Bishop John P. Luft, stsa

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Bishop John P. Luft, stsa

Ordinary, Independent Catholic Ordinariate All inquiries regarding the Ordinariate are to be directed to the Vicar General at: [email protected].

Born and raised in San Antonio, Texas Bishop John currently serves as the Presiding Bishop of the Catholic Church of the Americas and is a clinically trained spiritual care provider with over 18 years in public ministry and healthcare management. A resident of Johnson County, Texas he currently works in Houston, Texas in hospice management overseeing spiritual counselors and a bereavement program

while providing episcopal support to the wider independent Catholic communities in the United States and abroad. Bishop John was prepared for pastoral ministry in Baptist churches prior to his reception into the Catholic Church and subsequent ordination to the priesthood having served as Pastor at Saint Anne Independent Catholic Church in Fort Worth, Texas and hospice chaplain for adult and pediatric patients in north Texas after completing two years of post-graduate residency in clinical pastoral education in the CHRISTUS Santa Rosa System and Parkland Health & Hospital System with earned degree's in biblical and theological studies, cross cultural studies and spiritual care. Married with 3 dogs and 5 cats Bishop John took for his episcopal motto, "Little Is Much When God Is In It" taking after the Franciscan tradition of simplicity and serving the least among us.

**This page will feature commentary on religious, spiritual and political issues for public consumption which are publicized in the name of Bishop John as Ordinary of the Ordinariate and not statements of fact, the views of or opinions of the Independent Catholic Ordinariate.

07/25/2026

Reflection for the Feast of Saint James, Apostle

Gospel: Matthew 20:20–28

"Whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant." (Matthew 20:26)

The Feast of Saint James, Apostle, presents us with one of the most challenging lessons of Christian discipleship. The Gospel recounts the request of the mother of James and John, who sought places of honor for her sons in Christ's Kingdom. Jesus responds by overturning every worldly understanding of power, prestige, and success. Greatness, He teaches, is not measured by authority over others but by self-giving service. Leadership in the Kingdom of God is cruciform—it is shaped by the Cross.

Saint James would come to understand this truth not merely as a teaching but as a way of life. One of the first disciples called by Jesus along the shores of the Sea of Galilee, James left behind his nets, his livelihood, and the security of the familiar to follow Christ. His zeal earned him, along with his brother John, the title "Son of Thunder." Yet the impetuous fisherman would be transformed by grace into a courageous apostle whose final witness was not in words alone, but in martyrdom. According to the Acts of the Apostles, James became the first of the Twelve to lay down his life for the Gospel.

His journey mirrors the path of every disciple. We often begin by asking what God can do for us, but mature faith gradually teaches us to ask what God desires to accomplish through us. The Christian vocation is not a pursuit of privilege but a participation in Christ's mission of reconciliation, healing, and justice.

This message carries profound significance in our own time. Our society frequently measures success by influence, wealth, status, or recognition. Even within the Church, there is a temptation to confuse leadership with prestige rather than service. Yet Jesus leaves no room for such misunderstanding: "The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many." The Cross remains the measure of authentic discipleship.

Liberation theology reminds us that Christian service is inseparable from solidarity with those who suffer. To follow Christ is to stand alongside the poor, the marginalized, migrants seeking refuge, victims of violence, and all whose dignity is threatened by injustice. The Church cannot proclaim the Gospel while remaining indifferent to human suffering. Like Saint James, we are called to leave behind whatever prevents us from following Christ into the places where hope is most needed. Service is not an optional expression of faith; it is its natural fruit.

The ancient pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela has, for centuries, symbolized the Christian journey. Pilgrims travel long roads, carrying little except what is necessary, discovering that the destination is reached one faithful step at a time. In much the same way, discipleship is not accomplished through dramatic moments alone. It is formed through daily acts of prayer, mercy, forgiveness, generosity, and perseverance. Every decision to love rather than hate, to forgive rather than retaliate, to serve rather than dominate, becomes another step toward the Kingdom.

Saint James teaches us that courage is born not from self-confidence but from fidelity to Christ. The disciple who once sought a place of honor ultimately found his glory in faithful witness, even unto death. His life reminds us that the greatest victories are often hidden in humble acts of service, quiet sacrifices, and unwavering commitment to the Gospel.

As we celebrate the Feast of Saint James, may we ask not for places of honor, but for hearts willing to serve. May Christ transform our ambition into compassion, our strength into generosity, and our faith into courageous action. Then our lives, like that of Saint James, will proclaim that the path to resurrection always passes through self-giving love.

