From the Pastor – 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time

June 21, 2020

From the Pastor – 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time

We are reminded in today’s readings that we are human, and that as a result of that we are sinners, and we inherit that sin from the very beginning, from Adam. St. Paul points that out in our Second Reading from Romans 2. Were you aware that in Hebrew the name Adam means “humanity?”

In today’s Gospel Reading from Matthew, Jesus also reminds us of the fact that we are sinners, but He also prompts us to remember that one of the reasons we sin is because we fear other humans and the consequences of living out our faith more than we fear the Lord Himself. Jesus says, “…do not be afraid of those who kill the body, but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.”

“Gehenna” is translated in some Bible versions as “Hell.” What the Lord is trying to communicate to us may be that we probably tend to fear earthly matters and earthly people more than we fear God. If we are “killed” by someone or something on earth it is the body only which dies. However, shrinking back from God’s call can have eternal consequences.

“Saving grace” and being saved are probably not thoughts on which we like to dwell, but they are real, and we need to recognize that. St. Alphonsus Liguori wrote, “The saved are few, but we must live with the few if we would be saved with the few. O God, too few indeed they are; yet amongst those few I wish to be.”

Pastoral Pondering

At the end of this week, we will hopefully be able to begin Phase III of the reopening. If this turns out to be the case, I would expect that we will be able to make some adjustments in terms of church occupancy and a return to some normalcy. Over the last couple of weeks, we have also seen widespread protests, some of which have devolved into riots and calls for the defunding or disbanding of police departments. While the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis should be roundly condemned by people of good will, we should never allow an isolated incident of police brutality to force us into accepting a mob mentality. It was a mob after all that called for the Crucifixion of Christ.

My father was a police officer when I was a young child. He was well known as someone who was fair and who cared about people. Over the years since then I have met many police officers, too many to count, all of whom placed their lives on the line each day to protect the communities in which they lived. I have also encountered a few who were simply not suited for their job, and one or two who I would consider “bad apples”. I’ve encountered doctors, lawyers, politicians, soldiers and myriads of others. I can say by and large most were fine people; but, there too, there were some bad or even rotten apples. The same can be said about priests, ministers, rabbis and bishops. Because we are human, we are fallible. Sadly, some of us give in to our base desires and emotions. This has been true since Cain killed Abel and has been played out countless times throughout history. That’s why on Trinity Sunday I noted that we are dealing with a sin problem rather than a skin problem.

This in no way denies that there are people who have been mistreated and harmed by those in authority, but it also recognizes that not every person should be judged because of the sins of a few. This is not only dangerous, as we saw in the treatment of the Jews in WW2 Germany or the treatment of Japanese immigrants in WW2 USA; but, it is also destructive of the common good. We should never deny or forget history. There have been plenty of examples of racism and discrimination throughout the world to be sure, and in our own country without a doubt. However, simply because something happened in the past does not mean it has to be repeated. As human beings we have the capacity to change. We have the capacity to grow, and we have the capacity to repent.

Learning to respect the dignity of each human person, created in the image and likeness of God, is the task of every Christian. This is true whether we are dealing with friend or foe. The Gospel requires us to oppose injustice where we find it and to strive to eradicate it with Christian love and compassion. Sadly, there seems to be a pervasive attitude that if you are not willing to accept responsibility for every wrong ever done to a person of color that you are somehow part of the problem and a supporter of racism. This is simply flawed thinking and an irrational conclusion. Mobs, however, are not rational. They operate out of emotion and the facts matter very little to them. As a Christian people, we have to strive for holiness which is built on the foundational belief that in order to love God, we also have to love our neighbor. If we actually start doing that, then we can eliminate injustice across the board and at every level. Politicians will not solve the problem and crowds of protestors will not solve the problem; although, exercising our first amendment rights by assembling peacefully and making our voices heard is important and necessary. The only true solutions will come from a return to God, a desire for repentance and conversion.

From the Pastor

From the Pastor - 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time

By John Putnam • February 13, 2026
Today’s readings challenge us to reflect on the true state of our hearts as it relates to stewardship. Do we think of stewardship as something we take care of once a year, simply a matter of ticking off boxes on a commitment card — or do we choose to embrace it as a spirituality and a way of life that allows us to grow in conformity to Christ every day? Our first reading, from the Book of Sirach, teaches that our good God has given us the freedom to make this choice — “Before man are life and death, good and evil, whichever he chooses shall be given him.” The concept of stewardship helps us live out this fundamental choice to put God first. Stewardship is not meant to be a mere external exercise that we participate in on an occasional basis. It is meant to be embraced as a way of life — a life that involves a continuous conversion of heart. In our Gospel passage from Matthew, Jesus illustrates the difference between an external observance of the law and a true conversion of heart, saying, “You have heard that it was said … you shall not kill … But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment.” Our Lord is asking us not only for exterior acts, but for a true change of heart. In stewardship terms, that means seeing everything as a gift from Him, to be used for His glory and the good of others. In the week ahead, let us examine the state of our hearts and ask whether we have allowed stewardship to shape the way we live each day. When we do, we open ourselves to its deeper meaning and its power to change our hearts. The choice is ours. Pastoral Pondering I am appreciative of the cooperation we have had with the recent changes in the distribution of Communion. Please be mindful that each person has the right to choose the manner in which he or she receives Holy Communion. As long as that choice is in conformity with what the Church allows, the individual is free to exercise that right. We all have preferences and pious practices that are important to us. It is important, however, that we do not pass judgment on the reasons someone else chooses differently from us. No one knows the heart of another; God alone knows those things. Clearly, if someone is doing something that is improper or sacrilegious, we have a moral obligation to say something. However, when another is making a legitimate choice, he or she is free to do so. We all need to be conscious of the importance of exercising charity, especially with one another. As we prepare to embark on our Lenten journey, please take time to pray and ponder what you need to do (and not do) to make this a truly fruitful Lent. Taking time for prayer and reflection and asking the Lord to guide you in choosing your Lenten sacrifices and works of charity, is a wonderful way to prepare for and to receive the full grace of this special season of the liturgical year. Penance, of course, is a regular part of Catholic life. Every Friday throughout the year is a day of penance. During Lent, every Friday is a day of abstinence from meat; outside of Lent, one may choose an alternative form of penance. Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fasting for those between the ages of 14 and 60. Let us pray for one another that our Lenten observances may help us grow in holiness, become more attentive to the promptings of the Spirit, and be instruments of the light of Christ in the world.

