In last week’s Gospel, we heard how Jesus came walking on the water towards his disciples in the boat being tossed around by the waves. From the very beginning, the image of the boat has been used to represent the Church, with St. Peter at its helm and assisted by the disciples. With that image in mind, today’s readings focus us on who else belongs in the boat with the disciples.

Today, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This solemnity dates back to at least the sixth century when the Church celebrated Mary’s dormition, or her going to sleep. But, in the Church’s Tradition, her sleep was always followed by her rising and being taken into heaven. We call Mary’s entry into heaven her assumption, because she was assumed, body and soul, into the heaven. Just as Jesus rose from the dead, so too was Mary awakened from her sleep.

Last week, we celebrated the Feast of the Transfiguration, when the glory of the Lord was revealed to Peter, James, and John on the mountain. This week, we hear how God reveals himself to Elijah on the mountain, and in the gospel how Jesus goes up the mountain by himself to pray. It would seem there is quite a bit of mountain imagery in our readings as of late. What are these mountains all about? In the ancient world, because mountains were the highest elevations on earth, reaching into the…

Jesus says, “Do not tell the vision to anyone until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.” Jesus charges his closest disciples, Peter, James, and John, to keep the revelation of his transfiguration to themselves until after his Resurrection. Why? Because what was shown to them as proof of Jesus’ divinity would become for them a powerful testimony to evangelize others. We see how Peter uses his testimony in our second reading when he says, “we had been eyewitnesses of his…

“The angels will go out and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.” Stern words from our Blessed Lord, who for the second time in a row speaks of the value of the kingdom of heaven. Those who are wise, like King Solomon, and lead a life of faith by keeping the commandments are welcomed into the kingdom, while those who lead a life of wickedness and sin are cast out. What Jesus is describing in the latter…

The Book of Wisdom shows that the One True God does not have to justify or prove his justice. It says, “For your might is the source of justice…But though you are master of might, you judge with clemency…And you taught your people…that those who are just must be kind.” The mighty deeds of God are known to us all, beginning with Creation itself, and extending throughout Salvation History as the Lord entrusted dominion of the earth to man, commanding us to be fertile and multiply. He…

“But the seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold,” words taken from today’s Gospel direct us to the importance of understanding the Word of God and allowing it to bear fruit in our life. One of the primary ways in which the Word bears fruit in our life is by the work we do—particularly the work we do for God. The Catholic Church is no stranger to hard work. I am reminded of one of the prayers for…

St. Paul says, “For if you live according to the flesh, you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” And as Jesus says the night of the Last Supper, “The Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” St. Paul elaborates this notion further in his Letter to the Galatians, saying, “For the flesh has desires against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you may not do what you want. But if you are guided by…

It is a joy to be here as your new priest and am looking forward to getting to know you. Every year, Bishop O’Connell petitions the priests of the diocese if they would like to remain where they are or be transferred. After 5 years in my previous assignment of St. Aloysius Church in Jackson, I told the bishop I would one day like to be considered for a pastorate. I honestly did not expect him to respond so quickly to my request, but when he called to inform me that Fr. Pfleger was retiring and…

(Audio recorded live, 25 June 2023)