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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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