The Branches

Sing to the Lord, praise the Lord, for he has rescued the life of the poor from the power of the evildoers! 
(Jeremiah 20:13) 

June 23, 2026

Hello Everyone —

The story is told about an earnest young man who once set out for a remote island to visit an old monk who had the reputation for great sanctity. “Do you still wrestle with the devil, Father?” he asked him. The monk answered, “Not any longer, my son. I have grown old and the devil has grown old with me. He no longer has the strength. Now, I wrestle with God.” “With God?” the young man exclaimed in pure astonishment. “Do you hope to win?” “Oh no, my son,” came the reply. “I hope to lose.” 

Often in Jesus’ encounters with the disciples, he warns them that there will be a certain amount of wrestling involved in their relationship with the world — and with God. (It is comforting to know that we are in the same boat.) The disciples will have to be alert and ready to make the right moves. There will be no easy victories. In the midst of whatever resistance they may face to the truth that they have come to know and proclaim in the person of Jesus Christ, they will be called to courage — integrity — and confidence. And so are we.   

Recall the words from last Sunday’s gospel: 

           “And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; 
            rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in
            Gehenna.” (Mt 10:28)  

As has been proposed, the opposition here is not between flesh and spirit. The contrast is between two ways of understanding and experiencing death and dying. The body certainly will die. It can be killed. However, the spirit too can die. It can also be killed. People can be worn away and broken down physically. But we also know that people can be worn away and broken mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. What has been your experience? 

And again, we all know people who, even in the face of temptation, tragedy, and death have maintained their faith and integrity. They have allowed God to win the fight with them — in them — and for them. Is this a place where you can also resonate? 

What is critical to this whole conversation? Trust! Learning to trust is one of the great building blocks of a well-developed spirituality — no less than an integrated personality. 

Psalm 131 comes to mind here: 

           Lord, my heart is not proud; nor are my eyes haughty. 
           I do not busy myself with great matters, 
           with things too sublime for me.
           Rather, I have stilled my soul, 
           like a weaned child to its mother, 
           weaned is my soul. 
           Israel, hope in the Lord, now and forever.  

It is this experience of God that gradually becomes foundational for moving forward with courage and humility amidst the challenges and complexities of life. 

In this month dedicated to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, may we draw waters joyfully from the One who brings us true healing and lasting peace.  

As I do for you, please pray for me,

Most Reverend Jeffrey S. Grob
Archbishop of Milwaukee