Jesus sidesteps a potential trap and offers us a rich spiritual insight as we put God first and center in our lives.
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 9th Week of the Year
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Tag Archives: Jesus Christ
Mary, Mother of the Church. Catholic Inspiration
This feast day, which always falls on the Monday after Pentecost, recalls the crucial role that Mary plays in salvation history as both Mother of God and Mother of the Church.
Mass Readings – Mary, the Mother of the Church
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The Most Holy Trinity
Study: Reflect on the strongest relationships in our lives. What qualities and characteristics are present?
Pray: Ask the Lord for the guidance to see where we can build and renew our relationships.
Serve: Are there people around us that we need to forgive or assist? What steps can we take right now to start this process?
Mass Readings – The Most Holy Trinity
One God…Three Persons.
That’s the Trinity, and when you get right down to it, this central mystery of the Christian faith is just that – mystery. I have heard and used many images as illustrations to aid in understanding the Trinity:
- Shamrock – one leaf, three petals
- Water – one substance, three states (solid, liquid, gas)
- Numbers – one meaning, many languages (five, cinque, etc…)
These examples (and many like them) try to get at the notion of how something can be the same and different at the same time. How unity and diversity can be present at the same time; how the individual and the communal are manifested simultaneously.
It’s a mystery.
And at the heart of the mystery we have a communion of Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit – a revelation that God comes to us in communion and invites us to be communion with others. We are not alone! God (in communion) invites us into this communion to create communion with one another.
Where do we find communion in our lives? Some obvious places:
- Home & Family
- Work
- School
- Neighborhood
You get the idea. Wherever two or more are present, the opportunity for communion is possible. The point: How strong is the communion we have have with God and one another? How united are we in faith, hope, and love?
May we reflect on the current state of our relationships today and renew them, allowing the grace of God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – to bless the communion we have with those around us.
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Trinity, Andrei Rublev; 1411-1427 (est.), Tempera, 142 cm x 114 cm, Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow.
This post was originally published on May 26, 2015.
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Daily Mass: Finishing one chapter to begin another. Catholic Inspiration
As we finish our Easter readings from the Acts of the Apostles, we see how both Peter and Paul commit their lives to the Lord. As a chapter of their lives comes to an end, they point us to the beginning of our final destination: eternal life!
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 7th Week of Easter
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Daily Mass: What we can control when we can’t control anything. Catholic Inspiration
St. Peter and St. Paul remain true to the Lord even though they will be imprisoned and killed. May their example inspire us to choose Christ when all other choices have been taken away.
Mass Readings – Friday of the 7th Week of Easter
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Daily Mass: Our union with the Lord gives us strength. Catholic Inspiration
The contrast between the unity that Christ prays for and the uproar around St. Paul reveals our constant need to seek out ways to grow closer together through the love of God.
Mass Readings – Thursday of the 7th Week of Easter
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Daily Mass: To live our faith with all our heart. Catholic Inspiration
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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Daily Mass: Our crosses come in many shapes and sizes. Catholic Inspiration
St. Paul speaks plainly about the imprisonment and hardships that await him, yet his courage to face his Cross inspires us to pick up our own.
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 7th Week of Easter
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Daily Mass: We work together with the Holy Spirit. Catholic Inspiration
Paul and Apollos both had important tasks to do at different times and different cities; our lives uniquely build up the Body of Christ when we offer our lives and call upon the Holy Spirit for guidance.
Mass Readings – Monday of the 7th Week of Easter
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Pentecost
Study: Where in my life have I experienced God’s grace and strength?
Pray: What particular needs in my life call for the help of the Holy Spirit?
Serve: Where can I use the gifts God has given me to serve another right now?
Mass Readings – Vigil of Pentecost
The image St. Paul uses in the 2nd reading this weekend is a body. Composed of different parts which do unique and special functions, the body is united when all the parts come together. So, too, all of us are united into the Body of Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. Look at these themes from Pentecost Mass Readings of the Day:
- The Spirit gives power to communicate across barriers of race and tongue (1st Reading)
- The Spirit gives life and renews the face of the earth (Psalm response)
- The Spirit gives different gifts to people for different needs (2nd Reading)
- The Spirit is breathed on the disciples by Jesus (Gospel)
In other words, the Holy Spirit unites people, renews life, provides unique gifts, and is granted to the Church by Christ. This is the day that the disciples were empowered to continue the mission of Jesus; filled with the Spirit they will witness the Good News of the Lord through their words and actions.
Their example becomes our model. The same Spirit that changed their lives comes to us. The same Spirit that gave them the grace and strength to go forth gives us the power we need to offer our lives for Christ. God continues to invite us to serve, and the Lord pours forth the Holy Spirit to help us carry out the work of this day.
Are there barriers in our life? Come Holy Spirit!
Are there parts of life in need of renewal? Come Holy Spirit!
Are there gifts we have that need to be used and directed? Come Holy Spirit!
Jesus freely gave the gift of the Spirit to his disciples – may we turn to the Lord with conviction that as we call for the Holy Spirit in our lives we will be given what we need for the work of this day.
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.
V. Send forth your Spirit, and they shall be created.
R. And You shall renew the face of the earth.
Let us pray.
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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Note: This post was first published on May 29, 2017.
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Catholic Inspiration – Podcast Archives of Homilies & Talks- Daily Mass: Herod is curious about Jesus
- Daily Mass: The Lord sends the Twelve on their way
- Daily Mass: We are invited into the family of Jesus
- Daily Mass: The call of St. Matthew
- Study, Pray, Serve: 26th Sunday of the Year
- 25th Sunday of the Year: It's not too late to turn to the Lord!
- Daily Mass: An insight into our temptations
- Daily Mass: What will we offer to the Lord today?
- Daily Mass: We approach Christ in need of mercy and forgiveness
- Daily Mass: We live our faith with zeal and conviction
