Another Perfect Circle - 2/15/2026

It happened again. Everything I'm working on on my faith journey came together. It all fit together perfectly, intersecting in the most right places, and all in beautiful harmony.

This past Thursday I read the Chapter of the book I'm working on that dives into the Gospel of St. Matthew, Chapter 5.

My study of St. Matthew's Gospel continues, using the Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Last Thursday, I studied Chapter 5, which is the first of three chapters in Matthew well known as "the Sermon on the Mount." Jesus starts with the famous Beatitudes, and then gives authoritative instruction to His followers on following Jewish religious law. It's an important passage, and Chapters 5 - 7 warrant considerable time and attention. Prior to this beautiful re-awakening of my faith, I was, of course. well acquainted with the Beatitudes portion of the Sermon, and the "Our Father" from Chapter 6, but truthfully, most of the rest of the sermon hasn't sunk in for me the way it probably ought to have. I am working hard to rectify that.

On Friday, Taking a break from my study of Chapter 6, I looked on YouTube. I caught a very moving and meaningful video by Ana Munley on her YouTube Channel, "After Mass." In it, Ana reacts to an emotional message from actor James Van Der Beek (Dawson Creek). I really didn't know who James was until I heard that he had passed away last week. I saw a reel with his face going around online, but I didn't watch it, as I didn't know him or what it was about. Now I do. James' message and Ana's reaction to it are worth a few minutes. Take it in. Their messages are powerful. Trust me, James and Ana say it better than I can.

Ana Munley Reacts to James Van Der Beek 

Ana's response to when James spoke in an effort to accommodate people who don't have God or believe in Him was powerful in my ears. It IS from God that we enjoy our life, and from whom all dignity and meaning come. God loves us the same, whether we're having a good day, a bad day, we're well or sick, in our worst situation and at hour best self, God's love is immense and remains unchanged, no matter where we're at in our journey. Brava Ana. (Bravo is for boys, and brava is for girls.)

This morning, don't you know, at Mass the Gospel reading was... guess... of course, Matthew, 5:17-37, from the very same Sermon on the Mount I've been studying. I was able to hear the Gospel with new ears, having studied the passage using my Ignatius Catholic Study Bible last month, and the Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture just last week. Then, after the Gospel reading, Father Steven turned on his microphone and began to preach.

A(nother) beautiful homily. The brilliant Father Steven Olds. He really is. Father talked about the scripture and how it fits in our lives as Christians. As we move into the Liturgical Season of Lent, he talked about how God loves us, no matter what... when we sin, fall short, always. I am not kidding, had he given this homily as a response to the Ana Munley After Mass video I linked above, it would have made perfect, absolute sense: a cohesive, natural follow on to help drive the point home. When God puts words into my ears over and over, maybe I oughta listen. Ya think?

I can't help but think the circle was perfect again: my (very) recent reading and study of Matthew and the Matthew Chapter 5 Gospel reading today. Then Father Steven's homily on that Gospel and his words a perfect dovetail back to Ana's comments on God and His unwavering love for us... congruous, harmony.

Sometimes I think God may be talking to me. Other times, I'm quite certain of it.

This is "other times."

On an unrelated note: a man who I don't know had a medical emergency during Mass. He had to be taken out on a rolling stretcher by Charlotte County EMS. I don't know him or his condition, but I hope he is well this evening. He'll be in my prayers.

Have a lovely evening, friends. May God bless us all. Goodnight.

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