August 30, 2026 The Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
When my alarm rang on the morning of August 19, I dreaded the thought of get up and honestly, I was begging for death. I think many of us have had those mornings at one time or another. The previous day had been long, but good, and this particular Wednesday was going to be much the same. But I dutifully got up and got the day off to the best start I could muster, feeling very tired.
On Wednesdays I place a message on our parish app which is like a thought for the day. On this day, the day when school began at our grade school and Purcell Marian, I placed a quote by Del Rasouli which read “Instead of saying ‘have to do this,’ say ‘I get to do this.’ Appreciate the opportunity to do great things in the world by first changing your mindset.” As I reread the note before sending it out, the words and the meaning of this quote “sank into my bones” and I felt a new energy and desire to work hard and be as productive as possible, giving it all I could. The complexion of the day definitely changed.
This experience called to mind the Scripture story of Pentecost in the second chapter of the Acts of the Apostles. As we know, we have the Apostles in the upper room. At this point their apostolic vigor was questionable. But then comes the Holy Spirit rushing down upon them and they are changed forever. Gone was a group of tentative men and they became bold and outgoing to proclaim the Risen Jesus to the world—starting that day by amazing the crowds who heard them in their own tongues.
We often say “the Spirit works in mysterious ways.” We have had those experiences and say that statement is true. So, when we are “down and out” or having a morning like I did on the 19th, what are the ways for the Spirit to call us forth to new life and determination. Can you be called to new life by the example of a person you know, a past experience you had, a Scripture quote or a saying you heard from your past. Have you been given some advice that now compels you into action.
As human beings who naturally are not always at our best due to low energy and other factors, reflect on what calls you back to mission and being your best. We believe in faith that the Spirit is within us and calling us to love and action. How can you tap into those special movements of the Spirit so you can be the best for yourself, your God and for one another?