Saint James, Apostle, faithful disciple, and courageous martyr, pray for us.

Bishop John Paul Luft, StSA
Ordinary, Independent Catholic Ordinariate

07/22/2026

Reflection for the Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene

Gospel: John 20:1–2, 11–18

"Mary!" She turned and said to him, "Rabbouni!" (John 20:16)

The Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene celebrates one of the most extraordinary encounters in all of Scripture. Before dawn, while grief still overshadowed hope, Mary came to the tomb expecting to find death. Instead, she encountered the risen Christ. In a single moment, despair gave way to joy, mourning to mission, and tears to proclamation.

Saint Mary Magdalene is honored by the Church as the "Apostle to the Apostles" because she became the first witness commissioned to proclaim the Resurrection. Her witness reminds us that the Gospel is entrusted not to the powerful or the privileged, but to those whose hearts have been transformed by an encounter with the living Christ.

John's Gospel paints a deeply human scene. Mary stands outside the empty tomb weeping. She cannot yet recognize Jesus because sorrow clouds her vision. It is only when Christ calls her by name that her eyes are opened. The Resurrection is not merely the announcement that Jesus lives; it is the revelation that the Good Shepherd still knows each of His disciples personally and calls each by name.

Many today know Mary's tears. Families mourn loved ones. Communities grieve the effects of violence, poverty, displacement, and injustice. Many carry invisible burdens of loneliness, anxiety, or discouragement. We can become so accustomed to the brokenness around us that we begin to expect only disappointment. Like Mary at the tomb, we sometimes mistake the presence of new life for another reason to grieve.

Yet the risen Christ continues to speak our names.

Liberation theology reminds us that resurrection is God's definitive answer to every force that diminishes human dignity. The empty tomb proclaims that violence does not have the final word, oppression cannot extinguish hope, and death itself has been overcome by the power of divine love. The Resurrection is not only a promise for eternity; it is the beginning of God's work of renewing creation here and now. Wherever the hungry are fed, the stranger welcomed, the oppressed defended, and the forgotten restored to dignity, the victory of Easter continues to unfold.

Saint Mary Magdalene demonstrates that authentic discipleship begins with faithful presence. She remained at the cross when others fled. She came to the tomb before sunrise while others remained hidden behind locked doors. Her steadfast love prepared her heart to receive the greatest revelation in history. The disciple who remains faithful through darkness is often the first to recognize the dawn.

Christ's words to Mary are also words to the Church: "Go to my brothers and tell them." Every Christian is entrusted with this same mission. We are called to proclaim not merely with words but through lives shaped by mercy, justice, reconciliation, and hope. Our faith becomes credible when our communities reflect the compassion of the risen Christ and become places where every person is seen, heard, and loved.

The witness of Saint Mary Magdalene also reminds us of the indispensable role of women in the life and mission of the Church. From the first Easter morning until today, countless women have carried the Gospel through lives of courageous discipleship, faithful service, theological insight, pastoral care, and prophetic witness. Their gifts continue to enrich the Body of Christ and strengthen the Church's proclamation of the Resurrection.

As we celebrate the Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene, may we allow Christ to call us by name once again. May our tears become hope, our fear become courage, and our encounter with the risen Lord become a living witness to His transforming love. Then, like Mary, we can proclaim with confidence to a world longing for hope:

"I have seen the Lord." (John 20:18)

Saint Mary Magdalene, faithful disciple and Apostle to the Apostles, pray for us.

Bishop John Paul Luft, StSA
Ordinary, Independent Catholic Ordinariate

07/15/2026

Reflection for the Memorial of Saint Bonaventure, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

Gospel: Matthew 11:25–27

"You have hidden these things from the wise and the learned and have revealed them to little ones." (Matthew 11:25)

The Church honors Saint Bonaventure as one of her greatest theologians, but his lasting legacy is not simply his extraordinary intellect. Rather, it is the remarkable harmony he achieved between wisdom and humility, scholarship and prayer, contemplation and service. He understood that authentic knowledge of God is not measured by the accumulation of information, but by the transformation of the heart.

In every generation, there is a temptation to believe that human intelligence alone can solve the deepest problems of the world. We trust technology to answer loneliness, wealth to cure insecurity, power to establish peace, and information to create wisdom. Yet despite unprecedented advances, humanity continues to wrestle with violence, injustice, ecological degradation, displacement of peoples, and growing divisions within communities and nations. The crisis of our age is not merely a lack of knowledge—it is often a failure of compassion.

