St. Paul continues his exhortation in the Letter to the Romans, reminding us all that whether we live or die we are the Lord’s. May this insight guide us in our interactions with one another today.
When the going gets tough, the tough turn to the Lord! The Psalm response articulates the source of our strength, especially in difficult moments in life.
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!
Jesus offers something that the world does not give, yet the world desperately needs. May we draw close to the Prince of Peace to heal our hearts and give serenity to our souls.
The Lord says, “Peace be with you” and invites us to draw serenity from His love in our lives. May we call upon His peace as we face the challenges of life with trusting faith.
We find in this selection from the Sermon on the Mount one of the hardest teachings of Jesus: to love our enemies. Yet when we do this we cleanse our hearts of hate and fill them with God’s grace, so that we will be prepared to follow Christ in this life and be with Him in the next.
The words of Isaiah in the response today echo the reality of our faith as we gaze upon the Cross of Christ. May the Lord’s saving gift inspire us to offer our lives with joyful strength.
Three Great Things 