The feast of Saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus offers an opportunity to reflect on their friendship with Jesus, inviting us all to consider how we might foster our friendship with the Lord as we grow in faith and love.
St. Mary Magdalene is the first person to meet the Risen Lord. Her life – a testament to God’s grace – inspires us to confront our own weaknesses and draw strength from the healing love of Christ.
The feast today offers us an insight into what happens to our hearts when we embrace God’s love. The intensity of Mary’s love in light of her “Yes!” to God indicates that the love of Christ will transform us in ways beyond our wildest imagination.
This feast draws us into the awesome mystery of God’s unconditional love for us…inspiring us to embrace this love into our hearts and let it flow through our lives.
At every Mass the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, what we call the Real Presence. In his teaching to the disciples, the Lord defines and commands us to receive him in Holy Communion. In light of the past year with the pandemic, we have discovered just how crucial it is for us to carry out this command of Christ.
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.
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.
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!
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