Paul’s speech in the synagogue reveals his conviction that Jesus is the messiah who fulfills salvation history, giving meaning and purpose to our lives.
Mass Readings – Friday of the 4th Week of Easter (#283)
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Paul’s speech in the synagogue reveals his conviction that Jesus is the messiah who fulfills salvation history, giving meaning and purpose to our lives.
Mass Readings – Friday of the 4th Week of Easter (#283)
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The First Letter of Peter offers an exhortation to live the gift of faith with vibrant conviction in the midst of our daily lives.
Mass Readings – Feast of St. Mark, evangelist (#555)
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St. Mark the Evangelist, pray for us!
The leaders and scribes are powerless to respond to the healing miracle, as the boldness of Peter and John reveals their conviction to follow Jesus Christ in the face of persecution.
Mass Readings – Saturday in the Octave of Easter (#266)
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The Psalm response stirs our hearts to offer our lives each and every day in service to God. May we call upon the Lord’s grace to journey through life with open eyes as we say, “Here am I, Lord!”
Mass Readings – 2nd Sunday of the Year
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St. Paul offers himself as an example, preaching the Gospel and training his body and soul with the same intensity as an athlete preparing for a great race. May we do the same, living for the Lord with conviction and drive.
Mass Readings – Friday of the 23rd Week of the Year
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St. Peter Claver, pray for us!
Released from custody, Peter and John return to the disciples to recount what happened. As they pray, the Holy Spirit comes upon them while the ground shakes and they preach with boldness.
Mass Readings – Monday of the 2nd Week of Easter
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St. Paul’s farewell expresses his heartfelt commitment to the people of Ephesus – heart and mind, body and soul – as he gave them his very best during his three years among them.
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 7th Week of Easter
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The boldness of St. Peter is not for a moment. Rather, he displays a steadfast conviction to live his life for the Lord Jesus…not quitting, not giving up…for the resurrection of Christ has changed his life forever.
Mass Readings – Saturday in the Octave of Easter
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The death of John the Baptist reminds us of the cost of discipleship. Yet as we look at the Cross of Christ, we find hope and strength to face the hardship of life with the conviction of the Lord’s saving death and resurrection.
Mass Readings – Friday of the 4th Week of the Year
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Study: Reflect on a time when you encountered a difficult experience. Where did you find your strength?
Pray: Ask for the Holy Spirit to help you, especially to unite with others in challenging situations.
Serve: How can you help foster unity in your life? What can you do to bring people together?
Mass Readings:
Pentecost Sunday at the Vigil Mass
Pentecost Sunday Extended Vigil
Pentecost Sunday Mass During the Day
It can be somewhat confusing to know what readings to follow – depending on the day and the options available a person can hear a number of different Scripture readings this weekend. Stepping back for a moment, however, we can tease out some major themes that surface on this important feast of the Church:
In many respects this feast marks the birthday of the Church. The disciples, having watched the Lord ascend to Heaven, are now “on their own” to carry out the Good News of Christ. The point, of course, is that they are not alone! Filled with the Holy Spirit their hearts are transformed and their lives forever changed. They have become willing instruments empowered by the Spirit to speak and act for the glory of God. They don’t look anything like their former selves – timid, fearful, and self-serving; they now fearlessly engage the world with the conviction that Jesus is Lord.
And as they are strengthened by the Spirit one sign increasingly becomes apparent – the unity of believers as a self evident sign that God’s grace is at work. Several approaches underscore this sense of unity:
Language, cooperation, fruitfulness, and forgiveness are all hallmarks of the Spirit’s presence in our lives. All are crucial and take an enormous amount of effort – supported by the POWER of the Holy Spirit!
Is there a place in our lives today that would benefit from unity? Are there relationships and situations that require healing and strength to grow? Do we recognize circumstances (perhaps beyond our control) that cry out for the Lord’s intervention? If so, then we can confidently turn to the Spirit for the grace we need to face what lies before us.
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 shall 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 Spirit we may be truly wise, and ever rejoice in his consolation. Through Christ our Lord. Amen!