You are loved: Homily for Sunday, June 14, 2026

You are loved. Even though we did not deserve it, Jesus offered His life for us. Jesus saves us from our sins. His love for us is so powerful He forgives our rejections of Him. But He does more. He saves us. He removes the barriers we put in the way of our salvation. He offers true freedom. He offers eternal fulfillment. Readings for Today.

You are loved

In the Lord of the Rings, there was an item that represented the quest of the entire story. The ring. Gollum saw in the ring his precious. It was all important to him, and he guarded it very completely.

This story, The Lord of the Rings, is based on a story in Plato’s Republic, The Ring of Gyges. The basic premise is similar. The one who is in possession of the ring is the one who contains such power that they are able to do just about anything.

While neither story actually happened, it described a reality that is all too common in life. We make of some thing the complete quest in our lives. For some it is power. For others, money. For still others, the perfect relationship. For others it is material possessions.

This quest, however, has one thing in common. The quest is one where some passing thing will make us totally fulfilled. This quest will require no effort on our part, but will come to us in a magical way.

In religious terms, these things are referred to as idols. They are things we seek to replace God. God knows these things, these idols are very harmful to us. When we seek these things in place of God, it is absolute destruction for us. The very things we thought would free us only enslave us.

This quest for idols has a common root cause. We forget just how important we are to God. God has such powerful love for each one of us. “You shall be my special possession.” Moreover, God does not just say we are His special possession. He shows us. “God proves his love for us.”

Even though we did not deserve it, Jesus offered His life for us. Jesus saves us from our sins. His love for us is so powerful He forgives our rejections of Him. But He does more. He saves us. He removes the barriers we put in the way of our salvation. He offers true freedom. He offers eternal fulfillment. 

We live in a world identical to the world in the gospel. “At the sight of the crowds, Jesus’ heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd.”

We have a shepherd, and yet we do not always live as if we have a shepherd. So many people are not even aware there is a shepherd. Notice, though, that Jesus does not get angry at people without a shepherd. Jesus does not get angry at people who have a shepherd but do not live as if they have a shepherd.

What is it Jesus does? He feels. He feels pity. He is sorry for people who lives are so very difficult. Jesus does more. Jesus appoints disciples to share the Good News that we not only can be saved but are saved if we accept the salvation Jesus offers to us. 

Realizing this helps us to seek out in life those things that truly fulfill. Realizing this helps us to seek out the things that last. Jesus provides the gifts we need to experience the deep love a relationship with him offers.

But to those who have been given much, much will be expected. Both the second reading and the gospel speak to us of what is required of us. We “boast of God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”

In our culture, people are advised to boast of themselves. Too often people focus on accomplishments. All too often, the accomplishments people focus on are those accomplishments that provide profit. 

As Christians, it cannot be that way with us. Jesus tells us. “When you have done all you have been commanded to do, say, “We are useless servants.”” This is not self-deprecation. It is a recognition that when we do what God commands us to do, we are simply being our best selves. 

The gospel is not about selfishness, keeping the salvation of Jesus to ourselves. Rather, it is about sharing the salvation we have received with others. Boasting of God.

So what keeps us from boasting of God? Why is it we do not share the Good News as eagerly as we should? I think it is because we really, deep inside, do not know just how much it is that God loves us. We can think we are not really loved unconditionally by God. We are not worth it. In the midst of struggles and difficulties we lose our focus on God, the focus that reminds us we are never alone.

But most often I think it is because we allow fear to overtake us. When we share the Good News, will people reject us? Will people think I am obnoxious like some who share the gospel? Will people become angry with me? Will I face persecution?

It is God who pours out upon us the gifts we need. And each of us received these gifts at our baptism. When we feel afraid of rejection, anger and persecution, God reminds us through Saint Paul we “can do all things through God who strengthens us.”

So take the time to reflect on those gifts God has given you. Ask God to make clear to you how it is God wants you to share those gifts. Look around at others here in the parish to see just how you can work together to build up the Kingdom of God. I am reminded of a phrase a Bishop of Burlington use to say to people. “Don’t go to heaven alone, bring someone with you.” So be generous and share the Good News.

On the friar, you can listen to our homilies (based on the readings of the day) and reflections. You can also ask us to pray for you or to pray for others. You can subscribe to our website to be informed whenever we publish an update.

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