The Gospel proclaimed today offers a profound corrective. Jesus praises the Father for revealing divine truth not to those who rely upon their own importance, but to those who approach God with the openness of "little ones." This is not an invitation to reject learning or reason. Saint Bonaventure himself devoted his life to rigorous study. Rather, Christ teaches that wisdom begins with humility. The mind reaches its fullest potential only when it is illuminated by love.

For Bonaventure, theology was never an abstract academic exercise. Every doctrine was meant to draw the believer into deeper communion with God and greater love for neighbor. The journey of the soul toward God always passed through Christ crucified, whose self-emptying love reveals both the justice and the mercy of God. True contemplation, therefore, cannot end in private spiritual satisfaction. It must bear fruit in lives marked by mercy, reconciliation, and self-giving service.

This vision resonates deeply with the Church's social mission. Liberation theology reminds us that reflection on God must always be connected to the lived realities of the poor, the marginalized, and those whose dignity is denied. Faith that remains confined to books or sanctuaries falls short of the Gospel. Saint Bonaventure invites us to become theologians not only with our minds but also with our lives. Every act of compassion becomes a lesson in divine love. Every effort to pursue justice becomes a proclamation of the Kingdom of God.

Our world is in desperate need of this integration. We need leaders whose wisdom is shaped by humility rather than ambition. We need scholars whose knowledge serves humanity rather than prestige. We need Christians whose prayer leads naturally to solidarity with the forgotten, hospitality toward the stranger, and reconciliation among those divided by fear or ideology.

Saint Bonaventure teaches that Christ is both the beginning and the end of every search for truth. The more deeply we know Christ, the more clearly, we recognize His presence in every person created in the image of God. Genuine wisdom is never self-serving; it is always ordered toward love.

As we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Bonaventure, may we seek not simply to know more about God, but to know God more deeply. May our study lead to worship, our worship to service, and our service to justice. Then our lives will become living reflections of the wisdom that comes not from this world, but from the heart of Christ.

Saint Bonaventure, faithful bishop, humble theologian, and Doctor of the Church, pray for us.

Bishop John Paul Luft, StSA
Ordinary, Independent Catholic Ordinariate

07/11/2026

Reflection for the Memorial of Saint Benedict, Abbot

Gospel: Matthew 19:27–29

"Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for my name's sake will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life." (Matthew 19:29)

The Memorial of Saint Benedict invites the Church to consider a paradox that speaks powerfully to our modern world: true freedom is not found in having no boundaries, but in embracing a life ordered toward God.

Born into the uncertainty that followed the collapse of the Roman Empire, Saint Benedict withdrew from the chaos not to escape the world, but to discover how to transform it. Through prayer, work, hospitality, and community, he established a way of life that became the foundation of Christian civilization throughout Europe. His famous Rule begins with one simple word: "Listen."

Listening is increasingly difficult in a society saturated with noise. We are surrounded by constant information, endless opinions, political polarization, economic uncertainty, and the relentless pressure to consume more, produce more, and accomplish more. Amid such distraction, silence can seem uncomfortable, even frightening. Yet Saint Benedict reminds us that God often speaks not through spectacle, but through stillness.

The Gospel today speaks of sacrifice—not as loss for its own sake, but as an investment in God's Kingdom. Benedict understood that every renunciation makes room for something greater. By surrendering self-centered ambition, we become free to love. By relinquishing the illusion of control, we become open to grace. By embracing humility, we discover genuine strength.

Liberation theology likewise reminds us that Christian discipleship is never merely private. Prayer must shape justice, and contemplation must give rise to compassionate action. Benedictine spirituality embodies this integration. The monastery was never intended to be an isolated refuge from human suffering; it became a place where the hungry were fed, the stranger welcomed, the sick cared for, knowledge preserved, and peace cultivated. In every guest, Saint Benedict instructed his monks to receive Christ Himself.

This witness remains urgently relevant. In a world where loneliness has become commonplace, where migrants seek refuge, where communities struggle with poverty, violence, and division, the Church is called to become what Benedict envisioned: a community ordered by prayer, rooted in stability, and overflowing with hospitality. The measure of our faith is not found in how loudly we profess it, but in how faithfully we embody it through mercy, reconciliation, and solidarity with those most often forgotten.

Saint Benedict's enduring motto, Ora et Labora—Pray and Work—is not simply a monastic slogan. It is a way of living in which every prayer inspires action, and every act of service becomes a prayer offered to God. Faith divorced from justice becomes empty ritual. Activism detached from prayer loses its soul. The Christian vocation holds both together.

