August 10, 2025: 19th Sunday in Ordinary TIme

God calls us to be constantly in a state of readiness to meet Him, especially when it's time for our departure from this life.

To make the most of this life, we strive to live by faith, preparing to encounter God at any moment.  We acknowledge God's promises for us, just like the giants of faith in the past.  They didn't see the fullness of the promises, but still strove toward God, confident they were playing a part in a greater plan.

Indeed, we have been entrusted with faith as a great gift.  We make the most of our lives now by stewarding this gift nobly and using it to keep close to God and make His presence known by living love now.  The priest at the Mass I attended at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Davenport, IA, pulled a heart out of a knapsack to illustrate this idea and underscored it when he said that Heaven is when we're united with God.  Living love now is a way to be united with as we wait for complete union with Him after we depart this life.  Yet looking ahead to embrace this reality now by living it brings us purpose and joy indeed.  We, by God's graces, can make the sacrifices necessary to love as we keep ourselves constantly aware of how God is making Himself known to us.

August 6, 2025: Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord

God sent Jesus Christ to reveal Himself to the world.

On the mountaintop of Tabor, Jesus revealed a glimpse of His Heavenly glory.  He stated clearly multiple times that He was to follow the way of the Cross, and so would His disciples.  Yet this way would end in glory.

We listen to the Son and follow His way because we, as His disciples, have hope, because we have glimpsed God's glory in Jesus Christ.

August 3, 2025: 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time

On the surface level, there is a bleak picture of life in today's readings.  Ecclesiastes emphasizes how everything is vanity.

When someone comes to Jesus asking for His arbitration in a dispute, Jesus indicates that a life focused on possessions lacks substance.  The parable He tells shows how fleeting life can be, because possessions aren't as lasting as we think they are.

Yet in Christ, we see that life has great meaning when we focus on Heavenly things, which can transform earthly things into means that lead us to what is worthwhile and everlasting, even Heaven.  As we turn our focus back to the relaity of the Resurrection on Sunday today, a Little Easter, we get to revisit a passage from Easter/Resurrection Sunday Mass in Colossians.  Christ has been raised, and has gone to Heaven.  As people transformed by faith in Him, we can focus our gaze upward, too.

By faith, we can see glimpses of Heaven.  I think about how 9 years ago, my brother and sister-in-law married, a joyful occasion of celebrating their union. And 9 years ago on this 18th Sunday of Ordinary Time, I heard these readings proclaimed at a church in Cripple Creek, CO, at nearly 10000 feet above sea level, as I spend a weekend joyfully sharing the company of family while celebrating my Great Aunt Carmen's birthday.  Joyful occasions like these point us to the ultimate joy of Heaven.

Pope Leo XIV said it so well in his homily today at the conclusion of the Jubilee of Youth.  The fullness of our existence isn't about what we possess, but rather "what we joyfully welcome and share".  We can part from attachment to worldly matters, especially sin, and receive the abundance of new Life in Christ.  On our way to Heaven, we experience Heaven now as we find the ultimate of purpose in life realized now, because that purpose points us to what is lasting and most worthwhile.

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.