June 21, 2026
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. Rom 5:15
Jesus said to the Twelve: "Fear no one. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known." Mt 10:26
Ordinary Time gifts us with a progression of readings that often are like journeys along parallel roads. Think of Route 9 and the Northway. Route 67 and Lake Road. Route 146 and Farm to Market Road. Route 4 and 32 which sometimes share the same roadway but often travel in parallel directions.
The closing lines of our Second Reading this weekend and the opening verse of the Gospel do not automatically connect for me. As I prayed over the readings, including the Hebrew Scripture account that calls us to trust in God even in the midst of violent opposition and crippling fear, I realized that they all bring us to a deeper meaning that escaped me at first. Like our local roads, sometimes we arrive at the same destination even when we travel different paths.
A recent road closure for bridge work on the fastest route from Stillwater to Ushers Road in Round Lake gave me pause to reflect, much like a yield sign inviting us to slow down and take notice. Our readings this weekend express their themes in different ways and yet ultimately bring us to the same place.
Our first reading begins with Jeremiah saying: "I hear the whisperings of many: 'Terror on every side!'" Jer 20:10 This is not the most welcoming or optimistic beginning to a passage that will find an easy path. The road is bumpy. There are detours and obstacles. Jeremiah experiences opposition, isolation, and rejection. Somehow he makes it through and finds himself returning to God.
Paul assures the Romans that God's grace is greater than any past sin, even as he candidly challenges the routes that people have chosen to travel. In fact, Paul speaks of the "transgression" of Adam. Interestingly, the word transgression itself comes from the idea of crossing a moral boundary or stepping off the proper path. Adam took a wrong turn. We have all taken wrong turns. We have all crossed lines, traveled down roads that got us lost or found us farther away than we ever intended.
Unlike the adage, “Life is a journey, not a destination”, Paul actually stresses where we are going instead of focusing on the detours. Paul redirects us with the hope that God's grace is greater than anything that drives us away from whom we are called to be. The Gospel of Matthew shares an important direction of Jesus that otherwise would take us off track: "Fear no one." God’s love is the fuel we need to keep moving. In turn, we are called to provide what others need as well for their journey.
Before taking a break for the summer, the parish gym at All Saints on the Hudson was filled to capacity by people of all generations fueling up for their journey. Volunteers and lay ministers from both our parishes and the greater community served meals as they have done monthly for those who needed a bit of pause to enjoy some refreshment and hospitality.
The origins of this ministry began long ago. Before the pandemic, members of Corpus Christi were the driving forces behind “The Table of Plenty.” Reaching out to a community in the inner city of Albany that often found itself isolated and alone, this ministry sought to provide the comfort of healthy food and loving concern. More importantly, as people came to share a common meal, they found themselves as sharers of the same journey.
In recent years, as that ministry evolved and found new directions, its leaders discovered a new path. Corpus Christi co-piloted with members of All Saints on the Hudson and brought their efforts to Mechanicville. While the needs may differ, the mission remains the same: bringing people together and overcoming the roadblocks that sometimes separate us. What emerged was not merely a meal but a ministry of welcome, dignity, and love.
One of my greatest delights as pastor this past Wednesday afternoon was seeing volunteers and ministers serving side by side. Another, often underappreciated, jewel of community outreach at All Saints on the Hudson is the Mother Teresa Thrift Store. Always open and patronized by the luncheon goers, it provides an incredible service through clothing, household goods, and countless practical necessities, including items that benefit children. More than merely enhancing the lives of its customers, I’ve been able to see how many times it benefits those who give as well as receive. The ministry offers a meaningful way to donate items that are no longer of use because of downsizing or because they were the possession of loved ones that have passed on. The donations are given new life, sometimes rerouted toward a new destination, bringing help, dignity, and hope to others.
My reflection may have wandered off the original path a bit and down other paths, but let me wind down my journey with a return to the Scriptures. I am reminded of how I was first taught how to drive a homily. A liturgist once encouraged us to begin with the Gospel and identify its central theme. At that point we map out our direction by looking to the Hebrew Scriptures to discover where God's people traveled similar roads in the past. The Psalm becomes our play list, enhancing the mood we might be in or coaxing us into a better outlook. At that point we are called to look at the Christian Scriptures to see how the early Church found its direction for the future.
Through it all, whether we are in the driver’s seat or along from the ride, we need to appreciate Jesus Christ as our compass and guide. This week, He tells us not to be afraid when our emotions take us down a dark path; He encourages us to move forward.
The road of life sometimes feels like a scenic highway and yet at times the clouds threaten and the path becomes dark and winding. We often encounter unexpected detours or find ourselves stranded on the side of the road. Then something happens. The sun pierces the darkness and a Good Samaritan or two provide us the comfort we need to begin again.
One of the greatest co-pilots we have is the Queen of Peace, our Blessed Mother. Sometimes we would rather not ask for directions but she will always bring us home and unite us with her Son. It reminds me of a prayer shared with me over thirty years ago by dear friends from Maryland: “May Our Lady of the Highway be with you, for all her ways are beautiful and all her paths lead to peace."
God bless our Fathers as we celebrate Father’s Day. God bless you. Godspeed on your journey!