sacraments.  It is a considerable objective because our society world has largely lost religious sensibility. People consider success having a high-paying job, being well considered in the community, and enjoying parties and pastimes.  God will not disappoint petitioners, but in regard to sons and daughters who no longer consider faith important, the prayer must be assiduous. 

Wednesday. August 25, 2026

 

Wednesday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time

(II Thessalonians 3:6-10.16-18; Matthew 23:27-32)

Pasted on a wall of the convents of the Missionaries of Charity, a statement by the congregation’s found, St. Teresa of Calcutta strikes the observer.  If prayer is simply talking to God, Mother Teresa’s prayer is profound.  The sign says, “I will give you saints and martyrs.” It almost echoes the last words of Jesus in today’s gospel.

Jesus has just excoriated the lay leaders of Judaism for their duplicity.  He calls the scribes and Pharisees “hypocrites” and says that they are no better than their ancestors who murdered the prophets.  Then he invites them to contrive the same evil against him.  “…fill up,” he says, “what your ancestors measured out.”

The scribes and Pharisees had no monopoly on duplicity.  Vile can stain any human heart.  To counter duplicity, we must be honest with ourselves as well as with others.  Like Jesus we have to call a dove, a “dove,” and a snake, a “snake.” Even more, we should ask God to purify our duplicitous hearts.

Tuesday, August 25, 2026

 

Tuesday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time

(I Thessalonians 2:1-8; Matthew 23:23-26)

The man said he was an atheist.  He added his reason.  He said that religion has been at the center of so many wars that he could no longer believe in God.  Of course, he was overlooking the overwhelming amount of assistance that faith has provided people over the ages.  He also might have thought for a moment about the destruction wrought by Communists and Nazis in recent times.  Nonetheless, Jesus in today’s gospel makes a similar criticism of religious opportunists.

 Jesus is disturbed by people who use religion to benefit themselves.  Evidently a considerable number of Pharisees and scribes distort Judaism to this effect.  Rather than emphasize the prophets’ call to compassion, they exploit the Law’s precepts for their own benefit.  Their exploitation especially hurts the poor. 

 We have a double duty in regard to those who profit by religion.  We should resist their solicitations by standing firm with Jesus, the prophet.  He shows little patience with those who burden others for their own benefit.   We also have to avoid a harsh criticism of religion.  People have misused it over the centuries for their material benefit.  But even events like the Crusades must be analyzed in their historical context and include the intentions of those involved.  Much more characteristic of religious belief have been institutions dispensing charity and orienting people to the true God.

Monday, August 24, 2026

 

Feast of Saint Bartholomew, Apostle

(Revelation 21:9b-14; John 1:45-51)

Isn’t it the case that when one of the readings at mass is from the Book of Revelation, both preacher and the faithful tend to ignore it?  Seeming impossible to make sense of, we pass it by.  It is our great loss.  As Homer’s Odyssey conveys worldly wisdom, Revelation reveals God’s eternal plan.

Today’s reading from Revelation envisions the Church at the end of time.  Christ, the victorious lamb, has just won victory for her over evil.  Now, cleansed of all perversions, she appears radiant like a bride at her wedding.  In the reading she is a transformed city with twelve gates.  Each gate stands for a tribe of Israel that was dispersed to the four corners of the earth.  Now the people return as the reinvigorated citizens of God’s holy city, the new Jerusalem.

St. Bartholomew would have preached the content of the Book of Revelation even though he was martyred before its composition.  He is the same Nathaniel who appears in today’s gospel.  Jesus tells him that he will have a vision of “the Son of Man” in glory.  The Son of Man, of course, is Christ himself.  His glory is the transformed People of God; that is, us.

Sunday, August 23, 2026

 TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, August 23, 2026

(Isaiah 22:19-23; Romans 11:33-36; Matthew 16:13-20)

Today’s Gospel should be familiar to most Catholics. We see it repeatedly as proof that the Lord chose the pope as the leader of the Church. The establishment of the papacy is more complex than a single Gospel passage can express, but Matthew 16:18 points in the right direction.

In the gospel, Jesus gives Simon more than a new name. He bestows on him a momentous title. “Peter” comes from the Greek word petros, meaning “rock.” Simon Peter is the rock upon which a solid church can be built. Jesus says at the end of the Sermon on the Mount that the wise man builds his house on rock (Matthew 7:24). Here he demonstrates his wisdom.

Jesus sees Simon as the foundation of his church for several reasons. Above all, he cites Simon’s intimacy with God indicated by his having received the revelation that Jesus is "the Messiah, the Son of the living God." Furthermore, Simon has displayed several qualities necessary for a leader. He speaks well; in fact, he serves as the spokesperson for the disciples. In today's Gospel, when Jesus asks, "But what about you? Who do you say I am?" it is Simon who gives the answer. Moreover, Simon acted with confidence when he stepped onto the water, imitating the Lord (Matthew 14:28).

In the other Gospels and in the Acts of the Apostles, Simon demonstrates other leadership qualities. In Luke, he is sensitive to Jesus’ imminent suffering as he tells the Lord that he is ready to die for him. (Yes, the remark is a boast; nevertheless, it is intended to support Jesus.  In fact, Peter will eventually give his life for him.) In the Gospel of John, Peter shows strong love for Jesus when the risen Lord appears to his disciples on the beach. Perhaps more to the point, in Acts, Simon Peter exhibits authority in different ways.  He preaches dynamically, he heals numberless times, and he makes decisions on behalf of the community.

What are the responsibilities of the Pope that require rock-solid stability? Many could be listed, but let's limit ourselves to three. First, the Pope must promote unity. From the beginning, the Church has lost whole groups of members. The First Letter of John describes such a division. This year, Pope Leo has been dialoging with the bishops of Germany and with the Society of Saint Pius X to prevent them from putting themselves outside Church authority.  In addition, more recent popes have been in constant discussion with the Orthodox and Protestants in the hope of reconciliation.

The Pope must also ensure that Church doctrine does not fall into error. In the First Letter to the Corinthians, Saint Paul had to correct those in the community who were denying the resurrection from the dead. There are similar issues today that concern Pope Leo. They particularly concern moral issues, but there are also dogmatic concerns. For example, many today believe erroneously that in vitro fertilization is justified. One dogmatic issue that has raised the concern of recent popes is how some theologians claim that Muslims, Buddhists, and Hindus are saved without belief in Christ.

