Sunday, July 12, 2026 – The Fifteenth Sunday In Ordinary Time
As most of you are aware, the Marianists had their national assembly at the end of June in Dayton. For all of us it was a joyful and uplifting event. It was a pleasure to see and visit with brothers from other parts of the country we do not usually see. We heard about our influence on young college students who now refer to themselves as “lay Marianists.” We installed a new Provincial leadership team who will lead us for the next five years. Their pictures are in today’s bulletin. It was a memorable four days.
The theme of this assembly was Embracing Our Roots: Forging Our Future. We had presenters who review the Marianist arrival in the United States in 1849 from France and our growth over one hundred seventy-seven years. We looked at our current status as an order and our strong desire to minister in the future to greater numbers of people and share the charism we value and have dedicated our lives to. We commit ourselves to be faithful to what providence will call us to in the years to come.
The theme of Embracing Our Roots: Forging Our Future is an appropriate one for our consideration no matter what our state of life is. We need to recall the foundations from where we came from, address our current situations, and look boldly into the future, full of hope. We must build on the strengths we have experienced. Reflecting on this, it makes me recall two Scripture passages:
“Everyone than who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on rock…” Matthew 8: 24-26
“…And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it” Matthew 16:18
We believe our Catholic faith has its full legitimacy because it is founded on the message and work of the Apostles who were formed by Jesus. We say the Gospels are the “Good News” on which we rely. We need to utilize these foundational, “roots,” if you will, to guide our paths into the future. Not to live in the past but use the wisdom and knowledge gained as we move forward to what awaits us.
In our own histories and family trees, we have strong foundations to build on. These never should be dismissed as being “old fashion” or obsolete. They offer at least kernels from which we can draw from to address today’s realities and challenges. These need to be honored and embraced. Let us cherish and make use of them as we as parish, individuals, and families forge into the future.
Sunday, July 5, 2026 – The Fourteenth Sunday In Ordinary Time
Over these past weeks I have been caught up and enjoyed watching the matches of The World Cup 2026. The games have been exciting and seeing passionate fans from all over the world displaying their national pride for their homelands. I am learning more about soccer but still do not fully understand the rules and strategy of the game. Now, one part I truly do not understand and do not agree with is the running clock in timing the contest. The match clock continues to run on all out of bounds situations, goal scoring, and player injury. Some of these take considerable time before play can resume. In all other sports I am aware of, the game timing stops in those situations. And at the end of regulation time, there is some “subjective” stoppage time added on that is not necessarily precise. I presume in the “soccer world,” this timing process is a tradition with a capital “T.”
But in the real world, the running clock is a symbol of how our lives are day-to-day. There is the phrase that “time doesn’t stop for anyone. Spring Nguyen states it “reflects the universal truth that time is constant and irreversible. It continues regardless of circumstances, achievements, or setbacks, emphasizing that life is fleeting and every moment is valuable.” This is so true. In significant events of life: great achievements, death and loss, and personal struggles, we wish that time would stop respecting our situations to celebrate, grieve, or heal. This is not the case. The daily demands continue and our responsibilities do not come to a halt. Sometimes it appears that no one is noticing how we are doing and how we feel. They just demand, “just do your job.”
Scripture has a number of passages about time and the passage of time. I would suggest a profound one is in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 which contains the litany of statements “a time to…” and “a time to…” A writer I do not recall talks about God’s time being perfect and understanding divine timing can influence how we approach our lives, especially when times are difficult. God knows what we need and when we need it. We need to believe what his divine plan can offer us and the assurance we desire at a given time will be there. The writer continues “The Bible speaks about time representing more than just minutes and hours; it embodies seasons for various activities, purposes, and events. Time isn’t merely something we spend but something sacred that has been designed for us to use wisely. In the context of our relationship with God, these times become opportunities for growth and spiritual enrichment.”
So as the clock continues to click, may we make the most of every moment and believe in God’s presence and consolation in those moments, knowing all future moments will have his presence and grace for us.