Fr. Mike's Gospel Reflection for - Sunday, April 12, 2026

On this Divine Mercy Sunday, we see the struggle of Saint Thomas who appears so prominently in the Gospel this weekend. Over the centuries Saint Thomas has been given that terrible nickname “doubting Thomas.” Yet, after he touched the wounds in Jesus’ hands and side, Saint Thomas uttered in just five words what perhaps is the deepest expression of faith known in history: “My Lord and my God!” The encounter between Thomas and the resurrected Jesus is much more about our Lord’s mercy than about “doubting Thomas.”

There are two major sins in every age. They are the sins of despair and sins of presumption. We might say that the person in despair says, “I am so bad that I don’t think even God could possibly forgive me for my sins.” Contrast that to the person who sins by presumption and says, “I am so good that I cannot believe that God would not want me to be with him in heaven!” In many ways, on the surface, we might say that we live in an age of presumption in which people very quickly presume their own goodness and overlook any sin or frailty.

However, when we begin to go beneath the surface and touch the hearts of people who suffer from their sins and feelings, we understand that this age also may well be an age of deep despair. It is an age that thirsts for and yearns for the mercy of God. It is this deep desire that leads us to the throne of God’s mercy. The word mercy in Latin is misericordia or literally “the suffering of the heart.” In the Old Testament, the word hesed, which means tender mercy, captures this grace. In the familiar words of Psalm 118: “His mercy endures forever.”

Indeed, it is in confession that we experience most clearly and most significantly the great mercy of God. The devotion of Divine Mercy is intimately connected with the great Sacrament of Reconciliation. It is also no accident that the world was attracted to the example of Pope Francis, who was often seen both hearing confessions and humbly kneeling to receive the sacrament himself. And so, as we take great joy in the enduring nature of God’s mercy, saying, Jesus, we trust in You because Your mercy endures forever!

Fr. Mike

Fr. Mike's Gospel Reflection for - Sunday, April 5, 2026

If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above…Think of what is above, not of what is on earth.

Jesus Christ is RISEN! He is RISEN indeed. Alleluia! Happy Easter!

Paul says that, because we are raised with Christ, we must seek what is above. We must look past, we must run over or through all earthly hurdles, overcoming all things that might prevent us from getting to Jesus Christ – the One Who is above. When we set our sights on the higher things, we inevitably find Jesus. There is a beautiful Catholic song from about 20 years ago titled, “Set your heart on the higher gifts.” The refrain reminds us that three gifts are all that remain – faith, hope and love. When we seek Jesus above, we find Him in faith, hope, and love.

Yes, we do believe that Jesus rose from the dead that first Easter morning. We accept this and are thankful for what this means for us as believers. But some of us are a bit skeptical; others are struggling to believe. Some are vacillating. Perhaps one or two of you may come to Mass on Easter because your wife or mother told you there would be no Easter dinner if you didn’t go to Church! Whatever the reason that brings you to Easter Mass, understand that in every mass, particularly on Easter Sunday, we set our sights on the higher gifts. We encounter the risen Lord and are joyful that He gives us faith, hope and love to make our lives in this world so much easier to bear.

Faith drives both our hope and our love. Without faith, realities that should inspire hope and love only cause confusion. Jesus’ empty tomb is the sign of the most complete victory, the most extreme love and the most powerful presence. Mary Magdalene, Peter and John all see the empty tomb. But their limited faith needs time to grow so that it can completely accept the great gift that is offered. In seeking the higher gifts, we must first strengthen our faith. Otherwise, what should cause hope and love will become stumbling blocks. Only a sincere and generous faith in the Risen Lord enables us to see hope and love in the circumstances of life.

Fr. Mike

Fr. Mike's Gospel Reflection for - Sunday, March 29, 2026

Today begins our celebration of Holy Week.  The week culminates in the Easter Vigil Mass which anticipates the great feast of Easter.  However, before we get to Easter, we must pass through some seriously dark and disturbing moments in the life of Jesus and His disciples.  These last five days of His earthly life are filled with moments of both great joy and moments of unimaginable pain and sorrow.

Our first Gospel reading, which is read just before mass begins, tells of Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey.  His entry is that of a humble servant, yet the adoring crowd is shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David.”  Even though He prefers not to be praised or acclaimed, the crowd repeatedly shouts: “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”  If these words sound familiar, it is because we proclaim them at each mass in the “Sanctus” immediately before the Eucharistic Prayer.  This phrase is taken directly from Psalm 118. That Psalm praises a king who is triumphantly entering a city after a victory.  We remember this moment in every mass because the triumph of Jesus is an hour which does not pass away.  As one of my Theology professors wrote, “we are standing within that same hour, and we are standing in that hour because he is coming to us now.  Blessed is he who comes!”

Unfortunately, within a few short days, the adoring crowd will shift from shouting out “Blessed is He!” to “Crucify Him!”  How could they reject Him so quickly after praising Him?  We might ask ourselves a similar question.  How can we leave mass and then criticize the music or the man in the third pew?  How can we say, “Amen!” when receiving the Body of Christ and then intentionally sin later that day?  How do we participate in bible study and then gossip about the woman who was seated at our table?  Each day, our thoughts of “Blessed is He” turn quickly to “Why do I continue to crucify Him with my thoughts, words, and actions?”  As a child, I was told that my sins were like the nails that held Jesus to the cross.  During this very sacred week, let’s all firmly resolve to move from crucifying to blessing Our Lord.

Fr. Mike