The most important responsibility of the Pope, because it was Jesus' priority, is to maintain the Church as a community of charity. It is insufficient for Catholics to attend Mass if they scoff at participating in food drives. It is not enough for them to pay a tithe to their parish if they show disdain for people of other races. Demonstrating fraternal love for those in need, Pope Leo recently sent more than one hundred thousand euros to Venezuela to help earthquake victims.

In every election of a new pope, we are reminded that the one elected will not be the successor of the pope who just died, but of Peter. The modern pope must show the qualities of the first one to recognize Jesus as "the Messiah, the living son of God."  He also must be willing to sacrifice himself for Jesus’ flock.

Friday, August 21. 2026

 Memorial of Saint Pius X, Pope

(Ezekiel 37:1-14; Matthew 22:34-40)

If we are moved by today’s reading from Ezekiel, we are not the first to be so affected.  Sixth century B.C. Jews in Babylon heard the words as the Lord’s a promise that they might return to their homeland.  Christians have understood them for ages as people rising from sin to a vital life of charity.  We also find in them hope for the resurrection of the dead at the end of time.

Pope St. Pius X, today’s patron, probably read the passage in a different way.  The Church during his papacy at the turn of nineteenth century faced multiple challenges.  The faithful often refused to receive Holy Communion.  Church theologians were trending toward Protestant speculation of established doctrine. Also, both Canon Law and Church-state relations sorely needed mending.  Pius dedicated his pontificate to reforming the Church in these areas so that it might enjoy ever abundant life.

We also should hear the words of Ezekiel as a summons to reinvigoration. We may be encouraged by a recent trend of young adults to the Church, but their numbers likely fall far short of the attrition of teens after Confirmation or of midlife Catholics losing interest in the Sacraments.  Dry bones rising to new life inspire us to hope not only for eternal life but that the Church might sway the lives of all in the direction of the Lord.

Thursday, August 20, 2026

 

Memorial of Saint Bernard, Abbot and Doctor of the Church

(Ezekiel 36:23-28; Matthew 22:1-14)

In today’s often cited first reading the prophet Ezekiel foresees the reemergence of the People of God.  He writes that the Babylonian exiles, chastened by the loss of homeland, compatriots, and temple, will return to Israel as not only stronger but also as more loving.  They will possess the spirit of God to enable them to live according to God’s will.  What Ezekiel envisions is lived, not for the first time, in the life of St. Bernard of Clairvaux, today’s patron.

Bernard was the son of a twelfth century French nobleman.  From youth he exhibited exceptional talent and energy.  Dedicating himself to God as a monk, he became a reformer of the monastic system by inculcating a spirit of poverty.  Nevertheless, he was a friend of bishops and monarchs.  He is sometimes called the greatest man who lived in his time.

The poverty that Bernard recommended was firm but not cruel.  It has something to say to us in our contemporary world for convenience.  Evangelical poverty does not impoverish us.  On the contrary, it makes us richer.  It enables us to know some of the travails of the suffering.  It conserves resources that might be shared with others.  And finally, it allows us to identify with Christ, our teacher and Lord.

 

Wednesday, August 19, 2026

Wednesday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time

(Ezekiel 34:1-11; Matthew 20:1-16)

Wage-structure is often contentious.  Last week the news reported how Mayor Zohran Mamdani of New York created a controversy by demanding that transport companies like Amazon and Federal Express hire their own workers rather than pay subcontractors.  The mayor’s objective is evidently to increase workers’ wages in the city.  In today’s gospel Jesus says something controversial about wage structure although it hardly resolves the question in our society.

In the parable of the “Workers in the Vineyard” Jesus describes the bounty of the Kingdom of God.  He says that God is so rich and generous that he can give to those who live under His rule a short time as much as those who have stayed for a long haul.  No one should feel mistreated by the arrangement because all receive the kingdom’s huge (what might be called) “retirement benefits.”

Jesus does not mean to establish labor policy for a nation with the parable.  He does intend, however, to recommend that everyone be kinder and more generous like the landowner in the parable.  Whatever we have is from God.  Like God we should love others which implies a promise to provide support in some way or another.

Tuesday, August 18, 2026

 Tuesday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time

 (Ezekiel 28:1-10; Matthew 19: 23-30)

 What do you give to the person who has everything?  A gilded telephone? Designer earbuds?  There will always be a new luxury product to spend one’s money on.  The prophets chastised such conspicuous consumption.  It not only ignored the needs of the poor; it prioritized things to God.  In today’s Scriptures both Ezekiel and Jesus criticize the accumulation of wealth for consumption.

 Ezekiel sets his sight on the prince of Tyre.  The man has accumulated countless riches but has not heeded the Lord of Israel.  The prophet predicts he will have a hard fall at the hands of the Babylonian invaders.  Jesus, likewise, foresees a bitter outcome for those who make money their greatest treasure.  He says that they cannot enter the kingdom of God.

 Money itself is not evil.  Indeed, it enables us to live with a modicum of ease.  Pursuit of money while forgetting to honor God and to assist our neighbor, however, will cause our undoing.  We may think that we are increasing our stature, but in truth we are preparing our ruin.  The proper stance toward money is always gratitude to God for having received it and generosity toward the needy for having imitated Christ in their suffering.

Monday, August 17, 2026

 

Monday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time

Ezekiel 24:15-23; Matthew19:16-22)

Grieving the loss of a family member or close friend helps a person go on living sanely.  Especially if the loss is sudden, one needs to recognize what the loss will mean and to consider how it may be replaced.  In today’s reading from the Prophet Ezekiel the Lord tells the people of Judah that their loss will be double.  First, they will lose their loved ones, their possessions, and their homeland. Then, He says, there will be no time to grieve over these losses.

If the people ask themselves, “Why has God allowed these losses?”, they can find the answer in what the Lord tells Ezekiel: “Thus you shall know that I am God.”  God has tolerated the people’s unfaithfulness long enough.  Like a wise parent, He will correct their idolatry and neglect with a stern lesson.  He knows that adjusting to the loss will be fruitless.  He knows that they must start over and live justly from the beginning.

Idolatry and unfaithfulness are hardly remote from us today.  The Internet has made the telephone a commodity to be sought at practically any cost.  Although there are strategies and programs calling people back to church, membership is still diminishing in the West.  There is no starting over now that Christ has revealed fully God’s will.  But there is renewal in what Jesus has taught in his words and in his love for all.

