Sunday, June 21, 2026 – The Twelfth Sunday In Ordinary Time
On June 9 NASA introduced the four-person crew for the Artemis III space mission set to take place in 2027. This mission is more technical and less dramatic than Artemis II which circled the Moon and set a record for traveling the farthest distance from the Earth. When the press and reporters had the opportunity to meet the crew, the crew were asked if they felt cheated that their mission would not be as exciting as Artemis II? They responded that their mission and responsibilities were important and critical for the mission of Artemis IV to be a success to safely transport human beings to walk on the face of the Moon for the first time in about roughly sixty years. For that goal to be met, they need to ensure many operational matters beforehand. Their mission goals included that critical systems needed for lunar landings worked, the success of docking system performance, propulsion systems and lander interfaces can work and are reliable. All this as they circled our planet—not going to any distant place to set a new record.
The mission of Artemis III and the questions from the press made me think about our approach to life here on the surface of the earth. Artemis III is a next step, it is a “building block” for a greater goal in the future. It is to ensure that greater goals and feats are possible. It is necessary. Failure to conduct these and take short cuts most likely would result in a catastrophic disaster and loss of life. Progress takes time.
Often, we believe differently, we all want it now. We live in an immediate gratification culture where, due to technology, we can be satisfied quickly. As one gentleman said in a television commercial years ago, “I hate to wait!” Does that sound familiar to us? We want it now. We want world peace now; an end to poverty now; racial and ethnic equality now; a clean and lasting environment now; and peace in our cities now. All of these are noble and important desires. The problem is that they need time to advance and perfect. So, the question posed to us is, are we willing to have patience and to take the necessary “baby steps” or “building block” steps to move us closer to that ultimate goal. Can we be satisfied with some progress moving us from Point A to Point B? Our problem is that we get restless when the end result is not in sight.
When we look at Scripture and the Acts of the Apostles we just reviewed in the Easter season, the work of the Apostles to build and spread the church to the known world was not always easy and took time. For all but one of the Apostles, they lost their lives and were martyred trying. But look where the Church is now and the influence of Pope Leo today. And consider Holy Week, much had to happen which led to the great joy and miracle of the Resurrection. The Son of Man had to die, be buried, before he arose.
In our many efforts in life, take courage and do not lose heart. Remember this phrase and hold it in faith: “May the good work God has begun in you be seen to its completion.” Warning: putting a deadline on it may not be advised.