July 27, 2025: 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time

When the disciples ask Jesus to teach them to pray, His answer showcases how we can enter more deeply into a relationship with God.

God meets our greatest need of salvation, through the wonder of the Paschal Mystery by which we pass from life through death to newness of Life in the waters of baptism.

We can now draw near to God.  Furthermore, we are meant to constantly seek after God, putting ourselves int the presence of the One Who has made Himself powerfully present to us in Christ.  Because God has has revealed Who He is to us, we can strive after the greatest spiritual gifts, even the Holy Spirit Who guides us to live fully the reality of our relationship with God.

I reflect on the role of the Holy Spirit in my life as I look back to 20 years ago, when I attended a summertime meeting as part of my Confirmation preparation.  The Holy Spirit truly is a great gift that draws us deeper into the Mystery of God and into His Kingdom as we pray for Him to bring it here on Earth by His great deeds.

This weekend is also an opportunity to celebrate our elders and grandparents, who have a wealth of wisdom to share from their lifetime experiences, wisdom that continues to be made new in each generation as see the new wonders God does in making Himself present.

July 20, 2025: 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time

God comes to His people in wondrous ways.  We are called to embrace the closeness of His presence in our hearts.

Abraham had the sense that the three visitors were special, so he was quick to wait on them.  They rewarded him with the good news of the imminent fulfillment of the promise of a son who would fulfill God's promise for them.

In the Gospel story, Martha welcomes Jesus to her home.  Yet in her well-intentioned effort to serve the Lord, she loses sight of that purpose with so much to do while Mary fixes her attention, and heart, on the Lord.  When Martha vented her frustration, Jesus made a point to indicate that she should focus on what matters most, having a hear to welcome the Lord.

And so we are called to be present to the Lord Who comes to us, that He may continue the great work of Christ in us.

Today marks 250 years since the Day of Prayer that the Continental Congress called on Thursday, July 20, 1775.  As they navigated the circumstances and took steps toward the independence of the USA, these leaders acknowledged that God Almighty was at work in these circumstances and implored His aid in the midst of them.  That need for prayer rings true today as we seek God's guiding hand to live with righteous purpose in our own day as we keep aware of how He is present, active, and at work in our midst.

It was 1 year ago on the 16th Sunday of Ordinary Time that the 10th National Eucharistic Congress concluded.  Nearly 60000 people gathered inside Lucas Oil Stadium for an encounter with God during the Closing Mass, an encounter that would make God powerfully present and send us forth on our mission.

July 13, 2025: 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time

When presenting the Law to His people, God made it clear through Moses that the Law was something very near to them, and they just had to carry it out.

Jesus further describes what it means to live the Law when asked by a scholar of the law, who gives an answer about what the Law says, and then presses the matter to "justify himself". Jesus relates how a Samaritan helped someone in need, and shows what it means to be a neighbor.

Ultimately, Jesus, Who was present when all was created, has reconciled all to God by His Cross, and fulfills the purpose of the Law. We are called to live out the Law by meeting the needs of those around us, for they bear the image of the visible God, and we make Him real by meeting needs.

July 6, 2025: 14th Sunday of Ordinary Time

God is doing something new, refashioning us in light of the Paschal Mystery.

By His Death and Resurrection, Christ has made us a new Creation, restoring us to right relationship with God.

And we are sent forth, just like Jesus sent forth 72 to do His work and, ultimately, to proclaim the Kingdom of God, which has been entering into the world.

With the power of God, we do mighty works, because it is the Cross that has the true power for us who confess faith in Christ.  And Jesus's words indicate a greater reality, that our names are written in Heaven, because God has chosen us to be part of this marvelous work.