Fr. Mike's Gospel Reflection for - Sunday, August 23, 2026

“Who do people say that I am?”

In the Gospel this weekend, Jesus is trying to determine how people identify Him. What if we were to pose that question today? What responses might we hear? Surely there would be some who would agree that Jesus was a healer, sage and prophet. Others might say: “Jesus? He’s my Lord and Savior!” Others: “Jesus? Did he really exist or was he made up?” Some wonder whether Jesus was a “misunderstood Jew” or suggest that Jesus was “a good guy, but not God.”

Jesus already knows that people have likely heard of His ability to heal, His ability to raise from the dead, and His ability to feed thousands of people. People know Him for what He does, but they do not know Him. As a result, they guess that Jesus is simply a prophet like John the Baptist, Elijah, or Jeremiah. Just one more prophet in a long line of prophets. By identifying Him through his actions, they do not have to consider who He actually is. Today, we also define people by what they do instead of who they are. We are in awe of great musicians, athletes, actors, etc., because we are more impressed by their actions than who they are.

People use services like 23andMe to analyze their ancestry. Yet, the answer to the question, “Who do people say that I am?” has less to do with a scientific report of exact genetic composition than it does with how people see us, and, more importantly, how we see ourselves. More than genetics, we are typically identified in relationships with one or more others. I was only a husband because of my relationship with Rosemary. I am only a father because of my relationship with John.

In the Gospel, we learn that our relationship with Jesus Christ gives us an eternal identity. When Simon identified Jesus as, “The Son of the living God!” Jesus responded by changing Simon’s identity and transforming him into Peter (the Rock) upon which He was to build His eternal Church. Our Catholic faith identifies Jesus as the Son of God and identifies us as God’s beloved children. Jesus said that Peter’s understanding came from God. If we are faithful and available to God’s Spirit, God will continue to strengthen our identity in Him.

Fr. Mike

Fr. Mike's Gospel Reflection for - Sunday, August 16, 2026

In the first reading the Lord speaks to us through the prophet Isaiah, “Observe what is right, do what is just.” That is good advice for anyone of any age, but it is a particularly helpful reminder for those who are beginning their new school year whether here at St. Edward, in high school, or in college. Students should always be ready to “observe what is right.” This generally means making good choices each day about how they will manage all of the distractions that prevent them from truly engaging with their parents, teachers, friends in a positive and loving manner.

Even in Isaiah’s day, people faced many distractions which kept them from obeying the Lord’s commandments.Through the prophet, the Lord called out to all of those who had strayed from His path. He invited all people, not just the Israelites. He did not distinguish between Jews and non-Jews.Instead, He opened His heart to anyone who would obey His commandments. About those people, He says, “Them I will bring to my holy mountain and make them joyful in my house of prayer.”

When people ask me if all will be saved, I look to scripture and find many passages in both the Old and New Testaments that are similar to this passage from Isaiah. Jesus Himself repeatedly warns His followers not to be distracted by pleasures and attractions of this world. He reminds them (and us) that we must make “good choices” here if we intend to be with Him in the eternal kingdom.

When Jesus encounters the Canaanite women who is pleading with Him to save her daughter, He is impressed by both her humility and her faith. She is not offended when He reminds her that she is not among the “chosen people.” Instead of being insulted and reacting angrily, the Canaanite woman shows a depth and purity of faith that causes Jesus to not only cure her daughter, but to praise her.

Whether we or our children or grandchildren are heading off to school, or whether we are enjoying our retirement, the importance of humility, perseverance, and being attentive to the Lord’s instructions cannot be overstated. Scripture tells us precisely what it takes to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. We must put distractions aside and make good choices each day.

Fr. Mike

Fr. Mike's Gospel Reflection for - Sunday, August 9, 2026

Many of us have faith that is easily shaken. Elijah has his faith shaken by the threats of the queen. Peter has his faith shaken by the wind. We have our faith shaken by every little thing that goes wrong in our lives. What does it take for us to have a firm foundation of faith? Faith that can withstand threats and wind and challenges?

In the verses immediately preceding this weekend’s first reading from the Book of Kings, God gives Elijah one of the greatest victories of any prophet, ever. Yet, when Elijah hears that the queen wants to kill him because of his victory, Elijah runs away instead of trusting in God for protection. After he ran, this mighty prophet gave into discouragement and fear and prayed for death. Elijah isolated himself on the mountain because he allowed his fear to be magnified while he temporarily forgot God. When we are depressed, it is not the time to isolate ourselves from God or His people. Just a few statements from another believer can get us back on course.

To restore Elijah’s faith, God releases three powerful forces of nature and withdraws Himself during the display. No voice in the rushing wind? No vision of Him in the fire? His voice didn’t rumble from the depths of the earth? No. He defies all of Elijah’s expectations. God finally appears in a quiet whisper. Faith, not fear is God’s message to Elijah and to each of us. God does not need to manifest Himself in mighty power. He is present in the softest whisper. God reminds Elijah that he doesn’t see what his Creator sees, nor does he know what his Creator knows.

In the quiet, Elijah rediscovers God. God brings Elijah back to his senses. He left the cave, and got back to serving the Lord. His troubles did not miraculously vanish, but God had completely changed his perspective. Maybe God is quietly trying to help us as well. We should heed his advice: “Be still and know that I am God.” If we are feeling a little down or depressed then, like Elijah, we need to get things back into perspective. God is on His throne. He is sovereign. He will accomplish His will. He will finish the good work He has begun in us.

Fr. Mike