Last week on July 2, I had the honor of composing a reflection for FaithND, a daily email sent by the University of Notre Dame that features the gospel reading for the day, a reflection by a community member, and a prayer from a Holy Cross priest.
Given the close proximity to the Fourth of July and our country's 250th anniversary of its declaration of independence from Great Britain, the story of Fr. Corby's Absolution Under Fire came to mind (see below).
Fr. Corby's involvement in the Civil War as a chaplain stands as only one of the many ways in which the University of Notre Dame is "one of the most powerful means for good in this country" (Fr. Sorin, C.S.C., 1842).
Fr. Edward Sorin, the founder of the University of Notre Dame, famously penned those words to Bl. Basil Moreau, the founder of the Congregation of Holy Cross and the Superior of the order at the time. Over 180 years later, Fr. Sorin's prophetic words ring profoundly true.
From the Navy training almost 12,000 officers on Notre Dame's campus during World War II, to Fr. Ted Hesburgh serving on the Civil Rights Commission for 15 years, to the Alliance for Catholic Education forming over 3,000 teachers and leaders that serve more than a quarter of a million students each year, the University of Notre Dame - in my opinion - has lived up to its founder's vision.
May the Fighting Irish continue to be a force for good in the United States and beyond.
And my heart forever, loves thee, Notre Dame.
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Gospel from July 2, 2026
After entering a boat, Jesus made the crossing, and came into his own town. And there people brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Courage, child, your sins are forgiven."
At that, some of the scribes said to themselves, "This man is blaspheming."
Jesus knew what they were thinking, and said, "Why do you harbor evil thoughts? Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"–he then said to the paralytic, "Rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home."
He rose and went home. When the crowds saw this they were struck with awe and glorified God who had given such authority to men.
-Matthew 9:1-8
Reflection
On July 2, 1863, Fr. William Corby, C.S.C., offered Absolution Under Fire (the title of Paul Wood’s painting) to all of the troops during the Civil War’s Battle of Gettysburg. In the words of Fr. Corby, “That general absolution was intended for all—in quantum possum—not only for our brigade, but for all, North or South, who were susceptible of it and who were about to appear before their Judge.” Survivors who witnessed this powerful moment of prayer were struck with awe and glorified God, so much so that it has been memorialized on Notre Dame’s campus as well as the fields of Gettysburg.
In today’s gospel, Jesus offers absolution to the person suffering from paralysis. This spiritual healing stands as the objective of Christ’s mission—to reconcile humanity to God. St. Paul echoes this focus on reconciliation, “(A)ll this is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and given us the ministry of reconciliation…entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.”
Jesus commissions his disciples to convey this message of reconciliation, to be agents of healing, to be peacemakers committed to building up the kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven. Though only priests can offer absolution, all of us can bring reconciliation to those in our homes, churches, schools, workplaces, and communities.
Inspired by Fr. Corby’s example, which took place during one of the darkest moments of America’s history, let us speak words of reconciliation on the battlefields of today, create civil discourse in places of discord, and repair relationships between and among people and God, seeking what unites rather than what divides.
Reconciliation carries immense power. It heals, evokes awe, glorifies God, and is the heart of our ministry as Christians.
