Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Fr Nate Sokol • August 15, 2025
Mary must have been a really special person, right? After all, parts of her life were lived by her and her alone --- a unique life in human history. And we celebrate her specialness throughout the year. Sometimes we do so publicly --- in Church celebrations such as the Immaculate Conception, and Mary, Mother of God, and the Annunciation, and the Nativity of Our Lord, and the Assumption (the reason for our presence here today of course). And sometimes we acknowledge her unique and special place in our hearts and lives privately ----- such as each time we turn to her in praying the Hail Mary or any other Marian devotion. Yes, she really must have been an incredible, special person.
Would we notice that if she were living in this day and age? Would we notice that if she were our neighbor, or coworker, or friend, or fellow parishioner? What exactly would be “different” about her? What would stand out?
Would we notice her humility --- you know, like that person each of us knows who doesn’t have an ounce of pride, that person who never boasts, never talks as if they are the center of the universe? We all know someone like that.
Would we notice her courage, her willingness to embrace the right thing even when it’s not the easy thing --- you know, like that person each of us knows who always seems to say yes to a request, always is ready to lend a hand (even when it’s inconvenient), always ponders what God might want them to do in a given situation? We all know someone like that.
Would we notice her trusting nature --- you know, like that person each of us knows who faces the good things in life the same as the bad things, full of trust in the God they believe never abandons them, but is with them every step of the way? We all know someone like that.
And would we notice (or believe) that she was destined for something great --- that she seemed to be prepared to make a powerful and lasting difference in the world --- you know, like that person each of us knows who somehow always makes things better, always brings a little joy and compassion and love into every single situation, the person who will leave this world having made it a much better place? We all know someone like that too.
Sometimes, we imagine that God looked around the world and tried to find the “best person” to be the Mother of Jesus. Yet, in faith, we believe that God chose Mary from the moment of her conception, that he prepared her perfectly for what would be asked of her.
And Mary did not disappoint, Mary did not resist God’s grace, Mary did not live as an obstacle to the good things God wanted from her and for the world, but rather, was a channel of those very things --- living with an openness and faithfulness that enabled her to continually say “yes” --- a lifelong string of “yeses” (and one HUGE yes) that changed the world.
Why can’t each of us be that person?
Of course, what God is asking of us is not exactly the same as what he asked of Mary. Her life and role in salvation history was unique --- so much so that we gather on this day to acknowledge her special place in the life of the Church. It was fitting that Mary --- sinless Mary --- should not have her body suffer corruption in the grave. And so, we believe she was assumed body and soul to her rightful place in heaven --- not because she “earned” it, but because of a singular grace and privilege --- a gift from her loving God. And we, of course, hope to join her someday --- and we ask for her prayers to help us on that journey.
But we should never underestimate what wonderful things God might have in store for us, never presume that our individual lives could never make much of a difference. And we don’t only need to look toward Mary for an example of that --- no matter how perfect that example may be.
We also need to look around and notice people in our midst who seem to be true channels of God’s grace, men and women filled with every good thing who go around pouring out those same things on others, people filled with the living God.
That could be you. And that could be me.
But it will never happen if we don’t believe that each of us is also special and that our life journey and role to play in whether or not the world becomes a better place is unique too. No one can take our place when it comes being the person God wants each of us to be.
And so, today, as we reflect on Mary’s life, and the indispensable role she played (and plays) in the sanctification of the world, let’s also reflect on our own lives.
Are we ready to say “yes” to whatever God is asking of us?
Are we?
Or will we leave the work of God to only a few?
Mary, Queen of Heaven, pray for us.