Sunday, August 16, 2026

 

TWENTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

(Isaiah 56:1, 6-7; Romans 11:11-15, 29-32; Matthew 15:21-28)

The Gospel we just heard is one of the most fascinating in the lectionary. It presents Jesus as attentive to people’s requests. Even more striking is how the Canaanite woman displays a blend of courage and humility. Unfortunately, many focus on Jesus’ comment about non-Jews when they hear the story. Listening to Jesus speak of Gentiles as “little dogs,” they question the Lord’s goodness. Let’s clear up this misconception first. Then we will be able to see more clearly the wonderful love Jesus has for all.

Scholars tell us two things about the comment. First, Jesus refers to Gentiles with the diminutive “little dogs,” which suggests affection. Furthermore, in the first century Jews regularly called pagans “dogs.” It can be compared to Americans calling their children "kids." In any case, the Canaanite woman doesn't take offense. Rather, she uses it to strengthen her request of Jesus.

Jesus has come to the region of Tyre and Sidon to rest.  Lately, his mission has been difficult. For the most part, the Jews are not accepting his message. Also, the Pharisees and scribes keep harassing him. Jesus seeks a break from the crowds seeking him out for healing. Then the mother of the demon-possessed Gentile girl confronts him.

But it isn't just to regain his strength that he initially rejects the Canaanite woman's request. As he tells his disciples, he has been sent to bring back "the lost sheep of the house of Israel." (Here Jesus again uses an animal name to refer to people.) This is no small matter. Jesus does not want his mission to Jews to be confused with that of his disciples to all the nations once the Kingdom of God has been established.  This will happen when he is ascended into heaven and the Holy Spirit sent into the world.

However, the woman's faith moves him to change his mind. The Canaanite calls him "Lord" and prostrates herself before him to acknowledge his divine origin. Then Jesus realizes that a person's ethnicity is not as important as her beliefs. He is willing to grant the Canaanite woman’s request because she has demonstrated a firm belief in God's mercy. Through this change of plan, Jesus is initiating the preaching to the nations anticipated by the prophet in the first reading and carried out in the ministry of Saint Paul in the second.

There is a story that can help us understand the dynamic here. During World War II, an American soldier was killed in the French countryside. The dead man's comrades took the corpse to a church and asked for permission to bury him in the parish cemetery. The pastor asked if the dead soldier was a Catholic. They replied that he was a Protestant. The priest informed them that he could not allow it because the cemetery was reserved only for deceased Catholics. So, the soldiers sadly buried their friend just outside the stone wall of the cemetery.

The next day they returned to say a final prayer at the grave of their friend before leaving the area. But they couldn't find it. They searched thoroughly, but to no avail. Then they went back to the rectory to ask the priest if he knew what had happened to their comrade's remains. The priest told them that he wasn't been able to sleep that night because he had refused their request. So he got up in the middle of the night, went to the cemetery, took down the stone wall, and rebuilt it to include the dead soldier's grave!

We are not saying that the rules insisting only Catholics be buried in Catholic cemeteries are unjust. Much less are we saying that Jesus' initial reasons for not casting the demon out of the Canaanite woman's daughter were frivolous. But love sometimes compels us to reach beyond our limits and the rules that govern our daily activity. God's love, agape, extends to those we barely know, to those we don’t know at all, to those who may be sinful and to those who are suffering.  This is the will of God the Father. This is our legacy from Jesus, the Lord.

Friday, August 14, 2026

 

Memorial of Saint Maximilian Kolbe, Priest and Martyr

(Ezekiel 16:1-5.60.63; Matthew 19:3-12)

The Pharisees are playing hardball with Jesus as he and his disciples approach Jerusalem.  They are not testing whether he learned his catechism when they ask him about divorce.  They know that he has taught that marriage is a permanent union.  They want him to commit himself to opposing an article in the Torah that permits a man to divorce his wife with a written dismissal. 

Jesus is not intimidated by the truth.  He reiterates what he said in the Sermon on the Mount that it is a sin to divorce one’s wife to marry another woman.  As strong as Jesus is, he also is compassionate.  It is not impossible that Jesus has in mind homosexuals when he mentions those “incapable of marriage because they were born so.” 

There is no question of allowing so-called “homosexual marriage,” but there is reason to afford homosexuals special pastoral care.  Their genital desires can never be licitly satisfied.  Yet they may have fulfilling lives as they bear their cross behind Jesus.

 

Thursday, August, 13, 2026

 

Thursday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Ezekiel 12:1-12; Matthew 18:21-19:1

Doesn’t the gospel today seem somewhat fantastical?  Whoever heard of a person asking forgiveness seventy-seven times?  The truth is that probably every one of us has done so.  As children, we likely confessed repeatedly, “disobeying my parents.”   As adults, many poor souls cannot stop looking at pornography and confess the sin sometimes twice a week.

However, multiple sinning is not the point of Jesus’ parable.  His intention goes to the heart of the good news he preached.  As the king in the parable, God forgives individual men and women their many offenses. In return, God expects them to forgive one another.

Must we forgive our offenders when they do not ask for our pardon?  Do we have to extend forgiveness if offenders show no sign of repentance?  It does not seem so.  The Church does not give general absolution for sins unconfessed.  But it is necessary that we be ready to forgive by praying for those who offend us.

Wednesday, August 12, 2026

 

Wednesday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Ezekiel 9:1-7.10:18-22; Matthew 18:15-20)

The scribe with the stylus makes a “Thau” sign on the foreheads of faithful Israelites.  The “Thau” is the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet and has the shape of an “x” in the Canaanite script.  It was likely seen as a simple mark like a check or an “x” that people use today to indicate the presence of something.  In Ezekiel’s vision the “Thau” distinguishes faithful believers in God from the syncretists of the time who mix their belief in God with pagan elements.  The paganisms were received from non-Jewish neighbors. 

The “Thau” should remind New Testament readers of the seal of God in the Book of Revelation.  The seal was given to distinguish true “Servants of God” from the heathen masses.  The Servants of God are to be spared the impending slaughter of unrepentant sinners.  Church Fathers equated the “Thau” with Christ’s cross which the minister of Baptism makes on the foreheads of those about to be baptized.