As we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Benedict, may we cultivate hearts that listen before speaking, seek peace before conflict, and choose humility over self-promotion. May our homes, our parishes, and our communities become places where Christ is encountered in prayer and recognized in every neighbor.

For in a restless world, holiness is not found by fleeing reality, but by allowing God's presence to reorder it.

Saint Benedict, faithful servant of Christ and father of Western monasticism, pray for us.

Bishop John Paul Luft, StSA
Ordinary, Independent Catholic Ordinariate

07/04/2026

Reflection for Independence Day (July 4)

"For freedom Christ has set us free."(Galatians 5:1)

Every Fourth of July, our nation pauses to celebrate the birth of the United States and the ideals upon which it was founded: liberty, equality, representative government, and the conviction that every person possesses inherent dignity. These principles have inspired generations to work toward a more just and hopeful society.

For Christians, however, Independence Day is more than a civic celebration. It is an opportunity to reflect on the deeper meaning of freedom.

The Gospel teaches that authentic freedom is not simply the absence of oppression or the ability to do as we please. True freedom is found in living according to God's will. Saint Paul reminds us that "For freedom Christ has set us free." The liberty won through Christ's death and resurrection frees us from the bo***ge of sin, fear, hatred, and despair, enabling us to become servants of God and neighbors to one another.

This understanding challenges every nation, including our own. Patriotism is a virtue when it inspires gratitude, civic responsibility, and a commitment to the common good. Yet love of country must never become an idol. Our highest citizenship is in the Kingdom of God, where every human being—regardless of race, nationality, economic status, immigration status, or political affiliation—is recognized as bearing the image and likeness of God.

The American story is one of remarkable achievements and enduring aspirations, but it is also marked by unfinished work. The pursuit of justice has required generations to confront slavery, segregation, discrimination, poverty, and the denial of equal opportunity. Even today, many continue to experience economic hardship, racial inequity, violence, displacement, and social division. Independence Day calls us not only to celebrate our freedoms but also to renew our commitment to ensuring that those freedoms are shared more fully by all.

Liberation theology reminds us that God's concern for freedom extends beyond political independence. Throughout Scripture, God hears the cry of those who suffer under oppression and calls His people to become instruments of liberation. The Exodus, the prophetic tradition, and the ministry of Jesus all proclaim that faith demands solidarity with the poor, the marginalized, the stranger, and those whose dignity has been overlooked. Love of country is strengthened—not weakened—when citizens seek justice, defend human dignity, and work for the flourishing of every member of society.

As followers of Christ, we are called to be faithful citizens who contribute to the common good through honesty, compassion, civic engagement, and service. We honor our nation not merely by displaying its symbols but by embodying its highest aspirations: protecting the vulnerable, welcoming the stranger, caring for veterans and first responders, defending religious liberty, promoting peace, and pursuing justice with humility.

On this Independence Day, let us give thanks for the blessings of liberty and remember those who have sacrificed to preserve it. Let us pray for our nation's leaders, for members of the armed forces, for first responders, for immigrants seeking hope, and for all who labor to build communities of peace and justice.

Above all, let us remember that every earthly freedom finds its fulfillment in Christ, whose love alone can heal divisions, reconcile enemies, and establish a peace that no government can create and no conflict can destroy.

May God continue to bless the United States of America—not only with prosperity and security, but with wisdom, justice, mercy, and the courage to uphold the dignity of every human person.

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord." (Psalm 33:12)

May we be faithful citizens of our nation by first becoming faithful citizens of the Kingdom of God.

Bishop John Paul Luft, StSA
Ordinary, Independent Catholic Ordinariate

07/03/2026

Reflection for the Feast of Saint Thomas, Apostle

Gospel: John 20:24–29

"Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed."

Saint Thomas has often been remembered by a single moment of doubt. Yet the Gospel presents a far richer disciple. Thomas was not an unbeliever; he was a man who desired an authentic encounter with the risen Christ. He refused to settle for secondhand faith. His questions were not born of rebellion but of grief, disappointment, and a longing for truth.

When the risen Jesus appeared, He did not condemn Thomas. Instead, Christ met him exactly where he was. He invited Thomas to touch His wounds—the very marks of suffering transformed into signs of resurrection. In that encounter, Thomas made one of the most profound professions of faith in all of Scripture: "My Lord and my God!"