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I’m sure that many of you can remember your favorite meals when you were growing up ----- those dishes that made you really happy each time your mom (or dad!) prepared them. And for those of us who were fortunate enough to have parents who loved to cook and were good at it, these meals provided us not only with tasty nourishment, but also with fond memories we took with us as we grew into adulthood. And, as a result, many adults try to recreate for their spouses and children and friends some of the best meals they cherished as kids. Oh, if only it were that easy. If you’ve ever tried to cook a meal that was first cooked for you by someone else, you know that replicating it can be more than a little tricky. Three potential problems quickly come to mind. One --- Sometimes we don’t have any sort of recipe to go by and we are forced to try to remember or imagine what ingredients and/or steps were used in the making of the dish. Two --- Sometimes mistakes have been made in the writing and rewriting of the recipe as it is handed down. This can be infuriating as we take the time to follow the recipe to a T, but somehow can’t quite get the meal to taste like it’s supposed to. And three --- Sometimes (I know you will be shocked!) the original cook will deliberately leave out some important step or some critical ingredient, not wanting anyone to make it as well as they do. In each of these three cases, it becomes obvious that (when it comes to cooking) the little things matter, small things that (on the surface) shouldn’t change the taste of the food, but in reality do. Little things matter not just in cooking, of course, but in many areas of life. Authors struggle with every word and sentence, knowing that it’s not simply enough to have a good plot or interesting characters. Artists will tinker with a canvas for months, doing all they can to make sure each dot of paint is exactly the way they want it. People giving presentations or speeches will work and re-work the text, and then rehearse and rehearse and rehearse some more, knowing that even a stumble or two could change how their words will be received. And most sports teams will continually work on the “fundamentals”, knowing that raw talent isn’t enough to ensure success over the course of a whole season. Put simply, often in life if we want the “big picture” to come out a certain way, if we want a particular outcome, the only way to make it possible or likely is to pay close attention to the (seemingly insignificant) little things. Today’s Gospel passage from Luke is a somewhat difficult one --- not in what is specifically being said by Jesus, but what he means by what he is saying. There is almost a kind of “riddle” quality to his words. First - we have the story about the dishonest steward and then we get a series of statements from Jesus about dishonest wealth vs. true wealth, very small matters vs. great ones, and God vs. mammon. What is our Lord driving at? I’m not going to try to unpack all the levels of meaning in these verses. Even scholars aren’t all in agreement. But I would like to try to summarize as best I can. If we start with the last line first, “You cannot serve both God and mammon” Jesus seems to be saying that we can’t have it both ways, that we can’t on one hand say (and maybe even believe) that we are serving God when the choices in our lives clearly show that we are simply serving ourselves --- indulging our own needs, wants, and earthly desires. And if that’s the case, then how do we really know if we are serving God? How can we be sure that we’re not trying to serve both God and mammon? All of us in one way or another want to serve God. We wouldn’t be here if we didn’t. We want to please him and be with him for all eternity when our earthly lives have ended. We all want the same “big picture”, the same outcome. We all want for God to see us in a good light and for him to know that we sincerely love him. We all want a seat at the banquet that lasts forever. And yet, wanting those things is not enough --- not if our focus is so far down the road that we fail to see what God is calling us to this very day, in this very moment. If we want the big picture to look a certain way, if we want to be confident that our lives are pleasing to God, we must pay attention to the little things, pay attention to the day-to-day opportunities to love, forgive, serve, teach the Truth and be generous. These are the ingredients that make a beautiful, meaningful, faithful life. May we get the recipe right and do countless little God-like things each and every day.
Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross – September 14, 2025 Readings ref.: Num. 21:4b–9 • Jn 3:13–17 Dcn. Bill Kenney We exalt the cross of Christ In our daily lives, what kinds of people, places or things do we exalt? What do we place high above other things? - put on a pedestal to stand out as prized assets or relations in our lives? Is it a famous quarterback, or a sports car, an expensive dog breed? A college diploma? A trip to Grand Camen is just heavenly. What do these things have in common? They are all of this world and are passing. To exalt something in a spiritual sense is to elevate it to the highest level of adoration, glorification, and praise for all eternity. The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is celebrated today. It is also celebrated in the liturgy of Good Friday. Such a major theme of our faith is worthy of recalling, even as we do at every Mass. Recall also, at the foot of the cross is our Blessed Mother, Mary, the prime exultant and model of humility and grace. Today we commemorate the recovery of Christ’s actual cross by St. Helen, Emperor Constantine’s mother. We exalt the everlasting, saving power it represents in our lives. At the Presentation of Jesus in the temple, Simeon prophesizes that the infant Jesus is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel. He would be a sign that will be contradicted. Simeon’s prophesy is fulfilled in our readings. In the Book of Numbers, the ungrateful, complaining people of God, were punished with venomous serpents. They repent and ask for mercy. From the Lord’s instruction, Moses fashions a pole with the seraph serpent figure on it, the same serpent sent to bite and kill them was now to be looked upon for healing. Certainly, a sign of contradiction. But why this sign? In this case, it served as a reminder of the punishment they paid and could perhaps pay again for their ungratefulness and disobedience to the Lord. It also reminds them and us of God’s endless mercy if we repent. Moreover, this account is a type of the redemption and salvation we receive from Jesus Christ exalted on the cross. Our gospel reading from John is the famous 3:16 verse made popular by the saints and Christian sports fans as a definitive tenet of our faith. Jesus tells Nicodemus of his original domicile, heaven. He continues by explaining a comparison of the Son of Man being lifted up as was the serpent pole lifted up, or exalted, by Moses. Instead of the wrath of God sent down to all mankind from heaven, God sends his only begotten Son to take the wrath for us and save us from our sin. Those who look upon the seraph are healed; those who not only look upon the cross but also BELIEVE in our Savior Jesus