All of us have been marked with Christ’s cross.  The symbol represents the expectation that we will be faithful to Christ by not mixing our beliefs with pagan elements.  It is a daunting challenge today with so many wondrous goods competing for our allegiance.  We must remember to put Christ first and foremost in our lives and not give ourselves over to abominations to which the Internet gives us access.

Tuesday, August 11, 2026

 

Memorial of Saint Clare, Virgin

(Ezekiel 2:8-3:4; Matthew 18:1-5.10.12-14)

“Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?” This sounds like a question people today would ask.  Superbowl champions, World Cup winners, Academy Award recipients – these are the greatest in the world today.  But who is the greatest before God?

Jesus gives a surprising answer.  The greatest is not a figure like Peter who recognized Jesus as the Son of God.  Rather the greatest is more like St. Clare whom the Church remembers today.  Clare became “humble, like this child” as she imitated Francis, “il poverello.”  Both these great saints personified humility, not only because they lived simply but also because they recognized goodness in others.  They found worth even in those who might be considered the dregs of humanity.  This lesson might be drawn from the gospel parable. 

We recall that the “Parable of the Lost Sheep” is found in the Gospel of Luke as well as that of Matthew.  In Luke it is introduces chapter 15, which leads to the “Parable of the Prodigal Son.”  The parable is misnamed, of course, because it is really about the prodigal love of the father representing God Himself.  Matthew, however, focuses more on the lost sheep who is worth the risk of losing ninety-nine to find.

Today the lost sheep include our friends and relatives who no longer come to church.  They have settled for striving to be great in the world.  That is, they work to satisfy their desire for money, pleasure, prestige, and power.  We call them back to church by telling them of their goodness and bidding them to thank God for who they are.

Monday, August 10, 2026

 Memorial of Saint Lawrence, deacon and martyr

(II Corinthians 9:6-10; John 12:24-26)

Like many of the early martyrs St. Lawrence is more of a personage than a person.  I mean that there is not much factual history about him, yet he is famous for other reasons.  First, there are several charming legends about him.  Then, a church dedicated to him became one of seven important churches in Rome. Finally, his intercession is credited for a victory of Christian armies in later ages.

Lawrence’s martyrdom, nevertheless, was real and costly.  As Jesus reminds us in today’s gospel, Christian martyrdom becomes the seed of growth for the Church.  Today Christians may undergo a kind of martyrdom by adhering to Church teachings.  It is difficult not to join the majority by disregarding Church teaching on artificial contraception and in vitro fertilization.  Giving to the needy not just from one’s abundance but from one’s basic allowance also is challenging. 

Saints are not only to be imitated; they are also to be petitioned.  So we pray to St. Lawrence that we give testimony to our faith as true martyrs and that we assist the needy poor as the gospel requires.

Sunday, August 9, 2026

 NINETEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

(1 ​​Kings 19:9, 11-13; Romans 9:1-5; Matthew 14:22-33)

“War is hell.” We have all heard this lament. But it doesn’t seem to be widely believed. If it were, there wouldn’t be so many movies glorifying war. There wouldn’t be so many children’s toys highlighting battle gear. Perhaps there wouldn’t be so many young people seeking a military career.

However, “war is hell” makes sense when we recognize hell as the worst of all situations. It is so horrific that many times soldiers who have participated in combat don’t want to talk about what they have experienced. Nevertheless, sometimes we get inklings of its conditions: the sights not only of blood but also of torn and exposed organs; the stench not only of clothes worn for days in extreme weather conditions but of vomit and rotting flesh; the sounds not only of bombs exploding but of sirens at full volume and men wailing.

We begin this reflection with reference to war because Elijah in the first reading has just come from a kind of war. There has been religious combat in Israel. Elijah himself a few days before slaughtered 450 prophets of the pagan god Baal. He had to flee to Horeb, the mountain of the Lord, in the south to avoid the vengeance of Jezebel, the queen of Israel. She, a foreigner devoted to Baal, vowed to take Elijah's life for his audacity. The prophet seeks refuge in a mountain cave when the word of God comes to him. He tells the Lord that the Israelites, following Queen Jezebel, have put all the Lord's prophets to the sword so that only he remains alive. God responds that he should come out of the cave and stand on the mountain. There He will come to him.

A hurricane of the kind in which God revealed himself to Job passes by. However, in this case, the storm produces no divine revelation. Then, an earthquake of the kind that preceded the giving of the Ten Commandments to Moses shakes the earth. But, once again, God does not reveal himself. Finally, Elijah hears “the whisper of a gentle breeze,” through which God discloses his will.

With a gentle voice, God most often reveals himself as a lover of peace. Yes, he can come with fury, but he prefers to come with tenderness. He is near to support the weak and to encourage the discouraged. This is what happens in today's Gospel. The disciples are returning by boat to the other side of the Sea of ​​Galilee. They left Jesus on the mountain to pray alone. It is night, the symbol of evil. The waves rock the boat pouring water into it and threatening the disciples' lives. The disciples become completely terrified when they see what appears to be a ghost walking on the water. Jesus reassures them: “'Take courage and do not be afraid,' he says, 'it is I.'”

Just as the first-century Christians, we today can find comfort in the gentle voice of the Lord. In the early Church, Christians faced persecution from without and discord from within. The apostles taught them with this story how Jesus remained close by and spoke in a gentle voice. Today, we are challenged by increasing violence and indifference toward religion.  And there is always the threat of war. But Jesus remains with us. “'Take courage and do not be afraid,' he tells us in the gospels and through our companions in the Church, 'it is I.'”

Friday, August 7, 2026

 

Friday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Nahum 2:1.3.3:1-3.6-7; Matthew 16:24-28)

To appreciate the drama in today’s gospel, one must remember that Peter has just recognized Jesus as “the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”  Jesus approved of the title but warned that it will not bring him the glory Peter imagines when they arrive in Jerusalem. Because Peter could not tolerate defeatist talk, he argued with Jesus.  The Lord had to reproach him.

Now Jesus tells of the costs of following him.  As he will be crucified so his disciples must bear their crosses.  This is only another way of saying that the hardship and suffering they will inevitably face as they carry out his will must not be shunned but accepted and even embraced.

Tomorrow we will celebrate one of Jesus’ true disciples.  St. Dominic did not flinch from suffering for Jesus’ sake.  Fra Angelico pictures him embracing Jesus’ cross. As a boy, Dominic sold his books to provide for the poor in midst of famine.  As a friar, he gave himself day and night to preaching the gospel.  By day whether by word or action he proclaimed God’s love in Jesus Christ.  By night he sacrificed sleep as he prayed that Jesus’ mission in the world might be extended by his brothers and sisters.

