Ascension of the Lord

There can be a temptation to think Jesus' ascension into heaven was his way of distancing himself physically and spiritually from humanity. Instead, Jesus reminds his disciples that he must go otherwise the Paraclete (Holy Spirit) will not come. Our Catholic Christian faith is rooted in the hope of both the Resurrection and the Ascension of the Lord. May the ascended Lord renew us in our quest to soar like eagles.

Scripture Readings for June 1, 2025

Acts 1:1-11

Psalm 47:2-3, 6-9

Hebrews 9:24-28; 10:19-23

Luke 24:46-53

Sixth Sunday in Easter

God is revealed in three stages throughout human history. First, God the Father is revealed in the Old Testament as above His creation. Next, God the Son is revealed in the New Testament by becoming human. Finally, the Holy Spirit is revealed through the Church within the heart of man. Knowing how important this relationship is with the creator of the heavens and the earth, allow God's dwelling to impact your mind, heart, and soul today.

Scripture Reading for May 24, 2025

Acts 15:1-2, 22-29

Psalm 67:2-3, 5-6, 8

Revelation 21:10-14, 22-23

John 14:23-29

Fifth Sunday of Easter

Today's Gospel is one of Jesus' last earthly life discourses. He installs a new commandment: "Love one another as I have loved you. Love is an act of the will, demonstrating both one's care for another's wellbeing, while also reinforcing one's connection to Jesus as his disciples. Just because life is difficult does not mean we are not living life correctly. As our first reading from Acts reminds us, "it is necessary for us to undergo many hardships to enter the kingdom of God" (14:22). Jesus death on the cross is a vivid reminder, that he loves us to the very end.

Scripture Readings for May 18, 2025  

Acts 14:21-27
Psalm 145:8-13
Revelation 21:1-5
John 13:31-33, 34-35

Fourth Sunday in Easter

Pope LIV's episcopal motto is "In Illo Uno Unum," which translates to "In the One, we are one". This motto, a Latin phrase taken from St. Augustine's teachings, emphasizes the unity of Christians in Christ. 
The fact that we are not one brings scandal. Nonetheless, the pope serves as shepherd over the entire flock. May God bless our new holy father in uniting the world.

Scripture Readings for Sunday May 11th, 2025

Acts 13:14, 43-52
Psalm 100:1-3, 5

Revelation 7:9, 14-17

John 10:27-30

Third Sunday of Easter

We are reminded from Acts of the Apostles that we must obey God rather than men. The more a person does so, conforming oneself to Him, friendship will grow from sentimental to self-sacrificing love. It's profound how much God loves His creation. Have you taken the time recently to reflect on this great gift?  

Scripture Reading for May 4, 2025

Acts 5:27-32, 40-41

Psalm 30:2, 4-6, 11-13

Revelation 5:11-14

John 21:1-19 

Divine Mercy Sunday

When did life begin to click for you? Learning and growth is a life long endeavor. God provides avenues of transformation if we are willing to be taught. In today's Gospel we reflect upon St. Thomas' pursuit of faith by encountering the resurrected Christ. Learn how to ask good questions and humbly receive the answers. 

Scripture Readings for April 27, 2025

Acts 5:12-16
Psalm 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24
Revelation 1:9-11-13, 17-19
John 20:19-31

Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

The life of St. John Vianney served as a priest in Ars, France for forty-one years. His life modeled after Christ was not just for parish priests, but for all Christians aspiring to lead a holy and virtuous life. One of the many ways he demonstrated Christ's love was by forgiving and loving his enemies. Let us ask for the intercession of St. John Vianney to do the same. 

Scripture Readings for February 23, 2025

1 Samuel 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23
1 Corinthians 15:45-49
Luke 6:27-38

The Presentation of the Lord

Today's celebration highlights Jesus' presentation in the Temple. Both Simeon and Anna have been preparing for this moment their entire lives. Simeon and Anna model a similar process, preparation, and purification we as people of faith go through our entire lives.

Scripture Readings for February 2, 2025

Malachi 3:1-4
Hebrews 2:14-18
Psalm 24:7-10
Luke 2:22-40  

Third Sunday in Ordinary  Time

Jesus is back home in the synagogue where he grew up. Many of the people there were those who knew Him, his father Joseph, and his mother Mary well. Why do the people of Nazareth and all of humanity have a hard time accepting Jesus? Because the God of the universe is closer than we want Him to be.

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.
He began by saying to them, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:18-19, 21).

Scripture Reading for January 26, 2025

Nehemiah 8:2-6, 8-10
Psalm 19:8-10, 15 
1 Corinthians 12:12-30 
Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

“Our culture has filled our heads but emptied our hearts, stuffed our wallets but starved our wonder. It has fed our thirst for facts but not for meaning or mystery. It produces "nice" people, not heroes.” (Peter Kreeft)

Because people have been so intent on other things that they have given up on reflecting on the works of God and thereby praising the creator for His many graces and blessings. God intends to rouse a slumbering humanity with wonder and awe as His beloved sons and daughters. 

Scripture Readings for January 19, 2024

Isaiah 62:1-5
Psalm 96:1-3, 7-10 
1 Corinthians 12:4-11
John 2:1-11