From the Pastor - 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time

By John Putnam • February 6, 2026
Today’s readings are both encouragement and instruction for us as Christian stewards. They offer clear direction on what matters most to God and how He calls us to use the gifts He has entrusted to us. In the first reading, the prophet Isaiah gives us straightforward guidance: “Share your bread with the hungry, shelter the oppressed and the homeless; clothe the naked when you see them, and do not turn your back on your own.” There is no ambiguity here. Caring for our brothers and sisters in need is not optional — it is a fundamental responsibility of the Christian steward. Yet the Lord also reminds us of His generosity when we live this way. “Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your wound shall quickly be healed.” When we give of ourselves, we do not lose — we gain. God’s grace grows within us, and we experience deeper joy and peace as our lives become more aligned with His will. In the Gospel, Jesus speaks plainly to His disciples — and to us — calling us the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world.” But salt loses its purpose if it goes stale, and light cannot shine if it is hidden. Our faith must be lived, not concealed. We are called to act so that others may see the way we serve, how we care for the vulnerable, how we prioritize our families, and above all, how we love God — and through our witness, give glory to Him. Pastoral Pondering With everything that’s been going on in Minneapolis and in other areas of the country, I have had a number of folks ask me how we should respond as Catholics. The following is my opinion, based on sound Catholic teaching. First and foremost, Catholics are called to respond to civil unrest neither with indifference nor with partisan reflex, but with faith‑formed conscience, rooted in the Gospel, the dignity of the human person, and the pursuit of the common good.  The Church offers clear moral principles—even when facts are still unfolding or emotions are intense. 1. Begin with the Dignity of Every Human Life The Catholic response must start with mourning the loss of life, regardless of ideology, immigration status, profession, or political alignment. Recent unrest in Minneapolis followed multiple fatal shootings involving federal agents, resulting in the deaths of American citizens and triggering widespread protests and confrontations. Archbishop Paul Coakley, president of the USCCB, emphasized: “Peace is built on respect for people… Public authorities especially have a responsibility to safeguard the well‑being of people in service to the common good.” Catholics must resist any rhetoric that dehumanizes protesters, immigrants, law‑enforcement officers, or public officials. Every person involved is made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27; USCCB, Life and Dignity of the Human Person). 2. Reject Violence — from Any Side The Church is unequivocal: violence against persons is morally unacceptable, whether it comes from rioters, vigilantes, or excessive use of force by authorities. Recent demonstrations in Minneapolis have included street takeovers, clashes with law enforcement, and use of tear gas, batons, and flash‑bangs. Catholic leaders have consistently called for restraint and nonviolence. Also, as Bishop Robert Barron warned, destroying property, interfering with law enforcement or intimidation or mob action do not advance justice and instead deepen wounds. The same can be said of the disruption of church services. At the same time, the Church also insists that the use of state power must be proportionate and accountable, especially when lethal force is involved (CCC §§2263–2267). 3. Pray — Publicly and Persistently — for Peace and Conversion The Church’s first response is spiritual, not performative. In January 2026, Archbishop Coakley asked dioceses across the country to hold a Holy Hour for peace, explicitly in response to unrest connected to immigration enforcement and deaths in Minneapolis. As Catholics we should pray for the dead and their families, pray for healing in affected communities, pray for law‑enforcement officers placed in morally complex situations, and pray for public officials making consequential decisions. This is not passivity. It is placing the crisis under the Lordship of Christ. 4. Support Lawful Protest — Not Lawlessness Catholic teaching affirms the right to peaceful protest against injustice. The USCCB teaches that political participation, including protest, is legitimate when it respects human life, respects the rule of law, and seeks the common good rather than domination or chaos (Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship). However, Catholics must refuse participation in rioting, property destruction, intimidation, or disruption of worship (explicitly condemned by bishops). As several Catholic leaders noted, anger does not sanctify actions. 5. Insist on Truth, Due Process, and Accountability Catholics should resist both instant condemnation without facts, and blind defense without accountability. The Church supports transparent investigations, lawful oversight of enforcement agencies, and respect for constitutional and human rights. Ongoing legal review and court interventions in Minnesota illustrate the importance of due process in moments of unrest. 6. Engage Politically — but Never Reduce Faith to Politics Catholics may contact elected officials, advocate for humane immigration policies, and support reforms aligned with human dignity. But the bishops repeatedly warn against substituting ideology for the Gospel. As Catholic World Report summarized: “The current climate of fear and polarization… does not meet the standard set by Christ in the Gospel.” No party, platform, or protest movement substitutes for Christian charity and moral clarity. 7. Build Peace Locally Finally, Catholics are called to act close to home by supporting local parishes offering prayer or aid, participating in dialogue rather than online outrage, and assisting immigrants, families of victims, and first responders. Catholic Social Teaching emphasizes that peace is built from the ground up, in families, parishes, and neighborhoods (Call to Community and Participation).