September 21, 2025: Home by Another Road

home by another road

You know, just two years ago, the road leading to this church didn’t exist. This was all cornfield. That road was created so we could come here. And now, many have gotten used to the journey. For some, it’s closer. For others, it’s farther. But many people say there’s something almost mystical about traveling this road—because it leads nowhere else but here.

Here, to God’s house.
Here, to the embrace of a community.
Here, where you don’t have to be judged or labeled.
Here, where you can arrive in rags or in a wedding dress.
Here, where you can be your best self—even catch a glimpse of who you could be.

Here, is what many call their spiritual home.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us that the way we handle small things is a sign of how we’ll handle big things. He gives two examples: being trustworthy and being dishonest.

So, if you want to be known as a trustworthy person, start small:

Can you keep a secret?
Can you take just one item from the “free table”?
Do you call the ball out when it’s close?
Do you report all your income on your taxes?
Do you look at your phone when you drive?

See how this works? Even when no one is watching—even when you think, "This won’t hurt anyone"—it matters. It shapes your character. It's about integrity. It’s about being “at home” with yourself.

Later in the Mass, during the Preparation of the Gifts, we’ll hear a song called “Home By Another Road.”
So think of your spiritual home. Do you have such a place? How’s it going? Do you feel grounded in that spiritual home.  If not, may you can consider arriving to that home by another road.

Let me offer you a spiritual practice that I’ve used ever since my 30-day silent retreat in 2021. It comes from St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits. (Yes, Pope Francis was a Jesuit too.)

This prayer is called the Examen. And it's something Jesuits do every day. It’s simple. Just pick a consistent time each day to pray. Morning, during your commute, in the shower, before bed—it doesn’t matter when. Just be consistent.

Then it has three parts: Past. Present. Future.

1.    Past – Think back over the past 24 hours. How did you “miss the mark”? Not just obvious sins, but also the good you didn’t do. Maybe you weren’t patient. Maybe you didn’t really listen to that family member. Name it.

2.    Present – Notice what you're thankful for right now. Not abstract things, but something you can see, touch, or smell in the moment. Not “I’m thankful for Grandpa,” unless he’s right there—but more like, “I’m thankful for this warm coffee,” or “for the way my back feels okay right now.”

3.    Future – Look ahead to the next 24 hours. What are you facing? Ask God, “What surprises do You have in store for me?” Because when you look for God to work in your life, God always comes through.

So as we celebrate this Fall Festival this year. May that road out front be a reminder for you to be different. May you pray better. May you begin to think beyond yourself. May you live out the refrain of the song at Prep of Gifts:

The lights are on, the welcome warm,

as we’re headed back home by another road.

There’s room for every person born

as we’re headed back home by another road.

Join me now, the road is wide,

all God’s children side by side

where justice will shine and love abide,

we’re headed back home by another road,

Yes, we’re headed back home by another road.