Acts 1:1-11Ephesians 1:17-23Luke 24:46-53 The author of Acts describes the last forty days of the risen Christ on earth, teaching and preparing the apostles for His departure. The Ascension marks the end of Jesus’ human life on earth. His involvement in the lives of his followers, and us, will continue through the Holy Spirit and…

Acts 15:1-2, 22-29Rev 21:10-14, 22-23Jn 14:23-29 Christ’s Presence and Peace Next Sunday our celebration of the Easter season will come to an end. Today’s liturgy teaches us that Jesus will remain with us through the Holy Spirit who will continue to teach us everything we need to know to be disciples of the Risen Christ.  …

Acts 14:21-27Rev 21:1-5aJn 13:31-33a, 34-35 Love in Action The gospel for this Sunday follows the reading from last week where Jesus is still at the last supper before his death and he is still teaching his disciples. Judas left to meet with those who want to kill Jesus. Jesus then takes the opportunity to give…

Acts 13:14, 43-52Rev 7:9, 14b-17Jn 10:27-30 The Good Shepherd The fourth Sunday of Easter is also called Good Shepherd Sunday. The reason is very obvious from the short gospel for this Sunday. Jesus said:  “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish….

Acts 5:27-32, 40b-41Rev 5:11-14Jn 21:1-19 LOVE The second half of the gospel for Sunday tells of Jesus asking Peter three times if he loved him. Commentators have written volumes on why Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved him.  Was it because he denied Jesus three times?  Was it because Peter has been consistently slow to…

Acts 4:32-35Rev 1:9-11aJn 20:19-31 Our gospel begins today on what is called the first day of the week. It is a fitting statement because it is the day of Jesus’ resurrection and a time of new beginnings. The apostles are together in a locked room, minus Thomas and the betrayer Judas. Suddenly Jesus is in…

Acts 10:34A, 37-43Colossians 3:1-4 Or 1 Corinthians 5:6B-8John 20:1-9 God has made the most tremendous promise imaginable. God has promised to raise us from the dead, give us new, heavenly bodies, and then give us eternal life. Easter is our proof that God desires to keep that promise! How will you live and show your…

Is 50:4-7Phil 2:6-11Lk 22:14-23:56 Sunday is called Palm or Passion Sunday and is the beginning of Holy Week that culminates with Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday.  These three days are the highlight of the Church year. There are two gospels for Palm Sunday. The first tells us of Jesus’ triumphant…

Is 43:16-21Phil 3:8-14Jn 8:1-11 Judgmentalism In Sunday’s gospel we once again see Jesus being tested by the scribes and Pharisees. This time they bring a woman to him who was caught in the act of adultery. The Mosaic law prescribes stoning as the punishment. If Jesus says she should be stoned, he will go against…

Jos 5:9a, 10-122 Cor 5:17-21Lk 15:1-3, 11-32 Reconciliation The theme for the readings this Sunday is reconciliation. In the first reading the Israelites have reconciled with God and are now ready to enter the Promised Land. In the second reading Paul clearly calls us to reconciliation when he states, ”Brothers and sisters: whoever is in Christ…

Ex 3:1-8a1 Cor 10:1-6Lk 13:1-9 Good Fruit The gospel begins with some people talking about tragedies that occurred. A common belief at that time was that people suffered because of sins committed. Jesus responds to their comments with, “By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they…

Gn 15:5-12, 17-18Phil 3:17—4:1Lk 9:28b-36 Open Our Hearts Think about your closest friend. That relationship did not happen overnight. There may have been instant attraction but it takes a long time to really know another person. The same is true of the apostles who were called to follow Jesus. Gradually they came to know more…

Dt 26:4-10Rom 10:8-13Lk 4:1-13 Lent This past Wednesday was Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. Every liturgical year the church sets aside forty days of preparation for the most important feast of the year – Easter. Reading the scripture, the Word of God for this Sunday, tells us that Jesus, following his baptism goes into…

Sir 27:4-71 Cor 15:54-58Lk 6:39-45 Know Yourself To be a committed disciple of Christ we must really know ourselves. We must be aware of our gifts and our faults or weaknesses. This is important because as disciples we are to produce good deeds for others. In order to accomplish these good deeds, we have to…

1 Samuel 26:2, 7-9,12-13,22-231 Corinthians 15:45-49Luke 6:27-38 Love in Action In the gospel for Sunday Jesus’ words challenge us to love as God loves. We are challenged to love with a depth beyond imagining. God loves us beyond anything we can possibly imagine. In response to God’s love, we are to love with every thought,…