Christ might not perish but might have eternal life. Just as the disobedient, ungrateful People of God in Numbers, we too, because of our sin, deserve condemnation. It is only through the mercy, sacrifice, and redemptive love of our Savior that we are saved. What do you see when you look upon the crucifix? Sadness, perplexity, love? It should be an extra-sensory experience, lifting you up with the exalted Christ to a life of awe, peace, and love for our Lord, for all he did and still does for us. As Catholics we see not only the cross but also a bloodied corpus and recall his great passion and death. Some Christian sects prefer to remember the divine power of Christ with an empty cross symbolizing his victory over death and his resurrection. The cross is a sign of contradiction. Each of us may have a unique realization of the cross in our lives. This instrument of torture and death leads to our eternal life. Think about that: death gives life. This great mystery is a matter of faith, belief, and trust- not unlike the mystery of Christ’s true presence in the Eucharist. The sacrifice of Christ on the cross is made present on the altar in the Eucharist. He gives us his body and blood to strengthen us to bear our own crosses and together become one body in him. Jesus, the Light and Life of the World, is the true source of our eternal salvation and we can come to him by looking at him lifted up in the tragedy and triumph of the cross. Jesus conquered sin through his atoning death and resurrection. Through the Father’s infinite love for each of us, when we sin, we need only to turn back to him with contrite, humble hearts in the sacrament of reconciliation. O God, who willed that your only begotten son should be condemned to the cross to save the human race, grant we pray that we who contemplate his mystery on earth may merit the grace of his redemption in heaven, for our salvation and the glory of God.
“For the corruptible body burdens the soul and the earthen shelter weighs down the mind that has many concerns.” We “get” what the author of the Book of Wisdom seems to be driving at in this passage. And while the passage uses the image of a “body”, we know that this same insight applies to many things --- basically anything that is “of the earth”. And the reason is pretty simple --- because the concerns that often weigh people down are concerns about the world we live in, and specifically the challenges that come with trying survive and thrive in uncertain circumstances. And we shouldn’t consider our concerns about the world as being “bad” or “misguided” or evidence of some sort of diminished faith. That can be a trap we fall into from time to time, seeing spiritual things as “good” and worldly things as “bad”. We must never forget that in the beginning our loving God created everything good. For example, our bodies (and the drives that arise from them) are absolutely good, but sometimes get us into trouble. And the need to work and provide for ourselves and our families are good, but sometimes lead to greed if left unchecked. And our need to be loved and to love are both necessary and beautiful, but can sometimes lead us to look for those things in the wrong places. And our need to be safe can sometimes get us to violate the freedoms of others. And our deep desire to be loved by our God can sometimes drive us to consider ourselves to be better than or more important than others. At times the things of this world can become over-burdensome, controlling and dominating our daily lives. But God wants something different for us. If you’ve ever had to sell a home you know that one of three things can happen. The first is something we hope never happens --- our home sells in one day. And while every case is different, a house that sells in one day often means that the price asked was way too low, that the people undervalued their home. The second possibility can be equally frustrating, the times when a person’s home sits on the market forever. No reasonable offers. Just waiting and waiting and waiting. When that happens, the real estate agent will almost always go to the seller and say. “Clearly, we’ve set the price too high. We’ve over-valued your home.” But what most people hope for is possibility number three --- those times when lots of offers come in just under the asking price, indicating that the people selling got the “value” just about right. In that situation, the sellers don’t have to worry that they either overvalued or undervalued their home. They achieved the “balance” they hoped for, that real-estate “sweet spot”. That same sort of idea can apply to our spiritual lives. At the heart of every God-centered life is a life being in proper balance. And that involves “valuing” everything in the proper way and to the proper degree --- making judgments about what a certain thing or certain pursuit is really worth. And it will come as no surprise to hear me say that when it comes to the things of this earth --- things that don’t last --- we tend to “overvalue” them in all sorts of ways and often to our great harm whereby we give up peace and joy. In a sense, every temptation is precisely that, a giving too high a value (and being willing to pay too high a cost) to something that in fact falls far short of something else, someone else. In those situations, the fulfilling of our own needs and wants moves to the front seat rather than remain in the back seat. It’s evidence of a life out of balance. On the other end of the spectrum, the things we often “undervalue” are surprisingly the realities that matter the most, the Gospel values that last, the God-things that give meaning, purpose, peace and joy to every aspect of our lives on into eternity. And so, striving to live out the commandments and beatitudes might not sound that great because that would mean adjusting our calendars, priorities and routines. Yet, in faith, we know better. Our Gospel passage today from Luke drives this point home. In it Jesus uses examples to show the importance of understanding what something “costs”, what something is “worth” --- whether that be someone doing a construction project or someone going into battle. And Jesus sandwiches these examples with two extreme declarations. First he says that people have to hate their family members or they can’t be his disciple. And he ends by saying that a person who is unwilling to renounce all possessions cannot be his disciple. That’s rough stuff. It’s hard to hear. And it’s difficult to wrap our minds around. What exactly is Jesus saying? From this story (and others in Scripture) it seems pretty clear that Jesus wants us to always maintain the proper balance, always keep things in right relationship, always value things in an accurate way. And it doesn’t mean the things of this world aren’t important, or don’t have value, or aren’t worth pursuing. We don’t have to consider them worthless. In fact, we should never do that. It just means that one true reality is always worth more than everything else and that is God. And once we realize that (and start living accordingly) our lives will take on a kind of beauty, fullness, peace, joy and meaning we can’t possibly imagine. But we don’t have to just imagine it. We can find out for ourselves --- if we want this state of mind, body and soul enough. And rest assured --- no price is too high.
Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time – August 24, 2025 Readings: Isaiah 66:18–21 • Hebrews 12:5–7, 11–13 • Luke 13:22–30 Dcn. Bill Kenney We are saved by God’s grace and our striving to enter the narrow gate. In our gospel reading from Luke, Jesus is asked, “Lord, will only a few be saved?” Instead of giving a flat-out “yes” or “no” answer to this question, it’s more of an “it depends” answer. To answer “yes” or “no” would have sent the questioner reeling in a false sense of either joy or fear. He does not understand the depth of his question; the answer is beyond him. It is a question answered only by God. And so, Jesus tells his followers to strive to enter (the Kingdom of Heaven) through the narrow gate . It’s not a question of how many, but how we strive to enter. Entering through the narrow gate sounds to me like herding of sheep or cows into a corral. The vast population, a universal livestock roaming about is funneled by sheep dogs or rancher whips into a single-file row, disciplined and trained to enter the narrow gate for security, control, and care. So it is in the Kingdom of Heaven. While God offers salvation to everyone, some go astray. Not everyone accepts or responds to the invitation in a way that leads to true discipleship and, ultimately, being among the "saved". This verse highlights the importance of responding to God's call with faith, humility, and a commitment to follow Christ. He tells us, we are to strive to enter. Strive means to do your best, to make a life-long effort in preparing and building your faith, love, and relationship with God. He continues, “…many will not be strong enough” to enter- strong enough to lift others from their burdens, strong enough to overcome temptations to sin, strong enough to bring others to Christ, such as through the OCIA Program. These strengths and the grace of God allow us to enter through the narrow gate. Our reading from Isaiah tells us the faithful people of God will be gathered from the four corners of the world to universally worship their one Lord and God. In Hebrews, the people are reminded that they are all children of a loving Father. A loving father and mother provide discipline in their children’s lives, not for the purpose of pain and suffering but as training to bring about “…the peaceful fruit of righteousness in their lives.” Consider recent headlines of unruly, undisciplined teen gang members, mostly boys, wreaking havoc in major inner cities. Where are their parents to guide, discipline, bring order, and train them to be peaceful, righteous men? Without the love and strength of a father and mother, as examples to emulate, our children, in turn, will not be strong enough to enter the Kingdom’s narrow gate. In the end, God judges us and the size of the gate for each of us to be able to enter. Pray the narrow gate is wide enough for you and me to be saved. It depends. We may have to go on a diet- a diet from pride, self-centeredness, laziness, indifference, and other vices that make the gate too narrow. The virtues we espouse such as charity, patience, humility, and others make us stronger to enter the narrow gate. Live a virtuous life. We are invited to choose an ever-deeper relationship with God, especially through reception of his gate-opening Body and Blood in the Holy Eucharist. We must endure any trials and discipline, remaining strong in our trust, faith, and love of God so we can say “yes” to him and strive to enter the narrow gate, who is Jesus Christ- opened for our salvation and for the glory of God.
