Sunday, May 3, 2026 – The Fifth Sunday of Easter
This morning thousands of runners participating in the Flying Pig Marathon came down Woodburn Avenue and split up going east or west on Madison Road. If you witnessed this mass of humanity, you would
see it all. You will see young and old, men and women, the serious marathoners, the runners who are out for a good workout, and the ones who are just out for a good time. You will see various races and ethnic groups. The number of faith traditions and beliefs were numerous. On top of that, you have countless life experiences of success, disappointment, sadness and pain. What a constellation of humanity!
So, with all of that said, we pray and say in social settings that “may they all be one.” We speak about being “one big happy family.” Not to be cynical, but these idealist statements seem farcical when viewing the masses. Our tendency is to break off into factions and groupings as quickly as the full marathoners going east when they reach our church and the half marathoners going west. But as I said in my reflection regarding Opening Day a few weeks ago, events like the Flying Pig do help—depending on how we view and utilize them.
Unity in the human race or in a local jurisdiction like Cincinnati is an awesome challenge. Many will say it is not possible. Only God knows how far we can get to achieve the unity we pray and strive for. The most important step as we begin a unity effort is to engage with one another and listen to one another—listen, listen, listen and seek to understand– understand, understand, understand!!! I would like to add the importance of suspending our judgements and accept the fact that the world is not designed to go on my given path. Accept the differences and see the possibilities our diversity offers. In my own relating, I have tried to acquiesce when appropriate. This, according to the Merrian-Webster Dictionary is to “accept, agree, or comply usually by staying silent or by not arguing.” We need to accept there are many visions of life and visions of what the world should be. Life experiences create their own unique lenses of how the world is viewed.
Jesus drew fire for his relating with the Pharisees and tax collectors. In the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus makes the point that the people of the region of Samaria can be as good as those in Judea and Galilee. Again, it is unclear in Scripture what these gatherings and encounters achieved, but I believe they had an influence—that this man from Nazareth does make many good points and he is worth listening to. And in turn, Jesus could understand the zeal of the religious conviction
of the Pharisees and could help them redirect their beliefs and energies to more positive and helpful action, instead of condemning those who would not follow their rigid religious practices.
In a divided society in which we live, let us live counter-culturally and engage and listen to one another, bridging the many divides and bring about new understanding and hopefully the lasting bonds of unity.
Sunday, April 26, 2026 – The Fourth Sunday of Easter
I believe we were all thrilled and relieved with the successful mission of Artemis II and the safe return of astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen. What a feat for the human race to travel the farthest from the earth considering all the risks and dangers involved.
The day after “splash down” in the Pacific, this group traveled to the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston and met the media. It was a powerful event, not just to hear their experiences of traveling around the moon, but the lasting bond and affection they have for one another after this journey. As they individually spoke of their experience on Artemis II, the words of Christina Koch caught my attention and raised an intriguing point for thought. She talked about the difference between a “team” and a “crew.”
“A crew is a group that is in it all the time, no matter what, that is
stroking together every minute with the same purpose, that is
willing to sacrifice silently for each other, that gives grace, that holds accountable. A crew has the same cares and the same needs, and a crew is inescapably, beautifully, dutifully linked.”
Her reflection on a “crew” caused me to add a new word into the mix, and that word is “community.” I don’t know if Koch would link these words as synonyms, but as she spoke about crew, I would like to think her defining crew would be how we view community, at the parish and in our local areas. It is an ideal that I believe is worth striving for.
During this Easter season, scripture takes us to the Acts of the Apostles for the majority of our first readings. In Chapter 4 we hear a description of the community in Jerusalem
Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but
everything they owned was held in common. With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and
great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and
brought the proceeds of what was sold. (32-34).
Sounds familiar?
In this Easter season of hope and new beginnings, let us strive to be that crew and community where peace, unity and purpose prevails—showing that the power of God is very evident among us.