Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

The Gospel of John, Chapter 6, continues this Sunday with Jesus' definitive teaching regarding his substantial presence: body, blood, soul, and divinity in the Holy Eucharist. St. Peter, standing on behalf of the Church, states to whom shall we go...you have the words of eternal life. May we continue to open our minds and hearts to the power of God working through His most precious gift.

Scripture Reading for August 18, 2024

Proverbs 9:1-6
Psalm 34:2-3, 10-15
Ephesians 5:15-20
John 6:51-58   

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today's Gospel continues to lead us through the Bread of Life discourse, John 6. 
Life is a journey in which we continue to learn about God and his plans for our lives. Like any journey via car or airplane it can be uncomfortable, there may not be many opportunities to stretch, or we may just get bored. Basically, life is difficult, therefore to get to our final destination we will need to find nourishment. 

Scripture Readings for August 11, 2024

1 Kings 19:4-8
Psalm 34:2-9
Ephesians 4:30—5:2
John 6:41-51 

Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

The formative years of the celebration of Holy Mass took place with the first one hundred years after the resurrection. It was an organic movement through peace and times of persecution. Our world hungers for God, and as the disciple in today's Gospel asks Jesus to "give us this bread always," it is important to know where to find food.

Scripture Reading for August 4, 2024

Exodus 16:2-4, 12-15
Psalm 78:3-4, 23-24, 25, 54
Ephesians 4:17, 20-24
John 6:24-35

Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

American novelist Flannery O'Conner once said, "If its just a symbol, to hell with it," in response to a friend who described the Eucharist as a "pretty good symbol."

During the opening ceremony of the Olympics, intended to bring people together from all over the world under the banner of sportsmanship, competition, and unity, sought the means of unity to be a grotesque mockery of Our Lord Jesus Christ at the Last Supper.  

Certainly, we can all complain, get angry and tell of our friends on social media, but in the end this accomplishes nothing. Rather, "As the Church throughout the world gathers tomorrow at the Lord’s Altar, let us do so with renewed zeal." May God the Father of mercies renew the face of the earth. 

Scripture Readings for July 28, 2024

2 Kings 4:42-44
Ps 145:10-11, 15-18
Ephesians 4:1-6
John 6:1-15 

Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

In today's Gospel Jesus welcomes back the twelve Apostles. He sent them out to preach repentance, drive out demons, and cure the sick. Now they have returned, full of stories of their successes and anxious to tell Jesus all they have done. Jesus has missed his friends. The excitement and anticipation has been tempered though when Jesus and the twelve arrive at their intended place of rest, and the crowd has arrived there first. 

Our human tendency is to roll the eyes, get frustrated, and remove "distractions" as soon as possible. Instead, Jesus rolls up his sleeves and gets to work as they were "like sheep without a shepherd." Pastoral ministry can be challenging and exhausting at times. How does Jesus move to compassion and empathy so quickly? His security and rest reside primarily in His relationship with the Father. 
What is your habit of prayer and in prayer? If it is distant, I invite you now to come away and rest awhile with the Blessed Trinity. 

Scripture Readings July 21, 2024

Jeremiah 23:1-6
Psalm 23:1-6 
Ephesians 2:13-18
Mark 6:30-34

Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

This Sunday's Gospel reminds us to pay attention to God's power. Just last week's Gospel, Jesus used three words to calm the storms at sea, "Quiet...Be Still." This week He brings a young girl back to life using only two: Talitha koum,"
which means, "Little girl, I say to you, arise!" Both instances invite people of faith to reflect upon Jesus' authority to direct the chaos around him toward order and peace. In all instances, He makes all things well!

Scripture Readings for June 30, 2024

Wisdom 1:13-15; 2:23-24
Psalm 30:2, 4-6, 11-13
2 Corinthians 8:7, 9, 13-15
Mark 5:21-43 

Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time 

Imagine, with your restless hearts and minds, are in the boat with the disciples in today's Gospel. You are surrounded by a violent storm with waves breaking over the boat, you are filled with fear as the boat fills with water. Picture these waves as the worries, problems, concerns, and stressful issues that are overwhelming your peace. 

You have now reached the point where you became angry enough to cry out to Jesus as the disciples did, “Wake up! Don’t you care?” Can’t you see what I am going through? I’m beginning to drown in pain.” Everything now is coming to a climax. Can you take it? Jesus heard the cries of his disciples, as he hears your cries. Jesus rebuked the wind and the sea calmed with three simple words, “Quiet! Be Still"! Are you listening to Jesus carefully? Quiet, Be Still. The storms of worry and stress have ceased because you trusted in the Lord Jesus. You gave control to Him just like many others throughout human history. You are not alone! This is not a one time storm as you know. Enter the storms with Jesus Christ and allow him to lead you to the other side.

Scripture Readings for June 23, 2024

Job 38:1, 8-11
Psalm 107:23-31 
2 Corinthians 5:14-17
Mark 4:35-41 

Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

Sometimes we fail to appreciate the glory that God has in store for us. We can become overwhelmed with the daily struggles of our lives and be stunned at the way of the world with all its problems. But the Scriptures this week remind us that great things can happen when we let go and let God’s power transform us.

Jesus uses images of the sower and the mustard seed to explain the kingdom of God. Although seemingly small or insignificant, these examples demonstrate that great things can happen through the work of God. All of our efforts in building the kingdom, even if they seem small, will be blessed by God. 

Scripture Readings for June 16th

Ezekiel 17:22-24
Psalm 92:2-3, 13-16
2 Corinthians 5:6-10
Mark 4:26-34 

Tenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Kintsugi, also known as "golden repair", is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery by mending the areas of breakage with urushi lacquer dusted or mixed with powdered gold, silver, or platinum.

As we age and mature, we continue to identify areas of personal brokenness. An important area to pay attention to is unforgiveness. Jesus is quite clear in speaking with the scribes, the greatest sin of all is the sin of blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. Jesus desires to help humanity put back the broken pieces of our lives and in so doing we tap into the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Scripture Readings for June 9, 2024

Genesis 3:9-15
Psalm 130:1-8
2 Corinthians 4:13—5:1
Mark 3:20-35 

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

         St. Maximilian Kolbe once said, “If angels could be jealous of men, they would be so for one reason: Holy Communion.” This Sunday we celebrate Corpus Christi. From the Catechism, the Eucharist assists Catholics in many ways: an increase of union with Christ; forgiveness of venial sins; preservation from future mortal sins; strengthening of the Church; helping the unity of the Church.

"O Christ, let my greatest delight be to see You loved and Your praise and glory proclaimed, especially the honor of Your mercy. O Christ, let me glorify Your goodness and mercy to the last moment of my life, with every drop of my blood and every beat of my heart. Would that I be transformed into a hymn of adoration of You. When I find myself on my deathbed, may the last beat of my heart be a loving hymn glorifying Your unfathomable mercy. Amen." 
-St. Faustina