“Do you think I have come to establish peace on the earth?” I have a real problem with this statement from Jesus. Don’t you? It’s confusing. Isn’t “peace” what Jesus is all about? I seem to remember him, being called the Prince of Peace and saying emphatically, “Blessed are the peacemakers.” And how many times did Jesus say, “Peace be with you.” Which is it? Are we to be working toward peace, or toward something else? Which is it? Three little words. Which is it? I used those words deliberately because they lie at the heart of nearly every spiritual journey, lie at the heart of what a faithful life is all about, lie at the heart of what it means to be a true disciple of Jesus. For people of faith this idea of “choice” is an important one. You see, in nearly each moment of each day, in nearly each and every circumstance, we can either choose the God-like thing or we can choose something else. And by choosing one or the other we are also saying no to something else --- something that might be important to those who don’t agree with us or think like us or embrace the same sorts of things we have pledged to embrace. And as a result, conflict can arise, mistrust can arise, feelings of inferiority or superiority can arise, feelings of judgment or resentment or rejection or anger or any number of other things can arise --- all of which can lead to conflict and division, lead to a situation in which “peace” seems to be absent. Jesus seems to have recognized this, seems to have known that things are never easy for those who strive to do the right and holy thing. I also seem to remember him saying that same day long ago, “Blessed are you who are persecuted . . . because of me.” Of course, his subsequent passion, death, and resurrection would be the most extreme and profound example of this this reality. And on this day he uses some really strong examples to make his point --- showing division in society’s most precious element --- the family. If he wanted to really get the disciples’ attention --- that’s the way to do it. And so, for example, when we stand on the side of being generous --- helping out the less fortunate, --- some will see it as a “waste of money”. And when we stand on the side of being merciful with those who have wronged us, some will see it as a sign of weakness, a failure to recognize that people “should get what they deserve”. And when we stand on the side of faithfully celebrating Mass every Sunday and on Holy Days --- we might feel like we miss out on what others choose to do instead. And when we stand on the side of affirming life in all its forms, some will see it as turning a blind eye to the practicalities of the real world. And when we stand on the side of upholding the Churches teaching on the Sacrament of Marriage and morality, others will see it as being insensitive to others. Yes, by choosing the holy thing, the good thing, the revealed by Jesus Divine Truths, we most certainly will experience consequences that we would never call “peaceful”. And we only have to look within each of our hearts to know this is true --- for this conflict doesn’t just exist outside of ourselves. It also exists within each of us, that disconnect we feel each time we know what is right, but choose something earthly instead. We wouldn’t have to call ourselves “sinners” if that wasn’t the case. Of course, “how” we go about making these choices is critical, for it doesn’t mean that we can do God’s work in mean-spirited way, or an unloving way, or a “holier-than-thou” way. Just because we are striving to build our lives on faith and on solid ground does not give us permission to embody things opposite to who we know Jesus to be, opposite to the God-given dignity in which each of us was created. That’s one part we often forget. And accompanying this conflict, this strife, will be a fire --- one that Jesus hopes is “blazing”. Yet, we need not think of this fire as destructive. Rather, it is a fire that is powerful, maybe a little scary or painful at times, but ultimately one that is transformative --- helping re-create the world and each individual open to it. This fire of the Holy Spirit is a fire meant to burn away all that stands in the way of the world being the beautiful place God created it to be (and died for it to be). A fire to burn away injustice – cruelty – indifference – hatred – greed - self-righteousness – pride - jealousy, and every other thing not from God. Put simply, this “fire” has the power to burn away all self-centeredness --- that persistent urge to choose ourselves above God --- a giving in to a relentless temptation that manifests itself in almost everything that keeps the world from being truly at “peace”. So which is it? (There are those three little words again.) Which is it? Will we strive to always choose the things of Heaven? And if so, can we face the earthly conflicts that are sure to follow, not with anger or malice or hatred, but with love? And will we let the Holy Spirit be our guide --- the “fire” of the living God that has the power to transform absolutely everything? If the answer is “yes” --- who knows what we might “establish”? Who knows what beautiful world we might help re-create? That’s God’s hope for the world he entered and laid down his life for. Let’s make sure it’s our hope too.
Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Yr. C Aug. 10, 2025 Ref. Lk 12:32-48 Dcn. Bill Kenney I never knew what a “Leatherman’s tool” was. Come to find out it’s like a Swiss Army knife on steroids having multiple fold-out tools that could be called upon for nearly any reason. It’s the ultimate Boy Scout, “Be Prepared” tool. Need a can opener? Need a pair of scissors or a screwdriver? You’re all set. There’s great peace of mind knowing you’re prepared, affording confidence to respond to unexpected encounters. The over-arching theme to our Gospel reading from Luke is to be prepared, perhaps in a more philosophical and theological manner than the Boy Scout motto. We are to be prepared in the way we lead our lives and the things we value; be prepared with the strength of heart by which we are led by faith with focus on the things of God. Jesus tells his disciples, and us, “For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.” Your treasure is the real focus of your life as seen by the time and energy you devote to it. Consider the workaholic, those suffering from various addictions, those consumed by accumulating material possessions. Their hearts are filled with passing, corruptible treasures. Their time and energy are focused on ego and self. While