Thursday, August 6, 2026

 

Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord

(Daniel 7:9-10.13-14; II Peter 1:16-19; Matthew 17:1-9)

Coming down the mountain, Jesus tells his three disciples that they have had a “vision.”  This word is key.  It indicates that they have seen something extraordinary.  Indeed, they have.  They have glimpsed both past and future.  It is something to tell the whole world about which the disciples will do.

The disciples’ “vision” is of Jesus in the glory of his resurrection.  His clothes are as “white as light.”  More tellingly, Jesus appears as the fulfillment of the Law, given by Moses on his one side, and of the prophets, represented by Elijah on the other.  God is not seen, of course, but He is heard.  “This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased;” He says to the disciples, “listen to him.”

In the disciples’ vision we get a peek of our future glory.  Heeding his words as the Father commands, we also will be raised from the dead.  What happened to Jesus is what is going to happen to us if we remain faithful to him.

Wednesday, August 5, 2026

 

Wednesday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Jeremiah 3:1-7; Matthew 15:21-28)

In today’s first reading Jeremiah foresees a united Israel after centuries of division.  Solomon’s sons separated the northern and southern kingdoms.  The lands were devastated by the invasions of first the Assyrians in the north and then the Babylonians in the south.  The gospel indicates how Jesus sees himself bringing the two parts of the ancient kingdom together.

A descendant of David of the southern kingdom but raised in Galilee of the northern kingdom Jesus directs himself to the reunification of both.  From today’s gospel he does not want to complicate his mission by going out to gentiles.  When the Canaanite woman asks a favor, he at first refuses to cross the boundary.  Then he realizes that faith in God and not accidents of geography or history is the determining factor in what makes a true Israelite.  Quite willingly, then, he ministers to the needs of the woman.

Jesus chose twelve apostles representing the tribes of Israel as the foundation of his Church, the New Israel.  But the Church has never excluded any race or nation.  Rather its sole membership credentials have always been faith in Jesus as risen Lord and Baptism.  All people can enjoy the Church’s legacy of the Holy Spirit and eternal life.

Tuesday, August 4, 2026

 

Memorial of Saint John Vianney, priest

(Jeremiah 30:1-2.12-15.18-22; Matthew 14:22-26)

During his long ministry St. John Vianney developed a reputation as a prescient confessor and a strict preacher. Coming of age during the French revolutionary years, he discerned the contours of the Christian life in a landscape of unbelief.  Although he mostly lived in a rural parish, he attracted tens of thousands of people whom he assisted to grow closer to Christ.

Pope St. John XXIII named St. John Vianney the patron of parish priests.  Like all priests, he took a risk something like that of Peter in today’s gospel.  Walking on water seeking the Lord can describe the priestly vocation. The candidate must realize that there will be no wife to give consolation on the journey and no children to provide meaning and assistance.  Rather he must continually look in faith for the Lord’s support. 

In truth, Jesus leads all of us who make a conscientious effort to follow him onto water.  We will at times have to spurn the world’s wisdom and companionship.  We may come to feel like we are sinking.  However, we know that if we trust in him Jesus will not allow us to perish.

Monday, August 3, 2026

 

Monday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Jeremiah 28:1-17; Matthew 14:22-26)

Wendell Berry has been a prolific novelist and naturalist.  Much of his fiction describes a farming town in southern mid-Atlantic America.  In one of his last novels, Berry’s characters display a remarkable love for God and one another.  They are redeemed people who respond humbly and graciously to the Lord’s goodness.  They are what God calls both old and new Israel to be.

Unfortunately, Israel has not always responded so well to the Lord.  At the time of Jeremiah the people of Judah shrugged off the Law’s requirements to both God and the poor.  They are seen in today’s first reading as being threatened by mighty Babylon.  Jeremiah has told them that Babylon is God’s scourge.  It will punish Israel for its unfaithfulness to God’s law.  A false prophet delivers a contradictory message.  He claims that God will deliver the people much like He did when the Assyrians were about to invade one hundred thirty years before.  Of course, this consoling message is proven to be bogus by actual events.

Jesus has enabled our living as God has intended.  He not only taught us humility and love but demonstrated it in his life and death.  Like the characters of Wendell Berry’s fiction, we respond to Christ’s sacrifice by daily living his graciousness.

Sunday, August 2, 2026

 18TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

(Isaiah 55:1-3; Romans 8:35, 37-39; Matthew 14:13-21)

It is not for nothing that Jesus wants to go off alone with the news of the murder of John the Baptist. They knew each other even before their births. It is said that for a time Jesus was a disciple of John. It is certainly true that he was baptized by the great prophet of the Jordan River. Just because John was a man devoted to God, Jesus would want to reflect on the meaning of his death.

The Gospel does not reveal Jesus’ thoughts in the “deserted place,” but how could he not consider that he too might have the same bloody fate? Almost every human being has had such moments wondering about their own demise after hearing of an unexpected death. Just six years ago, the whole world was gripped by the possibility of sudden death. Covid-19 was taking the lives of millions of people of all races, religions, and classes. “What will happen to me if I catch the virus?” we wondered.  Like John, Jesus did not flinch from speaking truth to power.  No doubt he realized that he might have a similar end.

However, what is remarkable in today’s Gospel is that Jesus doesn’t dwell on this possibility. Before long, he is healing the sick who keep coming to him. Perhaps through his reflection on death, Jesus realizes that people seek more than just physical healing. They need a remedy for their souls.

We live in a world with billions of other people. Moreover, since humans have inhabited it for thousands and thousands of years, many more human beings have existed. As if that weren’t enough, there are countless stars in the heavens with possibly inhabited planets. How could we not think that we are like nothing, of no more value than grains of sand in the desert or drops of water in the sea? We wonder if we will be forgotten faster than sounds in the night.

As a remedy for these troubling thoughts, Jesus wants everyone to know God’s concern for her or him. For the large crowd before him, Jesus now has in mind a banquet that will demonstrate his Father's care. They could buy food for sustenance in the villages, but it wouldn't nourish them for long. Instead of mere survival, Jesus wants to provide them with the superabundance of bread proclaimed by the prophet of the Babylonian exile in today’s first reading. This unnamed visionary, whom scholars call "Second Isaiah," sowed seeds of hope among a discouraged people.

