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The Nativity of St. John the Baptist

Graduation Recognition Sunday

I Will Make You A Light To The Nations

The light unto nations is the Jews or the prophet Isaiah, both because of the divine message they give to humanity, not because of their human social efforts. The Jews are the light unto nations in that, by observing the events concerning them, one cannot avoid the conclusion that HaShem is true. Prophet Isaiah, in contrast to the false prophets of peace, the Neville Chamberlains of our day, is the light unto the nations in that, by believing in his message and following his exhortations, one knows what the way to peace is and what only pretends to be such.

Feast of the Ascension of the Lord

I Am With You Always!

Transformation! What “transformative” moments do you remember in your life? The first day of School? First Communion or Confirmation? Graduation? Your first job? Moving out on your own? Wedding Day? Your first child? The death of a parent or sibling? The list is long for most of us!

This Ascension Day is a transformative moment for the disciples of Jesus, and for all of us who aspire to follow in their footsteps! They had already experienced the “whirlwind” of the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus. When they meet Him on the mountain, they worship him, but still have lingering doubts.

Now, just as the reality of his resurrected presence has begun to sink in, he is lifted up before their eyes. He charges them to go out and make disciples of all nations. His assurance to them: I am with you always, until the end of the age. He is still with us in this age!

Sixth Sunday of Easter

A New Commandment: Love One Another!

How should you Love? Who is your model? How do you really learn to love?

Jesus gives us the answer to these questions in today’s Gospel: “A New Commandment: Love One Another!”

His instruction from the Last Supper discourse has much more to say to us: “As the Father has loved me, so I also have loved you. Remain in my love. I have told you this do that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.”

“No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.”

“It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain… This I command you: love one another.”

My Lord And My God!

Easter amazement! The events of Easter Sunday are beyond comprehension, especially for those who were witnesses of the spectacle of Good Friday!
During these six weeks of the Easter season we continue to hear the accounts of the risen Christ appearing to his followers. At the tomb, in the upper room, at the inn at Emmaus, on the beach, it still seems too good to be true!
Today’s Gospel takes us to the upper room where the Last Supper was celebrated. We find the apostles on Easter Sunday night behind locked doors, and again a week later in the same place, this time with Thomas present. The apostle Thomas expresses where we often find ourselves, at first skeptical or incredulous, having to see things for ourselves, only to be   brought to our knees with the reality of God’s power and love for us! What else can we say, but “My Lord and My God!”

The Lord is Risen! He is not here, for he has risen just as he said! These words mark the star-tling end of an amazing journey we call Holy Week!
In fact, these words, this event marks a whole new era, a whole new beginning for human be-ings. Those closest to Jesus during his lifetime and public ministry would only gradually come to an understanding of what happened on this day, and what it meant for them and the whole world. Gradually they came to fully believe that what he foretold would come to pass.
Two thousand years later, we have the benefit of the testimony of Scripture and the ongoing belief of countless believers who have gone before us, and billions alive today who profess belief in the Resurrection. Still, our faith is of-ten shaken when death seems to conquer life. We need this day, that we might come to more fully believe that Jesus conquered the power of death and won for us Endless Life!

Hosanna to the Son of David! Hosanna in the Highest!

Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!

With shouts of joy and exhalation this day begins, with a triumphal procession down the Mount of Olives into the City of Jerusalem! But the spirit will quickly change as events unfold to turn the shouts from cheers to jeers! The holy Week Journey has begun. We are invited to follow Jesus through the events of this week: at the Last Supper Table, at Calvary, at the tomb of the Risen Savior! By speaking the truth He won salvation for us all!