The liturgical calendar for Wednesday, July 1, 2026, marking the 13th Week in Ordinary Time, presents a profound intersection of scriptural mandate and missionary history. On this day, the Catholic Church observes the Optional Memorial of St. Junípero Serra, an 18th-century Franciscan friar whose life serves as a bridge between the ancient prophetic calls for justice and the modern mission of the Society of St. Peter the Apostle (SPA). The readings for the day, Amos 5:14-15, 21-24 and Matthew 8:28-34, delineate a theological framework where authentic worship is inseparable from concrete acts of righteousness and the exercise of divine authority over darkness.
The Prophetic Mandate: Justice as the Measure of Worship
The first reading from the Prophet Amos offers one of the most significant critiques of religious institutionalism in the Old Testament. Writing in the 8th century B.C., Amos addressed a society characterized by material prosperity and rigorous religious observance, yet deeply fractured by social inequality and the exploitation of the vulnerable.
The passage begins with a categorical imperative: “Seek good and not evil, that you may live.” This command establishes a moral prerequisite for the reception of divine favor. Amos asserts that the presence of the Lord is not guaranteed by the performance of ritual alone but is contingent upon the establishment of justice "in the gate", the public square where legal and economic decisions were historically adjudicated.
The divine rejection of external ritual in Amos 5:21-23 is stark. The text records God’s disdain for festivals, assemblies, and sacrifices that lack an underlying foundation of social integrity. The rejection extends even to sacred music, described as "noise" when disconnected from the moral life of the community. The resolution to this tension is found in the iconic imagery of Amos 5:24: “But let justice surge like waters, and goodness like an unfailing stream.”
In this context, justice (mishpat) refers to the structural fairness of the community, while righteousness (tsedaqah) refers to the right relationship between individuals and God. The metaphor of a "never-failing stream" contrasts with the seasonal wadis of the Middle East, which provide water only intermittently. Authentic faith, according to Amos, must be a perennial source of life that consistently shapes the socio-political landscape.
Divine Authority in the Gadarenes: The Liberation of the Oppressed
The Gospel according to Matthew (8:28-34) transitions from the prophetic call for justice to the manifest power of the Son of God. The narrative depicts Jesus entering the territory of the Gadarenes, a predominantly Gentile region characterized by the presence of a herd of swine.
Jesus encounters two individuals possessed by demons, dwelling among tombs and exhibiting such violence that the local population avoided the area. The presence of the demoniacs represented a "no-go zone," a site of spiritual and social desolation where human dignity had been eclipsed by darkness.
The interaction is defined by Christ’s absolute authority. The demons recognize Jesus’ identity and his role as judge, asking if he has come to torment them "before the appointed time." With a single command, "Go!", Jesus liberates the men. This act of power demonstrates that no region, whether geographical or spiritual, is beyond the reach of divine mercy.
However, the response of the townspeople provides a sobering counterpoint to the miracle. Upon witnessing the loss of the swine and the restoration of the men, the entire town "begged him to leave their district." This reaction suggests that the disruptive nature of divine power, which prioritizes the restoration of human persons over economic stability or social status quo, can be perceived as a threat. The liberation of the oppressed often requires a reordering of priorities that a society may not be prepared to accept.
The Missionary Legacy: St. Junípero Serra and the Frontier of Faith
The theological themes of Amos and Matthew find historical expression in the life of St. Junípero Serra, whose memorial is observed on July 1. Known as the "Apostle of California," Serra founded the first nine of twenty-one Spanish missions in California, beginning in 1769.
Serra’s personal motto, "Siempre Adelante" (Always Forward, Never Back), serves as a practical application of the prophetic and gospel mandates. His mission was focused on bringing the sacramental life and the message of the Gospel to indigenous populations on the geographical peripheries.
Within the framework of today’s readings, Serra’s work represents a commitment to seeking the "good" in new frontiers and exercising the authority of the Church to bring peace to "messy" human contexts. His legacy, while historically complex, highlights the essential missionary impulse of the Church: to move toward those in the "tombs" of society and to ensure that the "stream of justice" reaches every corner of the earth.
The Role of the Society of St. Peter the Apostle (SPA)
The contemporary mission of the Society of St. Peter the Apostle (SPA) is a direct continuation of this biblical and historical trajectory. Established in 1889 by Stephanie and Jeanne Bigard, SPA is the primary Catholic organization dedicated specifically to the development of indigenous clergy and religious sisters in mission territories.
The work of SPA is rooted in the principle of self-sustainability and local leadership. By supporting the formation of seminarians and novices in their own countries, SPA ensures that the "stream of justice" mentioned by Amos is not a foreign imposition but a local reality. Local priests and religious are uniquely positioned to:
- Identify and address specific social injustices within their own communities.
- Provide spiritual and pastoral authority in areas of conflict or "spiritual no-go zones."
- Lead the local Church "Siempre Adelante" toward maturity and independence.
The Society provides several forms of critical support to achieve these ends:
- Ordinary Subsidies: Funding for the daily needs and education of seminarians and religious novices.
- Extraordinary Subsidies: Financial assistance for the construction, renovation, and maintenance of seminaries.
- Scholarships: Support for the advanced education of future seminary formators and educators.
- Mass Intentions: A spiritual and financial mechanism to support the work of mission clergy.
By moving beyond the ritual of simple donation and engaging in the structural support of clergy formation, the faithful participate in a global act of justice. This support empowers local leaders to become the agents of Christ’s liberating power in the modern "Gadarenes" of poverty, illness, and social fragmentation.
Theological Synthesis: From Ritual to Reality
The convergence of Amos, Matthew, and the life of St. Junípero Serra points toward a unified vision of the Christian life. Ritual and prayer are not ends in themselves; they are the sources from which the "stream of justice" must flow.
When the Prophet Amos calls for justice to surge like water, he is calling for a faith that is visible in the way the most vulnerable members of society are treated. When Jesus casts out demons in the Gadarenes, he demonstrates that faith carries the power to transform the most difficult human circumstances. When St. Junípero Serra moved "always forward," he embodied the courage required to bring this faith to life in the world.
For the modern believer, this suggests a critical examination of spiritual practice. If one’s participation in the Mass or personal prayer does not lead to a greater commitment to justice or a willingness to address the "darkness" in one’s own community, it risks becoming the "noise" condemned by Amos. Conversely, when ritual is joined to a life of mission and service, it becomes a powerful participation in the life of God.
Conclusion and Call to Action
The call to "seek good and not evil" is a daily invitation to join the mission of the Church. The Society of St. Peter the Apostle invites all members of the faithful to turn their prayer and generosity into a lasting legacy of faith and justice.
Support for the formation of indigenous clergy is a primary way to ensure that the Gospel continues to reach the ends of the earth and that local communities have the spiritual leadership necessary to thrive.
Individuals and parishes are encouraged to support this mission through:
- Direct contributions to the Society of St. Peter the Apostle.
- Requesting Mass Intentions for the support of mission seminaries.
- Educational initiatives to raise awareness of the need for indigenous clergy.
For more information on how to support the development of local clergy in mission territories, please visit the official website of The Society of St. Peter the Apostle.
The Pontifical Mission Societies
70 West 36th St, 8th Floor
New York, NY 10018
(212) 563-8700
( Fr.) ADD