There are challenges, possible sacrifices that each of us are called to make, and even a certain attitude possibly needed to follow Christ as His disciple. Each of us through Baptism is called to be the Lord’s Disciple, and many of us intellectually understand this. However, making the commitment necessary to fulfill that goal can be very difficult in today’s world.

Extravagant Merciful Love (11 C)

The gift of the Holy Spirit is one of the greatest gifts God gave us.  Sadly most of us barely tap into this wonderful power. Pentecost is about a new life, a new beginning and a new heart! Pentecost is about an internal transformation.

Our opening prayer talked about how God is constantly at work within us creating the Paschal Mystery within us. God made us new creatures and coheirs with him in Holy Baptism. He wants to continue His work within us so that we can continue his work in bringing others to the joys of life eternal.

Adoring Christ in the Eucharist

Wedding at Cana (2 C)

Advent (4 C)

Redemptive Suffering

God wants us to have a pure heart. David ask's an important question of God in today's psalm, " Who may abide in your tent? Who may dwell on your Holy Mountain?  God answers, "Whoever walks without blame  doing what is right, speaking the truth from the heart." Jesus says, "blessed are the pure of heart for they shall see God.  All of our readings today ask for a pure heart.  Four things God wants from us.  To follow his commandments not adding or subtracting from them. Second, he wants us to be active and sincere in our worship. Third, God wants us to allow his word to be planted in our hearts.  To not be just hearers only but doer's of his word. Finally God is way more interested in what is happening on the inside of us than he is on our outward appearance.

It's amazing how much we humans are just like sheep.  In today's gospel we hear Jesus is moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd.  Psalm 23 is one of the most popular psalms.  David declared in this psalm that "The Lord is my Shepherd."  There are many voices vying for our minds and hearts.  What voice do we listen to.  Is it the Lords?  Can we honestly say, "The Lord is my Shepherd.  We need the Good Shepherd. There is complete contentment for the soul that grazes upon the green grass that the Good Shepherd leads us to.