24th Sunday
Blue Mass
Saint Joseph Monastery, Irvington
September 13, 2026
Introduction
Last Friday, our nation observed the 25th anniversary of 9/11. We recalled that tragic day when planes crashed into the Twin Towers and the Pentagon and when courageous citizens brought down a plane over Shanksville, Pa. a plane that was likely aimed at the White House. We mourned the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives that day – innocent men and women who were going about their daily lives. And we commemorated the firefighters, police, and emergency medical teams who courageously ran into burning buildings to rescue victims. Many made the ultimate sacrifice that day. Nor can we forget those who searched through the rubble for survivors. Many of them died from inhaling the toxic air at Ground Zero and elsewhere.
Let us never for those who died that day. And let us never forget those among us who, to this day, put their lives on the line to keep us safe. Today we will remember and honor Detective Paul Hoke, a member of the Baltimore County Police who died on New Year’s Eve while working overtime. We remember Engineman Steven P. Ambrozewicz, of the Anne Arundel Fire Department who died of cancer related to his occupation. In St. Mary’s County two firefighters put their lives at risk to rescue a driver trapped inside a burning vehicle. A Maryland State trooper first class, Nicolas Warren, who saved the life of a choking child encountered in a traffic stop. And a sheriff’s deputy who saved an autistic child from downing. And finally we remember a World War II Veteran, 1st Lt. Walter R. Bateman, of the U.S. Army Airforce whose plane was shot down over Italy in 1943. His remains have come home and he will finally be laid to rest.
Add to these names, the everyday heroism of all the first responders across the breadth and length of the State of Maryland. We are here to thank you, to honor you, and to pray for you as you go about your daily work, a mission captured in the motto of the Baltimore Police Force: “Ever Ready, Ever Faithful, Ever on the Watch.” Or as the Baltimore City Fire Service says of itself, “Pride Protecting People”, “Strength in Unity”, and “The first step to prevention is education”. Each of the units represented here this morning have your own mottos. They are not simply slogans painted on the side of your vehicles. They speak to your mindset, your core beliefs and values, your principles, your standards, your ethos.
Light from the Word of God
To say it another way, we are here to honor, not only what you do, but how you do it. In doing so, we are guided by the Word of God just proclaimed which sets up a clear contrast between the angry and vengeful culture you encounter all too often in the line of duty, and the world of safety, peace, and trust you seek to build.
Let’s look back at St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans where he reminds us, “None of us lives for oneself … whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.” When you put your life on the line each day, do you not entrust yourselves to the Lord? And because you do, you never grow indifferent to the value of human life. Because you see human life devalued so often, you value it all the more, knowing that all life belongs to the Lord. You are vigilant. Protective. Courageous.
We must also remember our reading from the Book of Sirach, a prophetic warning against the culture of vengeance – those who get even, settle scores, retaliate against their enemies. Vengeance is a human fault, but what you often wade into is an entire culture of vengeance where so many violent crimes take root. Your mission to protect and defend places you squarely on the other side of that vengeance. You seek to build a culture of trust and reconciliation. It is a difficult calling but more necessary than ever.
Encouragement in that work comes from the Lord himself in today’s Gospel where Jesus speaks about our need to forgive, if for no other reason than that God forgives our sins. When you encounter indifference to human life and safety, unnecessary health risks, and violent crime – I would imagine it can get to you. You and I need to be anchored in the truth that the Lord loves us so much that he forgives us and sends us out to be agents of healing & reconciliation.
Not Alone
Nor do you go about your mission alone. The Church is at your side. It is a partnership. I think about the gun buyback that Fr. Murphy organizes every August – nearly 1,500 guns have been removed from our streets since 2023. Or the Holy Family Catholic Worker Center that opened in April of this year. It provides space for community services, a food pantry, and the Archdiocesan Grief Ministry Outreach. Or the work of the Missionaries of Charity who go door-to-door finding those who are lost and forgotten in our midst. Not to mention that work of parishes, schools, and Catholic Charities across all our communities, in collaboration with our ecumenical partners.
It takes all of us to counter the culture of vengeance, to transform it into a culture of trust, reconciliation, cooperation, and respect for the human dignity of each person and every community. We, the faith community, are proud to stand with you, our first responders, to work with you and support you, and we thank you for the support you give to us. And more than that, many of you are members of our faith community, and hopefully, you find the strength you need for your work in the Lord – in his Word and in the Sacraments, especially Mass and Confession.
This day I entrust you to the prayers of St. Joseph, patron of this church. May he, who guided and protected the Holy Family of Nazareth, also guide and protect you in your daily work of readiness, fidelity, watchfulness, protection – and trust building. May God bless you and keep you in his love!