Pastor’s Note June 28, 2026

Dear Parishioners:

There’s an endearing social media trend that features a leader, like a coach, boss, or parent, blindfolded and sitting in a chair facing the camera. Behind them, lined up, are their team members, children, or friends. One by one, they step up to the blindfolded person, say a stock greeting, and wait for their leader to try to identify them. The goal, of course, is for the leader to correctly name each of their people by voice. Funny or embarrassing moments break out when the person in the chair goofs and mistakes the person for someone else. Sometimes the person in the chair is so incredulous and breaks posture to see for themselves who it really is. I imagine that it’s a tough break for the person in line when their leader mistakes them for someone else or, worse yet, is stumped. It goes to show that we don’t like to be mistaken for someone else— and yet, is that not what Jesus teaches in the Gospel today? Speaking to his followers, whom he will send out to proclaim good news, he states that those who receive them, receive Jesus, and by extension, his heavenly Father. The encounter of these followers with others are to be marked by a certain “mistaken identity.” When others meet, hear, encounter, and develop friendships with Jesus’ followers, they are meant to be mistaken…not in a way that erases their identity, but shows them at heart to be transformed by the message and love of Jesus. How lovely for others to so encounter you and me as followers of Jesus!

God’s peace,

Fr. John