The Church has always understood this feast as an invitation to examine our own faith. We live in an age that prizes certainty yet is filled with anxiety. Many struggle to trust institutions. Many question whether justice is possible, whether peace can prevail, or whether God remains present amid war, political division, poverty, forced migration, and the isolation that so many quietly endure. These realities can tempt us toward cynicism or despair.

The witness of Saint Thomas reminds us that faith is not the absence of questions. Faith is the willingness to bring those questions honestly before Christ.

Liberation theology has long emphasized that the risen Christ still bears His wounds. The resurrection did not erase the scars of the crucifixion; rather, it revealed that suffering does not have the final word. Wherever human dignity is denied, wherever the poor are forgotten, wherever migrants seek safety, wherever communities cry out for justice, Christ continues to identify Himself with those wounds. The Church cannot proclaim the resurrection while ignoring those in whom the crucified Christ remains present.

Thomas teaches us that authentic belief leads to mission. According to the ancient tradition of the Church, he carried the Gospel as far as India, where he proclaimed Christ with courage until his martyrdom. The disciple who once sought proof became an apostle willing to give everything for the One he encountered.

Our own discipleship must follow the same path. We are called not merely to profess faith with our lips but to embody it through lives marked by compassion, reconciliation, and solidarity with those on the margins. Every act of mercy becomes a testimony that Christ is alive. Every pursuit of justice becomes a proclamation that death, hatred, and oppression will never have the final word.

On this Feast of Saint Thomas, may we have the courage to bring our doubts before Christ rather than allowing them to separate us from Him. May we recognize the wounds of the risen Lord in the suffering of our neighbors. And may our own confession become the foundation of lives devoted to the Gospel:

Saint Thomas, pray for us.
All holy prophets, pray for us.

Bishop John Paul Luft, StSA
Ordinary, Independent Catholic Ordinariate

06/29/2026

Today, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, two very different men united by one Lord, one Gospel, and one mission.

In today's Gospel (John 21:15-19), the risen Christ asks Peter three times, "Do you love me?" Each time Peter responds, and each time Jesus entrusts him with the care of God's people: "Feed my lambs. Tend my sheep. Feed my sheep."

This exchange reminds us that Christian leadership is not founded upon privilege, power, or institutional prestige. It is founded upon love of Christ expressed through humble service to His people. The shepherd's authority is not his own; it is exercised for the good of the flock entrusted to him by the Good Shepherd.

Saint Peter and Saint Paul stand as enduring witnesses to the apostolic faith. Peter represents steadfast pastoral care; Paul embodies missionary zeal. Together they proclaim that the Church's foundation rests not upon human ambition but upon fidelity to Jesus Christ.

As Independent Catholics, we honor the ministry of Peter while recognizing that the apostolic faith is not the exclusive possession of any single jurisdiction, patriarchate, or ecclesiastical structure. The Church of Christ is larger than any one see and broader than any one communion. Wherever the Gospel is faithfully proclaimed, the sacraments are reverently celebrated, and the apostolic faith is preserved, there the Church continues her pilgrim journey through history.

Our identity is not rooted in separation, but in continuity. We stand within the ancient Catholic tradition, holding fast to the faith handed down by the Apostles while serving God's people in the circumstances of our own time. We cherish the witness of Peter and Paul, not as symbols of division, but as reminders that unity in Christ is deeper than institutional boundaries.

On this feast, I invite all the faithful to renew their commitment to Christ and His Church. Let us walk together as pilgrims of hope, bearing one another's burdens, proclaiming the Gospel with courage, and serving our neighbors with compassion.

The journey before us is not always easy. Peter knew failure and restoration. Paul knew persecution and sacrifice. Yet both remained faithful because their eyes were fixed upon Christ.

May we do the same.

May Saints Peter and Paul intercede for all Christians, strengthen the bonds of charity among us, and inspire us to be faithful witnesses to the Gospel in our generation.

"Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." (John 21:17)

Saint Peter, pray for us.

Saint Paul, pray for us.

Bishop John Paul Luft
Independent Catholic Ordinariate

06/24/2026

Today, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist, one of the few saints whose birth is commemorated in the liturgical calendar.

In the Gospel of Luke (1:5-17), we encounter a powerful reminder that God's promises are never forgotten. At a time when hope seemed distant and prayers appeared unanswered, God visited Zechariah and Elizabeth with unexpected grace. The child to be born would become the voice crying out in the wilderness, preparing the way for the Lord.

