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

Holy Trinity Sunday

On this great solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, we boldly celebrate and affirm the Mystery of our God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, one of our most basic, core beliefs as Catholics that we fail to grasp completely. 

Men and women mirror God's image and likeness, whose core purpose, identity, and mission is to live as God's beloved sons and daughters. Given our culture this way of knowing and living can be jeopardized.  

Therefore, calling upon the Blessed Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit we are renewed in mind, body, and spirit that God's will may be done now and forever.

Scripture Readings for May 26, 2024

Deuteronomy 4:32-34, 39-40
Psalm 33:4-6, 9, 18-20, 22
Romans 8:14-17
Matthew 28:16-20 

Pentecost Sunday

With today’s feast the Easter Season now draws to a close, and the Easter candle will be extinguished, but we should not think of Pentecost as simply marking an end to our extended Easter festivities. It is also the beginning of something new for us. 
May Jesus Christ continue to lead His holy people toward a deeper encounter with Him.

Scripture Readings for May 19, 2024

Acts 2:1-11
Psalm 104:1, 24, 29-34
1 Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13
John 20:19-23  

The Ascension of the Lord

The Ascension of Our Lord into Heaven is not Jesus simply going up into the clouds somewhere to distance Himself from his holy people. Rather Jesus now sits at the right hand of the Father to lead, guide, judge, and encourage people of faith in their journey. Given much of the world is mission territory, Christ is calling all people of faith to preach, teach, and sanctify.

Scripture Readings for May 12, 2024

Acts 1:1-11
Psalm 47:2-3, 6-9 
Ephesians 1:17-23 
Mark 16:15-20 

Sixth Sunday in Easter

Jesus, looking at his disciples, pronounces one of the most revealing and empathic statements in all of sacred scripture: “You are my friends”. It is much easier to think of Jesus as a rabbi, political leader, or military leader. These types of relationships are rooted in authority. 

Incredibly, Jesus does not want to simply rule over our lives, but commune with us at the deepest level. No greater love than for one to lay down one's life for one's friends, proving Jesus will love us to the end.

Scripture Readings for May 5, 2024

Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48
Psalm 98:1-4
1 John 4:7-10
John 15:9-17 

Fifth Sunday in Easter

"You are already pruned because of the Word that I spoke to you."
-John 15:3

As Christians, we were first pruned at our baptism in which we were not only welcomed into the life of God, but also into Christ's death.
Therefore, much pruning needs to take place throughout one's life in order to bear much fruit and become Christ's disciples.

Scripture Readings for April 28, 2024

Acts 9:26-31
Psalm 22:26-28, 30-32
1 John 3:18-24
John 15:1-8