Five centuries before Christ, the Jewish exiles in Babylon were languishing. They had lost their homeland, their homes, and probably more than a few relatives and friends. Now, after fifty years of captivity, they hear God's servant speak of the offering of "rich fare." It's not a storehouse full of provisions but a supply of spiritual gifts with which a righteous people could prosper.

In the deserted place, Jesus tells the people to take their places. Then he takes the food at hand (just five loaves and two fish), looks up to heaven, says a blessing, breaks the bread, and gives it to the disciples to distribute. If these actions remind us of the Eucharist, we are thinking with Matthew the Evangelist. The five loaves and two fish, blessed and broken, represent the elements of the Last Supper, where the Eucharist originated.

Let it be said that every time we participate in the Mass, we are nourished by God's superabundance. We know that the bread has been transformed into what Jesus declared it to be at the Last Supper: his Body. Given up, crucified, and risen from the dead, his Body assured his companions at that blessed meal of the superabundance of life. By receiving it worthily, he also gives us the superabundance that does not end, not even with death.

Friday, July 31, 2026

 

Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, priest

A Jesuit website offers five bits of advice gleaned from the life of St. Ignatius Loyola, whom the Church celebrates today. They may help us discern God’s will for us.  First, our daydreams matter.  They indicate what God is saying to our hearts.  After he was injured, Ignatius found himself thinking about being a soldier of Christ, rather than of the Spanish king. 

Second, we can discern God’s calling incorrectly.  It doesn’t matter as long as we persist in seeking the Lord’s guidance.  Ignatius thought his vocation was to serve in the Holy Landi until he went there where the Franciscans, the guardians of the area, turned him away.

Third, we need humility to pursue lifelong learning.  When Ignatius discerned a vocation to the priesthood, he went back to school – grammar school – to learn Latin! He studied with schoolboys, not scholars, to achieve his goal.

Fourth, making friends with good people makes a great difference.  We should entrust our inner lives only with wise and kind people.  They will help us to know ourselves better and to do what is best for all.  Finally arriving at the university, Ignatius befriended Francis and Peter Faber, both of whom were also later canonized as saints.

Finally, communication may significantly help others.  By “staying in touch” we might provide critical support for others.  Ignatius wrote nearly 7000 letters to others Jesuits as well as to royalty, bishops, and those seeking spiritual guidance.

One might say that St. Ignatius of Loyola “invented spiritual direction” by writing the Spiritual Exercises.”  Here are five simple applications of his wisdom.

Thursday, July 30, 2026

 

Thursday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Jeremiah 18:1-6; Matthew 13:47-53)

Preachers today often speak of God’s “unconditional love.”  Rightly understood, the term indicates that God only wants human flourishment.  Unlike humans, God doesn’t reserve His affection for some and withhold it from others.  Yes, God has a special love for the poor, but this does not mean that He does not care as well for the rich. 

Yet it seems that some run too fast with the idea of God’s unconditional love.  They say that it assures everyone a place in the Kingdom.  They make the unfounded claim that nothing anyone does might alienate him or her from eternal life.  A funeral director, who heard many homilies about God’s mercy, said that universal salvation was one of the results of Vatican II!

But, of course, the bishops at the Council arrived at no such conclusion, nor could they do so today.  It would counter Jesus’ teaching in this mass’s parable.  Not all of the huge catch of fish merit keeping.  Some are worthless and are to be discarded.  Nevertheless, we might pray that the “worthless fish” take note and change their ways the second time around.

Wednesday, July 29, 2026

 

Memorial of Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus

(Jeremiah 15:10.16-21; John:11:19-27)

There’s a running debate on who is the more prominent friend of Jesus in the gospels – Martha or Mary.  Luke seems to give preference to Mary who, as he says, “has chosen the better part …”  However, some preachers, such as the renowned Meister Eckhart, argue in favor of Martha.  In the Gospel of John, however, Martha seems to easily outpoint Mary.

In the passage read today, Martha not only shows a greater compulsion to meet the Lord, she also makes very significant Christological claims.  First, Martha recognizes that Jesus is the Messiah, “… the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world.”  At the same time, she assents – the first person in all the gospels – that Jesus is (that is, embodies) “the resurrection and the life (eternal life).”

Comparing the saints is, for the most part, a fool’s errand.  They are all great because they all loved the Lord with all their being.  Each of us can find patrons among in the panoply of saints to emulate and petition help.  Today we have three excellent ones: Martha who served the Lord, Mary who listened attentively at his feet, and Lazarus whom Jesus himself calls his friend (John 11:11).

Tuesday, July 28, 2026

 

Tuesday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Jeremiah 14:17-22; Matthew 13:36-43)

In today’s first reading Jeremiah describes a war-strewn, devastated Jerusalem. The death and destruction will remind contemporary readers of nuclear war classics like On the Beach and The Road.  There will be no winners of a nuclear war.  Rather, all survivors will be left in grief, horror, and fear of their imminent ends.

The gospel hints at how to avoid nuclear war.  First, evil must be recognized, not only in a nation’s enemies, but – as Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn advised – in every human heart.  Then, as the gospel implies, the nations must learn to tolerate those whose ways they find repugnant and build a strategic defense plan in case hostility overruns civility.

St. Augustine in his monumental work, The City of God, sketches a plan for peace among nations.  He advocates that governments recognize their duty to defend their people; that they use force when necessary to prevent evil from taking hold; and that their cause be just for going into battle and that their soldiers hold the right intention for participating in it. 

Monday, July 27, 2026

 

Monday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Jeremiah 13:1-11; Matthew 13:31-35)

The image of a loin cloth to signify God’s love for His people sounds outrageous to modern ears.  But it does describe a radical intimacy as perhaps only a Hebrew prophet could get away with saying to a religious audience.  Jesus uses a more reserved image for God’s love.  He describes it as the ardor that would make a father wait patiently for a wayward son to return home and then would plead with a defiant son to partake in his joy.

Still acknowledging God’s love can be difficult.  Victims of torture, for example, often feel abandoned by God.  It is said that even the great St. Teresa of Avila once complained, "Lord, if this is how You treat Your friends, no wonder You have so few." 

