21 June 2026

21 June 2026 - 12th Sunday of Ordinary Time

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Reading:  

Jeremiah 20:10

Write:  

I hear the whisperings of many: “Terror on every side! Denounce! let us denounce him!”

Reflect:   

What are we supposed to do? I do not know how many of you heard about the news story from midweek about the attack that was being planned but never executed because of the work of the law enforcement organizations in our country. Did you hear it has a connection to Nebraska? An Omaha man apparently purchased an abandoned church (not a Catholic one) in Nebraska in 2023 and had plans to use it after the attack. What was this attack? Drone attacks in Washington DC to destroy buildings near the White House, followed by sniper attacks as people tried to funnel away from the event. Followed by a storming of the White House. All this in DC surrounding the big UFC fight that President Trump put together that happened as part of the America two hundred and fiftieth celebration.

Personally, you would have to pay me quite a bit of money to attend one of those fights. But there are a lot of people who like them. I cannot see the value in planned violence. And I used to like to watch boxing!

Be that as it may be, my focus this weekend is to ask: why is our country facing so many attacks in so many different areas? We appear to be heading toward peace in the Middle East, thanks be to God, but here in the United States there seems to be an ever-increasing desire for violence.

And it is taking so many different forms. Some baseball players were criticized – very harshly this week, and that is a form of violence – for writing the Bible verse pointing to the original purpose of a rainbow on their hats because there is a push during “Pride month” to legitimize immoral behavior and use the rainbow as the visible image for homosexual activity. The Scripture reference one pitcher placed on his cap was a reference to Genesis where God put the rainbow in the sky as a promise of peace between God and humanity. This is the original meaning of the rainbow, but there are those who would distort it terribly for their own immoral lifestyles. Placing this Scripture verse on the cap was simply pointing out the original meaning behind the rainbow. Yet there are those who want to see this simple declaration of truth as an attack on “homosexual ideologies.” The rainbow is God’s promise. But some saw the action of writing the Bible verse as a protest against “Pride month,” which has become a darling of liberal ideologies that I had hoped we were past.

“Terror on every side! Denounce! let us denounce him!” Jeremiah’s complaint echoes down to our time regarding people of faith. Persecutions of Christians, especially Catholics is just about the only accepted bigotry left in our society. And it is getting worse. (Sorry, I am back on this again, but the attack on people of faith is just not slowing down! The initial newscasts I heard about a church in Nebraska being involved in this Washington attack did not say that it was an abandoned church – interesting omission don’t you think?) It is a tragedy that the month of June – dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus – is also “Pride month.” I’m sorry, but I do not think that is coincidence. Demonic, but not coincidental.

The close of Jeremiah’s reading today is one of hope for us:

O LORD of hosts, you who test the just,
 who probe mind and heart,
 let me witness the vengeance you take on them,
 for to you I have entrusted my cause.
 Sing to the LORD,
 praise the LORD,
 for he has rescued the life of the poor
 from the power of the wicked!"

Who are the wicked in our country today? It all depends on who you ask. There are those who want to paint traditional Catholic morality as something very dangerous. There were people in the previous administration who chose to place conservative Catholics “under surveillance” because they thought Catholics were a danger – that they were evil. From what I can tell, that was all about the abortion issue.

When evil is called good and good is called evil, righteousness is the virtue that dies. 

Jeremiah said: “let me witness the vengeance you take on them.” God’s vengeance is not the same as ours. Thank God!

As the Responsorial Psalm said:

I have become an outcast to my brothers,
 a stranger to my mother's children,
 Because zeal for your house consumes me,
 and the insults of those who blaspheme you fall upon me.

We should expect the persecution of this world if we are going to follow Christ where he leads. Sometimes that even means splits within a family. I know because I have them in my family. I am not accepted by everyone in my family simply because I am a priest. However, Jesus had nothing but encouragement for “the Twelve.” And, I think this is why Jesus said to “fear no one.” In fact, in the gospel Jesus tells us four times not to be afraid! Seriously, how important is one hair on your head? Yet Jesus tells us that every hair is counted.

[More humor from my dad: he used to say that he had not lost any of his hair – he had it in a cigar box in his closet.]

Early in the gospel reading this weekend, Jesus tells us that what we hear whispered we are to proclaim on the housetops. A moral life makes a difference. As I said, when evil is called good and good is called evil, righteousness is the virtue that dies first.

There are far too many people who have compromised the truth. Two plus two can never equal five. God is God; we are his servants – even more we have been made his children. There are consequences to right living. So by logical extension, there are consequences to wrong living.

The close of Saint Paul’s reading today from Romans reminds us of what we have received, and what many appear to have lost:

But the gift is not like the transgression.
 For if by the transgression of the one the many died,
 how much more did the grace of God
 and the gracious gift of the one man Jesus Christ
 overflow for the many.

I do not have any kind of a solution, other than Jesus, for the problems we are facing in our society today. We need a revival of faith in the hearts of our compatriots. We need especially a revival and renewal of godly fathers. [Happy Fathers’ Day!] 

Here is a “catch phrase” from our culture: “toxic masculinity”. I think this is a terrible phrase that has done far-to-much to distort and destroy True Christian Manhood and leadership.

I believe this is why the bishops of the United States chose to consecrate our country to the Sacred Heart this year. Men who have a devotion to the Sacred Heart are stronger leaders – not just in their families, but in society. Too many people are too shallow in their faith. Too many men are not strong. Is that judgmental? So be it! We need the Heart of Jesus.

Pray/Praise:   

God our Father, in your wisdom and love you have created us and called us your own. Bless our fathers, that they may be strengthened as Christian fathers. Let the example of their faith and love shine forth. Grant that we, their sons and daughters, may honor and appreciate them always with a spirit of profound respect. St. Joseph, foster-father of Jesus and protector of the Holy Family, pray for all fathers.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.

Amen.

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