Fr. Bob’s Weekly Reflections

Some time ago, a newspaper columnist shared a story about an important moment in his early life. Long before he became a writer, he served as a pilot in the Royal Air Force, bunking with 30 other men during his training. On his very first night, he faced a personal dilemma.

I once read a story about a man from a small town in Alabama who had become quite wealthy. Wanting to make a difference, he began giving his money away. He first made a generous donation to his church. He then donated land and funded the construction of a children’s playground. Finally, through a grant, he offered several million dollars to upgrade a local hospital.

In 1923, a notable meeting took place at the Edgewater Hotel in Chicago. In attendance were some of the most powerful men in America: the president of the largest steel company, the president of the largest gas company, the president of the New York Stock Exchange, one of Wall Street’s most influential investors, and even a member of President Warren G. Harding’s cabinet.

Many years ago, a remarkable psychiatrist named Karl Menninger wrote a book titled, “Whatever Became of Sin?” In one chapter, he boldly quoted the First Letter of John: “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”

We read a beautiful story today about Martha and Mary. Now, I’m not going to weigh in on who was right and who was wrong. The truth is, there’s a time and a place for both reflection and action; for prayer and for work.

We can learn an important lesson from the lawyer in our Gospel story. He stood up to test Jesus with a question. He wasn’t seeking truth. He was looking for control and a definition.

In the 1980s, a magazine ran a curious story. A man returned to his car, which was parked outside a large shopping mall. Resting on the front seat was a note. It read, “Dear Sir or Madam, I fully intended to steal your car, until I saw your ‘Peace be with you’ bumper sticker. 

A hero can be anyone. A rock star, a public servant, an athlete or a spiritual figure. Heroes often emerge in times of need and struggle – in times of crisis and tragedy. Someone once said, “A hero is no braver than anyone else – but a hero is braver five minutes longer.”

Have you ever felt invisible? Like no one really sees you? Most of us have. Imagine being at a party, trying to strike up a conversation, only to have someone politely excuse themselves. They say, “Oh, I see a friend of mine,” as they walk away. So, you retreat to the punch bowl, debating which kind of cheese to put on your cracker.

Today we celebrate Trinity Sunday, the mystery at the center of our faith: that there is one God in three persons – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It remains beyond our understanding. Each person of the Trinity is truly and fully God, yet they are not the same: the Father is not the Son, the Son is not the Spirit and the Spirit is not the Father. It is a divine mystery we could not grasp or believe, if Jesus Himself had not revealed it to us.

Many might remember the 1980 Winter Olympics, held in Lake Placid, New York. That year, the United States men’s hockey team wasn’t expected to go far. Made up of young, inexperienced college players, they were crushed in a warm-up game by the dominant Russian team.

The four Gospels are full of challenges. “Love one another, as I have loved you.” “If you would be perfect, sell what you have and give to the poor.” “Take up your cross daily.” “Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”

Today, we reflect on the last discourse of Jesus. He tells His disciples, “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you.” It sounds simple enough. We all know what peace is. But the peace of Christ is far from simple.

In 1996, a 21-year-old man from Chicago named Peter suffered severe head injuries in a car accident, leaving him in a coma with significant brain damage. Doctors gave little hope for his survival or recovery. 

Every time I see the phrase “In God we trust” printed on money, I can’t help but smirk at its irony. Many of us who chase, hold, or spend that money give little thought to trusting in God. Instead, we place our trust in the money itself, or in our own ability to earn it.