Jesus does not denounce material possessions and making a living needed for us to lead effective, benevolent lives, a trust and faith in these treasures can stand in the way of trust and faith in God. The treasures we hold dearly in our heart can take our time and energy in the form of other things like anger, bitterness, resentment, unforgiveness, and past hurts. These negative emotions can fester and corrupt a person's thoughts and actions, ultimately leading to destructive behavior. Such treasures we harbor manifest themselves in sinful words and acts. Conversely, the hearts of devout disciples of Christ are filled with truly incorruptible treasures, like love, peace, purity, and mercy- values lasting for eternity. Consider your family life, your prayer life, giving back to your community. These are focused on Christian principles and practices- focused outward from self and ego. Such treasures I see regularly in the terminal cases of our Homebound brothers and sisters living their last days in nursing homes or in Hospice care. When bringing them Communion, their thoughts and prayers, time and energy are focused on the true presence of Christ in the Eucharist and the love of significant others in their lives, not on worries and struggles with their possessions or self. What do you treasure? Or, similar to the Capital One tagline, “What’s in your heart?” Jesus says, “You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.” Watchfulness is akin to preparedness. This scripture is a good reminder that we are to be watchful and vigilant all liturgical year long, not just at Advent or after the Ascension. The Master of the household will return at an unexpected hour. What will he find- especially in your heart? Like a good Leatherman’s tool, we have the gifts of the Holy Eucharist and the Sacrament of Reconciliation in our quiver to help us in our preparation. In these, we receive Christ and his mercy to make us more like him. How we prepare, what we value as Treasures, and how we maintain a faith of watchfulness is what makes us good and prudent servants or, lacking these, unfaithful, untrustworthy servants. St. Basil wrote that these are the marks of the Christian — to watch daily and hourly, to stand prepared in the state of responsiveness pleasing to God, knowing that he will come. In the end, at our just judgement, we will all be held to account for our lives. “Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.” With a strong belief and love of Jesus in our hearts, we must each fully utilize, in proportion, the free gifts of grace and blessings bestowed upon us. Do you use these gifts in a life of stewardship and mercy for the well-being of others in need? Can you humbly stand prepared in truth, peace, and confidence to inherit the eternal Kingdom God so lovingly offers to you? May we be so prepared and watchful with incorruptible treasures in our hearts, for our salvation and for the glory of God.
Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time – July 27, 2025 Ref.: Genesis 18:20–32; Luke 11:1–13 Dcn. Bill Kenney All of us have prayed at pivotal, life-changing, and desperate situations in our lives. We persistently cry out for help in times of trouble, fear, and need. We ask for something to be done- something beyond ourselves, greater than what we can do. Often, we seek answers in difficult times: How could this happen? Why me, him, or her? What next? Is this God’s plan? Frightened and seemingly alone, we must instead make our prayers in confidence and trust knowing God will hear our knock and the door of opportunity and answers will be opened to us. Our moments of prayer should not, however, be limited to such desperate times, but must rather be a constant part of our daily life nurturing a loving relationship with God Our Father . In our first reading from Genesis, it’s amusing how the writer humanizes God’s thoughts and the relationship and conversation he has with Abraham- as if God had to go down to see what the outcries against Sodom and Gomorrah were all about. And then, Abraham’s back and forth pleading and negotiating with our all-powerful God to have mercy and change his divine justice. The point here is that God is present and active in our lives. He hears and answers our prayers. Abraham’s persistence is a key characteristic of prayer. The power of persistent prayer increases our self-confidence and strength of faith. It helps us to form real stability in sensing God’s presence and our relationship with Him. We continue to ask God for what is good and just, even when faced with negative outcomes- even when we lack the understanding of why things happen the way they do. Our prayers align our hearts to God’s unfolding plan for our lives. All our prayers are directed to God- whether they be prayers of praise, contrition, thanksgiving, or petition. They may be enhanced and reflected by intercessors on our behalf, like the Virgin Mary, other Saints, or Guardian angels, but in the end, they are placed in the hands of our loving Father. And God receives, hears, and answers all our prayers for our good now and for our eternal salvation; answered in a far-seeing way and timing that he knows best. I think back on my own ignorance and lack of faith and thank the Lord that my prayers weren’t answered in the short-sighted, easy fix way I wanted them to be answered. Our prayers are answered; some are still pending- and that’s OK. Prayer is not about forcing God’s hand, but is about opening ourselves to his divine wisdom through persistence, patience, trust, and humility. Sometimes this takes time. Sometimes it takes the right instrument of God’s love and mercy to cross our path- a person, such as a spouse, who is an “answer to my prayers”. The theme of prayer continues in our Gospel reading from Luke. Jesus’ disciples ask him to teach them how to pray. He leads them, and us, to the Father in the Lord’s Prayer. The Lord’s Prayer is first and foremost a prayer of praise to the Father from which all other petitions follow. In its beginning, as Fr. Charles Irvin states in his book, Entering the Heart of God, the first word, “Our” highlights the significance of the Lord’s Prayer as a communal prayer of the Christian faithful. As one Body in Christ, united and belonging, we are Christ’s Church giving all praise to Our Father. Unfortunately, the Lord’s Prayer oftentimes rolls off the tongue of some as a mechanical recitation; giving expression to a disingenuous mood of piety. Enter the heart of God with this prayer. Focus on each word in a spirit of faith and love