Sacred History, Sacred Future: A Reflection on God’s Promises

Because zeal for your house has consumed me. – Psalm 69:10

Last weekend I was blessed with an opportunity to return to Milwaukee for the first time since arriving here at Saint Patrick Parish in June of 2023. I was able to administer the sacrament of baptism to a friend’s child, I was fortunate to concelebrate a Mass and offer prayers of healing for a woman I know battling cancer at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion, and I was able to visit with some priest friends who serve in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.

An unexpected highlight of my visit was the chance to spend most of Friday returning to Saint Francis de Sales Seminary where I spent six years of my life being formed for the priesthood from 2017 to 2023. The hours spent on campus were, for me, both an experience of familiarity but also of renewal as I was able to recall so many grace-filled moments that have helped shape my understanding of God, the Church, and the priesthood.

The visit to the seminary brought up some great memories but it also fostered in me great hope as I was able to walk the campus and tour where the community has begun preparing for a historic transition. Beginning in October, the seminary launched a $65 million capital campaign named “Zeal for the Lord’s House” which will be one of the largest projects in the history of the Catholic Church in Wisconsin. If you want to learn more about the campaign, you can visit https://www.sfs.edu/Zeal. Excitement for this campaign has been palpable throughout the state as more than $53 million has already been raised in just five months. Praise God.

While speaking with the seminary rector Fr. Luke Strand, I was encouraged to hear that this campaign will both honor the seminary’s past and boldly chart a new path forward. This weekend we begin hearing for 10 consecutive weeks from the first 15 chapters of the Gospel according to Luke. In the first few lines of the Gospel which we hear this weekend, Saint Luke tells us that, “I too have decided, after investigating everything accurately anew, to write it down in an orderly sequence for you…so that you may realize the certainty of the teachings you have received.”

The detail, precision, and historical depth of Luke’s Gospel ought to inspire us and give us hope in the true fulfillment of God’s promises in Christ Jesus. Whether it is in Luke’s Gospel or in any of the other 72 books of Sacred Scripture, we all can take advantage of the opportunity to immerse ourselves in sacred history so that we can then arise with greater knowledge and love for God’s great and glorious plan of salvation.

As we heed Pope Francis’ directive to honor the Bible on this Sunday of the Word of God, let us renew our commitment to read, consume, listen, and be transformed by what we have received.

Gracias a Dios.