Sunday July 6th, 2025 – Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dear Sisters & Brothers,
July 15, 2012, is a day that is burned into my memory. That year, the Sunday gospel readings were from the Gospel of Mark, and on July 15, Mark’s version of the sending of the disciples was proclaimed. (At Mass this weekend, we hear Luke’s version proclaimed.)
As Jesus sends the disciples out to proclaim, “The kingdom of God is at hand for you,” he tells them what they must leave behind. They were to leave behind their money bags, sacks, and even sandals for this journey. I wonder if that directive was confusing for those first disciples. How would they be able to do their work without these seemingly necessary items? Whatever their thoughts were at the beginning of their journey, they returned to Jesus full of excitement and rejoicing at what they had accomplished with the power he had given them. The power of the Lord enabled them to leave behind what they thought they needed, and their mission flourished.
This past June 27th, I celebrated thirteen years of sobriety from alcohol. When I proclaimed this gospel on July 15, 2012, it had been nineteen days since I had had a drink. I was not happy. I could not imagine what my life would be like if I could not drink alcohol. I had little optimism, little hope, and certainly no idea how God’s power could work in me if I would only surrender to it. Yet, when I read this passage in 2012, it was as if the Lord was speaking directly to me. At that point in my life, the Lord invited me to trust in his power in a way I never had before.
The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous has a listing of changes that will become apparent if we work the simple program of the 12 steps. One of those changes is, “We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves.” I can honestly say that I have experienced God’s power in countless ways over the past thirteen years. Leaving behind the alcohol was the first step. Similarly, those first disciples also experienced God’s power working through them, and it began with leaving behind what they did not need.
What is God asking you to leave behind today? It may or may not be an addictive substance or behavior. Perhaps it is hardness of heart, intolerance, self-centeredness, doubt, or an inflated ego. If you’re not sure, ask the Lord what he is inviting you to leave behind. When we decide to let go of what we think we cannot do without and surrender to God’s power, we will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves.
I am more than grateful for the love and support I have received from all of you in the Family of Five Parishes.