But we must never forget how God Himself became human and suffered a cruel death. Although he was as innocent as a day-old infant, he surrendered himself to be crucified.  He became our ransom, that is the price for our freedom.  His startling and unfathomable love has given us not only the Church for support but also the Holy Spirit for our guide and eternal life for our destiny.

Sunday, July 26, 2026

 

SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

(1 ​​Kings 3:5-13; Romans 8:28-30; Matthew 13:44-46)

Three scenarios of misfortune. First, your husband has been in an accident. He is injured, and the only car in the house is totaled. You feel deeply distressed. Second, your wife has Alzheimer's. You have placed her in a nursing home. The facility is high-quality, but she doesn't like it there. Every time you visit, she cries, begging you to take her home. The situation is so sad that you no longer want to visit her. Third, your oldest son has become rebellious. He has stopped attending Sunday Mass with the family for a long time and recently dropped out of school. But what has disturbed you most is that yesterday you found a gun in his bedroom.

These situations are not so rare that they could not happen to any of us. They would cause us to examine our lives to see if we've done anything to deserve such a dismal state of affairs. Also, we begin to doubt God's existence, or at least His goodness. We truly don't know what to think, much less what to do.

Then we recall the story of Saint Augustine's conversion. One day, as he was walking in his garden reflecting on his disordered life, he heard a child's voice. The child said, "Take this and read." Augustine found his Bible, opened it, and came across the passage in the Letter to the Romans, which says, “… let us conduct ourselves properly as in the day, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in promiscuity and licentiousness, not in rivalry and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh” (Rom 13:13-14). The experience confirmed his decision to become a Christian.

In our predicaments, it would be helpful to recall another verse from the same Letter to the Romans. It is found in the second reading at Mass today. It says: “… all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose” (8:28). The words dissipate our anxiety. We know that we can handle the difficult situation because God is with us. His presence gives us confidence that nothing can overcome us as long as He supports us. Everything will be “all right.” We now know what Jesus means in the Gospel when he speaks of the “Kingdom of God.” He says that it is worth more than the finest pearl because it assures us of God’s love forever. By maintaining a friendship with God, we can face any difficulty with peace. For who can snatch us out of His hands?

There are several Bible verses that not only capture our attention but also our memory. One is John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Another is Jesus’ commandments of love: “’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second (commandment) is this: Love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:29-31). Romans 8:28 is another verse we should never forget: “…all things work together for the good of those who love God…”

Thursday, July 30, 2026

 

Thursday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Jeremiah 18:1-6; Matthew 13:47-53)

Preachers today often speak of God’s “unconditional love.”  Rightly understood, the term indicates that God only wants human flourishment.  Unlike humans, God doesn’t reserve His affection for some and withhold it from others.  Yes, God has a special love for the poor, but this does not mean that He does not care as well for the rich. 

Yet it seems that some may run too fast with the idea of God’s unconditional love.  They say that it assures everyone a place in the Kingdom.  They make to claim that nothing anyone does might alienate him or her from eternal life.  A funeral director, who heard many homilies about God’s mercy, said that universal salvation was one of the results of Vatican II. 

But, of course, the bishops at the Council arrived at no such conclusion nor could they do so today.  It would counter Jesus’ teaching in this mass’s parable of a huge catch of fish.  Some of the haul were good and are prized.  Others are bad and discarded.  A theologian once said that we cannot know if everyone will be saved but we can pray for it.  We also might pray that people who do evil will turn from their misdeeds and make amends.  And while we are at it, let us also pray that we church-goers may be forgiven our many sins.

 

Friday, July 24, 2026

 

Friday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Jeremiah 3:14-17; Matthew 13:18-23)

The Ark of the Covenant was the singular, most holy element of the Jerusalem Temple.  It contained the two tablets of the law, a jar of manna from Israel’s desert wanderings, and Aaron’s miraculous staff.  For unknown reasons the Ark was lost around the beginning of the seventh century before Christ.  As meaningful as the Ark was to the people of Jerusalem, the prophet Jeremiah says that it will be forgotten in today’s first reading.

Jeremiah envisions a new covenant between God and Israel.  It will be characterized by a select people sifted from all over Judah.  The nation’s wise leaders will strive to please the Lord, not themselves or others.  People from all over the world will come to Jerusalem to praise the God of Israel.

Christians recognize this prophecy fulfilled in the Church Jesus leaves behind.  Jerusalem is the Church’s cradle and still serves as its holiest sanctuary city.  More importantly, the Jerusalem community has become a model of pleasing the Lord’s heart.  The Ark of the Covenant has been more than adequately replaced by Mary, who bore God’s Son in her womb.

Thursday, July 23, 2026

 Thursday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Jeremiah 2:1-3.7-8.12-13; Matthew 13:10-17)

The biblical history of Israel is largely a story of human unfaithfulness to a gracious God.  In its beginning Adam and Eve eat the forbidden fruit.  After God frees them from slavery in Egypt, the Israelites grumble against Him in the desert.  In today’s first reading Jeremiah tells of Israel’s prophets betraying the Lord.  Finally, Jesus continually castigates the people for rejecting him as God’s messenger.

Israel’s flaw – and the flaw of all humanity -- is a corrupt heart.  Jeremiah will describe the human heart, especially Israel’s, as “tortuous” and “beyond remedy” (17:9).  it seeks pleasure for its owner, power over others, and prestige among the people.  Somehow this heart must be healed. 

Jesus comes into the story as a heart specialist. He removes the rot of our hearts with miracles and exorcisms.  He teaches our hearts the will of God as their first priority.  His preaching moves our hearts to act on behalf of others. Finally, Jesus leaves behind the Sacraments of Penance and Eucharist so that our hearts may be continually rejuvenated. 

Wednesday, July 22, 2026

 

Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene

(Song of Songs 3:1-4b; John 20:1-2.11-18)

The word “apostle” is derived from the Greek apostolos which means “one sent forth.” Today we celebrate St. Mary Magdalene, who, in a sense, was the first apostle.  She was the first person Jesus sent forth to announce his resurrection from the dead.

According to Luke’s Gospel, Mary Magdalene along with other women accompanied Jesus and his disciples from Galilee to Jerusalem.  That she was a reformed prostitute is doubtful although she had a serious malady -- perhaps demonic possession as it is considered today -- of which Jesus healed her.  She became his friend as evidenced by her standing at the cross.  She watched him die along with Jesus’ mother, one or two other women, and the “Beloved Disciple.”