The birth of Saint John the Baptist reminds us that God often works in silence before He works in power. Long seasons of waiting are not signs of abandonment but opportunities for faithfulness. Even when we cannot yet see the path ahead, God is already preparing it.

John's mission was not to draw attention to himself but to point others toward Christ. In a world often consumed with self-promotion, Saint John teaches us the virtues of humility, courage, and faithful witness. He understood that true greatness is found not in being seen, but in helping others see the Light.

As we celebrate this solemnity, may we ask ourselves:

• Are we attentive to God's call in our lives?
• Are we preparing a path for Christ in our hearts, our families, and our communities?
• Are we willing to be instruments through whom others may encounter hope, truth, and mercy?

May the example of Saint John the Baptist inspire us to trust God's timing, remain steadfast in faith, and boldly proclaim the Good News through our words and actions.

"Many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord." (Luke 1:14-15)

Saint John the Baptist, pray for us.

Bishop John Paul Luft
Independent Catholic Ordinariate

06/21/2026

On this Father's Day, I extend my prayers and gratitude to all fathers, grandfathers, stepfathers, foster fathers, spiritual fathers, and every man who has accepted the sacred responsibility of guiding, protecting, and nurturing others.

In today's Gospel (Matthew 10:26-33), our Lord tells His disciples, "Do not be afraid." Three times Christ calls His followers to courage, reminding them that they are known, valued, and loved by God—even to the number of hairs on their heads.

These words speak powerfully to fathers.

The vocation of fatherhood has never been easy. Fathers are called to provide stability in uncertain times, wisdom in moments of confusion, strength in adversity, and compassion when their families need it most. Often, these responsibilities are carried quietly and without recognition. Yet God sees every sacrifice, every sleepless night, every prayer offered for a child, and every act of faithful love.

In a world that frequently questions the importance of fatherhood, the Gospel reminds us that authentic fatherhood reflects the heart of God Himself. A father's presence matters. His example matters. His courage matters.

Jesus tells us not to fear those things that can wound the body but cannot touch the soul. Fathers today are called to live that same courage—not merely physical courage, but moral and spiritual courage. The courage to stand for truth, to model integrity, to teach faith, to defend the vulnerable, and to lead by example.

No father is perfect. Saint Joseph himself faced uncertainty, hardship, and challenges he could not have anticipated. Yet he trusted God and remained faithful to the mission entrusted to him. So too are fathers called to persevere, trusting that God's grace is sufficient for every season of life.

To all fathers who strive each day to love, protect, and guide their families: thank you.

To those who carry the grief of a lost child, the pain of estrangement, or the burden of unmet hopes: know that God walks with you.

To those who have served as fathers through mentorship, ministry, teaching, or friendship: your witness is a blessing to God's people.

To my own father, Mark, for tirelessly supporting, encouraging, strengthening and keeping me true to my values.

Today, let us pray that all fathers may find renewed strength in Christ, confidence in God's providence, and joy in the vocation they have received.

May the Lord bless every father with wisdom, courage, patience, and peace.

Happy Father's Day.

Bishop John Paul Luft
Independent Catholic Ordinariate

"Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my Father in heaven." (Matthew 10:32)"

06/19/2026

On this Juneteenth, we remember not only a moment in history when the news of freedom finally reached those who had long been denied it, but also the enduring human struggle between truth and deception, liberty and bo***ge.

In today's Gospel (Matthew 6:19-23), Jesus teaches us that where our treasure is, there our heart will be also. He further warns that if the light within us becomes darkness, how great that darkness can be.

Freedom is not merely the absence of chains. True freedom requires clarity of vision, a heart anchored in truth, and the courage to reject those voices that would deceive, divide, manipulate, or diminish the dignity of God's children.

Juneteenth reminds us that liberation often arrives only after falsehood has been exposed and truth has prevailed. It calls us to remain vigilant against every form of spiritual, social, and moral blindness that obscures the inherent worth of every human person.

As a nation, may we choose truth over illusion, justice over indifference, and unity over division. May our eyes remain fixed upon those things that uplift, heal, and reconcile. And may we never forget that authentic freedom is found not in domination over others, but in the recognition that all people are created with equal dignity and worthy of respect.

May God grant us wisdom to discern the light, courage to walk in it, and grace to help others find their way.

Happy Juneteenth.

Bishop John Paul Luft
Independent Catholic Ordinariate

Address

1050 E. Humbolt Street
Fort Worth, TX
76104

Website

http://www.indcathordinariate.org/, https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-paul-luft-115b15104/

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