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Thursday, August 13, 2026
Sunday, August 9, 2026
Thoughts on Holy people
Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time |
| Matthew 14:22–33 |
Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus rescues Peter and says, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” When we live wrapped up around our own egos and their fears, we inhabit the narrow space of the pusilla anima (the little soul), but when we forget our awful seriousness, when we live in a risky freedom, we inhabit the infinite expanse of the magna anima (the great soul). Holy people are those who realize that they participate in something and Someone infinitely greater than themselves. Far from crushing them, this awareness makes them great. In a hundred ways, our theological and spiritual tradition attempts to cultivate the great soul, to lure us into that wonderful conviction that it is not about us. John’s Gospel says that in his youth, Peter labored under the illusion that he could control his life: He walked where he liked and he tied his own belt. But in his old age—the time of wisdom—he will realize that his life has been under the direction of a Power that his ego cannot begin to manipulate. In taking him where he does not want to go, this Power will introduce him to the magna anima. Bishop Robert Barron |
Friday, August 7, 2026
Thoughts on World War I
Mt. 14: 22 - 23
Recently, I have been reading about the start of World War I in the summer of 1914, being particularly interested in the United Kingdom’s involvement beginning on 4 August 1914.
In the years that I travelled to England to assist in parishes during the summer, I was always impressed by the number of war memorials everywhere, especially World War I memorials. Of course, there are the many famous London memorials, including the Cenotaph on Whitehall and the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey. But when I visited those beautiful little villages that dot the countryside, I would see in every church a prominent memorial that listed the names of those men from that village who were killed in the so-called Great War. It seemed to me that the smallest of villages lost dozens of young men. They usually say in England that the country lost an entire generation.
In fact, the London church that I served for many summers, St. Patrick’s, Soho Square, had its own World War I memorial, and the church had even been bombed in WW II during the Blitz. The bomb only crashed through the roof and did not explode. Today a plaque marks the spot and thanks God for His protection of the church.
Sadly, it seems that the world is always at war, as we know so well even today.
Probably, some of you have known the suffering of war directly. But we all have known conflict; we all have known times when the wind blows contrary. In life the wind is often contrary. There are times when we are up against it, and life becomes a desperate struggle – with ourselves, our circumstances, our temptations, our sorrows, our pains, our decisions; sometimes, sadly, even a struggle with our loved ones.
Today’s Gospel reminds us that at such times no one needs to struggle alone. The Gospel is not only an account of a miracle that happened on the Sea of Galilee about 2,000 years ago.
Our Lord comes to us across the storms of life with His hand outstretched to save us, and with His calm, clear voice bidding us to take courage and not fear: “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”
The Early Church found this passage one of the most consoling of all the Sacred Scriptures.
They knew well what persecution was; they knew well what pain and suffering were. After all, they were frequently martyrs.
Not all of us have known the pain and suffering of war and direct persecution. But all of us have known pain, suffering, struggle, worry; and we frequently need consolation, guidance, encouragement, healing. May we take courage and be assured what our Faith teaches us and the Gospel shows us: Our Lord did not only calm storms and save Peter on the sea in ancient Palestine. He saves us, and He calms the frequent storms that can seem to overwhelm our lives, even today.
-Fr. Don Saunders, S.J.
Thursday, August 6, 2026
Thoughts on the Transfiguration
Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord |
| Matthew 17:1–9 |
Friends, today’s Gospel celebrates the transfiguration. Christ came not just to make us nice people or morally upright folks, but rather to give us a share in his divine life, to make us denizens of heaven, people capable of living in that new environment. What gave the first Christians this conviction? The answer is the resurrection—and the great anticipation of the resurrection, which is the transfiguration. This ordinary Jesus somehow became transformed, elevated, enhanced in his manner of being. The first thing we notice is that his appearance becomes more beautiful. These somewhat grubby bodies of ours are destined for a transfigured, elevated beauty. Secondly, in his transfigured state, Jesus transcends space and time, since he is talking with Moses and Elijah. In this world, we are caught in one moment of space and time, but in heaven, we will live in the eternal now of God’s life. Have you ever noticed that even as we appreciate all that is wonderful about this life, we are never really at home? There is a permanent restlessness about human life. But a higher, richer, more beautiful and spiritually fulfilling life awaits us. Bishop Robert Barron |
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