Reflections from St. Ann DC

Why should we work with others?

Father Lynch speaks of his time missioning at the Lakota reservation. He reflects on how in the second poorest county in the US, he sees spiritual and lifelong change and how much of an impact the Jesuit mission makes in their lives.

Come, let us adore Him.

Learn more about this most sacred devotion.

Gospel: John 20:19-23

On the evening of that first day of the week,
when the doors were locked, where the disciples were,
for fear of the Jews,
Jesus came and stood in their midst
and said to them, "Peace be with you."
When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.
The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.
Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you.
As the Father has sent me, so I send you."
And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them,
"Receive the Holy Spirit.
Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them,
and whose sins you retain are retained."

Gospel: Matthew 28:16-20

The eleven disciples went to Galilee,
to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them.
When they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted.
Then Jesus approached and said to them,
“All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.
And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

This week, Fr. Ivan challenges us to live as Christians live when Jesus asks us to "Keep my commands," if we love Him. It's hard to summarize all of them, but he highlights the following:

Pray. Intercede for others.

Turn internal criticism into thanksgiving.

Listen. Pay attention.

Celebrate and appreciate the triumphs and gifts of others.

Share. Be generous with your time and your things.

Avoid asking "What's in it for me?"

Forgive daily.

Remember everyone's dignity. Never use others.

In our lives, we want to be as close to God as possible.

The closest we get to God is body to body, blood to blood through the Eucharist.

First communion is not graduation it is a progression into receiving the fullness of Christ every week.

Jesus came down from heaven to share with us his home. Let us pray today for the grace to receive humbly the gift of a portion of heaven.

Good Shepherd Sunday is a day to pray for vocations in a special way. Father Ivan elaborates here on the vocation of the priesthood, its importance, and its challenges.