A friend of mine sent me this last week. She has a friend who lives in a retirement community in the Sarasota area where a retired priest, Fr. Henry, says Mass. The friend passed on his homily from Sunday, July 6th.
“We’re Not Different Political Parties-We’re People”
In today’s Gospel (Luke 10:1-12, 17-20), Jesus sends out 72 of His followers, two by two.
He tells them to bring peace, to help the sick, and to let people know: “God’s Kingdom is close.”
But He also warns them: “I’m sending you like lambs among wolves.”
That was NOT just a nice image. It was-and still is-a real warning. Even in the early Church, the problems didn’t just come from outside enemies. Sometimes the trouble was inside the Church itself.
One big argument back then was in our second reading from Saint Paul ( Galatians 6:14-18). “Did people who were NOT Jewish need to be circumcised to be saved?”
Many said yes. Saint Paul firmly said no. Paul believed that being saved had nothing to do with “rituals or old customs.” However, everything ultimately hinges on faith in Jesus.
He wrote, “In Christ Jesus, it doesn’t matter if you are circumcised or not.
What matters is faith, working through love” (Galatians 5:6).
Now let’s jump ahead 2,000 years. We’re not arguing about circumcision anymore.
But we sure are still arguing. My workout group is 8 years old. Politics got discussed, and it ended the group. I love cooking for parishioners. I must choose wisely who I invite due to politics. My golf group does not discuss religion or politics. Our group has been together for over 30 years!
But shouldn’t we be able to discuss different perspectives on a subject? IN OUR HIGH SCHOOL DEBATE TEAM…..WE DEBATED ISSUES, WE TALKED ABOUT THEM.
This division in our country is not healthy! I seldom watch the news, and if I do, it’s just the World News. Today, it’s not Jews and Greeks and circumcision. It’s red states and blue states. Republicans and Democrats. Liberal Catholics and Conservative Catholics, and that is even among the clergy! VERY OBVIOUS IN THE MOVIE “THE CONCLAVE.”
I BELIEVE THESE DIVISIONS AMONG ALL CHRISTIANS MAKE SATAN VERY HAPPY!!!!
News shows and social media have made it easy to stay in our bubbles. Many people won’t even talk to someone who disagrees with them. However, we still claim to be one nation under God. And more importantly, one Body in Christ.
Let’s be honest: Jesus didn’t die so we could join a political party. He didn’t rise from the dead so we could post jokes about people we disagree with. He came so we could be close to God-and close to each other.
Saint Paul also wrote: “There is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female.
You are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). Today, Jesus might say: “There is no red or blue state. No vaccinated or unvaccinated. No FOX, MSNBC, or CNN viewer. You are all one in Christ.” The Church should be a place where walls fall. Where we don’t say, “I’m right and you’re wrong.” But instead, “Let’s sit down and eat together.” And maybe, lighten up a little.
I believe our message from the scriptures this weekend is: Stop fighting. Start loving. Let go of the labels. Hold on to Jesus Christ.
A priest told me about a visit to a kindergarten class on religion. He asked, “Does anyone know what you have to do to get to heaven?”
One boy raised his hand and said, “Yes, Father! You gotta be dead!”
That’s one thing we all agree on! Rich or poor, red or blue, circumcised or not-we all leave the same way. And we all meet the same God.
So this week, let’s try to go out like those first disciples: Light on our feet. No grudges. No divisions. No political baggage. Just the peace of Jesus Christ. The desire to help others. And the strength to see everyone as family. At the gates of heaven, God won’t ask who you voted for. Or how much money is in your portfolio?
He’ll ask: Did you love? Did you forgive? Did you try to follow my Son? We’re not Republicans. We’re not Democrats. We’re not rich. We’re not poor. We ARE disciples of JESUS CHRIST! And Jesus didn’t die for a party or wealth. He died for people. He died for you. He died for me. He died for everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Amen.
Thanks to Father Henry for sharing this Message.
Is what Father Henry is saying in his homily possible to be achieved? If not, why not? If this is not the answer, what is….the 2026 and 2028 elections?
JESUS DIDN’T ONLY COME TO MAKE BAD PEOPLE GOOD. JESUS CAME TO MAKE DEAD PEOPLE ALIVE!
Someone you know will profit from today’s message, please share it.
