The Solemnity of Pentecost marks the end of the Church’s observance of the Easter Season. This celebration commemorates the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, the Blessed Mother, and the whole Church. The coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost also fulfills God’s revelation of Himself in three divine persons. Though existing eternally, the Father is made known through His creation, the Son in the Incarnation, and now the Holy Spirit is revealed as “the Lord and giver of life, Who proceeds from the Father and the Son” (Nicene Creed). Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, promised to send to His Church the Comforter, the Advocate, Who would strengthen and confirm us in our faith.
The Ascension of the Lord marks a turning point in the life of the early Church. It signifies the transition which takes place when the Lord leaves His disciples, but with the promise of the coming of the Holy Spirit. Jesus leaves, but He does not leave them alone. He is still present with us today, especially in the Blessed Sacrament. And the Holy Spirit continues to strengthen His Church.
“It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of us...” This phrase from today’s first reading from the Acts of the Apostles indicates how the Apostles and elders were guided by the Holy Spirit in the exercise of their pastoral responsibility as teachers of the Faith. The Lord promised His Apostles that He would send the Holy Spirit to them after He ascended to His Father in Heaven. Liturgically, we celebrate these events in the next several weeks.
There are always three readings from the Bible at the Sunday Mass (not including the Psalm response). Usually the first Reading at Sunday Mass is from one of the Old Testament books, the second from one of the letters in the New Testament, and the last reading from one of the four Gospels. The Easter Season is the exception. Although the second and third readings are typical, throughout this season the first reading always presents the story of the early Church as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles. We see how – through the gift of the Holy Spirit – the number of the baptized continues to grow and the Church prospers. But it isn’t all balloons and butterflies.
The Fourth Sunday of Easter is traditionally known as “Good Shepherd Sunday” because of the theme of the Scripture readings. Because the Lord continues to call men to serve as good shepherds of His flock, this is also the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. “The purpose of World Day of Prayer for Vocations is to publicly fulfill the Lord's instruction to “Pray the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into his harvest.” (Mt 9:38; Lk 10:2) As a climax to a prayer that is continually offered throughout the Church, it affirms the primacy of faith and grace in all that concerns vocations to the priesthood and to the consecrated life.
It seems that nearly every Sunday When I read the Gospel for the Mass, I find Myself saying, “ this is my favorite Passage in the Gospels.” The encounter of the Lord with Saint Peter recorded by Saint John in today’s Gospel is another such instance. Three times Jesus asks Peter, “Do you love me?”, and three times Peter says, “You know that I love You!” Jesus gives Peter a chance to make up for his threefold denial (after the Lord was arrested) by affirming three times that he loves Him. But Jesus knows that love does not consist in merely proclaiming it; it is made real in action. Therefore, Peter is commanded to “feed my sheep”.
The Church celebrates Easter for fifty days, from Easter Sunday to Pentecost Sunday inclusive, but observes the Octave of Easter (octave means eight – from Easter Sunday through Second Sunday of Easter inclusive) with particular solemnity. This always serves as a great contrast to the secular society which, as it does with Christmas, throws away all reminders of the Feast the following day. Make sure you continue to make the Easter Season a festive time of celebrating our Savior’s Resurrection.
Do not be afraid! I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said. (Matthew 28:5; Gospel for the Easter Vigil) Thus the evangelist records the words of the angel to the women who had come to the tomb on that Easter morn. The angel’s first words to the women were borrowed by our late Holy Father, Saint Pope John Paul II, when he was elected to the Papacy: “Be not afraid!” What is it that Man fears most? Is it not death, the ultimate destroyer of one’s identity and being?
The Holy Season of Lent culminates in the Church’s celebration of Holy Week. There is no more important observance in the Christian calendar than the celebration of the events of our salvation
The Gospels recount many of the miracles the Lord performed: restoring sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, strength of limbs to the lame and palsied, multiplying the loaves and fishes to feed the hungry. Saint John, in his Gospel, does not call these great works of Jesus miracles; he calls them signs.
The last three weeks I have written about the Sacrament of Baptism. Today I would like to conclude with some comments on the rights and responsibilities of parents. Parents have the right to have their child baptized in the Church.
The last two weeks I shared some reflections on the sacrament of Baptism, and today I would like to continue with that. Parents begin thinking about a name for their baby long before the child is born. Frequently they will consider names that have a family or ethnic history. (I’m named after my father, and one brother is named after my grandfather.) Since a name provides an “identity” for a person, the selection of a name is very important.
Last week I began some reflections on the sacrament of Baptism, and today I would like to continue with that. Like every sacrament, Baptism is a sacred ritual celebrated with certain material elements, actions, and words. I mentioned last week that water is used because of its natural symbolism: it is used to cleanse us and is necessary for life.
We have embarked upon the great season of Lent. Since Lent is (among other things) a time to prepare for the sacrament of Baptism, I would like to write about that sacrament today and the next several weeks. The first of the sacraments, Baptism is rich in its symbolism and in its effects.
Lent is quickly approaching - Ash Wednesday is this Wednesday, March 5. I will be burning palms following the 9:00am Mass today at SSPP. The ashes - taken from these burned palms - placed on our heads are a physical sign of the spiritual journey we embrace every Lent.
The past five weeks I wrote about the Sacrament of Marriage. Today I would like to reflect briefly on the celebration of the Sacrament of the Eucharist. Vatican II referred to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass as the ‘source and the summit’ of our life in Christ. In other words, it is from the Eucharist that we receive the greatest Grace, and the occasion at which we give the greatest praise to God.
Ash Wednesday, and the beginning of Lent, is right around the corner. I invite our parishioners to bring their blessed palms (from Palm Sunday last year) to the church and place them in the box provided in the Holy Family Cenacle/Gather Place. These palms will be burned following the 9am Mass (SSPP) on March 2, and the ashes used on Ash Wednesday (March 5).
The last three weeks I have written about the Sacrament of Marriage. Today I would like to write about some practical and spiritual considerations for couples who are planning to marry. As soon as a couple become engaged they should contact the pastor of the parish where they belong. Do not presume that the church is available for your chosen date and time without confirming this with your pastor!
The last several weeks I have written about the Sacrament of Marriage. Today I would like to write about how best to prepare for marriage. One thing young people can do to prepare for marriage even before they meet their future spouse is to adopt a respectful attitude about marriage.
Last Sunday’s Gospel about the wedding at Cana prompted me to write about the Sacrament of Marriage. Today I would like to continue those reflections on marriage. The Church teaches – following from Sacred Scripture – that marriage has two main purposes. In other words, there are two reasons why people get married.