Mary Magdalene has become a model for all Christians.  Nowhere in the Gospels does Jesus call Mary to follow him like he does Peter and Matthew.  Evidently, she pursued a prompting of the heart to accompany him.  Like her, then, Jesus heals all of us -- men and women, clergy and lay -- of our sins in Baptism.  Also like her, we follow Jesus as the source of our spiritual life.  Finally, like Mary Magdalene, we announce the Lord’s resurrection by our willingness to sacrifice ourselves for what is true and loving.

 

Tuesday, July 21, 2026

Tuesday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Micah 7:14-15.18-20; Matthew 12:46-50)

Both readings today provide images for the People of God.  The prophet Micah calls the nation of Judah “the flock of (the Lord’s) inheritance.”  The term implies dependency since sheep survive only with the care of their shepherd.  Unlike sheep, however, the people have rebelled against their Lord.  They are doomed unless God shows them mercy which he does.

There is no hint of rebellion in the gospel image.  Jesus calls his disciples “brother, sister, and mother...”  Indeed, they have become his family because they obey the will of God his “Father.”  They have accepted his yoke which they can readily bear with his accompaniment.

 We too have been called into Jesus’ family.  Perhaps we rebel at times by not keeping his commandments.  For our rebelliousness we daily ask his forgiveness.  The outcome is immeasurably satisfying.  We are not only pardoned but also receive Jesus’ eternal brotherly presence.

Monday, July 20, 2026

 

Monday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Micah 6:1-4.6-8; Matthew 12:38-42)

My sister, brother, and I used to ask our mother what she wanted for Christmas, her birthday, or Mother’s Day.  It didn’t matter the occasion, our mother always had the same answer, “good kids.”  She sounds like the Lord God in today’s first reading.

In one of the most cited passages of the Old Testament, the prophet Micah describes a showdown between the Lord and His people.  They are prepared to bring Him all kinds of offerings.  But He does not want, and much less need, anything human-made.  He wants their souls, which he crafted, back.  He wants His people to follow the Law He gave them. He desires a righteous, loving, and humble nation.

We should take care that we become the kind of people the Lord wants.  We must go beyond saying the rosary or even attending Mass to striving to live the Beatitudes.  Of course, receiving the Eucharist, we bring into our lives the one who most perfectly lived them. We need to listen and to do what he tells us.

Sunday, July 19, 2026

SIXTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, JULY 19, 2026

(Wisdom 12:13, 16-19; Romans 8:26-27; Matthew 13:24-43)

A year ago, a storm caused the Guadalupe River in the heart of Texas to rise fifteen yards in forty-five minutes. The flood claimed the lives of 119 people, including 25 girls attending a summer camp on the riverbank. Now, amid lawsuits and accusations of negligence, the victims' relatives are undoubtedly asking, "Why does God allow such disasters?" Today's first reading and Gospel attempt to answer this question, which is often called "the problem of evil."

The first reading from the Book of Wisdom affirms God's justice. It says that he is just because he has power. He can reward or punish people according to their deeds. The passage assures us that evil will not ultimately prevail. God's justice will defeat it while it rewards the innocent in the end.

However, the Book of Wisdom does not explain why God allows the wicked to ruin the lives of some, even taking the lives of children. Ivan Karamazov, a character in a famous Russian novel, is consumed by the problem of evil. He memorably says that as long as God doesn't adequately explain why He allows evil to befall the innocent, he will return his ticket to heaven. That is, since God allows children to suffer, he wants nothing to do with Him, not even to take a seat in heaven that his Baptism promises him. For some, saying that the innocent are destined for heaven and the wicked for hell doesn't justify the pain, sometimes horrific, in present life.

In the Gospel, Jesus uses a parable to explain the problem of evil. He says that, just as you cannot cut the weeds in a field without damaging the wheat, you also cannot eliminate all evil without harming some good people. But at harvest time, the difference between the weeds and the wheat will become clear. Then the weeds can be cut down and burned first, so that only the wheat may be gathered into the barn.

Once again, only in the end will justice be served, with the innocent being pursued and the wicked punished.

Faith has another answer to the problem of evil. It focuses on the story of Jesus Christ. After performing many acts of service, he turned himself in to the authorities. Although completely innocent, he suffered the torment of crucifixion. He died like the worst of criminals, but soon after, God raised him from the dead and placed him at his right hand forever. Now he offers us his story as the definitive answer to our anxiety over evil. He tells us all will be well. We have not only a promise but also the record of Jesus as proof.

We should admit that there is no completely satisfying answer to the problem of evil. Evil is a mystery beyond the grasp of the human mind. However, there remains the hope of the great reckoning at the end of time when Jesus will come to judge all. Through his resurrection from the dead, Jesus gave us a glimpse of the outcome for the innocent. 

In the meantime, we can perform acts of mercy. These acts will not only alleviate some of the suffering of those who are grieving but will also bear witness to Jesus. By taking the time to comfort the afflicted and help the weak, we imitate our Lord Jesus Christ. Furthermore, we will be demonstrating our conviction that he will come to right all the wrongs of history. 

Friday, Jul 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 Friday, then or now, be considered a mortal sin?

Certainly, eating meat on Friday is Church, not Divine, Law.  The question becomes, 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.

Thursday, July 16, 2026

 

Thursday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Isaiah 26:7-9.12.16-19; Matthew 11:28-30)

Today’s reading from the first part of the Book of Isaiah seems misplaced.  It ignores the concerns of the Southern Kingdom for which the original prophet wrote.  In its stead, it speaks of a time of perfect peace when both personal and public conflicts will be resolved.  The people have evidently been chastened by the exile and now find hope in the prospect of resurrection from the dead.

In the gospel Jesus offers himself as the peace of the people.  He bids the poor to accept the yoke of his teaching.  It not only eliminates the intricacies of pharisaical precepts but also connects them to him as a source of strength.  As he declares in the Gospel of John, “’I am the Resurrection and the Life’” (Jn 11:25).

July is a time of extremes.  In the Northern Hemisphere temperatures reach their heights.  The Southern Hemisphere experiences the other extreme.  Most people working outdoors or just commuting to work in either clime are struggling with the weather.  Of course, most everyone has inner conflicts to work through. All can look to the Lord for relief.  Like a body of water at daybreak or nightfall, time with him in prayer brings resolution and hope.

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.