Fr. Mike's Gospel Reflection for - Sunday, July 20, 2025

“Is anything too marvelous for the LORD to do?”

In the First Reading Abraham and Sarah receive a visit from three “men.”  Abraham invites them to sit for a while, to bathe their feet, and to have something to eat and drink.  As they are leaving, one man says, “I will return to you about this time next year, and Sarah will then have a son.”  That is where the Lectionary passage ends.  However, in the next part of the passage the writer explains that Sarah and Abraham are very old and that “Sarah laughed to herself…” about this prediction because she doubted that it was possible.  The man confronts her about laughing and asks, “Is anything too marvelous for the LORD to do?”

Many biblical scholars believe that the three visitors were angels representing the Holy Trinity.  One of the most beautiful depictions of this scene is found in an icon called “The Hospitality of Abraham” written by Andre Rublev more than 600 years ago.  We will soon have a version of this icon in our adoration chapel.  The icon shows God in the Trinity with the Father on the left, the Son in the middle, and the Holy Spirit on the right.  They have identical faces, but different clothing.  The Son and the Spirit lovingly look toward the Father. 

We may never be able to truly understand the concept of the Trinity.  This icon helps us to focus on the beauty of the relationship rather than trying to figure out how it can be possible.  It helps us to accept God’s invitation to participate in the loving communion of the Trinity and to consider the question, “Is anything too marvelous for the LORD to do?”

Fr. Mike

Fr. Mike's Gospel Reflection for - Sunday, July 13, 2025

Many of us make excuses. Even when we say, “Well, I don’t want to make excuses,” we usually follow those words with, “BUT” and then lay out our excuses. One of the most common excuses is, “I didn’t know.” But in our legal system, “ignorance of the law is no defense.” Our system assumes that everyone is aware of the laws that apply to them.

The same is true for Moses and the Israelites. Moses reminds the people that they do, in fact, know the law. God laid it out for them and even wrote it on two large tablets. The law is not far away, it’s in their hearts. They cannot claim to be ignorant of the law. In fact, knowing the law is not the hard part. It’s right there in front of them. The challenge is keeping the law. He tells them, “you have only to carry it out.” However, both the ancient Israelites and many modern Christians assume that keeping God’s law is impossible.

Having spent more than 20 years in Oregon, I became quite familiar with Nike and have long been inspired by their slogan, “Just Do It.” It was first used by Nike in 1988 and, according to my handy AI assistant, “the slogan has become a widely recognized call to action, often associated with motivation, determination, and perseverance.” The basic concept is that, if you know what needs to be done, don’t procrastinate, don’t over complicate, don’t make excuses. Just do it!

A priest in the 2nd Century explained to his people how critical it was for them to follow the law, “When…unbelievers hear the words of God on our lips, [they] are amazed at their beauty and power, but when they see those words have no effect in our lives, their admiration turns to scorn, and they dismiss such words as myths and fairy tales.”

Very few people come into the confessional confused about whether their actions or failures to act are sinful. They know the law and they know when they are committing a sin. Sometimes, they try to explain (“I don’t want to make excuses, but…”). Most often, however, people own their sins and are accountable. This is a huge step forward. The next step for all of us is to be better at carrying out the law.

Fr. Mike

Fr. Mike's Gospel Reflection for - Sunday, July 6, 2025

On Friday, July 4th, we celebrate the 249th “birthday” of our country! Next year, I am guessing that we will have a tremendous celebration for the 250th anniversary of our founding.  Wow, I distinctly remember the “Bi-Centennial” in 1976.  I certainly don’t feel almost 50 years older.  Yikes!

As countries go, the United States of America is relatively young.  Several nations, including Egypt, Japan, China, Iran, and India were established many years before Christ was born.  Of course, these countries and many other long-standing countries have faced periods of conquest, governmental instability, and war.  Our country faced its own period of darkness and uncertainty during the Civil War from 1861 to 1865. Had the outcome of that war been different, we would likely not have achieved our 249th birthday.

Our nation is relatively young when compared to our Church.  If we assume that the Church was founded when our Lord was 33 years old, then our Church is 1992 years old this year.  It too faced difficulty and division.  There were those who tried to eradicate the Church within its first 300 years of existence.  Yet, it has not only survived, but has thrived.  It has been, and continues to be, the largest denomination of Christians in the world. 

One thing that holds the people of a nation (and of our Church) together is a shared set of ideals.  When we celebrate our nation, we must strive to put aside our differences, our prejudices, our dislikes, and our selfishness.  Our nation is bigger and more important than any single issue or agenda item.  It is bigger and more important than any individual.

Paul tells the Galatians that the ideals shared by all early Christians emerged from the “the cross of Jesus Christ.”  Therefore, neither he, nor anyone else, may ever boast EXCEPT in that cross.  The cross is the great unifying force that brought (and continues to bring) together Christians of every race, color and culture.  Paul explains that the cross gave rise to a “new creation” – the Church.  This new creation is of heavenly origin.  Therefore, the Church does not concern itself with earthly concepts like circumcision or uncircumcision.  Those concepts are small, petty, and divisive.  The cross is bigger than life.  It includes, embraces, and welcomes ALL for the greater glory of God.

Fr. Mike