May 3, 2026
Dear Friends,
The gospel passage we hear proclaimed at Mass this Sunday from the Gospel of John is one of the passages I have preached on the most during my 19 years as a priest. In fact, I would venture to guess that the same is true for most priests. That’s because the first part of the passage, John 14:1-6, is one of the most frequently read gospels at funerals. It’s understandable why so many families would select this passage for the funeral of a deceased loved one. The start of the passage speaks directly and poignantly to what a grieving family may be experiencing: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me.” It is remarkable to consider that Jesus spoke these words just hours before his own death.
Of course, this profound and beautiful passage can offer us consolation and hope not only in the face of the reality of physical death. Jesus’ words can give us strength and encouragement to respond to all kinds of “deaths”. I know that this passage has a lot to say to us as we prepare to navigate the coming together of St. Maria Goretti and St. Joseph into one new parish.
Many parishioners, especially at St. Joseph, have felt their hearts saddened and troubled since the announcement of Bishop McClory’s decision to eventually merge the parishes and to cease using St. Joseph as a worship site at some point after the merger. That reaction is natural and understandable. In fact, I would dare to say that it is holy. That’s because it comes from a deep love and gratitude for all the blessings that God has bestowed to so many people there over the years.
But, as he did with his first disciples on the night before he died, so the Risen Lord calls us to place our hope in God and in him, rather than on the sorrow our hearts may be feeling. That is why Jesus said of himself, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” By following him through the mystery of the cross and death, Jesus leads us to new life. That is true of physical death at the end of our earthly life, but it is also true of the “deaths” we experience throughout our lives: the death of a dream, the death of a relationship, the death of a community. By placing our faith in the Lord, we experience him at work in us, leading us to fuller life with him and with his Father.
That is why I see the reality we face, at this time, as a call from the Lord to place our faith in him, once again. There are many ways in which we will be asked to “die to ourselves” as we navigate the formation of a new parish. For some, the sacrifice will be greater and more difficult to accept. But if we place our faith in the Lord, then our hearts will find peace in him.
The end of today’s passage, which is not part of the gospel reading that is used at funerals, may seem a bit strange to us. Jesus says, “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father.” What may strike us as strange is Jesus’ assertion that, if we believe in him, we “will do greater works than these.” What could we possibly do that would be “greater” than what Jesus has done?
Of course, by ourselves, we could never do anything that would remotely compare to the incredible work of salvation and sanctification that Jesus has done for us. But, if we are united to the Lord through faith in him, then we can continue his work in our world, under the guidance and influence of God’s Holy Spirit. After all, in the subsequent chapters of the Gospel of John, Jesus tells his disciples that he is going to his Father so that the Spirit may be given to them. That same Spirit was given to us at Baptism and Confirmation, so that we can continue the works of the Lord.
And, ultimately, the eventual merger of St. Joseph and St. Maria Goretti, as painful as it may be for many, is meant to prepare and dispose us to continue the mission of the Lord Jesus, in the power of his Holy Spirit. This may be difficult of us to recognize or accept at this time that our hearts are troubled, which is why we need to hear and continually ponder Jesus’ words in today’s Gospel: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me.”
Peace,
Father Leo