As Apollos leaves for Corinth, Paul enters the city of Ephesus and begins to help new Christians grow in their faith.
Mass Readings – Monday of the 7th Week of Easter
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Category Archives: Podcast
Daily Mass: Paul at work in Ephesus. Catholic Inspiration
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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Daily Mass: Lessons learned from the disciple Apollos. Catholic Inspiration
The example of Apollos shows that a disciple can be passionate about sharing the faith AND open to learning from those who have more education and experience. It’s a good reminder for us as we grow in grace and follow Jesus Christ.
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 6th Week of Easter
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Daily Mass: Choosing the apostle Matthias. Catholic Inspiration
As Matthias takes the place vacated by Judas among the Apostles, the early Church demonstrates its ability to adapt and grow through prayer and thoughtful reflection.
Mass Readings – Friday of the 6th Week of Easter
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Daily Mass: Paul’s success in Corinth. Catholic Inspiration
After the challenges in Philippi and Athens, Paul’s preaching has a powerful effect on many people in Corinth. His faithful adherence to the Gospel reminds us that we never know how the Lord will work through our lives to touch the hearts of those we meet.
Mass Readings – Thursday of the 6th Week of Easter
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Daily Mass: Paul’s failure in Athens. Catholic Inspiration
Paul preaches a carefully crafted, well thought out, passionate message to the people of Athens…and they scoffed and walked away. Paul’s response to this outcome is instructive; he faithfully continues to the next city, telling people about Jesus.
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 6th Week of Easter
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Daily Mass: Paul’s suffering and success at Philippi. Catholic Inspiration
Stripped and beaten, Paul and Silas are thrown into prison in Philippi. During an earthquake their proclamation of the Gospel changes hearts and lives.
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 6th Week of Easter
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Daily Mass: The example of Lydia. Catholic Inspiration
Paul encounters Lydia, who hears the Gospel and is baptized with her whole household. Her example inspires us to open our hearts as we follow Jesus Christ.
Mass Readings – Monday of the 6th Week of Easter
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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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Catholic Inspiration – Podcast Archives of Homilies & Talks- Daily Mass: We respond to God's presence in our lives
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- Daily Mass: The conversion of St. Paul
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Three Great Things 