Category Archives: Feasts & Solemnities

The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Catholic Inspiration

Photo by Alexander Nadrilyanski on Pexels.com

As baby John the Baptist, Elizabeth, and Mary all respond to Jesus, their example inspires us to acknowledge the Lord’s presence in our lives whenever two or more gather in his name.

Mass Readings – Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

***************

Catholic Inspiration Archives

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us!


Daily Mass: Behold your mother. Catholic Inspiration

Photo by Noel Raffoux on Pexels.com

On this feast of Mary, the Mother of the Church, may the words of Jesus to John inspire us to look to Mary’s example of discipleship and love as Christ invites each of us to “behold, your mother.”

Mass Readings – Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of the Church

***************

Catholic Inspiration Archives

Holy Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us!


Study, Pray, Serve: The Most Holy Trinity

Photo by CHRISTO JAMES V on Pexels.com

Here are some of the themes in the Mass readings for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity.

1st Reading – Exodus 34:4b-6,8-9

  • Moses, holding the stone tablets, encounters the Lord on Mount Sinai.
  • Moses asks the Lord to accompany the stiff-necked people of Israel and pardon their wickedness and sins.

Psalm – Deuteronomy 3:52-55

  • “Glory and praise for ever!”
  • Blessed be the Lord who is holy, glorious, praiseworthy, and exalted above all forever.

2nd Reading – 2nd Corinthians 13:11-13

  • Paul exhorts the people to mend their ways as they encourage one another to live in peace.
  • Paul then extends the grace of Jesus, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit to be with them.

Gospel – John 3:16-18

  • One of the most beloved lines in the entire Bible: “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.”
  • God sends his Son, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.

Mass Readings – The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity

***************

Catholic Inspiration Archives


Pentecost: Come, Holy Spirit, and kindle in us the fire of your love! Catholic Inspiration

Photo by takenbytablo on Pexels.com

The power of the Holy Spirit transforms the hearts and minds of disciples, filling us with God’s grace and sending us forth to offer our lives as we follow the call of Christ.

Mass Readings – Pentecost Sunday, Mass during the Day

***************

Catholic Inspiration Archives


Study, Pray, Serve: Pentecost

Photo by David Dibert on Pexels.com

Let’s explore some of the main themes for the Mass During the Day of Pentecost.

1st Reading – Acts of the Apostles 2:1-11

  • Gathered together, the disciples are filled with the Holy Spirit and begin to speak in different languages.
  • People from many different languages hear them speaking in their native tongue of the mighty acts of God.

Psalm – 104:1,24,29-30,31,34

  • “Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.”
  • God’s Spirit creates and renews the earth with life and glory.

2nd Reading – 1st Corinthians 12:3b-7,12-13

  • There are different gifts, forms, and workings of the Holy Spirit given uniquely to each person.
  • As a body is one through many parts, all the parts of the body are one.
  • In Christ we are united in the Spirit into one body, whether Jew or Greek, slave or free person.

Gospel – John 20:19-23

  • Although the doors are locked, Jesus appears to the disciples and says, “Peace be with you.”
  • The Lord breathes on them saying, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

Mass Readings – Pentecost: Mass During the Day

***************

Catholic Inspiration Archives


The Ascension of the Lord. Catholic Inspiration

Photo by Bruno Scramgnon on Pexels.com

The Lord Jesus ascends into heaven, not to distance us from his help, but rather to empower us to grow in grace and stature as we face the challenging transitions of life.

Mass Readings – The Ascension of the Lord

***************

Catholic Inspiration Archives


Study, Pray, Serve: The Ascension of the Lord

Photo by ROMAN ODINTSOV on Pexels.com

Here are some of the main themes that we find on the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord.

1st Reading – Acts 1:1-11

  • The prologue (v. 1-5) serves as a transition between the Gospel of Luke and Acts, and introduces the coming of the Holy Spirit.
  • The Lord then ascends into the sky, having promised the disciples the power of the Holy Spirit.

Psalm – 47:2-3,6-9

  • “God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.”
  • All people rejoice and give praise to God, the Most High and great king, who reigns over all the nations.

2nd Reading – Ephesians 1:17-23

  • Christ, seated in glory at the right hand of the Father in heaven, reigns over all creation.
  • As his disciples, we pray for the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, that our hearts will be enlightened as we follow Christ.

Gospel – Matthew 28:16-20

  • The Risen Lord greets the Eleven in Galilee; even though they have doubts, they worship Jesus.
  • Christ gives them the Great Commission to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Mass Readings – The Ascension of the Lord

***************

Catholic Inspiration Archives


Daily Mass: The faith flourishes through our personal example. Catholic Inspiration

Photo by fauxels on Pexels.com

On this Feast of St. Philip and St. James, we hear about the many people who gave personal witness to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. There example inspires us to seek out ways that we can offer our own individual testimony of the Good News today.

Mass Readings – Feast of Saints Philip and James

***************

Catholic Inspiration Archives

St. Philip and St. James, pray for us!


The Resurrection of the Lord: Easter Day

Photo by EUGENIO BARBOZA on Pexels.com

There is an intensity in Mary Magdalene, Peter, and John as they run to discover what happened in the early morning hours of the resurrection. As events unfold they will rejoice with exultant faith that Jesus Christ is the Risen Lord!

Mass Readings – The Resurrection of the Lord: Easter Day

***************

Catholic Inspiration Archives


Holy Saturday at the Easter Vigil

Photo by David Dibert on Pexels.com

As we hear the great proclamation of salvation history through the readings of this Easter Vigil, we wait upon the Lord with renewed hope and strength: Christ is alive!

Mass Readings- Holy Saturday at the Easter Vigil

***************

Catholic Inspiration Archives


%d bloggers like this: