Full Homily

It is interesting to note that the Scripture readings we have just heard proclaimed are the same readings that will be heard at Masses offered in Roman Catholic parishes throughout the world today. They were not specially chosen with an eye towards the unique purpose of our Mass here, our annual Blue Mass. And yet, you would almost think they were. Because every one of them includes some reference to law. The word law is there in each one – twice in the first reading, twice in the Psalm, and twice in the Gospel. Six references to law in three passages from three different books of Scripture. What do these references offer us here at this Mass?  

First, these references are not to the laws that you who are gathered here today spend your careers enforcing. The readings refer to God’s law. And it is clear that God’s law is a bit more demanding than society’s. None of you here will ever issue a ticket for jealousy, cite someone for fury, or arrest someone for envy. But Saint Paul is clear in the first reading that God’s law calls us to reject all of these. There is no local, state, or federal law that demands that you and I act with patience or kindness, with gentleness or generosity. But St. Paul says God’s law does.

So these readings are a challenge to every one of us here today, whether we spend our days in law enforcement or not. And it is worth noticing that they tell us living out God’s law faithfully is not the result of our personal effort alone. Doing that, St. Paul says, is “the fruit of the Spirit” and the result of “following the Spirit.” The Holy Spirit, living in us, guides us and helps us to follow God’s law. At the same time, it is also not automatic or magical. We have to do the following: we have to cooperate with God’s Spirit. 

Second, we live in a fallen world, where all of us in various ways fall short of living God’s law. And that sometimes leads to violations of society’s laws as well. The right that all of us have to safety, to private property, and to life itself can come under threat. That is what makes the jobs you do so very important to all of us. You have responded to a call to serve the common good, to build a just society, and to protect the vulnerable.

We know that responding to it sometimes comes at great personal cost to you – even, tragically and gratefully rarely, at the cost of your lives. We know your spouses and families also make sacrifices that allow you to serve us so devotedly. And so with grateful hearts, we thank you for stepping up to this task with courage and integrity, day after day, month after month, year after year. We honor you for the excellent work you so often do, and we honor your families for their willingness to let you do it. We ask God to bless you, to protect you, and to give you the wisdom you need to make good decisions. And we pray for those who have lost their lives while carrying out their work. Some have lost their lives at the hands of another… others, when an accident or unforeseen health emergency befalls them while on duty. We have some family members and officers here today who have lost a brother, father, son or dear friend; and, together, as a community of faith, we join with you in prayer for your loved ones.

Finally, one reality of the fallen world we live in, here in New Jersey and in many other places in our nation, is the sometimes troubled relationship between law enforcement and the communities it serves. And so with everyone here, I also offer you our encouragement and ask God's special blessing on your efforts on our behalf to carry out your efforts in a way that is just and fair to all people.

My sisters and brothers in the Lord, thank you for being here with us today. Thank you for your service and God bless you.