Fifth Sunday in Easter

As pilgrims on the journey, it can be easy at times to lose our way. Worse off, when we know we have lost our way, our pride continues to lead us down the road we ought not to go. Nevertheless, when people of faith ask Jesus Christ for guidance, He faithfully and mercifully reminds us that He is The Way, The Truth, and The Life.

Scripture Readings for May 7, 2023

Acts 6:1-7

Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19

1 Peter 2:4-9

John 14:1-12

Fourth Sunday in Easter

Pontius Pilate posed a great question in the New Testament, "what is truth?" Given our culture favors personal belief and sentiment over absolutes, when truth is spoken can you recognize it? What does truth sound like? Jesus taught that those who have come in their own name before Him are thieves and robbers and the sheep do not listen to them. On the other hand, when you and I hear the shepherd's call and respond, we enter through the narrow gate and find pasture. 

Scripture Readings for April 30, 2023
Acts 2:14, 36-41

Psalm 23:1-6

1 Peter 2:20-25

John 10:1-10

Third Sunday in Easter

The Road to Emmaus is a familiar journey. Walking seven miles from Jerusalem, Jesus' disciples were disillusioned, sad, angry, confused, and downhearted having just experienced the death of their leader and friend. Jesus' subtle insertion in the conversation, the sharing of scripture, and the eventual breaking of bread is the same framework in which we encounter the Living God. When was the last time your heart was burning for God? I invite you to take this question to Eucharistic adoration. God willing, your eyes have been opened to Him in the breaking of the bread.

Scripture Readings for April 23, 2023
Acts 2:14, 22-33

Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-11

1 Peter 1:17-21

Luke 24:13-35

Divine Mercy Sunday

It seems as though the more we move through life, the more hectic life becomes. Hence, timing is of the essence! As we read in today's gospel, Thomas was not with the other apostles when Christ appeared the 1st time. It must have been difficult as Christ offered them peace and breathed on them the Holy Spirit. Nonetheless, Jesus knew this was a teachable moment. St. Thomas, like so many, are brought into greater union with the Resurrected Lord, by not simply seeing but believing!

Scripture Readings for April 16, 2023
Acts 2:42-47

Ps 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24

1 Peter 1:3-9

John 20:19-31

Easter Sunday

Happy Easter!!! The Lord is Risen Alleluia!!!

As the universal Church concluded its time with the lenten disciplines, we now enter into the glorious and joyful Easter season!  We need fasting, however, to prepare us for feasting. We let go of our attachments during penitential seasons so that we can enter festivity with a free heart and without excess. 

Festivity makes the right use of earthly things as a joyful act of praise but it does not overindulge in them, falling back into domination by material things. There can be no genuine feasting without fasting first, as the two go hand in hand. We can discover festivity this Easter in a different way: we can choose to feast, or we can choose to binge. Yes, there is a difference. As Easter arrives, its time to feast differently!  (Source: Exodus 90)

Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday is, in a most profound way, a study in contrasts. It mirrors the perplexing reality of the human condition we find within ourselves. Great saints such as St. Augustine and St. Paul marvel at their own duplicitous hearts. Nonetheless, God the father of mercies willingly and freely lays down His life for all of humanity seeking to overwhelm the grave with the power of His merciful love. In trust and hope, we cry out to God, Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.

Scripture Readings for April 2, 2023
Matthew 21:1-11
Isaiah 50:4-7
Psalm 22:8-9, 17-20, 23-24 

Philippians 2:6-11
Mt 26:14—27:66 

4th Sunday of Lent

The healing of the man born blind was a breakthrough moment. This would be the first step in the long process of healing, but at the same time, acceptance and transformation within himself by Our Lord. 

The good news is that since Christians have been washed in the waters of baptism, spiritual blindness is not permanent. Therefore, the Gospel this Sunday gives way to reflecting upon the ways in which humanity judges by appearances, whereas the Lord looks into the heart.

Scripture Readings for March 19, 2023
1 Samuel 16:1, 6-7, 10-13

Psalm 23:1-6 

Ephesians 5:8-14

John 9:1-41 

Third Sunday in Lent

For the next three weeks of our Lenten journey, we will be invited to reflect upon the most important spiritual symbols of our faith: water, light, and life. All three of these identify basic human needs. In our Gospel today, we learn about the Samaritan woman who goes out at noon to draw water. Jesus' encounter with this woman is not only a story of her conversion, but also God's patience with humanity. May we reflect upon our life's sources. Are you and I willing to allow God to go to the source of our thirst? 

Scripture Readings for March 12, 2023
Exodus 17:3-7

Psalm 95:1-2, 6-9

Romans 5:1-2, 5-8

John 4:5-42 
 
 

Second Sunday in Lent

The transfiguration of Jesus was one of Peter, James, and John's most privileged moments as disciples. Given there are many moments in life where life becomes confusing and chaotic. May we heed the voice of the Father, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him."

Scipture Readings for March 5, 2023
Genesis 12:1-4

Psalm 33:4-5, 18-20, 22 

2 Timothy 1:8-10

Mt 17:1-9

Ash Wednesday

The universal Church begins the holy season of lent with Ash Wednesday. Today is marked by a degree of somber repentance for the sins we have committed while also trusting completely in the mercy of God. May this holy season assist people everywhere in moral conversion for we are dust and to dust we shall return. 

Scripture Readings for February 22, 2023
Joel 2:12-18 

Psalm 51:3-4, 5-6, 12-14, 17 

2 Corinthians 5:20—6:2

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18