Stardate 10.26.2026
Sunday morning began before sunrise. I had an early shift ahead of me, and I wanted to attend Mass before reporting to work. Finding an early service required some planning, and the drive to Leawood, Kansas, gave me an opportunity to begin the day with a beautiful sunrise.
I left while it was still dark. As I traveled east, the sky began to brighten. Clouds caught the early morning light, and I took a picture to share the moment with others.
I arrived at 7:30 a.m. and discovered another gift waiting outside the church.
A beautiful bronze statue of St. Michael the Archangel stood near the entrance. His wings were spread, his arms were open, and he held a sword in his left hand. I stopped to take a picture and sent it to my wife. She told me she had never seen St. Michael depicted that way before.
I was grateful for the opportunity to capture the image. I had come looking for an early Mass, and the morning was already giving me reasons to be thankful.
A Welcoming Place of Worship
As I entered St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Parish, Mass was beginning. Behind the altar, I noticed a remarkable image of Jesus above a gathering of people, with rays of light extending downward. St. Michael occupied a central place in the scene.
Scriptural quotations appeared along the church walls, including a passage from Revelation. I did not capture the complete wording, but the artwork and surroundings left a lasting impression.
Here I was, a man named Michael, attending Mass in a church dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel. The statue outside and the artwork inside made the morning especially meaningful.
I was thankful to be there.
The Simplicity of Jesus' Message
The Gospel reading was Matthew 22:34–40. The Pharisees asked Jesus which commandment in the law was the greatest. His answer brought the focus to two essential instructions.
Love God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.
Love your neighbor as yourself.
Jesus explained that the whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.
I carried those words with me as I thought about the reading and the homily.
Throughout the Gospels, we see religious leaders questioning Jesus. Some challenged him. Others tried to trap him. Jesus continued teaching those who came to hear him, bringing the heart of God's commandments into focus.
Love God with everything you have. Love your neighbor as yourself.
Living those words faithfully takes a lifetime of practice.
If we believe we are created in God's image, that belief should influence how we see and treat other people. Every person we encounter has dignity. Every person deserves compassion and respect, including those we find difficult to love.
That includes our enemies.
Our love for God should be visible in the way we treat the people around us. Each encounter gives us an opportunity to put our faith into practice.
Keeping God First
Attending Mass on Sunday is an important part of keeping my priorities in order.
I joke with my counterparts that if I don't put God first, I lose my superpower.
That is how important my faith is to me.
I need time with God. I need to hear His Word, reflect on His message, and let it guide the way I live. Weekly worship helps me return to what matters most as I prepare to share God's love with the people I encounter.
This Sunday required some planning. I needed to find an early Mass, make the drive, and arrive at work ready to fulfill my responsibilities. I am grateful I made the effort.
A conversation with Nancy also stayed with me.
She told me she appreciates that I keep reminding her how important God is in my life. She has not been attending worship lately, but she enjoys the reminders and the messages I share.
What touched me was her observation that much of the message comes through how I live.
Her words meant a great deal to me.
I cannot know how my example will influence another person's faith. I do know that I want my life to reflect the love God has shown me. If something I say or do encourages another person to think about God, I am thankful for that opportunity.
Sometimes a conversation, a shared story, or a small act of kindness gives someone a reason to reflect on faith.
I want to keep showing up and doing my part.
A Word to Carry Into the Day
As I looked back on Sunday morning, I thought about the sunrise, the statue of St. Michael, the artwork inside the church, and the message from Matthew's Gospel.
I thought about my wife receiving the photograph and Nancy sharing her thoughts with me.
Each moment gave me another reason to be grateful.
The words of Jesus continue to guide me:
Love God with all your heart, soul, and mind. Love your neighbor as yourself.
I want those words to influence the decisions I make at work, the conversations I have, and the way I respond when someone needs patience or understanding.
Psalm 90:17 offers a prayer I carry into my daily life:
“May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands.” — Psalm 90:17 (NIV)
I hope the work of my hands reflects the love of God. I hope the words I share bring encouragement to someone who needs it. And I hope I remember to make room for worship, even when the day's responsibilities require extra planning.
I do not want to lose my superpower.
Join me here:
https://substack.com/@michaelmulliganlivelong
Captain's Addendum
Spock: Michael, your Sunday mission began with a sunrise and ended with two commandments worth practicing for the rest of your life.
Bones: And he still made it to work on time. I'd say the man has his priorities straight, Spock.
Spock: An encouraging observation, Doctor. Though I suspect the Captain's superpower requires regular maintenance.
I laughed at the thought. My faith needs that same daily attention. A little time with God, a willingness to listen, and the choice to treat the next person with love can carry me a long way.
One day at a time. One person at a time.
And tomorrow, another opportunity to begin again.
Live long and prosper.
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