and pray it each time from your heart to God’s heart. The theme of persistence in prayer is also characterized in the story of the man who woke his sleeping friend. Persistence gives legitimacy and justifies our petitions. Our needs are great and are not often fleeting. In our petitions we need to ask, seek, and knock until they are answered. C.S. Lewis said, “Shameless persistence in prayer, … is pleasing to God and more likely to result in an answer.” Our parish Prayer Chain and Prayers of the Faithful intentions are practical ways we can persistently pray for the sake and well-being of those in need of God’s help. There’s never a shortage of prayer needed for self, family, community, nation, and the world. Pray with confidence; pray well, and pray often. Knowing that our Father will give us what we need — especially the gift of, “… the Holy Spirit to those who ask him”, we are empowered to live as faithful children of God. Let us pray to God with the persistence of Abraham, with the same trust and confidence Jesus encourages us to have in our Father’s benevolence. May we remember that, even in our most desperate moments, God is always listening, always willing to bless us with His presence and His grace. As we join in prayer and receive the greatest gift of Christ in the Holy Eucharist, let us do so with the faith that God, our loving Father, will always provide for us, and that through our prayer, we are drawn into a deeper relationship with Him for our salvation and for the glory of God.
Pilgrimages have been an essential part of the religious lives of people for a very long time. From ancient times up to the present day men and women have chosen to travel to special “holy” sites whether it be Jerusalem or Rome, Fatima or Lourdes, Mexico City or Santiago de Compostela in Spain --- men and women have been spending both time and treasure seeking out these unique places. Yet, while on the surface it might seem that these holy pilgrimages are all about the “destination” --- all about the final goal --- true pilgrims know this is not really true, not really an accurate reflection of the true purpose of such an endeavor. Rather, the true purpose is the journey itself, the path --- and the transformation that often takes place in the process. Pilgrims often tell story after story about the journey itself, story after story about the towns along the way, or the places they stayed at, or most importantly, the people they met along the way. Put another way --- the God they hoped to encounter, the God they hoped to grow closer to, was not found just at the end of the pilgrimage, but rather was encountered countless times along the way. The divine was not limited to a few select places, but was all around them --- and the pilgrimage itself helped create a spiritual space in which they could see God in their midst. If only we could do the same. We just heard two Scripture stories in which the people in the story have a divine encounter. In our First Reading from Genesis we find Abraham and Sarah having probably an ordinary day when Abraham suddenly sees three strangers standing nearby. And instead of waiting for them to approach him he rushes out to them and goes above and beyond what would have been expected. Why was he so excited to see them? We don’t really know. But it seems pretty clear that he was open to something, open to someone, open to a true spirit of care and concern and generosity. He later finds out (as we did at the start of the passage) that these were no ordinary men. Rather, this was a visit from God (accompanied by angels). And the “reward” for his actions is that they tell him that Sarah will conceive in her old age. And in the Gospel passage from Luke we hear the famous story of Martha and Mary, a story in which two sisters welcome Jesus into their home. One sister, Martha, presumes that the best thing to do is show him hospitality (similar to what Abraham and Sarah did in our First Reading). The other sister, Mary, does something much different. She sits at his feet excited to listen to his every word. And while both sisters are doing something “good” for Jesus, it is Mary’s behavior that gets affirmed. In a certain sense, Mary was aware that something holy was about to happen, something (or someone divine) was in their midst, while Martha was focused on doing what she probably would have done for any visitor. These stories can be a little difficult to understand in that we aren’t immersed in the same culture as the characters in the story were, don’t live in a world with the same societal demands and expectations. And we can get bogged down in all the details of the stories, trying to figure out how Abraham’s behavior and Martha’s behavior seem to be the same, and yet are treated differently in each story. But what strikes me is that these types of situations, at least at first, seemed ordinary and commonplace. Yet, for Abraham and Mary something told them that these situations only appeared to be “normal” and that something “extraordinary” might be taking place. It was as if they were “seeing” differently from most people, seeing in such a way that they were open to a moment of grace, open to an encounter, a visit from God. If only we could do the same. Sometimes we approach life as if it is a kind of journey in which the only thing that matters is the final destination. “Am I doing the right things and living the right way so that I will arrive at the place I want someday,” we often think to ourselves. And if God is only found in heaven, then our lives become a long stretch without much to look forward to, an endless string of days filled with often difficult, burdensome situations and circumstances. But maybe it’s not that kind of trip at all. Maybe it’s more like a pilgrimage --- a holy journey pointed in the direction of heaven, yet filled with encounter after encounter after encounter with the living God. And these kinds of encounters will be found not just in out-of-this-world moments, but most often in the common, ordinary moments that don’t require much travel, time or money. It takes real faith to see every moment and every encounter as an opportunity of grace, a chance for us to encounter the divine, a chance for us to experience our God in the places and people we least expect. This is not always an easy thing --- for potential holy moments don’t always appear so. It takes an open heart, an expectant heart, a hopeful heart. We set our sights on heaven, but are ready to encounter God numerous times before that and just moments away in the Eucharist.
Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Ref.: Deut. 30:10-14 , Ps.69; Lk 10:25-37 . Be a good neighbor. Dcn. Bill K. July 12/13-2025 Driving along the expressway you may see a sign, “Speed limit 70” – pretty straightforward, easy to understand. It’s the law. You’ve been use to these your whole driving career. Your spouse, however, may think it’s your first time, or that you forgot how to read, and have no idea what it means! He or she gives you a gentle and kind reminder. We are taught to obey the law, whether it be laws to maintain order in a civilized society, or Church Canon Law, or Catechism moral law in how we treat other people. Most of these laws are understood with little confusion. It is more a matter of us and our ability and conviction to internalize and take action to carry out the law in our lives. Moses, in our first reading from the book of Deuteronomy, tells his people, to, “…heed the voice of the Lord, your God, and keep his commandments and statutes that are written in this book of the law.” Throughout their exodus, sojourning through years in the desert, the law became he says, “…something very near to you, already in your mouths and in your hearts. You have only to carry it out." There’s the rub. It’s easy to understand and value a law’s truth and necessity, but it’s another thing to make the choice to take action and trust in the Lord to help us obey his law. Is that too hard to do? In our Gospel reading from Luke, we hear the Greatest Commandment and the Parable of the Good Samaritan. This Greatest Commandment is found in Deuteronomy, with Jesus adding a second that is like it: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself”. All three of the synoptic Gospels convey this message. It is an important foundational tenet of our faith to abide with and obey as disciples of Christ. The Parable is found only in Luke given by Jesus as further clarification to the scholar and listening bystanders. The scholar correctly answers Jesus’ question on what the law says to do to inherit eternal life. In a twist of pride, to further prove his smarts, he asks, “And who is my neighbor?” This leads to a remarkable parable helping us visualize and understand the definitive message of what Jesus says about “…who is my neighbor?” As we hear in Luke, a priest and a Levite, scholars and men of position, notice and pass by a beaten, half-dead robbery victim on the opposite side of the road. They took the side of the road that distanced them from any perceived trouble or inconvenience. They chose by their pride, prejudice, and fear the opposite side, opposite the law of God. The Samaritan traveler, a person from a sect of religion contrary to Jewish law and practice, had pity for the victim, and took care of his needs- going above and beyond. Like a State Farm Agent, he was the good neighbor, the one who treated the victim, his neighbor, with mercy. It’s interesting that the victim remains anonymous throughout the parable. His identity is not important to Jesus’ message. He wasn’t a person of power and influence that commanded help. Being any man among all mankind, he is a type of us. His anonymity points to the fact that as God’s beloved children, we are all fallen neighbors. Jesus uses the Parable of the Good Samaritan as an example of loving those who may not be our friends. He taught his disciples to love your neighbor as yourself, sharing charity and mercy to everyone in need. He calls them and us today to “go and do likewise.” And how do we do likewise? I’m a firm believer that God puts into our pathways opportunities to be good Samaritans, to live out our faith and do God’s will. We need only open our eyes and hearts to those who cross our paths. Perhaps there’s a reason for that encounter; an opportunity to make a difference for the better in someone’s life. As witnesses of Christ, we take the same side of the road, to walk with and meet the needs of others. This most readily happens with our spouse and children and other close family members. For others, it may be as simple as linking to an intercessory prayer chain for those grieving, hurting, or making big decisions. It may take your time and effort by doing volunteer work or donating to charitable causes. As a good neighbor, you may be called to lead others to Christ through the OCIA Program. As Danny Gokey sings, “Keep it real simple- Love God and Love People.” Keep this simple mantra close to your heart- in your thoughts and actions when you encounter others- that it may guide you to walk the same side of the road they’re traveling. Love of neighbor is not unlike our encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist. We meet him at the altar of sacrifice. From our broken nature we offer humble gifts to our victim Savior, who, out of great love, gives us his mystical body which is lifted up to the Father to give us eternal life. He is the epitome of love of neighbor. Through the varied paths of our lives, may we obey and carry out the law of the Lord in love and mercy for our neighbor. “Do this and you will live” while giving all praise and glory to God.
