A unique and special gift was given to the Apostles on Pentecost — the gift of the Holy Spirit. Fr. Joseph Kindel reflects on the implications of this gift for the world and for the Church. He says: "For those who lack joy and want joy, the Church is here to help."

Why do Catholics hear the same stories at Mass over and over, year after year? With genuine humor, levity, and insight, Fr. Tony Cutcher answers this question [and more] as he reflects on the account of Christ's Ascension. He emphasizes: "We are called to do two things: to get to work and spread the good news..."

Reflecting on the feast of the Ascension in the wake of the tornados that destroyed parts of the Dayton area, Fr. Deepak D'Souza discusses the role of love in bringing communities together, in helping us rise with Christ. He prays: "Let not any of our boundaries divide us; but His love may unite us."

It's easy to feel caught, trapped, pulled between the way of Christ and the ways of the world. Fr. Tony Cutcher relates the struggles of the early Christians to the struggles we face today. He asks: "Do we model a relationship with Jesus so that others will want a relationship as well?"

Using Pope Francis' Apostolic Exhortation Amoris Laetitia, Fr. Joseph Kindel delivers a wonderful sermon on the role of love in the family. Quoting Pope Francis, he reads: "Love always has an aspect of deep compassion that leads me to accepting the other person as part of this world, even when he or she acts differently than I would like."

Loving God and keeping His word go hand-in-hand. Fr. Deepak D'Souza beautifully connects the mystery of the Eucharist to our call to make our love of God incarnate in service to our neighbors. He says: "Imagine the power of the Word that becomes flesh...That is where we are called: to become that Word and to become flesh to those who are downtrodden, those who are neglected."

Sometimes it seems as though loving others as Christ loves is impossible. But Deacon Bob Gutendorf submits the lives of the saints as evidence that Christian love is, in fact, possible. “To love as Christ loved is a tall order,” he says, “Christ’s love was, is, and always will be sacrificial.”

The central Christian call is to love one another the way Christ loves us. Fr. Deepak D'Souza reflects on the implications of this. He says: "That is the difficult and the challenging part of it, that we are called to love the way he loved us...He has loved us by giving his life on the cross to save us from sin and evil."

Speaking to a group of First Communicants, Fr. Tony Cutcher talks about growing up and the unique trust that comes with accepting the invitation to receive the body and blood of Jesus in the Eucharist. He says: “We are all connected to one another in the Eucharist…and that is the most awesome thing of all.”

Contemplating the imagery used in the gospel of John, Fr. Deepak D’Souza offers a beautiful reflection on Christ as The Good Shepherd. He says: “That is what Jesus is telling us here: ‘My sheep recognize my voice.’ Do we truly recognize his voice? He speaks to us through the gospels. He speaks to us through our own fellow neighbors and friends…and at times through silence, as well."