Joyful Perseverance (Homily-14th Sunday Ordinary Tme)

I hope everyone is had a wonderful 4th of July Holiday. The holidays always bring about certain feelings and thoughts for me. Thanksgiving is a time to reminisce about past family members and to share our stories. Christmas is a time to be and share with our immediate families; our parents, spouses, siblings and children. Easter is a time to more closely examine our spiritual life as we look at the passion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Independence Day seems to be a time to review the state of affairs of our country and of the World. When we review the world in light of our faith, all does not seem well.

There is religious confrontation everywhere. Today, over 2000 years after the death and resurrection of Jesus, people are still be martyred for their belief in the Son of God. If you search the Internet for Catholic news and information you now find more and more conflict among those of the same faith. Comments and rebuttals are mean spirited and confrontational.

Just over a week ago we hear and read of the decision by the Supreme Court to redefine the definition of marriage. As a parent and grandparent, I cannot help but wonder that the rights and freedoms I now enjoy will be the same for my children and grandchildren. Will they be able to practice their faith as we do today or will their faith be governed by secular law.

The good things even remind us of how much change will be needed by the inhabitants of our world. Pope Francis recently released his encyclical on the environment. It is a very thought provoking document and is presented in words that are meant to inspire us not condemn us. I, as a parent and grandparent, cannot help but be anxious. I wonder what type of world we are leaving our children and grandchildren. Will the environment be one that is representative of the world God created for Adam and Eve or will it be one of heat and decay.