Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity • Year A
If we believe that God is One and God is More, that God does not exist in solitude, then our mission is clear. A follower of Jesus Christ must recognize loneliness as ungodly, a grave offense to the Trinity. We can never be truly human if we are lonely, and we can never be truly Christian if we allow others to be. A follower of Jesus Christ must seek out the lonely and minister to them as surely as he strives to serve the hungry and clothe the naked.
Pentecost • Year A
How did Christianity, in 30 short years, grow from a tiny spark into a raging inferno? That amazing story is told in the Acts of the Apostles. The Holy Spirit, whom Jesus had promised to send his disciples, descended upon them on Pentecost and transformed them.
Seventh Sunday of Easter • Year A
We are not to be weak, bobbing along with every cultural current that proclaims that happiness can be found in acquisition and perversion, a life without moderation and self-examination. We are not to be reeds swayed by the prevailing winds, “Rejoice to the extent that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may also rejoice exultantly.”
Sixth Sunday of Easter • Year A
The farther we remove ourselves from the actual celebration of Easter Sunday, the more difficult it becomes to make the necessary connections to these Easter events. Yet, we are still in the Easter season and our readings lend themselves well to re-connecting to the promises of Jesus both before and after His Resurrection.
Fifth Sunday of Easter • Year A
Jesus was about 30; his mother must have been about 50, give or take 5 years or so. She had a half-century of practicing that same advice herself: whatever God asked of her, she did. Yes, by age 50 she probably saw it as so very simple: Just “do whatever he tells you.” Her Son stated that same thought from a different angle: “I am the way,” he said. Even when you don’t see exactly where the way leads, follow me.
Fourth Sunday of Easter • Year A
If by God’s grace you happen to be one of the few who have not strayed, then pray for your brothers and sisters. Pray to Mary to intercede. Why Mary? She is partial to sheep, and intercedes to bring even the most hopeless back to the Church – that church which is but one big flock of which her Son is the Good Shepherd.
Second Sunday of Easter • Year A
Jesus says to Thomas and to us, “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” Jesus is clear: the apostles were blessed, and so are we; they were given great gifts, and so are we; they received the Lord’s Spirit, and so do we. We do not see the risen Lord in the way they did, but we are just as blessed, and just as challenged.
Easter Sunday • Year A
The suffering and death of Jesus on Good Friday had to take place for there to be a Resurrection. The lesson of this Easter Sunday is that all pain, all suffering, all sorrow can be transformed to new life. This power of transformation has been given to us by our God who is Love. It is up to us to accept the challenge that lies before us. Let us rise with our Lord to newness of life and love.
Palm Sunday • Year A
It is not difficult to stand with the jubilant crowd when we celebrate a few moments of glory. When the Good Fridays of life approach we are asked to stand also in solidarity. Will we be able to do so? Will we do so even tomorrow in the quiet, sometimes wide and heavy space between crown and cross?
Fifth Sunday of Lent • Year A
We are all called to establish this deep union with Christ in faith. In the first reading today from Ezekiel, the prophet promises a defeated and dispersed nation that they will rise again and experience a new life that springs from the spirit of God. John in his gospel story depicts Jesus as challenging all of us to believe in him. “I am the resurrection and the life” Jesus says, and the question for each of us is: “Do you believe?”
