Friday, November 28, 2025
Friday of the Thirty-Fourth Week of Ordinary Time
My sisters and brothers in the Lord,
Welcome to week forty-eight of BMW, Be My Witnesses. I hope you had a blessed Thanksgiving. Again, this week we recognize that we belong to something bigger than ourselves. In fact, we are members of a whole community of believers. And we belong to them.
Belong: Befriend Believers
My late predecessor, Bishop Mengeling, was known to cry out during a homily or talk while he was pointing to a group present, “They are believers!” Obviously, it is both an assertion and a plea to continue. But, it is true. We are part of a community of the faithful and we should always recognize that we are not alone in following the Lord Jesus.
Saint Paul loved this imagery. Look at this First Letter to the Corinthians. In chapter twelve, he speaks of us being a body. In fact, in verse 27, he says, “Now you are Christ’s body, and individually parts of it.” So, his emphasis on us belonging to one another, complimenting one another, needing one another, supporting one another, suffering with one another is not just a cute image. Rather, it is who we are as the Body of Christ.
In our American culture, the individual is celebrated. We all tend to focus on that sensibility. There is certainly nothing wrong in recognizing the uniqueness of each person. We often neglect, however, that we are part of something bigger — the human race, members of a civil community, and especially a band of believers in Jesus Christ.
Now this should not just be an abstract exercise. This belonging needs to have the qualities of a family of faith. There has to be a sense that we are there to “bear one another’s burden” (Gal 6:2), to “have fellowship with one another” (I John 1:7) and to “rouse one another to love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24). That is why we read in Hebrews (10:25): “We should not stay away from our assembly, as is the custom of some, but encourage one another, and this all the more as you see the day drawing near.”
Frankly, belonging to a faith community helps us to persevere, something that is very difficult on our own. When my faith is weak, that of the community supports me; when another’s faith is weak, he or she can rely upon me.
My Challenge
So, our challenge this week is somewhat of a repeat of last week. Again, let us celebrate. Perhaps, you know of someone who has been following this series of Be My Witnesses and would be able to celebrate in some fashion with that person. Again, I leave it to your own creativity on how that might be done.
Until next week, may God Bless you.
+ Earl Boyea
Bishop of Lansing