May 20, 2024
Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church Hail Mary! Mary, the Mother of Jesus, held a special place in the life of Saint Peter Julian Eymard. When his mother died, he adopted the Blessed Virgin as his mother and principal guide throughout his whole life. When he received his first Holy Communion […]
May 19, 2024
Pentecost Sunday We have arrived at Pentecost – the exclamation point ending our seven-week Easter celebration. Many scripture passages were given to us during those weeks for prayerful contemplation. We listened to the account of the two disciples who came to recognize Jesus when he broke bread with them. We witnessed Thomas abandon his disbelief […]
May 18, 2024
When Jesus appeared to the Apostles in Galilee after the resurrection, He caused quite a stir. He instructed them to cast their nets to the other side, resulting in a great catch. Jesus ate fish and bread with them, forgave Peter’s denials, and told Peter how he would be used to glorify God. Then, in […]
May 17, 2024
Memorial of Saint Paschal Baylon [Three times Jesus asked Simon Peter], “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” All commentators have seen this triple questioning as giving Peter a chance to reaffirm his love for Jesus after denying him three times. When Peter says he truly loves the Lord, Jesus tells Peter how he […]
May 16, 2024
What a genuine love song Jesus gives us today in John’s Gospel reading! So inclusive! So unconditional! So hopeful! Re-reading it several times brings our hearts tears of joy. We can imagine Jesus lifting his eyes to heaven and listening to him praying, and then we realize that he is praying not just for his […]
May 15, 2024
Memorial of Saint Isidore In 1622, five individuals were canonized: Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus; Francis Xavier, the great missionary to the East; Theresa of Avila, mystic and reformer of the Carmelites; Saint Philip Neri, the founder of the Oratorians; and Isidore, a farm laborer. The first four did great things […]
May 14, 2024
“As the Father loved me, so I have loved you. Remain in my love.” (John 15:9-17) What does it mean to ‘remain’ in Jesus’ love? The Greek word for ‘remain’ suggests a steadfast relationship — heart and soul in unity. It is not a fleeting emotion but a steadfast commitment and an invitation to a […]
May 13, 2024
Memorial of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Today’s gospel (John 16:29-33) possibly should begin with verse 24. Adding the extra four verses leading into today’s gospel suggests, in today’s terms, that we be proactive. Think, take up YOUR cross, and follow me. The passage ends with “…I have overcome the world” and unites us with Peter […]
May 12, 2024
Feast of the Ascension Why are you standing there looking at the sky? When someone leaves us, we experience a profound sense of absence. In the Ascension, Jesus leaves but remains present within the disciples as they take up his mission to go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature. The […]
May 11, 2024
All you peoples, clap your hands; shout to God with cries of gladness. For the LORD, the Most High, the awesome, is the great king over all the earth. Today’s Gospel assures us of God’s presence and that he hears our prayers. We are also reminded of during our Prayers of Intercession as ‘we pray […]