Welcome, friends! It is so good to be with you today. As we step into the final days of May, specifically Saturday, May 30, 2026, the Church hands us a beautiful set of readings that speak directly to the heart of what it means to be a follower of Christ in a world that often feels like a desert.
Whether you are sipping your morning coffee, taking a break at work, or reflecting in a quiet moment at home, I want to invite you to dive into the wisdom of St. Jude, the challenge of the Gospel of Mark, and the deep longing found in Psalm 63. Together, we will see how these ancient words connect to our modern lives and the vital work we do through the Society of St. Peter the Apostle (SPA).
Authority and Truth: Beyond the Status Quo
In the Gospel reading today (Mark 11:27-33), we find Jesus walking in the Temple area of Jerusalem. He is immediately confronted by the "who's who" of religious authority: the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. They have a question for Him: “By what authority are you doing these things? Or who gave you this authority to do them?”
On the surface, it seems like a fair question. In any organized society, authority matters. But if we look closer at the hearts of these leaders, we see something else. They aren't actually seeking the truth. They aren't asking because they want to follow God more closely. Instead, they are worried about their own status, their power, and how the public will react.
Jesus, knowing their hearts, poses a counter-question about John the Baptist. Suddenly, the leaders are stuck. They start calculating: "If we say 'from heaven,' He’ll ask why we didn't believe him. If we say 'of human origin,' the crowd will turn on us."
Isn't that just like our human nature sometimes? We can become so concerned with what the "crowd" thinks or how a situation affects our reputation that we completely miss the Truth standing right in front of us. Jesus shows us that true authority isn't about control or social standing; it is rooted in the Truth that comes from the Father. When we live in the Truth, we don't have to play political games with our faith. We can simply walk with the Lord.
Building Our Faith: A Roadmap for Growth
While the Gospel warns us against the misuse of authority, the letter of St. Jude (Jude 17, 20b-25) gives us a very practical roadmap for how to actually live out our faith. Jude was writing to a community that was facing a lot of confusion and false teachings, much like we do today.
He doesn't tell them to just sit back and hope for the best. He calls for proactive spiritual growth. Look at the three pillars he gives us:
- Build yourselves up on your most holy faith. This means our faith isn't a finished product; it’s a construction project! We need to study, learn, and grow every day.
- Pray in the Holy Spirit. This isn't just about saying words; it's about inviting the Spirit to breathe through our prayers, making them a living conversation with God.
- Keep yourselves in the love of God. We have to intentionally stay within the "atmosphere" of God’s love. Like staying in the sun to keep warm, we stay in the sacraments and in community to keep our hearts on fire.
This is a beautiful reminder that being a Catholic isn't a spectator sport. It’s an active, daily choice to move toward Christ.
Mercy for the Wavering: A Community of Support
One of the most moving parts of today’s reading from Jude is his instruction on how to handle those who are struggling. He says, “Show mercy to those who doubt.”
Faith isn't always easy. We all go through seasons where the "dry, weary land" of life makes us feel distant from God. Some of us might be struggling with intellectual doubts, while others might be feeling the weight of suffering or disappointment.
As a Church, we aren't called to judge or cast out those who are wavering. We are called to be a community that "snatches them out of the fire." We are called to be the hands and feet of Christ, offering mercy and a steady hand to help our brothers and sisters find their footing again. This is the heart of missionary discipleship, not just reaching the "unchurched" far away, but supporting the "wavering" right next to us in the pew.
Thirsting for the Lord: The Cry of the Soul
If the Gospel is about authority and Jude is about action, Psalm 63 is about the deep interior longing of the human heart. "O God, you are my God, for you I long; for you my soul is thirsting."
The Psalmist compares his soul to a “dry, weary land without water.” Have you ever felt that way? Have you ever reached a point where you realized that no amount of success, no possession, and no relationship on earth could truly satisfy that deep ache inside?
That "thirst" is actually a gift. It is the homing beacon God placed in your soul to lead you back to Him. As St. Augustine famously said, "Our hearts are restless until they rest in Thee." Nothing in this world can quench that thirst except the "living water" that Jesus offers.
Connecting to the Mission: Quenching the Global Thirst
This "thirst for God" isn't just a metaphor for us in the West; it is a physical and spiritual reality for millions of people across the globe. This is where our mission through the Pontifical Mission Societies and specifically the Society of St. Peter the Apostle (SPA) comes into play.
In many mission territories, the thirst for the Eucharist and the Sacraments is palpable. I have heard stories of families who walk for eight or ten hours through rugged terrain just to attend a single Mass. They are literally the "dry, weary land" longing for the presence of Christ.
However, for them to encounter the authority and mercy of Christ in the Sacraments, they need priests and religious sisters. They need local leaders who speak their language, understand their culture, and can walk with them in their daily struggles.
Since 1889, the Society of St. Peter the Apostle has been dedicated to one primary goal: developing indigenous clergy. We believe that the best way to ensure sustainable, locally-led church growth is to support the formation of seminarians and religious novices in their own countries.
When you support SPA, you are doing exactly what St. Jude asked:
- You are building up the faith of new communities.
- You are providing the mercy of Christ to those who waver by ensuring a priest is there to hear their confession and offer guidance.
- You are quenching the thirst of thousands by helping to train the "living water" carriers, the future priests and sisters of Africa, Asia, and Oceania.
Every scholarship for a seminarian or every subsidy for a mission seminary is a drop of water in the desert. It is a way of saying to our global family, "We see your thirst, and we are with you."
Reflection: Bringing It Home
As we reflect on these readings today, I’d like to leave you with two questions to carry in your heart:
- Whose authority are you seeking? In your daily decisions, are you more worried about what the "crowd" (social media, friends, coworkers) thinks, or are you seeking the Truth that comes from God?
- Where do you feel that "thirst" most strongly? Instead of trying to drown out that restlessness with distractions, can you bring it to the Lord today and ask Him to fill you with His peace?
Conclusion
"My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord." Let that be our prayer today and every day. Let’s not be afraid of our thirst, but let it drive us closer to the heart of Jesus.
Thank you for being part of this mission. Your prayers and your support for the Society of St. Peter the Apostle are making a tangible difference in the lives of those who are seeking God in the furthest corners of the world. You are helping to build a Church that is truly universal, truly local, and truly alive.
God bless you, and may you find rest in His love today.
, Fr. ADD
About the Society of St. Peter the Apostle (SPA):
As one of the four Pontifical Mission Societies, SPA is the primary Catholic organization dedicated specifically to developing indigenous clergy in mission areas. We provide subsidies for the daily needs of seminarians, fund the construction of seminaries, and provide scholarships for future seminary educators. To learn more or to support a seminarian today, please visit our official website.