Today’s reading falls on a very important day. Many of us in the United States will spend today celebrating the father figures in our lives. But here at CMMB, we will also join our global community in recognizing World Refugee Day. With this in mind, we dedicate this reflection to all the father figures around the world, but especially those who forge ahead through uncertainty, fear, and displacement to protect the people they love.

Read More: https://cmmb.org/with-faith-we-forge-ahead/

Jesus speaks to us through parables in today’s Gospel. Entwined in these stories are important lessons about patience, persistence, and faith.

In both parables Jesus reflects on the life of a seed. In the first, a farmer scatters his crop throughout a field. Over time the seed will sprout, grow, and eventually yield a full crop. But in order to do so, it needs time. In this way, the seed is like the Kingdom of God. Planted by Jesus during his time on earth, the Kingdom requires time to flourish.

Learn more: https://cmmb.org/we-grow-with-patience-and-faith/

In today’s Gospel we read about the Last Supper. Told to us by Mark, our passage invites us to celebrate the Eucharist and the promise Jesus made to us on this night.

In the first portion of our reading, Jesus directs his disciples to the house where they will celebrate Passover that evening. In the second part of our reading, Mark describes the ritual that Jesus performs for Passover, writing only of the elements that relate to the Christian Eucharist we celebrate at mass today.

Read more: https://cmmb.org/fulfilling-our-promise/

Today’s reading is from Matthew’s Gospel and marks our return to the liturgical season of Ordinary Time.

In the chapters leading up to our reading, the resurrected Jesus has presented himself to Mary Magdalene and the other Mary. He leaves them with a message for his disciples, who are to reunite with him in Galilee. It’s here where today’s passage begins.

Read more: https://cmmb.org/resilience-and-faith/

On this final Sunday of Easter, we celebrate the feast of Pentecost. Our reading is once again from John’s Gospel and marks an important moment in our faith.

In today’s Gospel, we find the disciples hiding behind locked doors. Following Jesus’ persecution and death, the disciples lived in fear. It’s here where the resurrected Jesus came to them.

Read more: https://cmmb.org/to-know-peace/

Today’s reading comes from chapter 17 of John’s Gospel and concludes with Jesus’ arrival at the garden and his arrest. Throughout the entire chapter, we find Jesus in prayer.

Jesus prays, “And now I will no longer be in the world, but they are in the world, while I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one just as we are.”

Read more: https://cmmb.org/in-unity-there-is-strength/

In today’s Gospel, we learn more about the kind of service that is expected of us as disciples. In our reading, Jesus makes a distinction between early gnostic beliefs and Christianity.

Read more: https://cmmb.org/celebrating-love-sacrifice-resilience/

Today’s reading comes from chapter 15 of John’s Gospel. In this chapter, the disciples are gathered at the Last Supper and Jesus tasks them with continuing his work after he has died.

In the portion we read from today, we hear the parable of the vine and the branches. A reference to the Hebrew Scriptures, Jesus reveals that even in death, his relationship with the disciples will continue.

Read more: https://cmmb.org/the-duty-of-discipleship/

On this fourth Sunday of Easter, also called Good Shepherd Sunday, our reading comes from the tenth chapter of John’s Gospel.

In the section we read from today, Jesus calls himself the good shepherd. He describes a scenario in which a wolf comes to attack a flock of sheep that is guarded by a paid shepherd.

Read more: https://cmmb.org/every-act-counts/

On this third Sunday of Easter, we continue to explore the disciples’ experience meeting the resurrected Jesus. Today’s reading comes from Luke’s Gospel and invites us to reflect on how we can turn fear into faith.

Learn more: https://cmmb.org/turn-fear-into-faith/