WTW – What’s the Word?

Hope

TONYA: Hey there, listeners! Tonya here, and today we’re diving into the readings for the 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time.

FR. DON: This month the Sandy Hook survivors graduated high school. One of the survivors described it as their core memory of growing up, which took away a lot of the joy.

TONYA: Those poor kids.

They didn’t really get the chance to just be kids, you know? That tragedy stole a part of their childhood, and that’s not fair. But even with all that darkness, they pushed through. They grew up and graduated high school.   

FR. DON: No matter how much life can knock us down, we’ve got this spirit inside us that refuses to give up. We can heal, we can keep going, and we can make something out of the mess that’s been thrown at us. These survivors are living proof of that. They’re showing us all what it means to persevere. 

Hope in Christ

FR. DON: The readings this Sunday from Wisdom, 2 Corinthians, and Mark offer valuable insights into how we can respond to such devastating events. Sunday’s first reading remind us that God did not create death and takes no pleasure in the destruction of the living. Despite the existence of evil and suffering, this passage call us to hold onto the promise of life and salvation through faith in God. 

TONYA: Being Catholic, we’re called to deal with tragedies in a way that really puts our faith into action. It’s not just about feeling bad for those going through tough times, but about being there for them with understanding and compassion—you know, walking alongside them in their pain.

FR. DON: But more than that, we’re also called to trust in God’s plan. It can be super hard to see any good in horrible situations, but our faith reminds us that God is with us even in the darkest moments. We’re encouraged to lean on Him and find hope, even when things seem hopeless.

The second reading calls us to practice generosity and mutual love. Saint Paul urges the Corinthians to give according to their means, not out of obligation but from a desire to share in the abundance they have received from God.

TONYA: So when super sad stuff happens, like shootings at Sandy Hook,, as Catholics, we’re not just supposed to sit back and watch tragedies unfold. We’re meant to get in there, show love and empathy. We have to step up and help the people who are hurting—it’s about actually doing something to make things better. People should’s sit around and wait for the next bad thing to happen.

FR. DON: As of June 2024, it is estimated that there have been over 300 school shootings in the US since Sandy Hook. Hundreds of deaths and injuries, and have left countless students, teachers, and communities grappling with trauma and grief.

TONYA: it’s obvious that gun violence in schools is still a major problem. Like, seriously, it’s been years since Sandy Hook, and we’re still hearing about shootings happening in places that are supposed to be safe. It’s messed up that this keeps happening, and sometimes it feels like nothing’s ever gonna change. People are losing hope, and it’s hard to blame them.

FR. DON: There is hope in Christ. In the Gospel, the healing of the hemorrhaging woman and the raising of Jairus’s daughter remind us that, even in the midst of despair and suffering, we are called to bring Christ’s love and healing into situations.

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Featured Highlights

TONYA: One video I want to bring your attention to is Jeff Cavin’s “Encountering the Word” series produced by Ascension Press. He introduces us to the FIRST READING by talking about how these days we have the abundance of cool gadgets and shiny new toys. He states how quickly our tech becomes outdated. I can relate to that. It seems that every year my friends and I are buying the latest iPhone.

FR. DON:There is an illusion that our stuff isn’t good enough anymore. But listen to what Jeff Cavin’s says. In the kingdom of God he says, things are different. When God created us, He made us for eternity, with an eternal value.

TONYA: Fr. Austin Fleming begins his 2009 homily by saying “trouble comes in threes.” Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson had all died around the same time. He then says, “But the rule of three is upset now by news of the death of the daughter of Jairus!”

FR. DON: Today, a preacher could adapt this introduction by speaking of the death of Willie Mays who passed away on June 18. Donald Sutherland, a veteran actor known for his roles in “MASH,” “and “The Hunger Games,” died on June 20. And there Jerry West, the basketball player, he too died. Incidentally, did you know the NBA log is a silhouette of Jerry West dribbling a basketball?

TONYA: I think you are digressing, Father Don. What else does Father Austin say in his homily?

FR. DON: He explores the significance of faith and belief, emphasizing that nothing can hinder Jesus’s desire to touch lives, not even death or sin.

TONYA: Or school shootings.

FR. DON: Catholics believe in the power of miracles, and this story serves as a reminder of the divine intervention that can occur in our lives. It reinforces the belief that nothing is impossible with God and that His love and mercy can transcend any boundary, even death. As Catholics, our personal stories are part of a larger narrative—the story of Christ. Just as the little girl’s story became intertwined with Jesus’s story, our trials, triumphs, and experiences contribute to the ongoing narrative of Christ’s love and redemption in the world.

TONYA: It’s kinda ironic isn’t it that in the GOSPEL, the little girl’s family was instructed to keep her resurrection a secret, yet the news spread. And in the years since Sandy Hook, family members have tried to spread the message that something needs to be done about guns, and all people want to do is forget.

FR. DON: Any LOST fans out there? One of my favorite episodes from season one, “Walkabout” is featured. It relates well to the FIRST READING from the Book of Wisdom, as it explores the journey of John Locke, a survivor of the plane crash who grapples with his purpose on the island. The 3 minute video clip which is the ending to the episode still sends shivers up my spine. Who would ever have known?

TONYA: I see also on the page is a clip from Season 3 of “The Chosen” that shows the story of the Woman with the Hemorrhage, just like in this week’s Gospel. The series sticks to the Bible story, but it also dives deeper into the emotional side of things. What I really like about the scene is how it connects stuff like feeling rejected, dealing with sickness, and family drama to the biblical story. We can all relate to those things, right? And seeing it play out in this way makes the story hit even harder. So, if you’re looking for a fresh take on this Gospel story, you should definitely check out this clip. It might just give you a new perspective on the whole thing!

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New Features on Website

FR. DON: The Connections page continues to evolve. We have brought back the O.C.P. Liturgy podcast and videos of songs that fit each week’s readings. Also on the page is Fr. Frank Bird’s “Living the Word” PDF which helps young adults hear and live the message of Jesus. A list of discussions that can be used in small groups is also found on the page.

In the Who’s Who segment on the Connection the following historical figures are related to the three readings: Carl Wilkens, Bill Gates, and Marie Simon-Pierre Normand.

TONYA: Bill Gates—isn’t he the one who made billions from computers! It’s pretty crazy how he became so rich, and it’s what Jeff Cavins was talking about. I think Cavin’s called it planned obsolescence. But hey, props to Gates for giving back, right? Just like Saint Paul talked about in the second reading. 

FR. DON: Precisely. That is what we hope to show each week in the history section on the Connections page. We want to relate the readings each week to people and events. 

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Children’s Book of the Week

TONYA: We’re bringing back the super cool Children’s Book of the Week from the Markkula Center on our Children’s page! It’s seriously awesome because it helps kids understand the weekly readings by focusing on just one special word. You should totally download the PDF—it’s a great resource!

FR. DON: Yeah, I have to give credit where it’s due. The Markkula Center is actually my go-to source when I’m prepping for our Word of the Week. They do fantastic work!

TONYA: So, on the Children’s page you will find on the bottom, a read-aloud video of the book. This week’s book is “The Survivor Tree” which takes the reader on a journey of hope and healing that parallels our own nation’s journey following the events of September 11, 2001. It’s really touching, and I think you’ll love it.

FR. DON: Another tragedy. Like Sandy Hook, many lives were affected. Even years later, people who were there or lived nearby are still dealing with health issues from all the dust and debris. It’s a sobering reminder of how our world can be shaken in an instant.

TONYA: Well, that’s a wrap for this week, folks! Thanks for tuning in.

FR. DON: Goodbye, everyone, and God bless you and your families. Stay safe out there!