This feast highlights the unique role that the Blessed Virgin Mary holds in the life of the Church. May we ask her for continued help and guidance as we draw near to her Son.
Mass Readings – Memorial of the BVM, Mother of the Church
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Category Archives: Feasts & Solemnities
Study, Pray, Serve: The Most Holy Trinity
The Most Holy Trinity is a central mystery of our faith. Let’s take a look at some of the themes that surface in the readings this week.
1st Reading – Deuteronomy 4:43-34,39-40
- God is the Lord of all creation, and there is no other.
- The people are enjoined to keep God’s commandments.
Psalm – 33:4-5,6,9,18-19,20,22
- “Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.”
- God is upright, just and right; God’s kindness is witnessed in creation.
- We wait for the Lord, who delivers us from death.
2nd Reading – Romans 4:14-17
- We are children of God by adoption through the Spirit
- We call upon God, “Abba, Father!”
- United with God, we will suffer so that we may be glorified.
Gospel – Matthew 28:16-20
- All power has been given to Christ.
- Christ commands us to baptize in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
- Christ is with us always, until the end of the age.
Mass Readings – The Most Holy Trinity
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Pentecost: God’s power at work in our lives. Catholic Inspiration
The Holy Spirit profoundly transformed the disciples and sent them into the world with the Good News. May we today open our hearts to the Spirit as we seek to offer our lives in service of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
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Study, Pray, Serve: Pentecost
The feast of Pentecost brings the season of Easter to a stunning conclusion with several Scripture options, depending on the Mass you attend and the choice of the presider. Let’s take a look:
Vigil Mass
- Genesis 11:1-9 – The tower of Babel
- Exodus 19:3-8,16-20 – Moses leads the people to meet God at the foot of Mount Sinai
- Ezekiel 37:1-14 – God brings the Spirit and restores the dried bones to life
- Joel 3:1-5 – God will pour the Spirit upon the people
- Psalm 104 – “Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.”
- Romans 8:22-27 – The Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness
- John 7:37-39 – Jesus speaks of the Spirit as a living water that flows from within
Mass during the Day
- Acts 2:1-11 – The Holy Spirit descends upon the disciples and they speak many different languages
- Psalm 104 – “Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.”
- 1 Corinthians 12:3-7,12-13 – The Spirit gives many different gifts and unites the many parts of the body
- Galatians 5:16-25 – Live and be guided by the Spirit and the fruit of the Spirit
- John 20:19-23 – Jesus breathes on the disciples, offering them peace and the Holy Spirit
- John 15:26-27; 16:12-15 – Jesus speaks of the Spirit of truth, the Advocate
These readings are all powerful reminders that the Holy Spirit is among us! May we call upon the Spirit each and every day for the strength and wisdom we need as we strive to offer our lives for the Lord.
Come Holy Spirit! Fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit, and they shall be created. And you will renew the face of the earth. O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations. Through Christ our Lord. Amen!
Mass Readings – Pentecost
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The Ascension of the Lord. Catholic Inspiration
The Ascension of the Lord reveals how God works in our lives during times of transition and change. May our trust in Christ help us to respond to divine grace, especially in those awkward and uncomfortable moments that are part of daily life.
Mass Readings – The Ascension of the Lord
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Study, Pray, Serve: The Ascension of the Lord
Study: What do the readings say?
Pray: What do the readings say to me?
Serve: What do the readings make me do or say…today?
Let’s take a look at some of the main themes we find in the Scripture readings for the Ascension of the Lord.
1st Reading – Acts 1:1-11
- The introduction serves as a bridge between the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles (both written by the same author.)
- The apostles will receive the power of the Holy Spirit and proclaim the Good News to “the ends of the earth.”
Psalm 47:2-3,6-7,8-9
- The Church applies this psalm directly to the triumph of Jesus as he ascends to Heaven.
- We rejoice over the victory of our God!
2nd Reading – Option 1 – Ephesians 1:17-23
- A prayer for wisdom and understanding for all disciples.
- Reviews the supremacy of Christ over all things.
2nd Reading – Option 2 – Ephesians 4:1-13
- An invitation to live a life that is worthy of the call that we have received.
- We have received gifts to be shared for the building up of the body of Christ.
Gospel – Mark 16:15-20
- Christ commands his disciples to “go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature.”
- The disciples will be filled with power and able to perform many different signs.
- Christ ascends into Heaven; the disciples carry out his mission.
Mass Readings – The Ascension of the Lord
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Note: This post was first published on May 10, 2021.
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Easter Day: We live with joyful hope! Catholic Inspiration
The resurrection of Jesus Christ changes everything! From that Easter Day long ago, human hearts and lives have been transformed with God’s grace. Our fears fall away in the face of the Risen Lord. May this glorious hope renew us today!
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Easter Vigil: Embrace your faith! Catholic Inspiration
This night we hear the great message of salvation history, fulfilled in the saving death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is our faith! May we live it with conviction and joy!
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Good Friday: For God so loved the world… Catholic Inspiration
The Passion of the Lord reveals God’s love for the world. May this day drive us to our knees as we accept the gift of Christ and share His love with one another.
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Holy Thursday: The Lord’s call to serve one another. Catholic Inspiration
Jesus offers an example of service, underscored by his teaching and command. As His disciples, may we we put our faith into practice every day as we offer our lives for one another.
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Catholic Inspiration – Podcast Archives of Homilies & Talks- Study, Pray, Serve: Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion
- Daily Mass: Jesus teaches a lesson about mercy
- 5th Sunday of Lent: Jesus wept
- Daily Mass: Faith in the midst of division and unrest
- Daily Mass: The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
- Lenten Bootcamp: 5th Night - Building a spiritual Rule of Life
- Daily Mass: The example of St. Joseph, the spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Daily Mass: Jesus Christ is the just judge
- Daily Mass: A physical healing with spiritual implications
- Daily Mass: A lesson in intercessory prayer
Three Great Things 